Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, who faced repeated questioning over his Christian faith during his tenure and in the lead-up to the general election, has quit his post, implying leading a Christian life is not possible in Britain’s present political climate.
Speaking Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Farron said he was “torn between living as a faithful Christian and serving as a political leader”.
“From the very first day of my leadership, I have faced questions about my Christian faith. I’ve tried to answer with grace and patience. Sometimes my answers could have been wiser.”
Noting how he had come under repeated attacks for refusing to set out his views on gay sex in the past, Mr. Farron said: “…Liberalism means that I am passionate about defending the right and liberty of people who believe very different things to me. There are Christians in politics who take the view they should impose the tenets of their faith on society, but I have not taken that approach because I disagree with it.
“It is not liberal, and it is actually counterproductive when it comes to advancing the Gospel. Even so, I seem to have been the subject of suspicion because of what I believe, and who my faith is in.”
Slamming the climate of persecution against Christians in politics, that does not seem to extend to questioning the beliefs of other politicians from different faiths in the United Kingdom, Mr. Farron continued: “We are kidding ourselves if we think we yet live in a tolerant, liberal society. And that is why I have chosen to step down as the leader of the Liberal Democrats.”
As reported by Breitbart London in April, Farron was branded a “bigot” by celebrities and angry social media users after refusing to say gay sex is not a sin. Comedian David Baddiel was moved to brand Mr. Farron a “fundamentalist Christian homophobe”.
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