Naomi Long speaks on faith and politics
East Belfast MP, Naomi Long took time out of her busy schedule to address a large gathering of Knockbreda Mother's Union on the interesting subject of faith and politics.
She was welcomed to the parish by the Curate, Rev. Stanley Gamble and MU Branch Leader, Mrs Heather Elliott.
The former Lord Mayor of Belfast, who made national headlines at the last election when she sensationally ousted Peter Robinson, spoke of the important role the Christian faith plays in her life.
She said, "I think it is important to remember that faith affects not only our private but also our public lives. Whilst many people focus on how faith affects what politicians do and what they believe, I think it is just as important to reflect on the impact that faith should have on how we do our politics."
She applied this by saying, "In particular, in politics we will often have disagreements with our opponents, and I think that robust debate is inevitable and can even be helpful when developing new ideas and policies; however, as Christians, we always need to be conscious of the impact it has on our Christian witness if we allow disagreement to spill over into nastiness, vitriol or bitterness or if we demean those with whom we disagree."
Despite her busy political career, Ms Long keeps an active interest in her local church. She serves on the committee of Bloomfield Presbyterian Church and is a senior guider with the Girl Guides.