AIBU? Irritated by certain high-up politician describing their faith as 'like Magic FM in the Chilterns'

[ComingUpTrumps]

Disclaimer: Yes, the comment that I talk about in the OP has irritated me a bit, but I'm not aiming to do a bit of light Tory-bashing or anything in this thread. I'm just purely interested in how you feel about the comment itself.

I read recently that David Cameron once described his belief in God by repeating something that Boris Johnson had said, where he compared it to patchy radio reception ("like Magic FM in the Chilterns, it comes and goes.")

The full article about it is here.

First of all, I know that this is a relatively silly and minor thing to get annoyed about, but it's irritated me a bit.

I think it's because it seems like such a 'sound-bitey', witty, safe, non-committal thing to say and because it sounds (to me, anyway) like a 'right-on' thing to say and I really don't think it sounds very sincere.

Bracing myself for the onslaught as the OP might seem controversial, but just wanted to get this off my chest and genuinely interested to read your responses.

Incidentally, I'm becoming really interested in Christianity, but not fully convinced yet and am a bit worried, if I'm honest, that I may end up thinking the same way as this.

AIBU?? (Both to be annoyed at the comment and to worry about my own situation?)

I don't see the problem with it - he's acknowledging that his faith, like many people's, has moments of being strong and moments of weakness, of questioning it. Sounds honest enough to me, and very realistic.

The comment was made nine years ago, so you're a little bit late with the outrage, OP! Of all the terrible things Cameron has said and done I'd put his slightly fatuous comment about his religious belief somewhere near the bottom.

That's true Nike and I do respect that. I think what I didn't really like was the way that he said it. It just sounded really sound-bitey and a bit pretentious.

What's the problem? His faith is not constant. Sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker. Many people who consider themselves of a faith sometimes waver. Likewise, many people who consider themselves atheist sometimes question their views.

Would you prefer him to just lie about it?

Bear in mind though that what he said & how he said isn't necessarily the same as what ended up getting published. The whole interview sounded a bit twee & airbrushed to me - these things often do.

I know hackmum - I am late to the party with the comment and I fully agree with you that it absolutely is a minor thing.

I think my issue with it is probably that I don't think it's right or fair to make such a facetious comment over something like religion that can mean so much to people.

I never thought I'd find myself defending David Cameron, but as an agnostic myself I found this quote hilarious.

I believe people like you are probably more valued in heaven, because it's harder for you than people like me. You are choosing to believe, I simply believe and its unshakable.

I don't think it is facetious though (to me) - my faith has ups & downs so it's actually quite reassuring to hear when others have the same issue.

Chelle I absolutely appreciate that. I think it was the way that he phrased the comment - as Nike mentions above, it seems like the whole interview itself (linked to in my OP) was a bit of a puff piece.

I describe myself as an a la carte Catholic - I only pick the bits I like. I'm sure others with a more devout faith can live with my lapseness and my comments about my own belief.

Well, Cameron was a PR man before he was a politician so has a ear for a good soundbite. I am sure he thought long and hard to find a catchy way of expressing his religious feelings before finding a way of working it into an interview.

As a general point, I agree with everything that people have mentioned so far in terms of how faith comes and goes, how it can be strong, how it can be tested and how it can change. I was just a bit irritated by the way that he phrased the comment, as it seemed a bit 'twee' for want of a better word. Although I absolutely understand the sentiment and rationale behind it.

my faith has ups & downs so it's actually quite reassuring to hear when others have the same issue.

I agree with you Nike, and would feel definitely feel reassured as well if I was in the same boat.

I believe people like you are probably more valued in heaven, because it's harder for you than people like me. You are choosing to believe, I simply believe and its unshakable.

That's interesting, NY - what do you mean?

I'm not aiming to do a bit of light Tory-bashing

There's nothing light about the Tory bashing on MN.

Fair enough, Bunny In that case, I'm not intending to do any bashing - whether it's light, heavy or anything in between - of any political party, Tory or otherwise.