In which case I must read their contributions more closely before seeing merit. Mind you, they can't be that good. Akenhateon is a one trick pony so presumably he thinks they are supporting his position. ...

Joe. No.

It is not the role of the church in any democracy to feel they have a right to influence. They can lobby the same as any pressure group but until they all realise everybody, regardless of class, ethnicity, gender or sexual persuasion has an equal right to opportunity, they have no mandate outside their own clubs and societies. Politicians pander to them due to the votes they return, not because their paintings of biblical characters look vaguely Western.

Here in The UK, the prime minister started attending church once he became leader of his party because his spin doctors reminded him of votes. The deputy prime minister and leader of the opposition are not religious and both have spoken of removing the religious clauses in equality legislation.

Getting there.

In the meantime, if religious clubs and organisations do most of the social work where you live, don't translate it over here. Many do fine work but we have a welfare state, creaking and more reliant on charity but not religious in essence. The Charities Commission rules preclude overt religious emphasis on charities. Although most religions have charitable status to allow tax breaks for their pastoral work. Fine.

I did some sabbatical work in Kenya a few years ago. One community had both Cafod and an Islamic aid body wishing to invest in the village infrastructure. Just one clause. .

By the time I got there, the medical centre was still a clearing waiting to be built but the mosque and Catholic mission were up, open and to a high standard.

Funny that.