Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has a Christmas gift for the world as he has become a convert to the Church of Rome, the Roman Catholic church.
As a protestant, I see this as a good thing if it is for the right reasons, to strengthen his relationship with God through being saved by Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Ghost.
Here comes the but.
But, there is rampant speculation as to why now has Mr. Blair gone from being a member of the Church of England to the Church of Rome.
Some believe there is a political calculation and there may be some truth to that.
It would come as a blow to the Anglican church to have a sitting prime minister go from the reformation church to the Roman church. Say one thing and the United Kingdom. They may not like religion in politics, but they do like their leaders, elected and titular, to be protestant Christians, even if in name only.
Then there is the fact that some of Mr. Blair's public positions and votes as a member of the House of Commons smack right up against the teachings of the Roman Catholic church, especially in regards to the life issue and one concerning Sunday trading. Sunday trading may be a real issue in the UK as it is not that much of an issue here in the states.
These are issues that Mr. Blair, now out of elected politics, will have to deal with. And, if his denominational conversion is genuine, he will be guided by the Holy Ghost, and that will be a welcome position.
HT: London Daily Telegraph: www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/12/22/nbl
2 comments:
I've been wondering about this. What do you think is the political gain for Blair, or his party? Would it just be to stick it to the Anglican church?
Of course my hope is that he's just getting serious about practicing his faith. But I always wonder about the political calculations in a situation like this.
good post 64. i will make the point again. if one disagrees with what an institution may hold to as the "truth". why would you pledge your allegiance to said group... what goes through peoples minds....
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