Do you believe in God?
That’s the relatively straightforward question the Sunday Star-Times put to political leaders for a fascinating story for its Easter Sunday edition.
The most interesting aspect about the answers (unavailable online) was the lengths to which Peter Dunne and Don Brash - seemingly both atheists - went to dress up their beliefs so as not to piss off the Christians among their supporters.
Said Dunne:
I believe that in a secular and diverse society like New Zealand, religious beliefs are a deeply personal thing. I come from a Catholic background and the principles and values of that faith guide me in all aspects of my life.
Said Brash:
I don’t believe in God in the conventional sense of a super-human with whom one can converse. But I believe Jesus Christ revealed some profound insights into the meaning of life which I take very seriously.
So, why not simply say no? “No” is the one-word answer Rod offered to both “Do you believe in God?” and “Do you pray?”. He did, however, say the following in response to “What does Easter mean to you and your family?”
It’s usually a time we can spend together as a family. I acknowledge that for many it has religious significance.
But such straightforwardness is clearly not au fait with the moral conservatism National and United are trying to espouse. National’s keen to keep onside with the morally conservative Christians who deserted them for United Future last time. And United’s trying to both keep those Christians onboard and not scare off others who fear the party’s a Trojan horse for “Christian fundamentalism”.
Look for some more dancing on pins in coming months.
