Leading Evangelical questions Blair’s actions over Iraq
-07/04/05
While the US and UK have long enjoyed a ëspecial relationshipí, a Christian academic from the US has said he fears that their relationships with Muslim countries may have been set back hundreds of years by recent events in Iraq and the Middle East.
“President George Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair have given the special relationship between our two countries a high profile,” maintains Dr Tony Campolo, former spiritual adviser to President Bill Clinton. “But where do the two countries go now?”
Campolo will address that question at a prayer breakfast during this yearís National Christian Resources Exhibition (8am, Fri 13 May, Sandown Park Exhibition Centre, Esher, Surrey).
“With a General Election in the week before the show, we are delighted to have someone of Dr Campoloís calibre to wrestle with serious questions about our two nationsí role in world affairs,” said Brett Pitchfork, CREís Events Director.
Campolo, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania, has some clear and committed opinions.
He recently challenged Evangelicals in the UK over their attitudes to wealth.
“The invasion in Iraq, led by two ‘Christian-led’ nations, is perceived by many people around the globe as a modern expression of the crusades,” he explains. “This has made it very difficult for missionaries serving in Muslim nations. Iraqi Christians, which have numbered well over 800,000, find themselves in extreme duress.
“The Palestinian situation has also worsened the situation between Christians and Muslims. More than one-third of all foreign aid given by the US goes to Israel and most of that money goes toward Israelís huge military.”
Dr Campolo, who will speak during all four days of CRE (May 10-13), will address some of the problems that come when Christians attempt to impose their values and theology on government – especially in regard to issues like abortion and homosexuality.