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

[cakeorwine]

Lee Anderson saying this is a Christian country and complaining about some councils celebrating Ramada with lights.

"But let’s turn our attention back to traditional values for a second. The last time I checked Britain is a Christian country, it is enshrined in our law. So why is it that one of the most important religious festivals in the country is not proudly celebrated in the nation’s capital? Just like Labour, the Tories also refuse to stand up for Christian values it seems. Their candidate for the Westminster constituency said the lights were to be “welcomed” before paying trivial lip service to the promotion of other religions and their holy days. Under successive Tory governments British culture, identity, and values have ebbed away, and the rate at which they are doing so seems to be rapidly increasing.
Let me be clear, this isn’t an attack on Islam or any other religion. I firmly and absolutely respect the rights of individuals to celebrate their faith, but who in the establishment is standing up for the Christian values that made our country so great and revered across the globe? Can you honestly believe that if the shoe were on the other foot, a Muslim country would decorate its capital city with Easter decorations during Ramadan?"

'UK is Christian – it's time to demand our country back' | Express Comment | Comment | Express.co.uk

Farage saying that he has stopped going to church because of what someone said

"Mr Farage said: "I won't go to my local church, I won't go. I am christened and confirmed in the Church of England, all my family on both sides have been Church of England.
"I used to believe in it, I used to attend, not every Sunday but regularly during the year, I will not go. It is hopeless, they've given up, they've surrendered."
Nigel Farage reveals why he has stopped going to church: 'It is hopeless!' | Politics | News | Express.co.uk

I firmly believe that these two, as well as other politicians who claim to be Christian and to believe in Christian values would be the first to have Jesus locked up for his views. They would not understand the story of the Good Samaritan.

I say this as someone who is not a Christian but who can see what Jesus was trying to say about helping others and particular values.

Yes, I'm sure that there is a lot of nasty views on Muslims but not every different opinion is "Islam phobic".

A Catholic politician cannot become the leader of SNP because the media etc question whether her beliefs are acceptable.

amp.theguardian.com/politics/2023/feb/16/kate-forbes-sturgeon-successor-religious-beliefs

Yet a Muslim can become a leader even though Islam has same if not more conservative beliefs on say home sexuality. Was he asked his views like Ms Forbes was hounded for? If he was, did he lie?

So keep religion out of politics, does it apply just to Christians? Are you really saying this is not double standards? Are you really saying that for the last 6 months, politicians who are Muslim have not bought this into play on the Palestinian issue(I'm not saying wrongly).

So why is it in a country that has been historically Christian and built on this, finds ms Forbes beliefs more objectable than those beliefs that are significantly less tolerable and different coming from those which are relatively new to these shores and who are in the minority?

I'm using Muslims as an example, the point I'm trying to make is why aren't these rules applied consistently across the board if we are a secular society?

Yet a Muslim can become a leader even though Islam has same if not more conservative beliefs on say home sexuality. Was he asked his views like Ms Forbes was hounded for? If he was, did he lie?

He was asked, yes. He’s also been open about his support for same sex marriages and that personal faith views should not interfere with legislation.

Did Ms Forbes not say the same and aren't some of these subject to votes of conscience?

She certainly talked about her personal religious beliefs more than Yousaf. I would distrust anyone in politics who talks about their religious beliefs to that extent, regardless of religion tbh.

I don’t know much about how the Scottish voting system works, or whether it’s a vote of conscience.

*She certainly talked about her personal religious beliefs more than Yousaf. I would distrust anyone in politics who talks about their religious beliefs to that extent, regardless of religion tbh.

I don’t know much about how the Scottish voting system works, or whether it’s a vote of conscience.*

I would trust them more. They are being transparent about what the stand for. Even if I disagree with them, they have the conviction to stand for what they believe and let people know. Is that not we want from people and more so from politician?

Was Hamza Yousaf making a religious statement when he issued a picture of him and his family praying in the official home?

Again, not saying he shouldn't I have actually nothing against religious expression. But why the double standards?

The general thought is that Ms Forbes is more fervent in her religious stance than Mr Yousef, though clearly both have views. I have got to say that she can't have done a worse job generally than he is though, he is a terrible FM, religious views aside!

But a picture of someone engaging in personal religious practice is very different from someone who talks about their specific beliefs as being something they stand for and want to represent.

I don’t actually care about what politicians do in their personal life (as long as it’s legal), or what - if any - religion they follow. I do care when politicians try to bring their private religious beliefs into deciding what other people are allowed to do.

Jeffrey Donaldson anyone?

Agree- they can practice how they choose in their private lives, as is their right in this country, but they must not bring that into politics. I do think use of the word 'conscience', by Ms Forbes, was worrying, as that does kind of suggest links to the strong religious 'conscience' her faith promotes.

"Love and tolerance is the heart of it but it's based on following teachings which are difficult to follow in todays world(like sex outside marriage is a sin) and which others who don't believe find intolerant. But if you believe these sins will banish you to hell (yes, this is what Christians believe) why should Christian tollerate?"

Love and tolerance is at the heart of it.

And I struggle to see that in Farage and Anderson. Those who claim to be Christian and believe in Christian values

So a picture cannot be as powerful as words? Tell that to Banksy and what about the teacher that drew a picture of the prophet? Was that picture not as powerful as words to the Muslim community?

This wasn't in his private life. The picture is in his official home on the day he was officially sworn in.

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.

If people who have faith cannot be politicians and vote with their conscience who will represent their views? Why are there Christian/msuslim/hindu/jewish bodies within political parties who pull together to represent their religious views? Whether you like it or not, people have beliefs (some not even religious) and that will have a sway on how they approach issues.

Look if we want to have a multicultural, multi faithful country great. I am all for this. There is a huge opportunity for us to really have a fantastic diverse and interesting culture. However, we need to address these issues fairly and we need to deal with difficult issues so we can have some shared beliefs that all want to stand by.

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.

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

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

Mega ‘Christian’

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

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

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.

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.

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.

"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."

I may not believe in Jesus but I thought I understood what he stood for and what Christianity stood for.

I think that they would criticise Jesus and what he said - and at the same time, they call themselves Christians. Which requires some mental gymnastics

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.

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

Last time I checked, Jesus didn't feature much in the Old Testament

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

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