North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson, was joined by the Bishop of Bristol, Revd Mike Hill, to speak to a crowded St Michael's Church in Highworth, on the issue of faith in today's society.
Justin began the evening by outlining what faith means to him, and how it can be a positive force in today's society. With the recent recession and people's increasingly hectic lives, Justin highlighted that having faith, whether it be in a religion, a person, or even a sports team; can offer somebody hope, comfort and security. He also praised institutions like the Church and other religious bodies for offering worshippers an extended family network, that can often see people through tough times.
Other topics of conversation included, whether human values and ethics require grounding in religious concepts, if faith can ever be dangerous and what History tells us about religion. With an active audience consistently asking questions; the evening was an enjoyable and thought-provoking occasion which brought the Highworth community together. In Parliament, Justin has highlighted the problem of individuals around the world being persecuted because of their faith.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: "I spent a lot of time thinking about this issue before speaking at this event. Faith is a philosophical and subjective issue which takes a variety of forms depending on each individual person. Religion plays a crucial part in today's society, regardless of whether you are a believer or non-believer. That's why I was determined to do my homework and brush up on what faith really means to me, and how I think it can benefit society."
