David Cameron on religion. Or not.

Today I heard about David Cameron's speech on religion. Or more specifically on Christianity. When I first heard him quoted as saying-"a revival of traditional Christian values to counter Britain's moral collapse", I was incensed. Was he seriously of the opinion that if you did not actively decide to follow the church, then you were somehow living a bad lifestyle?

But I restrained my eagerness to immediately stick the boot in on here, instead deciding to read up and see what he actually said. Upon doing so, anger quickly gave way to amusement.

The Prime Minister spoke a great deal, but said nothing at all. Take a close walkthrough of some quotes with me.

1.) "called for a revival of traditional Christian values to counter Britain's moral collapse".

2.)"I know and fully respect that many people in this country do not have a religion

3.)"And because many of the values of a Christian country are shared by people of all faiths and indeed by people of no faith at all."

Result? Cameron's first point explicitly states that "Traditional Christian Values" are a counter to a Britain with no sense of morality. This is then completely countered with point 2-he accepts that it is fine not to have a religion. And with point 3-he accepts that the good values held by Christians are not exclusive to that religion, or indeed religion itself.

So he has made no point at all concerning religion, christianity, or morality. And he hasnt finished saying nothing;

"But what I am saying is that the Bible has helped to give Britain a set of values and morals which make Britain what it is today."

But earlier he said that morality and religion are completely independant from one another. So thats another point without a point.

"Because the tolerance that Christianity demands of our society provides greater space for other religious faiths too."

Again, he accepts that other religions are fine. Again, he defeats his own argument that Christian values are a counter to a moral decline in Britain.

So every major point made countered another major point. Nothing was said, no stance was taken, no opinion given.

Now this was obviously so that the speech couldn't possibly offend anybody.

But it gives you an interesting insight into being a politician- they have no opinion unless it will increase their popularity. And in this case there was nothing the Prime Minister could say to increase his popularity.

So he spoke a lot.

And said nothing.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16224394

Will