Politicians and 'God-talk'

Simon Barrow, co-director of religion and society think tank Ekklesia, commenting on a Theos investigation into 'God-talk' by British politicians, said:

"This research will make interesting reading and digesting. Religious language has frequently been used and abused in the institutional political arena."

He added: "That there is more or less 'God talk' is not the real issue. The real concern is 'what does this mean for the integrity of both religion and politics?' Public scepticism about politicians' 'God-bothering' may turn out to have more theological validity than the enthusiasm of some Christians that their faith should be constantly name-checked."

Barrow said: "There is all the difference in the world between using religious language to get 'God on your side' or appease institutional religious concerns, and allowing the radical message of the Gospel to question vested political and religious interests. There appears to be little of the latter revealed by this research."

Full story: http://ekklesia.co.uk/node/7721