Lib Dem Leader Tim Farron Steps Down Citing Anti-Christian Suspicions

[angrysoba]

I think it is revelent, given his denomintion's doctrines might be a key to his beliefs. And there are often huge differences in doctrine between Christian Denominations.

Evangelical according to Wikipedia. I don't know more than that.

 

[ddt]

Heh heh! I could be misremembering but I think he has said at some point, "as a Christian I believe in compassion..." or some such (maybe on Question Time but maybe this is a false memory implanted by the Tyrell Corporation).

Whenever someone says "as a Christian/Muslim/Jew/Hindu, I believe..." then you can hardly complain about being asked if any other political issues will be affected by your religious beliefs.

Indeed. And if your Christian (or whatever) beliefs contradict major party standpoints, you're better advised not to advertise those beliefs. Or be better prepared for such questions. If he thinks homosexuality is a sin, I can think of a dozen better answers than he gave in that Cathy Newman interview, especially when she holds the Leviticus quote against him.

 

[Vixen]

Indeed. And if your Christian (or whatever) beliefs contradict major party standpoints, you're better advised not to advertise those beliefs. Or be better prepared for such questions. If he thinks homosexuality is a sin, I can think of a dozen better answers than he gave in that Cathy Newman interview, especially when she holds the Leviticus quote against him.

Must be near impossible to be a politician and not lie ='bear false witness' (cf Ten Commandments).

 

[Seismosaurus]

It sounds to me like he is trying to have it both ways. And I am not trying to make an innuendo here.

In your end-o!

 

[Seismosaurus]

Must be near impossible to be a politician and not lie ='bear false witness' (cf Ten Commandments).

So are you going to tell us what exactly you meant when you said gay men were trying to "bait" Mr Farron?

 

[NWO Sentryman]

good riddance. Still, the best news from last week was the traitor Nick Clegg going away forever.

 

[angrysoba]

good riddance. Still, the best news from last week was the traitor Nick Clegg going away forever.

"the traitor Nick Clegg"?

 

[Aber]

If he thinks homosexuality is a sin, I can think of a dozen better answers than he gave in that Cathy Newman interview, especially when she holds the Leviticus quote against him.

I think at least a part of the issue is the difference between his interpretation of "sin", and that used by the media looking for a soundbite.

 

[angrysoba]

Anyway, who is going to be next leader? I think it will be Jo Swinson.

 

[Ethan Thane Athen]

I never understood how an evangelical christian could want to be a member of the Liberal party, let alone its leader - the two views seem diametrically opposed. There have certainly been christian leaders in the past - though I assumed they were typical Brits in that it was more a tradition than a conviction...

It's a shame, as he seemed mildly competent and I'm sure he thought he didn't push his own views on others, but he seems to have reached the right conclusion in that such deep religious convictions really do not fit with such a party.

He could become a Tory but he seems too nice.

 

[NWO Sentryman]

"the traitor Nick Clegg"?

Breaking a campaign pledge on opposing tuition fees, a pledge which got him elected, is something very few people are willing to forgive.

 

[ponderingturtle]

Looking up Farron..whom, as a Yank, I knew little about, since the Lib Dems are pretty much a minor power in Uk Politics..I see he voted in favor of Gay Marriage. I wonder if he was a victim of simply phasing his beliefs badly.

Did he have the option of voting against it?

 

[ddt]

Looking up Farron..whom, as a Yank, I knew little about, since the Lib Dems are pretty much a minor power in Uk Politics..I see he voted in favor of Gay Marriage. I wonder if he was a victim of simply phasing his beliefs badly.

Actually, one of the things that was held against him was that he was not present during the third reading and final vote on the gay marriage act. The vote was 366-161, so it's not like his vote would have mattered and I don't know what other issues kept him from parliament that day, so I'm not passing my own judgment on that matter, only reporting what others think about it.

 

[ddt]

I think at least a part of the issue is the difference between his interpretation of "sin", and that used by the media looking for a soundbite.

Then it's also a bit naive of himself to not guard himself better against that difference of interpretation.

 

[Aber]

Then it's also a bit naive of himself to not guard himself better against that difference of interpretation.

He's a leader of a political party. EVERYTHING he says is subject to being twisted by someone.

IIRC there is the old Thatcher response to the question 'Do you believe in Heaven?.

'Christians believe in Heaven; I am a Christian', which shows how far you have to go to avoid providing a quote which could be used against you.

If you are truly religious, especially in a religion where you are supposed to publically stand by your beliefs, then being a politician is very hard.

 

[The Don]

If you are truly religious, especially in a religion where you are supposed to publically stand by your beliefs, then being a politician is very hard.

...especially if those religious beliefs run absolutely counter to the ethos of the party of which you are a member (or in his case of which he is the leader).

To me it seems silly to be a member of a political party which by its name is clearly liberal when your religion is deeply conservative

 

[fuelair]

Farron said he was constantly being baited by gay men, simply for his faith.

Do you think such behaviour is right? In which way does it differ from intolerance?

Sounds like, as this is not something I keep up with, that at most he was bigoted against gays and they are, thus, not fond of him. Normal reaction last I checked. Problem is that his religion says he should not be. I have no care what theirs is or isn't. Remembering, of course, that I have indeed in my misspent youth read the bible and other religious books as well as the Durant's History of Civilization back in the summer of '64 (Thank you BOMC)!!!!!

 

[fuelair]

I would say it depends on what they were after, and what constitutes "simply for his faith". If the baiting was to out him as a homophobe whose policies would reflect the attitude, then I'd say it's fair game.

I don't know what the situation really is there, but it certainly is not at all uncommon in the US for Christians to complain of victimization when the nearly automatic dominance of Christian principles and values is questioned.

Too fapping true!!!!!!!

 

[MikeG]

Anyway, who is going to be next leader? I think it will be Jo Swinson.

I hope so.

 

[angrysoba]

Breaking a campaign pledge on opposing tuition fees, a pledge which got him elected, is something very few people are willing to forgive.

Oh, okay. I have seen references to him online as a traitor for being pro-EU. Still Clegg's defence was that they didn't want to leave the U.K. without a government so had to compromise somewhere.