No room for complacency

Daniel Trilling has an excellent article in today's Guardian where he lists 10 dangerous misconceptions about the far right.

The British far-right should be having a ball. With the economy faltering, austerity biting and economic pessimism growing, the conditions for racism and racist scapegoating could hardly be better. But, as Nick Lowles and Matthew Collins report in their essay on the current state of the British far right, racist groups are contracting and morale is dropping.

Their essay concludes: “The British far right is fragmented and bitterly divided and in the short term this will continue. While we might enjoy the short-term respite there is no room for complacency. Sooner or later the traditional far-right, in the guise of the BNP or EDL, or the Radical Right, in the guise of UKIP, will re-emerge as a major political threat. In the meantime, we should brace ourselves for an upsurge in organised and unorganised racist and political violence.”

They have written this essay to help HOPE not hate decide a strategy for the next couple of years. Over the next few weeks their website will host a discussion on the future of the far right and to help shape their response. They would appreciate our views.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ben Harper - Like A King.

RE Lesson: Justice

Yesterday I taught the following to a Year 7 RE class at Seven Kings High School. Tomorrow, I'll be repeating the lesson with another Year 7 class.

Jesus told stories to challenge those listening to him. He wanted them to think outside the box particularly when thinking about issues of justice. This is one of the stories he told – Luke 10. 30 - 35. What do you think his story is about?

To fully understand the story we need to see where it comes in the Bible. This is what comes before and after the story – Luke 10. 25 – 29, 36 & 37. How do you think the story answers the question, ‘Who is my neighbour?’

It will also help us understand the story even better if we know something of what the society of Jesus’ day was like. The relationship between the Jews and Samaritans was very similar to the relationship between Jews and Arabs today, or to any relationship marked by strong racial or cultural prejudice. The Jews at the time considered Samaritans as social outcasts, untouchables, racially inferior, practicing a false religion. They avoided any association with Samaritans, travelling long distances out of their way to avoid passing through a Samaritan area. Any close physical contact, drinking water from a common bucket, eating a meal with a Samaritan, would make a Jew ceremonially unclean - unable to participate in temple worship for a period of time – this may be why the priest and Levite don’t stop to help. The Samaritans responded quite naturally to all this with strong dislike or hatred for Jews.

So, knowing that Jesus is telling this story to Jews, in his time, who hate Samaritans, what is he trying to teach them? Who is the neighbour of the Jewish man in the story? Who helps who in the story? Why is the story about receiving help as well as giving it?

Now that we have worked out what the story is about and what Jesus was wanting people to think about and learn through the story, what do you think the story means Christians should do today about racial injustice? Crime? Neighbourliness?

In a recent assembly on racism at St Edward’s Church of England School I said, ‘Jesus taught that all people should love one another as He loves us and that all people, regardless of race or skin colour, are created in the likeness of God. In Genesis 1. 26 – 27 we read, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth... God said, 'Let us make Man in our own image and likeness ...’ So God made Man in his own image and likeness, male and female He created them.”  This means that there is no reason for racial prejudice, or prejudice of any kind. Because we are all created by God in his image, Christians believe that we are all children of God and life is much better when we share what each race has to give - music, clothes, food, beliefs, skills etc.’

The churches in East London have tried to live this out in practical ways. For example, at the time of the last General and Local Elections, the British National Party (the BNP) had 11 councillors in Barking & Dagenham and was expecting to gain more so that it would become the biggest party on the Council and was also expecting its leader, Nick Griffin, to be elected as the MP for Barking.

The BNP is a far-right political party but one that is rooted in racist and fascist thinking. As Christians we viewed its message as being one of hate because, for example, the BNP believes that white people are genetically superior to black people and that black and Asian people can never be British, even if they were born here. Therefore we decided we had to act to encourage people in the faith communities, including the churches, to vote and to vote for any party except the BNP.

We worked with a national campaign called Hope Not Hate helping to fund a faiths worker who went to all faith groups in the borough explaining why this was such an important issue and encouraging them to vote to stop the BNP from winning. We also leafleted in the borough, organised publicity for the campaign, and held a gospel concert to promote the campaign.

And the great thing is that we won. This is how Hope Not Hate reported the outcome:

"It's official: the BNP suffered a humiliating defeat in yesterday's election. Not only did the BNP fail to elect Nick Griffin or Simon Darby to Parliament, they also failed to take any council seats in Barking & Dagenham and Stoke-on-Trent. The BNP is divided and defeated - and it's all thanks to you ... this ... victory ... belongs to all of us who stood for hope, not hate."

So we’ve looked at some of the things that it is important for Christians to remember as we read stories in the Bible and think about their meaning for us today. We’ve also looked at some ways in which we try to apply to teachings we find in the Bible to issues of justice today.

What I’d like you to do next is to try this for yourselves. I’ve got a different story from the Bible for you and I’d like you to read it and think about the three ways of thinking about stories that we used earlier: 

• What is the story about?
• Where does it come in the Bible? and
• What do I need to know about society at the time in order to understand the story?

I’d like us to read it and talk about it in small groups. When you think you need some extra information, please ask me. Here is the story – John 8. 1 – 11:

“Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them. The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?" They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him.

Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt.

Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?"

"No one, Master."

"Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin."

[The Law of Moses is the whole collection of written laws given through Moses to the people of Israel, which consist of many ceremonies, rituals, and symbols, to remind the people frequently of their duties and responsibilities. The Pharisees were a particular group in Jewish society with their own specific interpretation of the Law of Moses for which they claimed Mosaic authority. They are presented in the New Testament as being in regular debate and dispute with Jesus. Jesus seemed to think that the Law of Moses was being used to condemn and exclude people from the worship of God in the Temple when it was intended to draw people to God. He also seemed to think that obeying the detail of religious observances could prevent people from giving much needed help to those in difficulty – this is why the priest and Levite are criticised in the story of the Good Samaritan.]

What do you think this story has to say about the way Christians should think about justice and injustice? Why do you think that, based on this story?

In these two stories – one told by Jesus and one about him – we see him saying that we are all the same, whatever our race, colour, religion, class etc. - in two important aspects: first, we are all neighbours and as a result should give and receive love from one another; second, we are all sinners – those who fail to be perfect like God is perfect – and therefore we should bear with, understand and forgive each others faults and failings while encouraging each other to live differently in future.

On the basis of the kind of actions, stories and teachings of Jesus that we have thought about today, Christians have got involved in approaches to justice like that involved in restorative justice.

Restorative justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused or revealed by criminal behaviour. Restorative justice aims to create opportunities for victims, offenders and community members who want to do so to meet to discuss the crime and its aftermath. It expects offenders to take steps to repair the harm they have caused. It seeks to restore victims and offenders to being whole contributing members of society and it provides opportunities for parties with a stake in a specific crime to participate in its resolution.

Restorative justice has three principles which seem to fit with what we have seen of Jesus’ example and teaching today: 

• Justice requires that we work to restore those who have been injured.
• Those most directly involved and affected by crime should have the opportunity to participate fully in the response if they wish.
• Government's role is to preserve a just public order, and the community's is to build and maintain a just peace.

In restorative justice programmes the victim and offender encounter one another.  This might be done directly in a meeting between the two (and perhaps others as well) with a facilitator assisting them but can also be done indirectly through exchange of letters, videos and by messages delivered by a third party. Stories of confession, forgiveness and reconciliation forcefully remind us of the relational wounds caused by crime and the need to address those. 

Restorative justice seeks to repair the harm done by crime. Whenever possible this repair should be done by the persons responsible for the harm. That is why restorative justice values efforts by offenders to make amends. There are four elements of making amends: apology, changed behaviour, restitution, and generosity. Each element has potential for helping the victim to heal and the offender to become a productive part of the community, although usually more than one will be involved in a restorative outcome. It is the victim and offender who decide which ones are important and feasible in particular cases. That is why restorative encounters are important.

Crime causes injuries.  It also can result in both the victim and offender feeling stigmatized.  Therefore, restorative justice places a high value on the reintegration of the victim and of the offender. The goal is to have them become whole, contributing members of their communities. Reintegration occurs when the victim or offender can become active and productive parts of their communities. To accomplish this, victims and offenders must find communities with the following characteristics: (1) mutual respect for those in the community, (2) mutual commitment to others in the community, and (3) intolerance for - but understanding of - deviant behaviour by members of the community. 

Restorative justice processes are also more inclusive than traditional criminal justice processes in that they actively invite all affected parties - victims, offenders, and community members - to participate in resolving the crime.

An example of these approaches in practice is Sycamore Tree, which:

• is a six session programme, run in prisons, focusing on raising victim awareness, and based on the principles of restorative justice;
• challenges attitudes and behaviour by teaching and encouraging offenders to take responsibility for their actions towards victims and the community – to recognise the wrong they have done, the impact it has had on others, and the need to put things right;
• enables offenders to hear from ‘surrogate victims’ about their experiences of crime; and to reflect on the impact and harm caused, and the need for apology and reparation;
• uses the story of Zacchaeus from the Bible as a framework;
• is run at the invitation of Prison Service Chaplaincy, by trained Prison Fellowship staff and with volunteers from all Christian denominations, who through prayer, practical action and values based programmes, seek to restore those affected by crime; and
• has been run more than 330 times since 1999, involving four thousand prisoners in more than 25% of all prisons.

 “Sycamore Tree made me realise the pain I caused to my victim, the families and myself. I wanted to take responsibility for what I had done.” A young offender

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Julie and Buddy Miller - Broken Things.

The Big Society

Last week Paul Trathen and I were at the Big Society – what does it mean for the Church? conference on 'The Big Society' organised by the London Churches Group, Mission in London’s Economy and the Diocese of Southwark Public Policy Group.

We began with some excellent input and debate from Andrew Stunnell, Jon Cruddas and Debra Allcock Tyler. Jon Cruddas was, as is usually the case, particularly good value. He supported several initiatives with which I was involved in Barking & Dagenham, including the launch of the Faith Forum. More recently, of course, was the General Election campaign in the borough and in his remarks he paid tribute to the involvement of the churches in the Hope not Hate campaign which contributed to the defeat of the BNP.

These are some highlights from what he said:

• Big fan of the Big Society which could become the cornerstone of a new politics; the new centre ground? But a somewhat elusive concept.
• Irish Catholic, working class, Labour background -communitarian disposition. Therefore, Big Society not new.
• Change in Dagenham. Church has been central - held the line in tensions of change.
• Big Society - sphere between ineffective markets and over-heavy state. Notion of 'good' society fundamental critique of market-led economy. More than earning and money.
• Big Society - critique of statism. Labour has become statist and secular as opposed to being, in Dylan Thomas' phrase, "parochial and magical".
• Aristotle spoke about the release of virtue - just institutions that allow human flourishing.
• People in the community are currently struggling because of the withdrawal of 'safety nets'. the least well off are paying the price for the recession. Where the axe is falling is making the Big Society less likely.
• This is a radical Government, although I disagree with their decisions. It could be a vehicle for ther unfinished business of the Thatcher era. An exercise in economic and cultural disenfranchisement.
• "Aspire not to have more but to be more." - Oscar Romero.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Staple Singers - Reach Out, Touch A Hand, Make A Friend. 

How Barking & Dagenham saw off the BNP

Well justified celebrations here from Hope not hate:

"It's official: the BNP suffered a humiliating defeat in yesterday's election.Not only did the BNP fail to elect Nick Griffin or Simon Darby to Parliament, they also failed to take any council seats in Barking & Dagenham and Stoke-on-Trent. The BNP is divided and defeated - and it's all thanks to you ... this ... victory ... belongs to all of us who stood for hope, not hate."

Billy Bragg explains how Barking and Dagenham saw off the BNP here:

"This is a huge victory for the antifascist movement. Hundreds of activists have made the trip up the District Line to Barking and Dagenham in the past few weeks. Hope Not Hate, a non-partisan organisation led by Searchlight magazine and supported by trade unions, organised a forensic campaign that identified and then got out the anti-BNP vote.

Almost 1,000 volunteers came through the doors of the Hope Not Hate HQ, distributing 130,000 leaflets aimed at pensioners, black and Asian voters, young voters, women voters and male voters who had been identified as opposing the BNP. The results of this massive effort were visible when Barking's Labour MP, Margaret Hodge, defied all the night's trends and the laws of gravity by increasing her majority.

The people of Barking and Dagenham have resoundingly rejected the fascism of the BNP. Now the Labour party needs to begin to address the genuine concerns of the local population, white and black, about jobs, housing, education and health care. It was these issues – and the pressure put on them by incomers looking for the cheapest housing in London – that allowed the BNP to gain a foothold in the borough."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Switchfoot - Mess Of Me.

Faiths together for Hope not hate (3)

Yesterday I went leafleting with the Hope not hate campaign in Barking & Dagenham. Eddie Izzard was also there to meet local faith leaders, including the Bishop of Barking, and introduce a gig by Billy Bragg held at St Patrick's Barking for all the people who worked so hard this morning on the doorsteps of Barking and Dagenham. More than 300 people came out campaigning in the sun and rain, all volunteers who gave up their bank holiday monday to show the true spirit of Barking.

Today's Times has a piece about the local faith leaders who gathered yesterday to campaign against the BNP. The Bishop of Barking, the Right Rev David Hawkins, said: ”People of faith are united in recognising there is no place for racism in politics. We want to encourage as many people as possible to vote in spite of the background of disillusionment they feel about politics. It is supremely important to ensure that far-right parties don’t make any more electoral gains.”

Click here to see film from the day.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Billy Bragg - Waiting For The Great Leap Forward.

Faiths together for hope not hate (2)

Please think about joining the HOPE not hate FINAL campaign day before the elections on 6 May to ensure the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham is kept safe from negative politics.

Help HOPE not hate deliver their new leaflet to residents in Barking and Dagenham.

Time: 10:30am
Place: HOPE not Hate HQ 3rd Floor, Transport House, 50-52 New Road, Dagenham RM9 6YS.

SIGN A PLEDGE TO VOTE FOR HOPE ON 6 MAY

At 1pm all faith communities are invited to sign a ‘Faiths United’ pledge to vote on 6 May for HOPE not hate. The signing of the giant pledge board will take place at Barking Town Hall. This will be followed by the HOPE not Hate summer party where foods from many nations will be
available for people to sample at St Patrick’s Church, Blake Avenue, Barking, IG11 9SQ starting at 1:30pm.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Robert Randolph & the Family Band - Aint Nothin' Wrong With That.

Faiths together for hope not hate

This is my Vicar's letter for the May edition of the Church magazine at St John's Seven Kings:

"This month brings local and national elections and in Redbridge, the British National Party (BNP) is actively seeking the Christian vote by issuing leaflets from supporters which argue that the BNP, although a secular party, supports Christian values because its policies fit with the concerns of some Christians.

These policies are mainly about being opposed to particular groups and legislation; being anti equality, anti immigration, anti-Muslim and anti homosexual. Do we, as Christians want to be known as the 'anti people' associated in the minds of others with bigotry, fundamentalism, and narrow moral agendas or do we want to be known as “good news” people associated with positive action and agendas?

Jesus broke down barriers. He treated all people with respect. As a Jew he talked to the shunned Samaritans. Through the cross he reconciled people to God and to each other. “There is neither Jew nor Greek” (Galatians 3. 28). Christians assert that all human beings are created equally in the image of God. The Christian vision of society is one where each person is treated with dignity and respect, whatever their ethnic group or religion. It is a positive vision of hope not a negative agenda of hate.

The BNP, however it presents itself, is rooted in racist and fascist thinking; its message is one of hate. The BNP believes that white people are genetically superior to black people. The BNP believes that black and Asian people can never be British, even if they were born here. The BNP is a racist party and as such does not share the true Christian values. Therefore I endorse the following statement made by the Bishop of Barking and other church leaders:

” … we call upon all people of goodwill to reject racist politics in the forthcoming General Election and local elections.

We encourage people to vote in the forthcoming elections to prevent racist political parties making any more electoral gains, indeed to out-vote such parties where they have already been elected.

In particular, we urge people to reject the BNP, English Defence League (EDL), National Front (NF) and similar political organisations for the reason that there is no place in mainstream British politics for dividing people on the grounds of ethnicity. The racist ideology of parties like the BNP, who speak of a "traditional British genotype", is not only inaccurate and misguided but is also contrary to the Christian belief that "all people are created as one race, the human race".

As church leaders we do not endorse any particular political party and recognise that there are many social issues today which require much closer attention from elected politicians, not least those of housing, immigration, unemployment and the sheer speed of social change in some of our communities. But we call on everyone to reject the BNP and like-parties as providing solutions to these issues. We all have a responsibility to work for a more just society. This will never be achieved by those who seek to divide our society based on a racist politics.”

I am involved in a "Faiths Together in Barking and Dagenham" initiative in the run up to the 2010 General and Local Council Elections. This project is being taken forward in partnership with the campaign HOPE not hate. The overall project involves a Faiths worker building support among faith communities in Barking and Dagenham to resist the BNP's attempts to divide communities on faith and ethnic lines. This work involves: faith community visits, presentations and voter registration drives; a range of literature targeted at faith communities; and a Gospel concert including literature dissemination and voter registration.

Click on this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnFMcBNweio&feature=channel to see a short film of the Gospel concert that was held as part of this initiative. The concert encouraged church members to join the Day of Action held on 17th April which saw 541 volunteers deliver 91,000 Hope Not Hate newspapers across Barking and Dagenham. Organisers say the event was the biggest political mobilisation of the campaign.

Ekklesia report that the head of political reform campaign Unlock Democracy has said that a vote for the British National Party is "a vote for the abolition of democracy." Peter Facey's verdict comes in the wake of a new report assessing and 'marking' the pledges for democratic change made by a range of the most prominent political parties - not just 'the big three'.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Ruts - In A Rut.

Saturday 17th April: A Day of Action

This Saturday will be a major Day of Action in East London. A protest march aiming to save King George Hospital will leave Little Heath Green on Barley Lane in Redbridge at 1.15pm to arrive at Ilford Town Centre at 2.15 for an open air rally outside the Town Hall for speakers to explain why the proposals to close King George Hospital A&E and over 400 beds should not go ahead.

Also, the Hope not Hate campaign day happening on Saturday 17th April is their final campaign day aiming at stopping the BNP in Barking and Dagenham. The election is a mere 3 weeks away and as many volunteers as possible are needed to help deliver the latest Hope not Hate newspaper to every household in the Borough. With 400 volunteers they may be able to get a newspaper to every household in the borough on Saturday. This campaign day follows last Sunday's Gospel Concert which encouraged church members to take part in the campaign day.

The campaign day starts from 10:30am at; Hope not Hate HQ, 3rd Floor, Transport House, 50-52 New Road, Dagenham RM9 6YS. Lunch will be provided as well as entertainment. The nearest station is Dagenham Heathway, take bus 173/174/175 toward Ford Works and alight at 'nutbrowne road' bus stop. They are two mins walk from there.

If you do not live in the borough please sign up to the Hope not Hate campaign online and find out where your nearest free Hope not Hate coach meeting point is for pick up and drop off - http://action.hopenothate.org.uk/page/event/search_simple.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Extreme - Oh Father/Peacemaker Die.

HOPE not Hate Gospel concert

DLD dance group

RCCG International Christian Centre Choir

Forward in Faith Ministries Choir

Esther

DLT

Alexander Jackman

Jocelyn

Sonnie Badu

I had the privilege today, together with Roger Gayler Area Dean of Barking & Dagenham, of compering part of a wonderful Gospel concert held at St Alban's Becontree as part of the HOPE not hate campaign.

The concert featured: the DLD dance group (from New Wine Church); the RCCG Internatioal Christian Centre Choir; the Forward in Faith Ministries Choir; Esther (from UKCG); DLT; Alexander Jackman (author of I Am); Jocelyn and Gloria (from CCBC); and Sonnie Badu.

I spoke about the real threat that the BNP, as a deeply racist organisation, poses, particularly in Barking and Dagenham, and the need to vote on 6th May to stop them. The BNP, although it claims to defend our 'Christian heritage', is actually opposed by all the main Christian denominations because its message is one of hate, not hope.

The United Reformed Church and the Church of England have both said that support for the BNP and parties offering racist policies "is incompatible with Christian discipleship." The Catholic Bishops have said that "Racism is intrinsically evil ... All people share with Christians an obligation not to support [racist] organisations." The Baptists and Methodists "urge people not to vote for candidates who promote racist policies." Pastor Thomas Aderounmu from RCCG has said, "From my own experience the BNP in Barking and Dagenham is a serious issue of concern for all well meaning citizens of the borough, with the BNP on the increase we have a serious problem on our hands. The only way we can solve this problem is for us all to come out in our thousands and elect those we want to represent us both and the national and local level."

Jesus broke down barriers. He treated all people with respect. As a Jew he talked to the shunned Samaritans. Through the cross he reconciled people to God and to each other. “There is neither Jew nor Greek” (Galatians 3. 28). Christians assert that all human beings are created equally in the image of God. The Christian vision of society is one where each person is treated with dignity and respect, whatever their ethnic group or religion. It is a postive vision of hope not a negative agenda of hate.

The HOPE not hate campaign has been set up to stop the BNP. We believe that racism and division have no place in our community. Our Christian faith tells us that we are all equal and that we must love our neighbour. If we go out and vote on 6th May to stop the BNP, then hope can triumph over hate.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sonnie Badu - The Worshipper's Cry.

Political debate & the place of Christianity in the UK

A colleague in the Redbridge Deanery, Reverend Robert Hampson, vicar of Holy Trinity Church South Woodford (Ilford North Constituency), will be standing for Parliament in the forthcoming General Election. He will be standing as the Christian Peoples Alliance (CPA) official candidate and his intention in standing is to campaign for a robust Christian British identity, free of racism and inclusive of all.

Robert’s decision has stirred up quite a bit of initial reaction. I support Robert’s decision to stand as a candidate in the election as I also support the work that the Diocese of Chelmsford is currently doing to encourage vocations to political life. However, I do not support the platform on which Robert is standing.

A lot of cynicism currently (and to some extent, rightly) exists about politics in the UK but we do have the fundamental human right of a democratic vote, something that people in other parts of the world risk their lives to gain or use, and we should not waste the opportunity we have to contribute to the democratic process.

Christians have much to contribute and share because Christianity engages with and has something to say on all the major issues facing our society and world - environmental degradation; international poverty; health and the NHS; education and schools; defence, foreign affairs and terrorism; crime, law and order; race, asylum and immigration; Europe and the EU; the economy; pensions; and transport.

However, the Bible and Church tradition does not provide a set of political policies that we can simply adopt, instead Biblical and Church approaches to issues over the centuries can help us formulate a series of principles against which we might evaluate party manifestos and promises. We need to think and pray through the issues, ask questions that matter to us, and reflect on our own priorities and what we understand to be the priorities emerging from the Bible and Church tradition, both for ourselves and for the society in which we live.

We don’t all agree however (which is why Christians can be found in all the main political parties) and this is one issue with parties, such as the CPA, that through their name and stance seek to present ‘the’ Christian voice on political issues. Their name and approach suggest that there is agreement among Christians on key issues and policies on those issues. Such agreement simply does not exist and to suggest that it does is misleading to the electorate and dismissive of Christians who think and vote differently from those in parties such as the CPA, the Christian Party, etc.

In addition I think that their analysis of our culture and politics currently is incorrect. Robert has been quoted as arguing that the increasing secularisation of the UK is “taking away the fundamental platform on which Britain has been built” and has stated that he will be focussing on making Christianity “centre stage” in Britain again. I am concerned that that is too simplistic a response to the current position of Christianity in the UK.

First, we are in a Post-Christendom period where the privileged position that Christianity once had in the UK is gradually being eroded. For Christianity to have had a privileged position in UK society was not an unmitigated blessing and the change in its position has pros as well as cons (and arguably brings us closer to the position of the Early Church in relation to political powers). However, our awareness of this erosion process as a series of losses gives the impression that Christianity is being treated unfairly.

Second, there has been and still is a secularist agenda that seeks to marginalise religion (and Christianity, in particular). Secularism combined with Post-Christendom was a potent mix initially seemed to threaten the survival of Christianity as a factor in the public square in the UK. In much of the 70s and 80s this secularist agenda essentially excluded faith-based organisations from involvement in the delivery of public services but that situation has changed radically as a result of ...

Third, the multi-faith nature of the UK and its inclusion in the diversity agenda which has been a counter-balance to this secularist agenda. Equalities and human rights legislation is resulting from the diversity rather than the secularist agenda so that, instead of religions (including Christianity) being excluded from the public square, we are in a place where discriminating against people in the workplace on the basis of religion or belief is illegal. One result has been the increasing reversal of the exclusion of faith-based organisations from involvement in delivery of public services (as example, see Lifeline Projects and the FaithAction network within which they are one of the key partners).

In a turn-of-the-year sermon, which I posted as http://joninbetween.blogspot.com/2010/01/post-christendom-church.html, I touched on some of these issues and argued that our current context is an appropriate reduction in the privileged position Christianity has occupied in the UK in the past combined with a secularist argument that seeks to remove religion (and Christianity, in particular) from the public square but that the secularising agenda has been halted and the position of religions (including the Christianity) regularised and equalised by the diversity agenda. Instead of berating these changes, I think the Church needs to become actively involved in the opportunities which they open up.

Finally, in a more than one London borough, a vote for the CPA or the Christian Party risks dividing the vote in such a way that it may open the door for the British National Party (BNP) to make gains which otherwise might not be possible for them. Any further electoral success for the BNP and similar racist parties, could seriously undermine the patient, strategic work of healthy race relations which has been developing in the UK over many years. Britain can be proud of its status as a world leader in multi-culturalism, a status which is expressed in churches and communities across the country and which is to be further celebrated in coming years, not least with the Olympics coming to London in 2012.

In Redbridge, the BNP is actively seeking the Christian vote by issuing leaflets from supporters which argue that the BNP, although a secular party, supports Christian values because its policies fit with the concerns of some Christians. These policies are mainly about being opposed to particular groups and legislation; being anti equality, anti immigration, anti-Muslim and anti homosexual. Do we, as Christians want to be known as the 'anti people' associated in the minds of others with bigotry, fundamentalism, and narrow moral agendas or do we want to be known as “good news” people associated with positive action and agendas?

Jesus broke down barriers. He treated all people with respect. As a Jew he talked to the shunned Samaritans. Through the cross he reconciled people to God and to each other. “There is neither Jew nor Greek” (Galatians 3. 28). Christians assert that all human beings are created equally in the image of God. The Christian vision of society is one where each person is treated with dignity and respect, whatever their ethnic group or religion. It is a postive vision of hope not a negative agenda of hate.

The BNP, however it presents itself, is rooted in racist and fascist thinking; its message is one of hate. The BNP believes that white people are genetically superior to black people. The BNP believes that black and Asian people can never be British, even if they were born here. The BNP is a racist party and as such does not share the true Christian values. Therefore I endorse the following statement:

” … we call upon all people of goodwill to reject racist politics in the forthcoming General Election and local elections.

We encourage people to vote in the forthcoming elections to prevent racist political parties making any more electoral gains, indeed to out-vote such parties where they have already been elected.

In particular, we urge people to reject the BNP, English Defence League (EDL), National Front (NF) and similar political organisations for the reason that there is no place in mainstream British politics for dividing people on the grounds of ethnicity. The racist ideology of parties like the BNP, who speak of a "traditional British genotype", is not only inaccurate and misguided but is also contrary to the Christian belief that "all people are created as one race, the human race".

As church leaders we do not endorse any particular political party and recognise that there are many social issues today which require much closer attention from elected politicians, not least those of housing, immigration, unemployment and the sheer speed of social change in some of our communities. But we call on everyone to reject the BNP and like-parties as providing solutions to these issues. We all have a responsibility to work for a more just society. This will never be achieved by those who seek to divide our society based on a racist politics.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bruce Cockburn - Justice.

One rule for you, one rule for me (3)

This is also from Ekklesia:

"Dr Lisa Severine Nolland has written on the conservative Anglican Mainstream website comparing gay Christians to the BNP. Her argument is that the Greenbelt arts festival wouldn't give a platform to the racist party's views, so why is it giving Christians who believe in the inclusion of gay and lesbian people a platform? What kind of message does this send off about the Church's attitude to LGBT people, asks Jonathan Bartley."

Read the full blog by Jonathan Bartley here.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Specials - Stereotype.

English roots without racism

Click here for an excellent post by Sam Norton which links to a Matt Wardman post answering the question 'Is the BNP racist?' (the answer is yes) and linking to the Show of Hands song 'Roots' which argues that we need to understand and appreciate our English roots, without taking on board the racism that characterises the BNP.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Show of Hands - Roots.

Because Britain matters

Here is the latest important message from HOPE not hate:

"We're not going to tell you how to vote we're going to tell you why.

If we sit back and choose not to vote we will let the BNP in through the backdoor. They will win seats in tomorrows election. Britain will be represented by racists. But all this can be stopped by you. A BNP victory would betray all that Britain stands for.

We've made a video featuring Eddie Izzard talking to Ken, a WWII war veteran, and Gisela, who lived in Nazi Germany during the 1930s - people who have had first hand experience of what happens when fascists seize power. I'd like you to watch it and then share it with your friends.

65 years ago brave men and women took to arms to protect us all from the perils of fascism. They gave everything and more to keep the Nazi threat off of British soil.

All you have to do is vote. Each of us has the responsibility to stop the BNP. The best way we can do that is to not only to vote ourselves but to encourage everyone we know to go out and do the same. Every person you get to the polls to vote for any other party makes it harder for the BNP to win a seat. Email your friends now and remind them to vote tomorrow."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Billy Bragg - A New England.

Faith leaders unite against BNP

My comments, and those of other faith leaders, urging people not to vote for the BNP at the European elections next Thursday have been reported in this week's Ilford Recorder. The church magazine article referred to can be read by clicking here. In it, I wrote:

"Just as, at Pentecost, God poured out his Spirit on old and young, men and women, so we see a diversity to our congregation here at St John’s and also among the Churches of Redbridge. That diversity is given to us so that we can proclaim the message of God to people of every ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexuality and religion. And we need the Holy Spirit’s power, gifts and enabling to make that happen.

As the Early Church grew and as God’s message spread there were people who tried to restrict this wonderful new diversity. In the same way today, there are those in our society, like the BNP, who want to place restrictions on this diversity. The BNP are currently trying to convince people that they are persecuted like Christ. This is the ultimate irony because their message is the absolute reverse of all that Jesus taught and lived out in his ministry and death. In the coming European elections we must clearly reject the racist policies of the far-right in order to reflect and live in the diversity of Pentecost."

Click here for the national line on the issue as reported in this week's Church Times. For up-to-date information on the HOPE not hate campaign, which celebrates modern Britain and exposes the extremism behind the BNP, click here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Staple Singers - Slippery People.

Lobby Clear Channel

This comes from Hope Not Hate:

"The BNP's message of hate is being spread across the country by a small but dedicated band of racist activists.

But now, a commercial media organisation is seeking to financially profit from the BNP's vicious campaign. Clear Channel - one of the UK's largest poster and billboard companies - have sold the BNP adverts across the country.

They have provided the BNP with high profile sites - putting the BNP's racist message on a pedestal and giving them the oxygen of publicity. In a matter of days these billboards and posters will be spreading across the country. But we can stop them if enough of us complain to Clear Channel and we get them to cancel their contract.

We have set an easy-to-use page so you can send a letter of complaint - will you send them a message of complaint?

Although unpalatable, it is right that every party gets access to the news and the media during elections - including the BNP. That's one thing. It is totally different for a company to profit from the BNP's message of hate. We've already successfully managed to get one of their billboards taken down in Essex - now we need your help to stop these spreading across the country.

We've set up a page on the campaign site where you can let Clear Channel know what you think of their policy to advertise and spread the BNP's racist lies. The tool lets you really easily register a complaint. Once you've done that we then need you to send this email to all of your friends and get them to do the same - this will only work if you take ownership of this campaign and spread our message to your friends.

We've made it easy to send a note of complaint. We need to send them as many messages as we can - will you take action and send them a message? We've had some amazing results in this campaign when we've taken collective action. Please take 30 seconds and help get these advertisements withdrawn."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Willard Grant Conspiracy - The Suffering Song.

Anticipating Pentecost

There was a real diversity of nationalities present and of languages spoken in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit enabled the believers in Jerusalem to engage with the diversity that they found in Jerusalem. As the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit they all began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. The Holy Spirit embraced the diversity of Jerusalem and gave the believers the tools they needed to communicate in and through that diversity.

But those diversities – of nationality and language – aren’t the only diversities mentioned. In explaining what God is doing at that time in Jerusalem, Peter speaks about a diversity of age and gender. Look at the passage that he quotes from the Book of Joel in Acts 2. 17-21 – there we find the Holy Spirit being poured out on everyone, young and old, men and women, so that all see visions, dream dreams and proclaim God’s message. This diversity of nations, languages, ages and genders speaks to us of the gates of heaven being flung open enabling all peoples to come in. Pentecost is the sign that God was pouring his Spirit on everyone and that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Now think about our situation here in Seven Kings and in London. Doesn’t it seem similar to the situation in Jerusalem? It certainly is if you think about the history of London. London has always been one of the world's great cosmopolitan cities. Throughout history, people have come from every continent and corner of the globe to live, to visit, and to mix. Today the city brings together more than 50 ethnic communities of 10,000 or more people. More than 70 different national cuisines are available and a staggering 300 different languages are spoken. That same diversity of ethnicities and language is also here in Seven Kings just as in London. The world is right here in Seven Kings and in London just as it was in Jerusalem.

Just as, at Pentecost, God poured out his Spirit on old and young, men and women, so we see a diversity to our congregation here at St John’s and also among the Churches of Redbridge. That diversity is given to us so that we can proclaim the message of God to people of every ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexuality and religion. And we need the Holy Spirit’s power, gifts and enabling to make that happen.

As the Early Church grew and as God’s message spread there were people who tried to restrict this wonderful new diversity. In the same way today, there are those in our society, like the BNP, who want to place restrictions on this diversity. The BNP are currently trying to convince people that they are persecuted like Christ. This is the ultimate irony because their message is the absolute reverse of all that Jesus taught and lived out in his ministry and death. In the coming European elections we must clearly reject the racist policies of the far-right in order to reflect and live in the diversity of Pentecost.

The Bishop of Barking says:

"On Saturday 7th March at the Chelmsford Diocesan Synod the strongest message possible was delivered to the residents of Essex and East London. We will not tolerate racist politics from the British National Party or any other party. We will co-operate with all organisation intent on ridding our society of racism. We call upon our major political parties to do all in their powers to address the social issues which provoke voters to vote for the BNP. We are proud to be members of the one human race with all its ethnic diversity which contributes to our rich and varied society."

For more on the Chelmsford Diocesan Synod resolution click here. Ekklesia reports that:

"UK Churches have issued an election pack, highlighting the threat posed by the BNP and urging community mobilisation to combat extremist parties ahead of the European Elections.

It comes after advertisements were produced by the BNP which featured Jesus Christ. There have been ongoing efforts by the racist party over the last few years to mobilise support around ‘defending Christian Britain.’

A briefing from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church highlights the ‘importance of citizenship’ and urges Christians to vote.
A new toolkit has also been produced by the three churches specifically ‘to help equip and affirm local church leaders to take action to counter far-right and racist politics’.

Methodist President, the Rev Stephen Poxon said: “Voting isn’t just a right - it is a privilege that carries great responsibility. A high turnout at the ballot box is good for democracy and society and will make it harder for extremist parties to succeed.

“The European Union directly influences many aspects of our lives,” added the Rev John Marsh, Moderator of the General Assembly of the United Reformed Church. “The European Parliament is the only EU body elected by its citizens, and it is a powerful and important legislature for all 27 member countries.”

The Rev Jonathan Edwards, General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, said, “The toolkit for local church leaders is designed to help equip ministers and lay people alike with ideas and information about what they can do to counter racist politics. The appropriation of Christian language and imagery by the BNP is deeply offensive – we need churches across Britain to live out a faith that is open and inclusive, rooted in a commitment to love our neighbours as we love ourselves.”

The briefing and toolkit are available online at www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/jpitpolitics."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Specials - Doesn't Make It Alright.

Hope not hate

The following is the latest message from the Hope not Hate campaign:

"The BNP are preparing a high profile billboard campaign claiming that Jesus Christ would support their policies of racism and hate were He on earth today.

Statements like these - designed to cause offence and whip up tension between faiths - show the reality behind the BNP's politics of fear.

But we believe in something better - in hope, not hate. And to show this, we've launched a campaign to bring 10,000 people, of all faiths and none, to unite in condemnation of the BNP's paper thin attempts to divide us.

Please join us in telling the BNP that we're united by hope: http://action.hopenothate.org.uk/uniteagainstfear.

I've been campaigning against the BNP for nineteen years now. But it's at moments like this that you realise nothing is beyond the pale for them. That they respect nothing and no-one. They will cynically use words of peace, love and justice as camouflage for their bigotry. And if this is how they campaign, just imagine how they'd act as our representatives in the European Parliament.

The BNP billboard asks a simple question - What would Jesus do? Whether you're religious or not - when the choice is between a belief in hope, justice and love or division, suppression and fear, the answer is pretty clear.

Please help us unite 10,000 people against the BNP's outrageous and offensive campaign. To reach this goal, and to send the clearest message possible, I need your help - we need our supporters to go out and organise - to get their friends and family to stand with you in your defiance of the BNP.

So please sign the petition and then invite your friends to join us by forwarding this email or using the invite tool after you sign the petition. I need you to take action - and ownership - of this campaign. It's the only way we'll meet this goal."

The following comes from Ekklesia:

"Three British Churches have reminded people of the 'true Christian message of love' for all people following the inclusion of Jesus in a BNP election campaign.

Their statement comes after the Church of England declined to comment on the posters which feature a bible verse quoting Jesus' words about persecution, in the run up to the European Elections in June.

The adverts contain a picture of Jesus Christ on the cross and quotes a part of a verse from John's Gospel (John 15:20) in which Jesus says: "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you". The verse comes in the context of Jesus' teaching about love.

Christine Elliott, Secretary for External Relations for The Methodist Church, said: “When Jesus was asked about what was the most important rule of life he said: 'Love God with all of your being and love your neighbour as yourself.'

“It’s ironic that the BNP is using the world’s most famous Jew to promote its racist message.

“Our traditions have a history of promoting racial justice and inclusion and rejecting messages of hate and fear.

“It is always important that people go out and vote, especially in these extremely difficult economic times. Sadly, in the past, economic problems have been exploited by extremists as opportunities to scapegoat minorities.”

The three churches will be launching an election pack at the end of April, which will call on local church leaders to engage positively with politicians and reject racist political activity."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tracy Chapman - Across The Lines.

Responding to the BNP

The Chelmsford Diocesan Synod overwhelming passed a resolution on 7 March 2009 responding to the British National Party (BNP). The resolution can be read by clicking here.

The Synod was attended by members of Redbridge and Epping Forest Together and HOPE not hate. They ran a bookstall and members from the Christian community took part in the debate.

This Diocesan resolution follows the General Synod vote to ask for a ban to stop clergy and church staff members joining the BNP.

Such resolutions have their critics within the Church of England but why some clergy would want to give publicity to "a political party whose racist foundation is incompatible with Christian discipleship" is beyond me.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SLF - Doesn't Make It Alright.