Blair: God will judge me on Iraq

Anita Singh

March 04, 2006

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TONY Blair believes God will be the ultimate judge of his decision to go to war with Iraq.

Mr Blair said he made policy decisions according to his conscience, which is guided by his Christian faith.

Asked in an interview with Michael Parkinson about sending troops into Iraq, he said: "That decision has to be taken and has to be lived with, and in the end there is a judgment that - well, I think if you have faith about these things then you realise that judgment is made by other people."

Asked to explain what he meant, Mr Blair replied: "If you believe in God, it's made by God as well."

Policy

He added: "This is not just a matter of a policy here or a thing there, but of their lives and in some case their death ... the only way you can take a decision like that is to try to do the right thing, according to your conscience and for the rest of it, you leave it to the judgment that history will make."

In October last year President George Bush reportedly claimed his decision to invade Iraq was a "mission from God".

Mr Blair also gave awkward answers to questions about his relationship with Chancellor Gordon Brown.

He said: "Politics is very hard to have a friendship in.

"Whatever the difficulties it's still a good partnership and I'm proud to call him a friend."

Parkinson's first interview with a serving prime minister will be broadcast tonight on ITV1 at 9.55.

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Colin W, Stockholm (04/03/2006 at 12:31)

Now if this doesnt ring alarm bells as to the motvations and competency of the British leadership every person in the UK deserves all they get. Religious fanatics have no place in society even "acceptable" religions like Anglicanism

Tubby Scruff, Fuming ville (04/03/2006 at 12:46)

Camera, lights, action, Cue sincererity pose.
I expect next for Blair to claim he's been hounded out of office for his beliefs.

If there was ever a more damming statement, this is one of his better ill thought out comments. Not only are we to now believe this was a war based on Christian v Muslim (opposed by the great majority of Christians) but Blair thinks he is above everything and everybody.....(very dangerous move Princess Tony) he's above judgment by the common people, and has acted with George Bush as modern day Crusaders, claiming they went to war in order to protect us.

Yet, history already shows, it was the likes of George and Tony who in many respects created Saddam's power base in supplying him with arms, tools and other instruments of death.
Only God can judge ? well maybe, as we can gaurantee both of them wont be around for the next election.

We wont forget.

h. jones, hong kong (04/03/2006 at 12:48)

PM Blair's honesty is both refreshing and encouraging. His willingness to state the truth as he see's it is what a real statesmen should do. So many of the political leaders in Europe only talk with self interest and a finger in the in wind.

God save the PM

Peter, Worsley (04/03/2006 at 12:55)

So, Tony Blair believes God will be the ultimate judge on the illegal invasion and destruction of Iraq.
History will be the true judge.

Thrutchmeister, Derbyshire (04/03/2006 at 13:17)

Forgive me... but where does Blair actually say, "God told me to do it". The long and he short of it is that he didn't - but it makes a nice story. I am not a fan of Blair but if he has religious convictions, are we to ridicule him for it? I thought we were in a progressive society - perhaps we are progressive so long as it is not Christian-based. If an MP said that he prayed to Allah or Buddah or whatever, no-one would DARE to comment. I have no problem whatsoever with Blair believing that his actions will be judged by a higher power... it will only mean that he has to be careful that he does not act for himself but for the good of all. Yet another non-story, blown out of all proportion by the media.

subir sinha, london (04/03/2006 at 16:14)

if elected politicians say their actions will be judged by god, what is the point of democracy?

Barb Garner, Eastbourne, E. Sussex (04/03/2006 at 17:12)

I'd like to see Blair being judged in a war crimes court too.

donald g jacob, new york (04/03/2006 at 19:29)

I am certain that had God wispered into Blaire's ear it would have been to avoid the killing of young Englishmen in a blunder. Most Americans value their historical ties to England, but do not appreciate the Prime Minister's solo effort to facilitate the actions of our wrongheaded president.

colin p davy, Tulsa Oklahoma (04/03/2006 at 19:49)

When we listen to the commands of the Voice of God, we should be extremely careful that it is not the tempting voice of the devil.

Frank Murray, Bristol ex Manc (04/03/2006 at 22:52)

So Tony Bliar thinks GOD is his Judge?
Tony, the DEVIL ,(in all of us),is your our own bad conscience.. which will certainly and eventually catch up with us.

See you on Judgement Day.

Sarah, Stockport (05/03/2006 at 11:08)

To me it sounded like he was speaking generally on how people deal with their decisions. Not that he was saying God will judge him.

ageoldblue, macc (05/03/2006 at 12:56)

i dont think god as ever sanctioned war ,or a situation where its getting that way that we could end ,of more people dead ,than under the man we accused of mass murder .blair if he allows the tories in ,will go down as a another ramsay macdonald

tom, manchester (05/03/2006 at 20:47)

How come the Holy Father,Pope,,,advised you not to declare war on Iraq that you went against his advice yet you say God will judge you,Mr. Blair.....

Paul, Bury (06/03/2006 at 12:34)

The man has faith therefore he believes (as many of us do) that ultimately his actions in this life will be judged.
Have the Secular elite become so intolerant that the very mention of God offends them?
Could some one tell me what is wrong for a Christian to state the obvious, i.e. that he believes he will be judged by God? Has everyone gone crazy or is it just my impression?

Miss.J., Liverpool (07/03/2006 at 10:26)

Absolutely spot on Mr Blair God will be your judge!! Unfortunately non religious and people with other faiths might not like this comment but TUFF cos we have to put up with them and all their beliefs. I think your a brilliant prime minister considering the amount of people you have to please and at the end of the day there is noone in the world that could do that so with that in mind THANK YOU MR BLAIR!

Mark, Hants (07/03/2006 at 10:32)

Listen to all you lot. If you read your bibles you might actually understand where this man is coming from.. He didnt once profess he was perfect people so give the guy a break.

fixit, Middleton (07/03/2006 at 13:01)

Instead of God judging him, why dont the voters! Then you can get rid of this ineffective, poor and puppet government once and for all! Who needs God when you have the ballot box! Get real Mr Blair...............

Tony, Blackley (07/03/2006 at 14:08)

Some of the comments on here are riduclous and very assuming. Have you actually read the article? For example how can any call Mr Blair a Christian "fanatic"? Unjustified. Where do you assume that the "Voice of God" told him what to do, and that it was therefore a "Christian vs Muslim" war. Mr Blair has never stated that God guided him into war! He is simply saying that within his spiritual morality, he feels he will ultimately have to face God who will judge Blair on his decision ( not God's ) to go to war. Those who wrote that he will be judge by the people and by history...duh! he knows that already..he says "by God as well"...meaning he will bejudged by others too. "What is the point of Democracy"?...God encourages it..read your Bible. And who ever wrote "God never sanctioned war" must be having a joke....the Koran, Bible and the Torah are crammed full of wars endorsed by God protecting "his people". Finally "the Holy Father Pope" is the Catholic Church leader, whilst Blair is an Anglican Doh! Also the "the Holy Catholic Pope" is just another man..doh!
Finally my point of view. I don't believe in religious wars, and i do beleive in religeous tolerance....but what gives me hope in mankind is their morality. Mr Blair has revealed his conscience about a leaders decision that ultimately lead to death of other human beings.....in his faith he feels ULTIMATELY he will judged by his creator as well as being judged now by the people of Britain. I think having that sort of pressure on his conscience to make decent and honest decisions may not be a bad thing.

Esther, manchester (08/03/2006 at 16:19)

Funny! Everyone whose slagging the prime minister off here erm hello... thou shalt not JUDGE?!! (that includes judging Tony Blair) which your all doing so you cant really have a pop at him here unless your happy being a HYPOCRITE.

Fixit, Middleton (09/03/2006 at 11:47)

Esther, I can judge. I am an atheist and dont follow the doctrines of the Bible. So why cant I judge an individual on the merits of his actions, because of a few words in a book you believe in? Dont judge me Esther for thinking he is an ineffective prime minister with a weak cabinet. As for having God on his conscience, I would be more impressed if he had the deaths of a few hundred young soldiers on it! Blood on his hands, conscience and dogma and he still wont do anything? Thank goodness I dont have the religious believes of our President (oh sorry, I meant Prime Minister).

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