Is It A Sin For A Political Leader To Hold His Or Her Own Personal Thoughts On Subjects Such As Homosexuality?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.lbc.co.uk/politics/elections/general-election-2017/leaders-live/tim-farron-refuses-to-say-homosexuality-sin/

[jim360]

I thought it was the borogroves that were mimsy.

[ichkeria]

It is not a sin to think they might be slithy tho Jim :-)
(You're right of course)

[andy-hughes]

ichkeria - It’s Mr Fallon’s use of the word ‘sin’ that starts the hares running.

He should know better than to use such an emotive expression, especially when he appears to confuse the issue by referring to certain sexual practices as a ‘sin’, while on the other hand staunchly defending peoples’ rights to practice love in the way they wish.

That makes him conflicted at best, a hypocrite at worst, neither of which are traits any politician should exhibit.

Any politician should know emotive words, and topics, and be scrupulously objective and reasoned when talking about them and keep personal views right out of the way.

[AB Editor]

TTT: "surely ED in his eyes it's a sin to go against the writings of his chosen reference book."

I thought AOG's title referred to holding the opinion as the "sin" in this case...

It might be a sin to Tim! But he doesn't vote like it, which makes it tricky for his supporters as he doesn't represent his personal convictions at all (something you'd want from the leader of a party)?

He does seem annoyed to be asked about it so much - but then, it's pretty much all we know about him.

Bring back Nick!

Andy: do we expect politics (and our politicians) to be objective? I think it's a madness to expect it.

I'm a little bored of the members of spin club at westminster - it's why Corbyn has been so refreshing, at least he seems to have an opinion.

[ToraToraTora]

religious devotees are always going to be easy targets for interviewers et al. The basic tactical error here is that TF at some point, brought up religion however innocently intended he insured that he would always be vulnerable to it. It's a catch 22, he probably does think homosexuality is a sin as ordered to by his reference book, but he knows that politically it's a no no. Tough one.

[naomi24]

aog, //There are many who I class as 'sinners' but one does not have to be religious to think that.//

Actually, one does. ‘Sin’ is defined as a transgression against divine law – in other words God’s law - and therefore people who do not believe in God cannot acknowledge the concept of sin. That said, a ‘sin’ is not necessarily a crime. Mr Farron can think what he likes, but if he puts his thoughts into words he has to accept that a proportion of his listeners will not agree with him.

[ichkeria]

"religious devotees are always going to be easy targets for interviewers et al. The basic tactical error here is that TF at some point, brought up religion however innocently intended he insured that he would always be vulnerable to it. It's a catch 22, he probably does think homosexuality is a sin as ordered to by his reference book, but he knows that politically it's a no no. Tough one. "

I agree Tora, tho I would say it's probably a bit more complicated in that, as I keep saying, his actions are all that matter and there seems no compromise there.

[andy-hughes]

Ab Editor - //Andy: do we expect politics (and our politicians) to be objective? I think it's a madness to expect it. //

I think we do need to expect it, at least in broad terms.

It may be that Mrs May has a fervent distrust of people with red hair. As long as she doesn't say so, the electorate are never going to know that, so we can't make assumptions about her suitability as a PM based on mindless prejudices.

And Mrs May would never be so naive as to let slip such a personal quirk - because she is aware of perceptions and their importance.

Remember Neil Kinnock being advised to ditch his comb-over because people won't vote for a man who is not honest enough even with himself, to accept his hair loss?

I do expect politicians to be objective, and to be seen to be so in their public statements.

I am not naïve enough to imagine that politicians are objective, but I do expect them to go through the motions - a point Mr Fallon has not grasped it seems, and he is learning it the hard way.

[Khandro]

watching this, it's hard to see how antone would want to be interested in anything he says. I think he has a serious problem;
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/812009/Liberal-Democrats-Tim-Farron-BBC-interview-Andrew-Neil-extremely-heated-row

[pixie374]

Any belief is fine- acting on it might not be and admitting to it is a gamble- especially as a politician. He is risking alienating people he is supposed to represent and at best it shows a mixture of hypocrisy, naivete and just being put of touch.
Wouldn't expect anything less!

[-Talbot-]

ichkeria
Who first brought up the issue of "sin" tho Andy?



Well today it was a caller ... Farron knew he was taking questions from the public.

Why if he managed to squeeze out the words 'homosexuality isn't a sin' once could he not repeat them?
Should have been so easy.




Brian in Highgate
Is homosexuality a sin?

Farron
homosexuality isn't a sin

Nick Ferrari
Brian in Highgate, bye and thank you for your question

[woofgang]

I think its difficult.....I mean his voting history is fine and I get that there is a certain honesty in voting the way that the people who elected you want you to vote, even if its against your own beliefs......I just wonder how far he (or anyone) can be trusted to continue to vote against their own deeply held beliefs.

[AB Editor]

"I just wonder how far he (or anyone) can be trusted to continue to vote against their own deeply held beliefs."

Yes, or the people who would gain his ear should he wield any power.

[woofgang]

good point ed

[youngmafbog]

T go back to the original post I think it is a political leader should be able to hold thoughts providing those thoughts do not go in the direction of harm or even death.

Mr Farron may think it is a sin to be a homosexual but at least his version of the 'book' does not instruct him to lob them off the top of tall buildings as some do.

[woofgang]

well but what about voting against equal rights for those who the voter considers “sinful"

[anotheoldgit]

youngmafbog

I am so please that you were the first to mention the Islamic religion and it's followers, as it now gives me the opportunity to mention this.

I wonder if any budding politician happened to be a Muslim they would be hounded over their religious beliefs, as our own Mr Farron appears to be?

[hereIam]

Very good point aog.

[-Talbot-]

''Yes, or the people who would gain his ear should he wield any power.''



Same problem with Jeremy and his crew.

[Jackdaw33]

Some people seem to confuse Mr. Farron with Sir Michael Fallon, who is a Tory minister.