The Hand Of God (BBC1): THE last in Michael Buerk's series looked at the relationship between religion and power - and resulted in some alarming moments.

Like learning that President George W Bush believes God wants him to lead at this time and that disgraced MP Jonathan Aitken has found religion.

Or that Tony Blair had to be stopped by his spindoctors from ending a speech to British troops with the words "God bless you" after Alastair Campbell said: "We don't do God".

The signs are that Blair disagrees, as he talks about "the new evil in our world" and reads the gospels every day. He and his best buddy George W see themselves a Christian soldiers. It's a meeting of minds, Buerk suggested, even thought their approach comes from a different kind of Christianity.

There is nothing like a reformed sinner when it comes to undertaking God's work. Bush, who believes that God is with him in the White House, credits Christianity with helping him overcome his drinking problem.

In the US, a combination of faith and politics is the dream ticket. As Governor of Texas, Bush set up a state prison based on Christian evangelism. Jesus helped him get back on the wagon, so He might help inmates with their criminal tendencies

The constitution makes it illegal for the government to promote one religion over another. But without the Christian Coalition of America, Bush wouldn't have won the President's job, so surely he'll want to repay their backing? The fact that they are anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-pornography, anti-evolution and anti-Islam is the worrying thing.

Former Cabinet minister Aitken became a committed Christian just before he went to prison for perjury. Now he quotes St Teresa and is an admirer of Chuck Colson, an American who was visited by Jesus during the seven months he spent in prison as a result of the Watergate scandal.

Blair's religious beliefs, Buerk suggested, are a bit of a worry for his advisors. He carries a copy of the Bible and the Koran with him, and is more interested in theology than anyone since Gladstone. The spinners are nervous of him being viewed as eccentric and therefore alienating voters.

Another MP, Paul Boateng, issued a word of warning. His religious calling might have seen him go into the ministry but he became a minister instead.

He believes it's dangerous for Christians to believe they have a divine monopoly on the truth on a range of issues. God and the holy spirit, he declared, should work through all political parties.

Published: ??/??/2003