"Unconditional love"

- two powerful words when they are joined together.
Our present Prime Minister has a strong Christian faith. It would seem he genuinely tries to live by the commandment to "Love one another".
He was challenged yesterday and accused of being "homophobic" because (1) he didn't vote in support of the bill that allowed same sex marriage and (2) he hadn't condemned the actions of the rugby player who posted the item that suggested certain individuals would go to hell.
In response he said quite quietly that  he didn't mix his religion with politics but, as he felt he had to answer, he didn't agree with the rugby player. That was the right answer - but it hasn't satisfied his critics. Nothing will satisfy them, especially at the present time. 
People here are not often as open about their religious beliefs as some others are. What is more they can sometimes be ridiculed for them.
A previous Prime Minister started out training in the Catholic priesthood. He came to the conclusion it was not right for him but he has retained his faith. People have made fun of him for it, just as they make fun of the way he volunteers - and has done for many years. They are actually admirable things and should have been used as a positive example. 
The present Prime Minister attends church on a regular basis but has been criticised too - especially since his choice of church is one seen as "happy-clappy" or "fundamental".  The criticism went as far as saying he was giving a Nazi style salute. That's an unacceptable thing to say about someone who would find Nazi ideals abhorrent.
But both these men appear to try and live by the ideal of "unconditional love" even when they disagree with the beliefs of others or need to condemn the acts of those who break the law.  
The current Leader of the Opposition sees life differently. He wants to do away with the opening prayer in parliament. In the last parliament we had Jews and Muslims who made no objection to the tradition, indeed say it should remain.
And my view is that it doesn't matter whether you believe or not that tradition should stay - as a reminder that those there do not represent themselves but the people they have been elected to serve. It serves as a reminder of their duty to others  - and of the need to try and live by the creed of "unconditional love".