Where is the news?

[ghoti_mhic_uait]

It has long been known that Tony Blair is a Christian. So why is this recent quote from him a surprise?

"Well, I think if you have faith about these things, then you realise that judgment is made by other people."

Questioned further, he added: "If you believe in God, [the judgment] is made by God as well."

Well, what do you know? A prime minister who thinks that it's just possible that the electorate might judge him. A Christian who thinks that it's possible that God might judge him. I'm not God, and I've never voted Labour. I've never voted for the policies of Blair, I've not wanted to stand up and say 'I am part of this' since Blair became leader. I have looked elsewhere, and found kindred spirits elsewhere. I am sure you all knew that. However, as a citizen of the UK, yes, I have judged his actions. You have judged his actions.

I find them wanting in thought, care or decency. I find them misguided at best and evil at worst - I will stand any where you please and be counted as someone who believes that the war in Iraq is,was and as far as I am concerned probably always will be wrong. I am not afraid, it is my duty as a citizen to listen, to think, and to judge.

However, that is also to be expected. If the prime minister says 'I expect to be judged by other people' well, good. There is a judgment to be made, and we are making it.

If the prime minister says 'the judgment is made by God as well' - that doesn't mean, as some people have been saying, that he expects to be absolved, or praised. It means he expects to be judged. And if he thinks there's another balance 'I must be a good person' then all to the good - it may not mean much to you, but I do not see the damage in an extra check.

Yes, as a politician he needs the judgment of the electorate. I am not denying that. But neither was he.

Comments

[jane-somebody.livejournal.com]

Very well said, on all counts. I think the media are sometimes (often?) perverse and willfully obtuse in the way they take things, just to get/make a story. But people should know better.