C of E to challenge Tommy Robinson ‘put Christ back into Christmas’ message | Christianity

The Church of England is to launch a poster campaign aimed at challenging the anti-immigrant message of Tommy Robinson, who has called on supporters of the “Unite the Kingdom” movement to attend a caroling event next weekend in a bid to “put Jesus back into Christmas”.

Posters to be displayed at bus stops include the phrases “Jesus was always at Christmas” and “Strangers are welcome.” It will also be possible for local churches to download and display it during the festival period.

The C of E’s decision to challenge Robinson’s far-right stance comes at a time of growing unrest among church leaders over the rise of Christian nationalism and the adoption of Christian symbols to support their supporters’ views.

The march organized by Unite the Kingdom in September had a significant presence of Christian symbols, including wooden crosses and flags bearing Christian slogans, as well as chants of “Jesus is king” and calls to defend “God, faith, family, homeland”.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, announced last week that a Christmas carol event would be held at an unnamed outdoor venue in central London next weekend. This will mark the beginning of “a new Christian revival in the UK – a moment to reclaim and celebrate our heritage, culture and Christian identity.”

Some Christian activists are planning a counter-event to protest the far-right views of the carol organizers.

The C of E posters are part of a wider response to Robinson and Unite the Kingdom from various churches. Joint Public Issues Team, a partnership between the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist church and the United Reformed Church Provide a “quick response resource” For local churches trying to “transcend the complexities” of Christian nationalism and “the use of Christian language and symbols, including Christmas, for a nationalist agenda.”

The Rev. Arun Arora, bishop of Kirkstall and E co-chair bishop on racial justice, said: “We must oppose and resist the capture of Christian language and symbols by populist forces who seek to exploit the faith for their own political purposes.”

He said Robinson’s conversion to Christianity in prison was welcome but did not give him “the right to subvert the faith to serve his own purposes”.

Arora added that a church that fails to respond will be downsized. “Whether in the warnings of the prophets or the teachings of Jesus, there is a clear call to ensure justice for the weakest and most vulnerable.

“As we approach Christmas and remember the Holy Family’s flight as refugees, we reaffirm our determination to work with others for an asylum system that is fair, compassionate and based on the dignity of being human.”

After the Unite the Kingdom march in September, Christian leaders publish open letter “Any appropriation or corruption of the Christian faith to exclude others is unacceptable,” he said. Signatories included seven C of E bishops and senior leaders of the Methodist, Baptist and Pentecostal churches, the Church of Scotland, the Salvation Army and the Catholic social action network Caritas.