Onward Christian Voters is party's new theme tune

Labour is seeking to embrace its Christian membership in response to attacks by the Exclusive Brethren.

Christian Cabinet minister David Cunliffe said Labour wanted to reclaim principles of justice, compassion and high moral values that were "part of our heritage as a social democratic party".

He described himself as a lapsed Anglican and said his father was a vicar.

"I think what you will see is more attention being paid by Labour to matters of religious principle and respect for all faith."

It was important for Labour to ensure that think-tanks such as the Maxim Institute and churches like the Exclusive Brethren did not have a monopoly on God.

"God does not vote National. God certainly doesn't vote Act. God doesn't vote."

Prime Minister Helen Clark told reporters the Labour Party was based on a tradition of Methodism and Christian socialism.

She was commenting after a lecture on the Exclusive Brethren by Victoria University professor of religious studies Paul Morris sparked discussion about the role of religion in politics, in the party in general and about the possibility of forming a Christian sector within the party like those for gays, trade unionists, youth, Maori and Pacific Island members.

Helen Clark said former Prime Minister David Lange and former minister Russell Marshall had been "modern versions of those who put Christianity and social democracy together".

She would be "delighted" if the Christians in the party joined forces.

Leading members of the Exclusive Brethren became active in the last election, spending up to $1.2 million on their own estimate on campaign material to help National.

They also hired private investigators to follow Helen Clark and members of her Cabinet.

Professor Morris said there had been a recent change in the Brethren's thinking.

"It is that Jesus will only return when Christian governments rule. The aim is to moralise governments so that Christ will arrive."

He said the Exclusive Brethren's involvement in New Zealand politics was part of an international strategy that was "nothing less than phenomenal".

"Right-wing parties have struck up connections with these sects. It is skilful coalition-forming."

Although Helen Clark told delegates to forgo the Brethren workshops for the one on policy, at least 200 turned up to two lectures, including many MPs.

Professor Morris told them there were about 42,000 Exclusive Brethren worldwide, and about 6000 in New Zealand.

"They believe that Satan has infiltrated governments. They are increasingly obsessed with security and terrorism ... it is about saving themselves."

He did not think the Brethren were a threat to Labour and had probably done more damage to National in last year's election by aligning themselves with that party.

"The Exclusive Brethren have egg on their faces and will be more cautious next time - but don't write them off," he told delegates.

He won applause when he said Labour was still closer to the Gospel than right-wing parties.

Poverty was a dominant theme of the Bible, and the early prophets had been obsessed with social justice.

"Labour needs to claim the moral high ground. The Christian left is still there, it needs to be nurtured."

The lecture was well attended and delegates asked how sects like the Brethren should be handled.

Professor Morris said most right-wing religious theology was "shoddy" and he urged the delegates to debate the issues.

Mr Cunliffe said the suggestion of a Christian grouping within Labour had "not been taken forward yet" but there were thinkers of the Christian left starting to talk to each other outside the party about the contribution they could make to public debate.

- Additional reporting NZPA