to think many politicians who claim to be Christians and who say this is a Christian country really aren't Christians and would criticise the teachings of Jesus

Where in the Bible does Christ preach or demonstrate tolerance?

Matthew 7:1?

A Christian is NOT someone who has nice fluffy lefty political opinions, and who believes that Jesus just wants us to #bekind.

A Christian is someone who recognises that they are a sinner who was far from God, but who trusts in Jesus's death on the cross as the only way to be saved and reconciled to their Creator.
A Christian believes that Christ Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of all, the Messiah who was promised to be the "snake crusher" from as early as the Genesis story, defeating death and Satan once and for all.
A Christian believes that Jesus was raised from the dead, is ruling in Heaven at the right hand of the Father, and will one day return to judge the world. Those who trust in Jesus's saving death (salvation by grace, NOT good deeds) will be brought into his kingdom to live with him forever.
While we wait for Jesus's return (either after we die, in the future, or in our lifetime) a Christian's job is to advance God's kingdom by telling people the Good News that God loved us enough to take the punishment that we deserve in our place, by coming to the world as a despised, poor human and dying a criminal's death, despite being completely innocent, so that we could have life and a relationship with God.

I’m just interested in where you got this understanding. Where in the Bible does Christ preach or demonstrate tolerance?

Yes, He welcomed those who society despised, e.g. tax-collectors and prostitutes. But He expected them to repent of their sins, not just to carry on doing what they were doing.

Zacchaeus vowed to give half of his wealth to the poor and to pay back everyone he had cheated with interest.

When the woman caught in adultery was brought before Him Christ said “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” But to the woman he said “Neither do I condemn you; go now and sin no more.” He didn’t say “carry on doing what you’re doing.”

When He met the Samarian woman at the well He didn’t seem particularly tolerant of her lifestyle.

Yes, He loved all these people, but He wasn’t tolerant of their sin. “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

I haven't RTFT. I used to be part of an evangelical crew in my teens, am not a Christian any more but studied the bible intensely back then.

I see Jesus as a socialist, regardless of the spiritual side, so from that POV YANBU because the people you mention are right wing. Sorry if this has been mentioned upthread anywhere.

I'm thinking of his attitude towards the hypocritical pharisees, and him going nuts with the moneylenders in the temple.

Jesus is not absent from the OT. He may not be referred to by name but the coming Messiah is one prophesied through the OT - the first reference to Him is in Genesis 3.

Other well-known references are Isaiah 53, Isaiah 9 and Psalm 22 (where we hear the voice of Christ describe the experience of the cross). That’s just off the top of my head. The prophesies and types and symbols of the OT are fulfilled in the NT.

There is a special kind of hypocrisy when someone campaigns against the rights of gay people based on their idea of "sexual immorality" and then turns out to be a rapist.

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

1 John 1:8^^

So, nobody is sinlessly perfect according to John, but we should strive not to sin.

I am in no way defending Nigel Farage though - yikes

I’m not sure many of the more “fundamentalist” Christians take much notice of the New Testament - it’s all smiting and condemning sex they don’t like the idea of

I have to say, it's put a pep in my step hearing this. He's a dreadful specimen.

“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
1 John 2:6

Then read the New Testament to see how Jesus lived. His morals, behaviour, and the company he kept bears no resemblance to Nigel Farage and his ilk. 😂

Well that and the Brexit bung Teresa May gave his party. The Christianity just shines through the DUP. Blessed be.

Hopefully it will carry him through the next few months ...

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/politics/strong-christian-faith-is-my-anchor-in-politics-donaldson-tells-gb-news-foster/a1289283727.html

Have you read the whole Bible OP? Being a lovely person is certainly not a prerequisite of being Christian. Which why it has no place in modern politics.

After which an old lady staggered to the front of the stone-throwing queue with the biggest stone you've ever seen.

And Jesus sighed, and spake thus:

FFS Mother, I didn't mean you.

Haven’t read the full thread so sorry if it’s already been said. But it’s entirely likely that Farage and Anderson embrace cultural Christianity. Feeling an affinity with Christian culture and traditions is not the same as believing in the saving power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anyone who believes they are a Christian simply because they sometimes go to church or celebrate Easter has completely misunderstood Christians - and if they think being a Christian makes someone better than someone who isn’t they have also misunderstood the gospel.

Faith had to do with your heart - it has nothing to do with superficial things like culture, nationality or politics. Christian also isn’t a synonym for “nice” or “kind.” Somebody can ostensibly do and say all the right things and that may well be because they are kind but it doesn’t make them a Christian. That’s not a disparagement by the way - just an acknowledgement that Christian is not a vague term; it’s a word with a specific meaning.

Do Anderson and Farage believe that they are sinners in need of grace and that that Christ died for their sins? I have no idea. Nobody can truly see into someone else’s heart especially someone who they don’t know. I certainly wouldn’t be arrogant enough to make such confident assertions about the state of somebody’s heart when I don’t even know them.

I can’t help finding it a bit weird though, to be pronouncing judgments on how well or otherwise people are following the teachings of someone you don’t even believe in.

And.....? What is the point you are trying to make? Who said religious people don't do bad things? If he has done something bad no Christian will support him.

Ah that's the thing though - christianity is also not based on your deeds and the bible is very clear on that!!

He's very Christian. As long as you do as he says ( and not, apparently, what he does. Interesting that).

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/mar/29/sir-jeffrey-donaldson-resigns-as-democratic-unionist-party-leader

Mega ‘Christian’

Not sure a wee free like Kate Forbes would appreciate being called a Catholic.

Do you think majority of Muslim have the same take as him on same sex marriages(please research)? If not why not, cause it's not a tenant of Islam.

Most religions are against same-sex marriage. No idea why, but there you go.

Most moderate members of any religion pick and choose what is important to them. For instance I don’t know many Catholics who eschew contraception…

I can’t speak for all Muslims, but certainly all the ones I work with seem to be ok with same-sex marriage. Or at least have been very happy to pass their good wishes on to colleagues entering into them, whatever their private views may be. Same as most Christians I work with.