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Prime Minister John Howard called on Christians to proudly display their faith during the Christmas season.

In his final message to parliament for the year, Mr Howard spoke of his own Christian beliefs and said for all the failings of churches, the Christian religion remained the greatest force for good in the country.

But the prime minister was careful to make it clear he was not preaching to those who did not believe in God and said he would never define someone's worth according to their religious point of view.

"This is, of course, an occasion of the year that celebrates the birth of the most significant figure in human history, Jesus of Nazareth," Mr Howard said.

"It's an occasion to acknowledge the spiritual component of our lives, that's not compulsory, we live in a society where faith is a matter of personal choice and millions of Australians lead their lives according to the Christian religion.

"A smaller, but none the less totally respected number, lead their lives according to other faiths, many choose not to lead their lives according to any faith at all.

"That is entirely a matter of personal choice."

Mr Howard said one of the driving philosophical forces of Christianity was individual choice and freewill.

"Faith, in the Christian sense, is based very much on an individual choice and an individual embrace of a set of spiritual values," he said.

Mr Howard said he had endeavoured - completely inadequately - to live according to the basic tenets of the Christian religion.

"It's not something most Australians choose to wear on their sleeve quite as much as some do from other countries," he said.

"It doesn't alter the fact that there is a deep ... spirituality in this country which is a very, very strong force for good.

"For all the brick bats that have been hurled at the Christian churches, and for all their failings and all the failings and personal sins and indiscretions of some of the members of the Christian churches, it remains the fact that the Christian religion is the greatest force for good and progress and the dignity of the individual in this nation.

"There is no force which is greater for the enhancing of individuals and the liberation of the human spirit.

"I think it's important at a time like this for those who attest to that view to express it, as I do.

Click here for source: 7 News

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