Heather Bellamy spoke with Dr Dave Landrum, the director of Advocacy for the Evangelical Alliance.

Tim Farron

Dave: No, I think democracy is damaged and wounded quite badly by this. I think Christians bring a lot to democracy. I could even make a persuasive argument that democracy won't really work without Christianity. It's notable that the countries around the world where democracy exists and human rights and civil liberties exist to a large degree, are countries that have engaged with the Bible over many centuries and have engaged with Christianity. That's what Christianity brings to public life - a freedom. It's what the gospel demands and sustains. It's notable where the gospel isn't, we don't have democracy. So I think if we deter Christians from being involved in public life and taking up public positions, our democracy will inevitably suffer.

Heather: Do you think it's only Christians people want out of public life, or have an issue when they're in it, or would it be anyone with conservative views?

Dave: I don't think it's just Christians. It's Christians with particular views. It's Christians that take the Bible seriously, that have an historic mainstream view, particularly of marriage, sexual ethics and what it means to be human. But it's not restricted to Christians. You've got to remember that there's, I would guess, a majority of people in the UK who believe marriage can only be between a man and a woman, if the ComRes polls prior to the redefinition of marriage are anything to be believed. Are they outside of what's acceptable within politics? My guess is that they probably are, on this basis, and if people don't stand up to defend Christians then other groups will soon follow suit.

Heather: Are Christian beliefs now unacceptable in public life?

Dave: I think that what this proves, is there's a trajectory and movement towards that being the case. Like I say, unless others, including secularists, and some of them have done with this issue, there have been some very helpful articles from people who are certainly not Christians, decrying what's happened here and pointing to the 'illiberalism' of liberalism that's caused this. But, yes, I do think we've got a real problem on our hands. If you were a young Christian and you were thinking of pursuing a career in politics, this would make you think twice. And that is the objective of this. It's to push Christians out of politics, to deter Christians from getting involved and to make it difficult, or impossible for Christians to have a voice in society.

Heather: How should Christians respond to this pressure on them to choose between their faith and working in the public square?

Dave: We have no option at all except to speak up and to take on these arguments in public life. That doesn't mean you need to be shrill. You can be gracious and articulate, but we've got to start finding the courage to take these arguments on, and to take these people on and to not just accept this when it happens. There is no option here. Opting out is not an option. Silence is not an option. If we want to see Christianity have an influence and a role in public life, in shaping how society is, which is essentially demonstrating the kingdom of God, then we've got to get interested, we've got to get involved. And that means join a political party, and that means commentating on what is happening in the world around us.

Heather: Watching Tim Farron's resignation speech, it was an incredible stand for his faith and for Jesus. What were your thoughts on his resignation speech?

Dave: I don't think Tim handled things particularly well during the election campaign, when he was in the spotlight. His argument that, "My faith is private and my role here is public," I don't think that's tenable and stacks up. It's his faith that motivates him, that gives him a framework for the ethics and what compels him to do good and serve in politics. But his speech was pretty phenomenal. To talk about his ultimate allegiance to Jesus just proves that ultimately Jesus will win in these situations and ultimately you can't compromise your faith, because if the salt loses its saltiness it's no good for anything. I think Tim, to his credit, has made a stormer of a speech and has put Jesus front and centre in political life.