A report launched last week by the Churchill 21st Century Statesmanship Global Leaders Programme concluded that religion is of key strategic importance to global politics. But if that is the case, why are so many leading politicians religiously illiterate? As Sir Winston Churchill once said: “I could hardly be called a pillar of the Church. I am more in the nature of a buttress, for I support it from outside.” The wartime Prime Minister’s attitude towards religion was ambiguous – so it is ironic that a report released this week by a foundation established in his memory concludes that a deep and sympathetic understanding of faith is vital for political leaders.“Faith and religion in the 21st century” was prepared by a panel that included representatives