Campbell interrupted Blair: 'We don't do God' (God help us!)

The Sunday Telegraph ^ | May 5, 2003 | Colin Brown, Political Editor

[UnklGene]

Campbell interrupted Blair as he spoke of his faith: 'We don't do God' By Colin Brown, Political Editor (Filed: 04/05/2003)

Tony Blair's most senior advisers have intervened to prevent him discussing his faith in public, according to two new profiles of the Prime Minister.

The bar on the topic is so rigid that Alastair Campbell, Mr Blair's director of strategy and communications, intervened in a recent interview to prevent the Prime Minister from answering a question about his Christianity. "We don't do God," Mr Campbell interrupted.

It also emerged yesterday that Mr Blair was prevented by his advisers from ending his address to the nation at the start of hostilities in Iraq with the message: "God bless you." The extent of the sensitivity at Number 10 to Mr Blair discussing his faith is revealed in an article to mark Mr Blair's 50th birthday this week in Vanity Fair.

The magazine's writer, David Margolick, asked the Prime Minister about his religion and the extent that it bonded him to President George W. Bush. At that point Mr Campbell, who was present throughout but had until then not been involved in the conversation, asked Mr Blair: "Is he [Mr Margolick] on God?"

According to Mr Margolick's account, when it became clear that the subject had indeed turned to religion, Mr Campbell intervened again. "We don't do God," he stated. "I'm sorry. We don't do God."

Mr Campbell, who is an atheist, has been keen to stop Mr Blair discussing his faith since 1996, when the Labour leader gave an extensive interview on the subject in The Telegraph which proved highly controversial.

Further evidence of Number 10's anxiety to avoid religious rhetoric during the Iraq war emerged yesterday in an article in The Times by Sir Peter Stothard, the newspaper's former editor.

While having make-up applied for his screen appearance on the eve of hostilities in Iraq, the Prime Minister reportedly told his staff: "I want to end with, 'God bless you'."

At this point, according to The Times article, there was "a noisy team revolt in which every player appears to be complaining at once". Staff said that this was "not a good idea", to which an irritated Mr Blair - raising his voice - responded: "Oh no?"

One unidentified member of the Blair team reportedly replied: "You are talking to lots of people who don't want chaplains pushing stuff down their throats."

When the Prime Minister responded by saying: "You are the most ungodly lot I have ever . . .", his speechwriter Peter Hyman, who is Jewish, replied tartly: "Ungodly? Count me out."

Others intervened in what was becoming an impromptu theological debate: "That's not the same God." Mr Blair remained defiant. "It is the same God," he said.

In the end, however, the religious phrase was not used and the message ended with a simple "Thank you". According to The Times article, Mr Blair also said that he was ready to "meet his Maker" and account for his decision to go to war in Iraq.

The Prime Minister made this declaration of faith on April 2, the day after seven Iraqi women and children were shot dead by United States soldiers at a checkpoint.

Asked how he responded to the deaths, Mr Blair said: "It really gets to you." He added, however, that he was ready to answer before God for "those who have died or have been horribly maimed as a result of my decisions".

Mr Blair reportedly accepted that others who believe in "the same God" may assess that the final judgment will be against him.

Asked by Vanity Fair whether he had discussed religion with President Bush, Mr Blair said: "I can't say it's something we've discussed, but it's something we share."

[MEG33]

You know the word crusade was used in WW2..certainly not a religious war. The use of the word was most unfortunate because of the perception of others.

[gcruse]

The Bush administration started out with a very tin ear for what they had the President saying. Seems to have gotten better, but new-ku-lar still grates.

[MEG33]

Oh..it's kind of endearing. I might have thought him perfect and that would never do! LOL

[wimpycat]

Yes. It's also the same country with an official state religion. I'm glad we don't have a state religion, not necessarily because I think the political atmosphere wouldn't benefit from people guided by their religious principles, but because I believe that religion suffers when it is polluted by politics.

I'm glad Tony Blair acknowledges that there is someone more important than the voters to whom he will answer for his decisions.

[wimpycat]

I think the new-ku-lar thing must be genetic. His Daddy said it the same way.

[Gabrielle Reilly]

Aussie's are very happy and relaxed. Actually we just do not use terms like "I will pray for you" or "God bless you". Not deliberately, it is just not part of our dialog. There is no bitterness. I have not heard those terms used outside of Church and Bible Study in my entire life growing up in Australia. There is far less friction between religions so I am not sure that that is such a bad thing when most live a very compassionate, Christian like life and worship in the same manner as American's.

[gcruse]

Well, I'm from Texas, too, and like down home folks as much as the next person. But when I'm speaking in public, I don't use ain't or ya'll. Maybe ya'll. That's so ingrained I may use it without even knowing. LOL

[Texas_Jarhead]

Well it's a damn sad day when people feel more open to discuss their stinkin sex lives publicly than their faith. Signs of success for the humanist lobby in their efforts to banish public expressions of faith I suppose.

[gcruse]

"Stinkin sex lives"
Something necessary to perpetuate the species is "stinkin?"
Okay...

[Gabrielle Reilly]

I agree entirely that religion was not the motive for the war in Iraq. Yes, we are in a miny clash but I am referring to the "big clash". This can be avoided if we wise up in many ways.

[Texas_Jarhead]

Perhaps it does something for you but I don't particularly care to hear about others' sex lives.

[Squantos]

Hey Gcruse.....enjoyed meetin and eatin with ya today..........We'll have to do that again someday !

Stay Safe .......Ya'll !

[tuckrdout]

I find it strange that a country that has a national religion, and whose monarchy is based on that religion, does not favor the political leader discussing his faith!

Perhaps Blair is not a member of the Church of England?

[tuckrdout]

Try telling a Muslim to keep his religion to himself. Tell him to be tolerant of other faiths....it aint gonna happen!

[FatherOfLiberty]

It could very well be that Blair succumbs to political pressure. I would encourage him to remember this passage, spoken by Jesus.

"For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels." (Luke 9:25-26 NKJV)

[tuckrdout]

Amen! Very good point.

[gcruse]

Hey, SQ. Enjoyed meeting you and swapping tales. And you know Randy's appreciated it! :)

[Gabrielle Reilly]

Oh I think Blair is very religious. I think you would have to experience the culture to really understand the sentiment. Some of our fundamental beliefs are just different on practising tolerance for all others. Forgiveness and compassion in helping each other. Non judgemental, but an open loving heart. We believe that God did not want us to judge because we are ignorant. To assume that something we do not know enough about, is either good or bad, is judging. That is one of the fundamental differences with American Christianity. In Australia we generally believe we are not worthy to judge other's relationship with God because in our ignorance and judgement, we could be very gravely wrong.

[BenR2]

That's all right: God doesn't "do" atheists, either.

(Note to Mr. Campbell: Better repent before it is too late!)

[tuckrdout]

"Something necessary to perpetuate the species"

How sad for you...."necessary"?...you might be interested in reading this--there is more to it than perpetuating the species!: http://barque.freeyellow.com/chris.html