The full text is under the cut:
As one of the most significant Christian festivals, Easter is a time of reflection and renewal. What it celebrates is the moving and powerful story of Jesus’s sacrifice and resurrection.
As the poet Spenser wrote, “Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught.
And the values that Jesus lived his life by – compassion, humility and forgiveness – resonate with people of all faiths and none.
It’s why so many people, both Christian and not, use the weeks before Easter – the forty days of Lent – to take stock of what is truly important to them and their families. Whether that is through giving their time to volunteer or going without something in their own lives to help those most in need. It all makes a difference.
Easter is also a time that many people spend with their families, relaxing and enjoying the break in their different ways.
So, whatever you’re up to this weekend, I hope you have a very happy Easter.
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12 Comments
I must admit to having a bit of a problem with politicians doing messages to religious timetables.
Party Leaders (all of them, not just Nick), you are NOT the Queen. This is NOT your territory.
Where do you draw the line? Wherever it is that you draw it, you will inevitably be favouring some sects over others, hence diminishing the adherents of the ones you choose to bypass.
Easter is arguably the most important festival in the Christian church, It has a deep and significant meaning to many Britons and millions of others around the world. The reality is, however, that the footfall in the Trafford Centre alone this weekend will be more than the combined congregations of all the churches in Greater Manchester. Will our Party Leaders stoop to address those who worship at the altar of shopping?
Tony Dawson 5th Apr ’15 – 11:40pm
100% agreement Tony. This is NOT political territory.
While personal faith may inform an individual’s personal values and politics, the public interweaving of politics and religion does not have a happy or successful history.
Sadly, politicians of all parties, use religion as just another ploy for votes….When religious leaders point out that their actions are in direct contravention of Jesus’s message (Yes, Mr. Cameron, it’s aimed at you) their media mouthpieces loudly proclaim that religion has no place in politics…..?????????
Surely the Christian ethos, compassion, has a place in society even for those who do not subscribe to the faith.
This could be why the Bishops wrote the open letter recently and why David Marquand, in his book Mammon’s Kingdom referred to its demise in our society. Nick Clegg participated in a Government where, according to the NASUWT conference reps 69% of teachers have seen kids coming to school hungry,24% brought food in themselves, 78% have seen kids without appropriate footwear, 55% know kids who can’t afford the school uniform. Please don’t dismiss evidence from teachers as from a load of lefties.
Farage can top the ratings in the leaders’ debate by disgracefully appealing to base values.
So you are right Nick but you must chose your allies more carefully.
brianD 6th Apr ’15 – 9:14am
“Surely the Christian ethos, compassion, has a place in society even for those who do not subscribe to the faith.”
Many of humanities deepest and most worthy values shared by multiple religious, non-religious groups and individuals alike. I contend that it is the value or act of humanity that is the most important not in whose name we hold or undertake it.
But I think the key issue here is not actually about religion but, as expats accurately observes “politicians of all parties, use religion as just another ploy for votes”.
I openly admit to not liking faith leaders telling me how I and others should lead our lives – but that is nothing compared to my dislike of politicians using religion for their own ends. It is an aspect of American and other cultures we import and use at our peril.
I think this is a perfectly good positive message. There is no reason why non-Christians like myself should not learn anything from the life of Jesus which I happen to think is inspirational. He is not exploiting religion for political ends, what he said could be said by anyone. I am happy to wish my Christian friends a happy Easter, and for that matter my Jewish friends a happy Passover.
A political leader making a statement at a particular point in a religious calendar is not unusual.
I guess it is similar to making a statement at a particular point in the Trade Union calendar. I look forward to NC’s statement to the annual conference of the Teaching Unions and his annual speech to the TUC etc
I’m with you Geoffrey Payne. The cynics might take Nick’s words to heart and do a bit of reflection themselves.
One of the issues here is that Nick is, like myself, not a believer in an organised theistic-religion.
By all means we can wish people a heart-felt peaceful or a very happy Easter etc but I feel uncomfortable with any politician talking about “Jesus’s sacrifice and resurrection … Love is the lesson which the Lord us taught … the values that Jesus lived his life by – compassion, humility and forgiveness … the forty days of Lent … ”
It is surely better not to invoke religion at all than risk the appearance and insinuation of it being used for political gain. If I wanted religious guidance and comment I would seek it first hand – just as would not go to a professional theologian to understand party political values and discourse.
I have a problem when we fail to do similar messages for other faiths. Where was Nick at Hannukah? At Eid? At Diwali?
Philip Thomas 6th Apr ’15 – 2:56pm
Where was Nick at Hannukah? At Eid? At Diwali?
Philip to be fair if you look back through the LDV archive you will see the answer to your question.
My own iew comes with that of Stephen Hesketh when he said —
“…It is surely better not to invoke religion at all than risk the appearance and insinuation of it being used for political gain”
The exploitation of what should be left private is an unfortunate aspect of Party politics. This particular issue (religion) is pretty small beer. It appears that with the Tories flagging rather, the Daily Mail has chosen this election campaign to run the sympathy vote re great big picture-filled articles of ‘Sam Cam# and: David Cameron’s late son Ivan. I am certain that Tory central office has nothing whatsoever to do with this.