News by email Donate

Suggestions

Top Stories

Most Read

Popular Videos

Tim-Farron-conference-main_article_image.jpg
Ben Birchall/PA Wire
UK News

Lib Dem leader says Christian faith behind drive for equality

Tim Farron stressed that his religion was a "personal matter" but admitted it was "odd" to suggest his politics would not be influenced by God.

Mr Farron said the main influence that his Christianity had on his politics was a belief that "everybody is equal".

Speaking to 5 News he dismissed suggestions secular voters could be wary of backing him because of his faith.

Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Asked if he prayed for guidance before taking decisions, he told the broadcaster: "I think you would be surprised if any person who was religious didn't pray from time to time.

"My faith is a personal matter to me. Of course there are people of all faiths and none, and we are a party who famously champion religious tolerance and demanding rights and freedom for those people who belong to minorities.

"The party got set up in the 1860s by non-conformists, by atheists, by Catholics, by Jewish people who were against the overweening power of the Church of England. I come from that kind of a background."

Ben Birchall/PA Wire

Asked if people would have concerns about voting for someone so religious, he replied: "I would be very surprised. I think if you are somebody who rams your faith down other people's throats, or even the kind of person who demands that people shouldn't have a faith, then people would suspect that kind of extreme position.

"But we are a tolerant race and we believe that people should be entitled to have a faith or, indeed, no faith."

Meanwhile on Sky News he admitted it would be "a really odd thing to think that somebody who had a faith wasn't ever affected by it".

He accepted his Christian belief influenced his decision to reject the Assisted Dying Bill.

"But my faith tells me, above all else, that everybody is of equal value and everybody is equal. We should, for example, support the right to equal marriage, people should be free to love who they love and we should have a tolerant society," he said.

A Monthly Gift Of $11 Makes A World Of Difference

In a world of fake news there’s never been a greater need for quality Christian journalism. Premier’s mission is to provide the Church with the most up to date and relevant news, told from a Christian perspective. But we can’t do it without you.

Unlike many websites we haven't put up a paywall — we want to keep our journalism free at the point of need and as open as we can. Premier’s news output takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. No one in the USA is sharing news like we are across radio, magazines and online so please help us to continue that today.

For a monthly gift of $11 or more we’d also be able to send you a free copy of the brand new Premier Bible, a wonderful Anglicised version of the NLT packed with exclusive bonus content, reading plan and resources to help you get the most out of scripture.

Your monthly support will make a world of difference. Thank you.

Support Us
Continue the conversation on our Facebook page

Related Articles

Sign up to our newsletter to stay informed with news from a Christian perspective.

News by email

Connect

Donate

Donate