Respect Where It's Due

Nick Clegg has made a fine non-theistic Blairite start to his tenure as leader of the Liberal Democrats. Asked in an interview whether he believed in God, he answered "No", and later "issued a statement in an attempt to ensure that his answer did not offend people with religious beliefs". Apparently Nick Clegg not only thinks that people with religious beliefs tend to be offended by those who lack such beliefs; he also thinks that such attitudes should be pandered to. This is because he has "enormous respect for people who have religious faith" and also possesses the courage of his wife's convictions: "I'm married to a Catholic and am committed to bringing my children up as Catholics." This is certainly principled of him. As a nonbeliever, Nick Clegg respects religious faith to such an extent that he is committed to having his children inculcated with a doctrine he apparently thinks is false. He also agrees with Daveybloke, the Cuddly Conservative, that "politicians are entitled to a private life before they go into politics", although he evidently has few qualms about using his children in an attempt to endear himself to any floating Ruth Kelly fans.