Labour is not hostile towards Christianity

Espen Barth Eide.CHDEspen Barh Eide (Labour). Photo: twitter

Labour is not hostile towards Christianity, says Eide

Espen Barth Eide (Labour) says to the Christian newspaper Dagen that Labour should reflect on why some Christian Democrats (Kristelig Folkepart) perceive them as hostile towards Christianity.

 

In the book «That what matters», which the Leader of the Christian Democrats, Knut Arild Hareide, published in late September, he addresses the thematic: «Labour has been a red rag to many Christian Democrats. Many have through the ages perceived Labour as being hostile towards Christianity».

A veteran in the Labour Party,  Espen Barth Eide, does not recognise that Labour is a Party that is hostile towards Christianity. He has been a member of the Labour Party for 39 years. Eide has been both a state secretary and Cabinet Minister in the so-called Red-Green Government. First, he was Minister of Defence and after that, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

– I have never experienced Labour as being hostile against Christianity. On the contrary. We may have been sceptical to some choices made by Christian organisations, but this has nothing to do with hostility against Christianity, as such, he tells Dagen

– It’s possible we have to go into ourselves, no matter what side the Christian Democrats choose, and reflect on what we can do better and why we are perceived in this way. There is significant common ground to be found, says Eide.

Sociology rather than ideology

Eide highlights that there are many Christians in the labour movement, and he believes the perception of hostility against Christianity is rooted rather in sociology than in ideology.

– Previously, we had larger class divisions and tensions between people and then they sought to different environments. At the same time, I think it is easier now – than it was when I joined Labour – to say that we have much in common with the Christians.

 

© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today