Blair conversion?

Posted by: Bruce Woodhouse on 22 June 2007

The media seem to be hinting that very shortly after he resigns Blair will convert to Catholicism.

Without wishing to have a jab at the Catholic Church I'm curious about the apparent message here-that somehow it would have been inappropraite for him to convert whilst a serving PM despite the fact that his faith presumably guided him to do this at some time before this week.

It seems that politically he judged that such a conversion would have been unpopular. Is it only me that sees the timing as just revealing his hypocrisy? If he has held strong RC views for a long time then should we not have been able to judge his policies and behaviours in the light of that knowledge; and should he not have been prepared to present his beliefs to us with complete honesty?

Blair is once again revealed as a man for whom political expediency is all. He is even prepared to delay his entry into the Catholic Church until he thinks it is politically acceptable to do it. Such is the strength of his convictions!

Bruce (feeling vitriolic)
Posted on: 22 June 2007 by Diccus62
There were strong hints about his Catholicism a few years ago, I'm surprised it is seen as such a big deal. I do take your point though Bruce. C of E is more a vote winner?

Regards

Diccus Smile
Posted on: 22 June 2007 by Malky
He did want Ireland to be part of his legacy. He will, however, be remembered for another war torn part of the world.
Posted on: 22 June 2007 by BigH47
North Sea Gas?
Posted on: 22 June 2007 by Sir Crispin Cupcake
Bruce,

I think Blair was showing signs of hypocrisy long before this issue!

Rich
Posted on: 22 June 2007 by Svetty
If you're always right then issues of hypocracy don't arise in your own mind.

BTW posting in between pts Bruce? Winker
Posted on: 22 June 2007 by Deane F
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:

Blair is once again revealed as a man for whom political expediency is all. He is even prepared to delay his entry into the Catholic Church until he thinks it is politically acceptable to do it. Such is the strength of his convictions!


Bruce

Your statement makes a more telling remark about your dislike of Blair than anything about his character.

His faith and his decisions about conversion are between him and his god. You are not privy to the conversations in his soul about the matter and you have no real idea about his reasons. You've merely decided to assume something because it would back up and opinion that you'd already formed.

Deane
Posted on: 22 June 2007 by fidelio
i'll steer away from this thread. my granpappy told me there's three things you don't talk about on forums, one of them being religion. i did want to query opinion about blair's post-p.m. "continuing realtionship" w/ the bush admin, as a middle east peace envoy (???), but perhaps we should leave that one alone ....

rgds., fid.
Posted on: 22 June 2007 by Bruce Woodhouse
Deane F

That is a pretty fair assessment. Guilty as charged. I'd also ignored the constitutional issues which apparently would be raised by a Catholic serving PM. In itself that raises more questions. Can a future PM be effectively 'barred' from practising their religion. Must every serving PM be Christian-or worse still must they pay lip service to a faith they may not have.

Bruce
Posted on: 23 June 2007 by Stephen Tate
A prime Minister should put all their energy into running a country and not believing in something that is not here and never will be.

In my view, whenever i hear Blair talk, i find it very hard to believe he is a human and not an android, err..They live. (Same as Bush) Big Grin

Aweful Leaders.
Posted on: 23 June 2007 by BigH47
quote:
not believing in something that is not here and never will be.


Like peace in Iraq?
Posted on: 23 June 2007 by u5227470736789439
Peace in Iraq has been postponed at least another generation by the Invasion. Is what is going on better than what went on under the previous regime? I don't know as it is certainly not very clear that it is better [and at least Hussein did not allow Al Quaeda to prosper there in his time], but it is clear that the situation is going to carry on getting worse before it gets better. Perhaps believing in peace in Iraq is as hopeless as any other belief where there is no indication that it based in some possible or imminent prospect of it coming about.

ATB from Fredrik
Posted on: 23 June 2007 by fidelio
is there some sort of rule in the u.k. that the p.m. must be church of england?? or is it "unwritten," like most such things there ...
Posted on: 23 June 2007 by Bob McC
Preferably, but a left footer is just about acceptable. Any other faith, or an atheist would be unelectable.
Posted on: 24 June 2007 by JamieWednesday
Err...Disraeli?

(Clue's in the name...)

Oh and Lloyd George was a 'Disciple of Christ' (or some such) from a family of Baptists.

Of course some are a little more forthright in their views but most steer clear for obvious reasons in media frenzy type modern politics where evry aspect of your personal views is examined, disected and no doubt found wanting by some. Some others have mixed politics and religion but perhaps only to further their own politic. Pitt the Younger resigned rather than support rights for Catholics to keep himself in with fatty George. History doesn't record the religious bent of Pitt the Glint in the Milkman's eye however...
Posted on: 24 June 2007 by u5227470736789439
One thing is that under the RC dispensation Mr Blair will be able to make confession, so it might be a fair guess that some Priest is going to be hearing a lot from him as he makes his peace with his Maker!

I was chatting to Frank F about this and he asked me to post this for him, as he is not on-line over the next few days.

ATB from Fredrik
Posted on: 24 June 2007 by fidelio
so you fellows have already had your female and jewish p.m.'s -- no chance of that here in the states. horribly conservative in the worst way over here. i rather like the concept of a "real" conservative (fiscal prudence, and all that), even though i am not one, but over here we get "neocons," really not conservative at all but a bunch of liars and jerks. i was raised anglican, but i have no problem w/ anyone's religion as long as they're not trying to forcibly dunk me in a water tank or make me eat cold pancakes.

as far as blair being rc, i wish him all the best. none of my business, really, assuming he is not making secret trips to vatican city or some such thing.
Posted on: 24 June 2007 by Colin Lorenson
It constantly amazes the how much interest (and controversy) is provoked by which brand of fairy story someone believes in.

"Idealistic naive mode on".. How much better would it be if everyone just gone on with their own life / religion and didn't try to inflict their view point on everyone else" ...."INM off"

Sadly not going to happen is it?
Posted on: 25 June 2007 by Svetty
Does Richard Dawkins use Naim?
Posted on: 28 June 2007 by acad tsunami
quote:
Originally posted by Svetty:
Does Richard Dawkins use Naim?


Dunno but he does have a B&O tv according to a magazine article wot I read recently.
Posted on: 29 June 2007 by JoeH
quote:
Originally posted by JamieWednesday:
Err...Disraeli?

(Clue's in the name...)



Disraeli was C of E.
Posted on: 29 June 2007 by Chris Kelly
Fredrik

Confession involves admitting to sins does it not? TB would never in a billion years admit to making a mistake, never mind actually sinning. How can one be contrite for something one has never done?

I have no idea about what the man believes in privately and I don't care. As soon as religious conviction starts to create public policy however we have a real problem.
Posted on: 29 June 2007 by Bruce Woodhouse
quote:
I have no idea about what the man believes in privately and I don't care. As soon as religious conviction starts to create public policy however we have a real problem.


Surely it does? In the USA it is far more overt than here may be but it is surely the case that the religious beliefs of a premier do affect policy decisions. That is why I say they should be open about their beliefs.

I don't mind what they are but I think we have a right to know. Strong religious convictions are not just a personal matter when you are in power.
Posted on: 29 June 2007 by Andrew Randle
Why did TB have to wait? Didn't Christ say:

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."

I hope the delay isn't indicative of where Tony's heart and priorities are.

Andrew
Posted on: 29 June 2007 by Andrew Randle
quote:

I have no idea about what the man believes in privately and I don't care. As soon as religious conviction starts to create public policy however we have a real problem.


But not in the case of Christianity Smile

Better 1,000 Evangelists than a 1,000,000 soldiers eh?

Andrew
Posted on: 29 June 2007 by Chris Kelly
Maybe, but now the evangelists have taken control of the soldiers. A fanatic of any persuasion is a threat to us all.