[Mb-civic] Guardian Unlimited Politics: Blair praises faith's place in society, but not politics

[harry.sifton at sympatico.ca]

hs spotted this on the Guardian Unlimited Politics site and thought you should see it.

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Blair praises faith's place in society, but not politics
Matthew Tempest, political correspondent
Tuesday March 22 2005
The Guardian


Tony Blair today called on Britain's churches to play a "bigger role" in national life, but rejected the US style of politics in which people "beat their chests" about their faith.In a speech to Faithworks, an organisation of largely evangelical Christians in London, the prime minister said churches made a "visible, tangible difference" for the better in society.And, despite a recent cross-party understanding that religious beliefs on issues such as abortion should not become part of party politics, Mr Blair said he would like to see church leaders "play a bigger, not a lesser role in the future."But in a question and answer session after the speech, Mr Blair added that he did not want Britain to emulate the US, with politicians "beating their chests" about their faith.Mr Blair did not directly mention the recent row over abortion, which was sparked by an interview with Cosmopolitan in which Conservative leader Michael Howard said he would personally vote to lower the abortio
 n limit to 20 weeks.The other party leaders have also addressed the Faithworks group in South London in recent weeks, although Charles Kennedy, brought up a Roman Catholic, and Michael Howard, Jewish but not thought to be highly observant, are less obviously religious than Mr Blair. The prime minister is thought to attend a Church of England service every Sunday, and is even rumoured to be contemplating converting to Roman Catholicism - his wife's religion - once he steps down from power.In his speech, Mr Blair said Christian organisations had a crucial role to play in helping young people."So many of your organisations have the capacity not only to help, but to inspire and to enthuse, by being unashamed about your beliefs, your commitment and your example," he said.Mr Blair said people in society had a responsibility to each other. "A selfish society is a contradiction in terms," he said.He said most people in Britain were now relatively well-off. But a significant minority
  was set apart from the mainstream, "often passing on a life of poverty, hopelessness and alienation from one generation to another"."We cannot call ourselves a fair and strong society until every one of our children, whatever their background, gets the chance to make the most of themselves, to lead a fulfilled life, to feel they are participating members of our community," he said.The prime minister also paid tribute to the role of churches and faith groups in campaigning against international poverty and injustice.And he highlighted the recent publication of the commission for Africa report.He said 2005 could mark a turning point for the international community, "the year our eyes opened to the full reality of Africa".He concluded his speech by saying: "At the heart of my politics has always been the value of community, the belief that we are not merely individuals struggling in isolation from each other, but members of a community who depend on each other, who benefit fro
 m each other's help, who owe obligations to each other."From that everything stems: solidarity, social justice, equality, freedom. We are what we are, in part, because of the other."In the early 21st century I believe it is not merely the right moral sentiment but enlightened self-interest."Mr Blair said the voluntary sector, including churches and faith communities, had a critical role to play in the modernisation process.He insisted increasing voluntary activity did not mean the withdrawal of state support for decent schools and hospitals.But he said the government could not do everything, which was why voluntary organisations had to help. "Government can't raise your family, government alone can't get you a job," he said."Government on its own can't, from Whitehall, run the NHS properly, look after the sick and elderly, educate the children in the classroom, mind them when you are in work."

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