"Do Not Discount the power of Faith"

I. title: "Do Not Discount the Power of Faith." Source: The Jewish Chronicle. Date: 4/11/08 http://www.thejc.com/home.aspx?ParentId=m12s227&SecId=227&AId=59407&ATypeId=1
II. Summary: This article was an excerpt from Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair about the power of relgion and faith and the effect it has on the world and individuals alike. He explains about how relgious culture is withering away and how disappointing it is that faith has earned a bad reputation and has deteriorated because of numerous things like many scientific discoveries. He also talks about how his faith contributes a lot to his politics and the way he lives his life. In a way he bashes his opponents, but this is said in an extremely subtle manner that one who supports him could not pick up on it. He also says that since 10 years ago religion has been "written off as a force in the world" probably referring to the discounting of the power of faith and the measures we take to separate the government with the church. He gives numerous examples of how faith is shown in our daily lives what with charities, and the Red Cross, and how things like terrorism should bring us closer together not pull us apart. He supports co-existence, not exclusion.
III. This relates to the theme cultural, religious, and intellectual developments because of the fact that Tony Blair explains how cultural and intellectual developments affected how religion is viewed in a more negative light over the years. The history of this issue has to do with religion and the positive vs. negative roller coaster that our societies have reacted towards it. The point of view that this speech was given by was Tony Blair and he is the British Prime Minister speaking at a Cathedral. This is odd however because this article was published on the Jewish Chronicle website. The point of view only really is geared towards religion in general so therefore the only way it could be skewed is how it is just talking about the power of faith and basically bashing those with no faith. I would have liked to hear of the politician campaigning with Tony Blair who says that religion is not important in politics. I thought that this article was one of the most enlightening articles I have ever read, and I hope you did too.