The Answer we have Been Looking For!

This past week, former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, presented a speech on the topic of faith and globalization. After reading through his comments, I have come to realize that the goals of his speech and his personal connection to the actions he wants to take, are what is needed to make a sustainable change and open up honest dialogue between religions. Here is the Prime Minister's presentation:




Blair reaches throughout times of terror in history and proves how it was the faithful men and women who brought peace back to the world. He does not see a divide between faith and politics but an undeniable relation. Faith, according to Blair, must not be means of exclusion. Yes, we must wholeheartedly dedicate ourselves to our beliefs and sharing these with others. However, faith becomes a weapon when we lose respect for other beliefs and begin to see those with differing views a subhuman.

"Let me be clear. I am not saying that it is extreme to believe your religious faith is the only true faith. Most people of faith do that. It doesn't stop them respecting those of a different faith or indeed of no faith. We should respect humanists too and celebrate the good actions they do.

Faith is problematic when it becomes a way of denigrating those who do not share it, as somehow lesser human beings. Faith as a means of exclusion. God in this connection becomes not universal but partisan, faith not a means of reaching out in friendship but a means of creating or defining enemies. Miroslav Volf in his book ‘Exclusion and Embrace’ describes the difference brilliantly."

Faith is a transformative power in the global world. However, people must learn to embrace it as something that is positive and not something to be afraid of. Interfaith dialogue is essential for peace to prevail and Blair beautifully portrays that necessity in this speech.

Blair brings in the role of faith and globalization in relation to the current elections in the US. There are issues that cross political lines and it is no longer "left v. right" but "open v. closed". We are afraid of becoming a global community because of the lack of understanding and sensitivity to different cultures. However, through faith, and constant interfaith dialogue, the community of the world can become united.

Reading through Blair's article is inspiring and offers so much hope and expectation for the role of faith in the future political sphere. Let's pray that these messages are heard and we begin to dialogue and learn to love each other out of respect for the individual dignity of each person.