LETTER: In the run-up to the elections on June 4 one party, the British National Party, has launched a poster campaign which boldly claims “What would Jesus do? Vote BNP”.
As leaders of Christian churches we find such an assertion deeply offensive.
Jesus Christ spoke of love and reconciliation, not hatred and division.
We are united, therefore, in condemning the BNP for claiming the support of Jesus Christ for its racist policies.
On behalf of Market Drayton Churches Together
Reverend Roger Baker, Market Drayton Methodist
Church
Reverend John McLeish, St Thomas and St Stephen’s
Reverend Jim Norton, Christ Church,
Reverend Martin Tanner, St Mary’s
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15 Comments
That “poster” was from a parody website called the Anorak – it’s not actually a legit poster from the BNP
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So who would Jesus vote for?
By the way, have they simplified the voting to ‘voting by colour’ to increase turnout?
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What would the holy prophet do?
Think about it.
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Oh dear! So it seems that the Reverend’s spend their time surfing parody websites (re#1), sadly they seem to be ‘Regan’s’.
Washington couldn’t tell a lie, Nixon couldn’t tell the truth and Regan couldn’t tell the differance.
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Even though the poster may be a fake and clearly causes offense, it has unfortunately served its purpose in a way as the BNP has just got headline coverage in a newspaper because of it.
writing letters to publications only raises the awareness of these people. having said that, ignoring them won’t work either – we need to make sure there is a real alternative that people believe in so that the BNP cannot gain a foothold. sadly, the main parties are anything but credible at the moment.
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Religion and radical political groups are all in the same ball park surely?
Elitism and divisive ideals are the foundations for such institutions.
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I think Jesus would vote for the candidate with the best interests of the people they were trying to lead at heart and be encouraging them to live their lives peacefully and tolerantly with other people
Which pretty much rules out every politician in the country so I guess today Jesus would be an abstainer in these elections!
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The Bible says: Select capable men from all the people–men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain–and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. (Exod 18.21, NIV)
At first I was a bit sceptical about the Bible but I’ve been told it’s also known as the Gospel so then it must be true.
So are these Reverends going to write to the paper, united in their condemnation the current lot on the basis of their faith?
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As Mark said the poster was from a parody site so I would urge the letter writer to be very careful when slandering people unless they know the full story.
As a side I think Jesus would vote for the Monster Raving Looney Party
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I hold no brief whatsoever for the BNP and think that many sensible people when considering what they are about would reject policies also but after the outburst on Sunday from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, I certainly hold no brief for them either. If ever a pair of idiots showed more hypocracy, I have yet to hear of it.
Over the years with all the moral outrage and grotesque issues confronting this country the Church (Anglican) has remained totally silent in the face of matters which directly affect the well-being of almost every man, woman and child in this country. These fancy dressed “non effectives” then jump on the bandwaggon at election time and have the “courage”, which has deserted them for years to tell people not to vote for the BNP.
I don’t intend voting for the BNP but I don’t expect these hypocrits to tell me who to vote for and who not to vote for.
The less noise – in keeping with their past traditions would do everyone a power of good. They would do better in trying to stem the flow of people from their congregations.
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Biblical and Not Prejudicial ha ha ha !
That smokescreen is getting to my eyes
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I think it is very clear as to who Jesus would vote for ” The Christian Party of course!
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Why are the Church moaning about it. They keep putting their noses into politics, and they can’t take it when it happens the other way around.
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Trevor
Why exactly would Jesus vote for the Christian Party? I seem to remember that Jesus was a jew?
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BNP leader, Nick Griffin, (BNP candidate for the North West in the European elections on June 4th) told the Mail on Sunday in 2006, ‘It’s well known that the chimneys from the gas chambers at Auschwitz are fake, built after the war ended.’
The lies of this vicious, nasty party need to be challenged daily in the run-up to the election.
I totally support the churchmen above for doing so.
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