Blair launches Faith foundation.

frogstamper · 31-05-2008, 20:59

Tony Blairs new project, the "Faith Foundation" was launched in New York yesterday with help from ex US President Bill Clinton, Mr Blair believes religion has been hi-jacked by extremists who emphasize separation and violence, he wants the worlds religions to spread the word of peaceful coexistance.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7428868.stm

From a personal point of view I feel religion has had far to a higher profile in recent years, as regards getting people of differing religions to co-exist in a more peaceful manner, I think most decent people whatever their religion do this or are prepared to anyway. Its the nutters out on the edge who don't want any part of this, so to isolate these morons I say take religion out of the spotlight, don't give the morons the oxygen to spout their hatred, religion has been center stage on the worlds platform for the last ten or so years, and look where its got us. Religious people believe there way is the right way, and that no matter how well meaning other religions are they are following the wrong path, so all this inter faith dialogue is a red herring.

Getting on with other people who hold differing views isn't solely a religious matter, its more common human decency, I think the world would stand a far better chance of peaceful coexistence if religion took a very, very back seat, if anything the last ten tears should greatly strengthen the atheist cause.

31-05-2008, 22:39

Oh yeah Blair is just the person to lecture anyone about anything.

Russ · 31-05-2008, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogstamper

Religious people believe there way is the right way, and that no matter how well meaning other religions are they are following the wrong path, so all this inter faith dialogue is a red herring. .

Not at all. I agree that I believe Christianity is the only way but also believe tolerance and overall, respect for other faiths is paramount. We can all co-exist as long as all parties want too. There is no confrontation in Blair's intention, just mutual respect.

downquark1 · 01-06-2008, 00:24

I agree that the spotlight on religion has been hijacked by the extremists they is precisely what has caused the rise in the "new atheism". The group feels physically threatened by violent extremists and politically threatened by these new powerful political organisations. While all this has been happening the moderates are running out of reasons to defend the extremists while at the same time being reminded of some of the more goofy things they are suppose to believe. So they end up just saying "well that's not my religion", which is all well and good but they rarely go on to define exactly what is it. The result is that moderate churches are full of people with differing views that never figure out exact what the others believe. Which again is all well and good until a dividing issue arises and they have no unified political group. (I must point out, I hate unified political bickering but I must acknowledge its apparent effectiveness)

I am not convinced religion should be saved, as long as the holy books remain as they are passages to justify extreme behaviour will always be found. The only way to reform it is to discard or completely rewrite the holy books. Which of course they will never do.

I must also add that most philosophies can be intolerant of others. And atheism is not a philosophy in itself no matter how much Richard Dawkins tries to link it with rational materialism (that's materialism in the philosophical sense not the economic sense).

slowcoach · 01-06-2008, 01:07

Seeing as Clinton, (and possibly Blair) is a member of The Order of The Illuminati, I guess this is what Blair is advocating.

**Hugh** · 01-06-2008, 01:10

imho

frogstamper · 01-06-2008, 01:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowcoach

Seeing as Clinton, (and possibly Blair) is a member of The Order of The Illuminati, I guess this is what Blair is advocating.

Isn't the Illuminati this organization that the balanced David Icke says are all green lizards from space?

01-06-2008, 01:51

He's seeking forgivness for all of the sins he committed as PM.

01-06-2008, 01:59

Must be a bloody good faith and extremely forgiving one he is onto then Enuff.

slowcoach · 01-06-2008, 02:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogstamper

Isn't the Illuminati this organization that the balanced David Icke says are all green lizards from space?

Yes, well he says they are half alien lizard/half human, take a good look at the Queen next time she is on, could be....

Let's face it, none of them act like anyone else I know.

frogstamper · 01-06-2008, 02:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by RizzyKing

Must be a bloody good faith and extremely forgiving one he is onto then Enuff.

It must be considering as a religious man he didn't listen to Gods guy on Earth, the Pope, about the Iraq war.

danielf · 01-06-2008, 02:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by frogstamper

It must be considering as a religious man he didn't listen to Gods guy on Earth, the Pope, about the Iraq war.

He wasn't a Catholic at the time though.

01-06-2008, 02:10

Ye Rizzy, it'll be one of those religions where you can do all you want, no matter if it's good or evil / right or wrong. You still get to go to a place of ideal beauty and loveliness.

frogstamper · 01-06-2008, 02:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

He wasn't a Catholic at the time though.

Granted, but his entire family was and at that stage he must have had a pretty good idea where he was heading, but obviously Tony knew best.

BBKing · 01-06-2008, 02:25

I don't particularly care what denomination or faith he adhered to, it's enough to know that when people were telling him 'Tony, no, that's a bad idea' he listened to his faith and went ahead anyway. I'll leave it to you to decide which was the better course of action. Git.