* Copied (from: EDGE_ONLINE) by Steve Asher using timEd/2 1.10.y2k+.


Blair will justify Iraqi deaths on Judgment Day 
-3/5/03

Tony Blair has said that he believes he will be called to account 
for the Iraq War before God, and can justify to his "Maker" decisions 
which led to hundreds of deaths.  

The information comes from a behind-the-scenes account of the 
Iraq crisis published in The Times Magazine today.  

The magazine charts Mr Blair's actions from the inside over 
30 days of war.  

His declaration of faith came on April 2, the day after seven 
Iraqi women and children were shot dead at a checkpoint.  

Apparently casting aside his usual caution about discussing how his 
religious faith guides his political actions he told Peter Stothard 
that he was ready to meet his Maker and answer before God for "those 
who have died or have been horribly maimed as a result of my decisions".  

The Prime Minister nevertheless also accepted that many others who 
believe in "the same God" may assess that the final judgment will 
be against him.  

In the feature Blair gives the most intimate glimpse yet into the 
strains of leadership, revealing how music and family help him to cope.  

But it is the role that his faith plays that will command the greatest 
attention.  

The Newsnight presenter Jeremy Paxman was rebuked for asking the 
Prime Minister if he and Mr Bush prayed together before meetings, 
but the centrality of Mr Blair's faith to his actions is apparent 
from the Magazine account.  

Mr Blair apparently had to be persuaded to drop the phrase "God 
Bless You" from his broadcast to the nation at the start of the war.  

By contrast, American President George Bush frequently invoked the 
blessing of the Almighty at the end of his speeches.  

But one adviser told Blair that invoking God's name would be a mistake 
because "you are talking to lots of people who don't want chaplains 
pushing stuff down their throats".

Mr Blair responded by telling his aides that they were a "most ungodly 
lot" - but he was finally persuaded and closed his address with the 
words "thank you".  

Mr Blair has shied away from discussion of his religion after an 
interview in 1996 when he implied that radical Tory views were 
inconsistent with Christianity. 

                               -==-

Source: Ekklesia ...
www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_2003_05_3_blair.shtml


Cheers, Steve..

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