Key Takeaways
- The Church of England has released a video promoting the values of Christmas, including joy, love, and hope, in response to a far-right activist’s event.
- Senior church figures are speaking out against Christian nationalism and the appropriation of Christian symbols to promote anti-migrant views.
- The church leaders are emphasizing the importance of compassion, welcome, and inclusivity, and are encouraging diverse congregations and communities to come together.
- Alternative events have been organized to counter the far-right event, including services of worship and a counter-protest.
Introduction to the Issue
The Church of England has recently released a video titled "Christmas Isn’t Cancelled" in response to a Christmas carols event organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The video features over 20 people, including the archbishop of York and schoolchildren, speaking about the true meaning of Christmas, which is centered around joy, love, and hope. This message is a simple reminder that Christmas belongs to everyone, and everyone is welcome to celebrate. The Church of England’s response is a clear attempt to challenge Christian nationalism and the appropriation of Christian symbols to promote anti-migrant views.
The Dangers of Christian Nationalism
Rowan Williams, the former archbishop of Canterbury, has warned of the potential "weaponisation" of events like the one organized by Tommy Robinson. He emphasized that the Church of England must be "absolutely clear" that the true Christian message is one of compassion and welcome to all. Arun Arora, the bishop of Kirkstall, has also spoken out against the dangers of Christian nationalism, stating that Christianity is being used as "a flag of convenience by the far right; a nationalist ideology cloaking itself in religion." He added that any attempt to co-opt Christianity to particular political agendas or ideologies should be viewed with deep suspicion.
The Importance of Inclusivity and Diversity
Anderson Jeremiah, the bishop of Edmonton, has written to parishes across the capital to encourage diverse congregations at a time when "divisive" figures are promoting the "false, toxic premise that British identity equals Christian identity equals white European identity." He emphasized that migrants have actually boosted church congregations, and that people of African-Caribbean heritage, from Nigeria and Ghana, and from south-east Asia, have comprised a significant proportion of Anglican churchgoers in London. He added that the Christian call is to unconditionally follow the virtues of hospitality, generosity, kindness, and compassion that Jesus commanded.
Response from Church Leaders
Four bishops in the diocese of Southwark have issued a statement in direct response to the far-right organized carols event. They stated that any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude others is unacceptable, and that they are gravely concerned about the use of Christian symbols and rhetoric to apparently justify racism and anti-migrant rhetoric. David Walker, the bishop of Manchester, has also written an article in the Independent, stating that there is "something especially offensive about appropriating this great Christian festival of light triumphing over darkness as a prop in a dim culture war."
Tommy Robinson’s Event and Response
Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has increasingly cloaked his far-right anti-migrant views with Christian rhetoric and symbolism since his conversion to Christianity while in prison. He has publicly stated that Saturday’s carols event in Westminster was "non-political," but in emails to supporters, he has said that the carols concert was "a rally for our values, a beacon of hope amid the chaos of mass migration and cultural erosion that threatens our way of life." The theologian Dr. Krish Kandiah has responded to Robinson’s rhetoric, stating that the values driving his speech are not the values of the Bible, and that he does not speak for all Christians.
Alternative Events and Counter-Protest
A number of alternative events have been organized for Saturday, including services of worship and a counter-protest under the slogan: "Don’t let the far right divide us at Christmas." At the latter, the musician Billy Bragg will perform a song written in response to Christian nationalism. The Church of England’s video and the alternative events are a clear attempt to promote the values of inclusivity, diversity, and compassion, and to challenge the appropriation of Christian symbols to promote anti-migrant views. The church leaders are emphasizing the importance of coming together and celebrating the true meaning of Christmas, which is centered around joy, love, and hope.
