BLAIR IN A MUDDLE ON RELIGION IN ENGLAND

J. Grant Swank, Jr.

I don’t think Prime Minister Tony Blair has clarity about religion, let alone religion in English life, particularly English politics.

Blair is a member of the Church of England. His wife is a Roman Catholic who is faithful to worship.
Speaking to a group of religious leaders, Blair presented his thesis, followed by a question-and-answer question.

The muddle comes into non-focus the more Blair appears to be appeasing his audience while at the same time revealing his own befuddled private position.

It’s not that easy to speak before religious enthusiasts when you yourself are in a puddle on the subject. So it seemed to be when Blair was at the podium. He’s for religion, but not too much of it. At least not too much of its expression in public life.

He stated that he didn’t like the upfront religious conviction displayed in America. That appeared to threaten him, perhaps frighten him. In other words, keep your faith in the closet but don’t try to practice it in the marketplace, particularly if "practicing" means voicing much of conviction.

Yet church attendance in England continues to decline. That’s surely no new news. The society becomes more and more a secular environment. Yet 7 out 10 claim to be "Christian." Well, at least the peasantry hasn’t lost the complete feel for the term. Yet it’s putting to the test the faith that counts with God. "If you love me, keep my commandments," Jesus said. Jesus told His own to pick up daily their crosses, following Him. He warned them they’d be hated by the world just as He was.

Disciples don’t come upon such hatred by hiding in a faith closet. Christians don’t keep Jesus’ commandments by philosophizing them into ethereal vapors. Believers who pick up the daily cross are out there, taking their chances, putting their convictions on their sleeves, risking it all.

There are those English who want abortion to be put on the front burner, exposed for the murder that it is. Blair is not quite sure about that. Shades of a Kerry waffler? Seems to be. Abortion is killing womb babies. If a member of the Church of England, married to a practicing Roman Catholic, hedges on whether or not to put into politics slaying the unborn, then there’s not much "Christian" in that pitiful soul.

So it went when Blair spoke before Faithworks, a group that exists to exert the Christian testimony in the culture.

According to The Washington Times’ Al Webb, "Mr. Blair told an audience of religious and community organizations in London that although religion can make a ‘visible, tangible difference’ in British society, it would be ‘unhealthy’ if it moved to center stage on the country's political scene.

"’I do not want to end up with an American style of politics, with us going out there beating our chest about our faith,’ the prime minister said -- a remark not likely to go down well in the United States, where religion traditionally figures prominently in politics.

"’Politics and religion -- it is not that they do not have a lot in common,’ Mr. Blair added, ‘but if it ends up being used in the political process, I think that is a bit unhealthy.’"

Waffle waffle waffle. Not much Christian in all that. Not much conviction in that presentation. Not much cross-bearing for Christ.

If religious conviction is to make a "visible, tangible difference" in England, it had better get the folk into the sanctuary for receiving the saving message of Christ. Then it had better get those earnest disciples "out there" in schools, worksites, community halls and commerce so as to forge against evils of all sorts. A "visible, tangible difference" doesn’t happen by osmosis.

As for Christian conviction to become "center stage" on the country’s political scene, it seems as if the English have a bit of a way to go before that threat would loom largely. Christian presence in church, let alone in the daily witness, does not at present threaten anyone English, let alone the culture.

First, the clergy must get to the clear gospel message in its preaching. Second, the grassroots can start appearing in sanctuaries to receive such gospel preaching, Third, they then can turn into real-life disciples of Christ where they live and breathe. At the moment, none of that seems to be knocking on England’s door.

As for Blair thinking that the mix of religion and politics is "a bit unhealthy," he just doesn’t get it at all. He may be a member of the Church of England, as are scores of English, but he has not an inkling as to what it means to be a member of the Christ brigade warring for righteousness against sin. He has not a clue.

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