The Government this week appointed thirteen “faith advisors” to bring religion to the heart of the Government’s policy-making.Communities Secretary John Denham — a self-professed non-believer — said that religion was not just something the Government should call on “as a prop” when it had problems to solve, but should be respected in its own right.
The 13 advisers are supposed to “enhance ministerial understanding of, and engagement, with faith communities nationally.”
Government already has a “Faith Communities Consultative Council” (FCCC) but now Mr Denham says he wants to see “as many channels of communication open as possible” and this includes hearing from a wide range of expert voices. Mr Denham said the new panel will advise on the economy, parenting, achieving social justice and tackling climate change.
Mr Denham admitted that this plan was fraught with potential conflict: “The relationship between faith and government will however not always be easy and some faith communities will no doubt sometimes disapprove of government decisions. Likewise, Government should not shy away from honest debate or criticism when warranted and that this should not exclude any faith.”
Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society, said: “This flies in the face of every social trend that is being recorded in this country. To appoint religious people because they supposedly have superior ‘values’ is a gross insult to that half of the population that has no religion and doesn’t want to have a religion and is appalled by some of the activities of religious bodies. What kind of democracy do we have here when unrepresentative people are wheeled in to help make policy? And why is it considered that this panel has any qualifications to advise on economic policy? It is quite clear that few people in this country live their lives by reference to traditional religious teachings, so social policy based on religion would be keenly resisted.”
Mr Sanderson said: “Wherever religion has influence it brings with it conflict and intolerance. These latest recruits will be no different and most people on this panel will be completely out of step with the wants of the British public.”
The only saving grace is that they are non-entities not being paid by the taxpayer, and are unlikely to be anything much more than a time-wasting talking shop.
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