Politicians who believe in God are guilty of faulty thinking leading to mistakes such as the invasion of Iraq, a leading philosopher said last week.

Professor John Gray, author of Straw Dogs, told an audience at the Think-in Kingston festival that both Tony Blair and George Bush believe in a "utopian ideal" that made risky operations like war in the Middle East seem achievable.

According to Prof Gray, professor of European Thought at the London School of Economics, Christian belief that the world would end followed by the creation of a new heaven and new earth has led to the overly optimistic notion that military action could revolutionise the political culture in the Middle East.

"Alarm and panic are more contagious than patience and resilience as a whole," said Prof Gray "I don't believe in either, but it is easier for me to believe Jesus will come back from the dead than there will be a war to eradicate the poor and destitute."

During the talk entitled Utopia and Apocalypse - the new politics of faith on March 13 he added wars would always be fought on the basis of competition for finite resources.

The festival's Iraq theme continues with bookings now being taken for the award-winning play What I Heard About Iraq on May 1 at 7.30pm at the Arthur Cotterill Theatre, Kingston College. Tickets are £8 from Kingston Tourist Information Centre.

Acclaimed multi-racial youth company MeWe will also be presenting a workshop performance of their new play tomorrow at the Cornerhouse in Douglas Road, Surbiton.

For more information on the Think-in Kingston festival visit thinkinkingston.co.uk or call 020 8547 5592.

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