David Cameron does God
'I don't drop to my knees and pray for guidance', says the Tory leader David Cameron, but he does regard religious faith as important.
Money quotes from his :
'My own faith is there, it's not always the rock that perhaps it should be. I've a sort of fairly classic Church of England faith, a faith that grows hotter and colder by moments.'
'I suppose I sort of started life believing that one's individual faith was important, but actually the institutions of the church were less important.'
'I do think that organised religion can get things wrong, but the Church of England and the other churches do play a very important role in society.'
'I think that it's perfectly possible to live a good life without having faith, by which I mean a positive and altruistic life, but I think the teachings of Jesus, just as the teachings of other religions, are a good guide to help us through.'
What do we make of that? He creates space for all faiths, even humanism, and sees religious beliefs as conversation partners -- optional guides, which can be useful from time to time. Religious groups have an important societal role, but they are open to criticism too. And, perhaps most importantly, a political leader should feel feel to talk about his own attitude to religion.
He was careful to deny that he has a 'direct line' to God. After George W Bush, few politicians would speak comfortably of that kind of prayer-line. Cameron's media strategy contrasts with Tony Blair's discomfort about public expressions of faith -- even though, ironically, it is Blair who is clearly the more strident religious believer. Gordon Brown's comments on faith usually involve references to his father's work as a Presbyterian minister and the biblical roots of Christian Socialism, which tend to give the impression, rightly or wrongly, that Brown is more interested in the social and political implications of faith than faith itself.
Cameron has offered intimate aspects of his personal narrative to the public in this interview, and we can expect a great deal more of that as we approach the general election. This is further evidence of a drift towards the American presidential election model, where personal narratives are more important than manifesto commitments.
Cameron presents himself as a religious everyman figure: he has questions, he has doubts, but faith keeps returning, at key moments of his life, as an available anchor. Many people in Britain can relate to that kind of non-confessional faith, where religious belief is less like a marriage and more like an important friendship.
Comment number 1.
At 6th Nov 2009, romejellybean wrote:Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 6th Nov 2009, mccamleyc wrote:it's a typical politicians non-answer along the lines of "what modern music do you listen to?" and "what books have you beside your bed?". Practically speaking he has little or no faith and is perfectly reflective of the bulk of the electorate. It's a classic "on the one hand" answer.
And why the need to put a dig in at George Bush? People of faith pray about important things - that's what we do.
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Comment number 3.
At 6th Nov 2009, graham veale wrote:Is it just me, or are Cameron's eyes greemn in that picture? I mean, isn't he taking his ecologial image too far?
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Comment number 4.
At 6th Nov 2009, petermorrow wrote:"Many people in Britain can relate to that kind of non-confessional faith, where religious belief is less like a marriage and more like an important friendship."
Well, I'm not so sure that marriage and an important friendship are that different.
Interesting contrast being drawn there.
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Comment number 5.
At 6th Nov 2009, petermorrow wrote:BTW, the changes to the website have created a few user unfriendly gremlins!
Or is it only me?
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Comment number 6.
At 6th Nov 2009, romejellybean wrote:Peter
have you any idea how to get rid of John Smith and get me back to RJB again. This feels like an out of body experience.
Romejellybean.
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Comment number 7.
At 6th Nov 2009, petermorrow wrote:RJB
At the moment I have a number of problems.
1. The comments box appears as a rectangle about 5cm by 1cm and I can only see 10 words at a time!
2. The text on the page appears sometimes as it's supposed to and sometimes simple like unpunctuated text on a page.
3. I the page and sign in section loads very slowly and sometimes not at all.
4. I understand none of this and don't know what to do!
It seems really strange that you're appearing as J Smith, and I assume you're signing in or can't sign in as RJB.
Sorry I'm at a loss and am not a techie!
Have you tried emailing the Â鶹Éç?
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Comment number 8.
At 6th Nov 2009, romejellybean wrote:Pete
I have all of those problems too, but the best bit is when you do try and contact the Â鶹Éç. Nae chance!
By the way, I found an email address for PK and asked him if he had your email as I would like to contact you privately. He doesnt, but thinks that Helio does. Anyway, through PK or Helio or William himself, (coz he has my email) can you get your email address to me.
RJB
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Comment number 9.
At 7th Nov 2009, graham veale wrote:Peter
never mind the gremlins. have you seen the evil clown.
spooky!
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Comment number 10.
At 7th Nov 2009, petermorrow wrote:RJB
I think I should be able to get my email to you via Helio, via another blogger who has been in contact with him, I'll do my best. Except for that one other person I haven't been in contact with anyone else on here.
I'd put it up here except it's not allowed and anyway I'm not sure I want it going 'out to the world'! I'm the cautious sort! :-)
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Comment number 11.
At 9th Nov 2009, John Wright wrote:If you want to use MINE as a go-between, both send me your emails, I can forward them on. Just a little service I provide to fellow W&Ters. :-)
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Comment number 12.
At 9th Nov 2009, romejellybean wrote:JW
Thanks for offer but every time I click on MINE nowt happens - not that I was expecting the Second Coming or anything like that. I thought an email address might appear maybe. Yet another grem I suppose.
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