Cameron and Christianity

Just in time for Easter, David Cameron has attempted to claw back some of the Christian support he seems to have lost. At an official reception for Christian leaders in Downing Street today, he waxed spiritual:

‘Easter week is a very important moment in the Christian calendar. So I would like to extend my best wishes to everyone here in the United Kingdom, and across the world, at this special time of year. This is the time when, as Christians, we remember the life, sacrifice and living legacy of Christ. The New Testament tells us so much about the character of Jesus; a man of incomparable compassion, generosity, grace, humility and love. These are the values that Jesus embraced, and I believe these are values people of any faith, or no faith, can also share in, and admire. It is values like these that make our country what it is — a place which is tolerant, generous and caring. A nation which has an established faith, that together is most content when we are defined by what we are for, rather than defined by what we are against. In the book of Luke, we are told that Jesus said, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” — advice that when followed makes for a happier, and better society for everyone.’

On gay marriage, he added: ‘I hope we won’t fall out too much… There’ll be some strong arguments and some strong words.’ That also seems very Blair-like — praising religious ‘values’ on one hand, then saying ‘we’ll have to agree to disagree’ (or words to that effect) about a contentious moral issue, and trying to look like somebody who sees both sides and wants only to keep everyone happy. It’s triangulation with a transcendental twist.

But Blair actually tended to be less explicit in his praise for Christianity. He preferred to talk blandly about ‘faith communities’ rather than the Bible or Jesus. Cameron seems more willing to acknowledge directly the importance of Christianity as a force for good. Which is interesting, even if it is just a political gambit.