Christian nationalism ‘has no place’ in immigration policy
As a Unite the Kingdom Christmas event is planned for Saturday in London, the former Bishop of Oxford, Lord Richard Harries, says it is not surprising that Christian nationalism has claimed a place in British public life, because there has been a gap where Britain’s Christian heritage has been ignored or disdained. In an opinion piece in The Times, he says: “It is important we have an immigration policy that has the support of the country as a whole, and patrician liberalism should have no place. But nor does Christian nationalism.” Referring to the Raise the Flag campaign, he said: “Waving a St George flag may be a genuine expression of love of country, but in the present context it comes across to many as a hostile act signifying: We don’t want you. You don’t really belong.” He said society should be united around citizenship and the fundamental British values of democracy, the rule of law, freedom, equal respect for every person, and respect for the environment. He has tabled a private members bill which seeks to improve awareness in schools of these values.
Reform party launches Christian Fellowship
The Reform party has launched a Christian Fellowship with a carol service at St Michael’s Church Cornhill, in the city of London, a church which is a member of the Prayer Book Society. Sarah Pochin MP, Tim Montgomerie and Ann Widdecombe were among members who read lessons. Tim Montgomerie, who co-founded the Conservative Christian Fellowship, is said to be about to become the honorary president of the Reform Christian Fellowship. In the sermon, the Rev Henry Eatock-Taylor wove cancel culture into the nativity story, painting a picture of a “cancelled” Christmas, a “decaffeinated, coffee-flavoured, oat milk version of the nativity”, with fewer male speaking roles, the gift of gold regarded as colonial inequality, myrrh ethically sourced, and the stable as an eco-dome. But he said the Christmas story showed that the God of the Bible could not be more different. To the members of the new Christian Fellowship, he said: “These weeks should be a time of great celebration for us. The arrival of one who got cancelled for mixing with certain people. One who came that God and sinners may be reconciled. One who came not to cancel humanity, but to be cancelled in our place.” The recording is here
Shabana Mahmood says her strong faith led her into politics
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has spoken of her strong faith which has called her into public service. In an interview for the Tony Blair Institute, she said: “She added: “I do have a very strong faith. It is the reason I feel like I’ve been called to public service. I think I genuinely believe life is a test, and you are accountable to God for how you use the privileges you are gifted at birth by God, and that really motivates me.” She is motivated to change lives for the better, by her belief that she feels like she is a very privileged person, with amazing parents, born in the UK and having had an incredible education. She said being a “brown Muslim woman in politics” was not easy and asked how she copes with abuse on social media, she said: “Firstly, I really believe in what I’m doing. So when people come along to knock you off course, if you really believe that what you’re doing is the right thing for the country, I’m trying to do that for the right reasons, then actually, I feel like I’m in quite a strong position.”
‘Muslim Creators Network’ proposed to change portrayal in the media
A Muslim Creators Network has been proposed to unite journalists, broadcasters, influencers and artists working to reshape how British Muslims are portrayed in media and entertainment. Its introductory event, held in the Houses of Parliament, was hosted by Baroness Shaista Gohir of the Muslim Women’s Network UK, and social media creator Sebina Hussain, who blogs on fashion, beauty and faith to her 93,000 Instagram followers. Participants discussed how the group could speak collectively on public issues and create new opportunities for collaboration. The Network is due to launch formally in March.
Former Jesuit Refugee Service director appointed to the Lords
The former Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service, and former LibDem MP, Sarah Teather, has been appointed to the House of Lords. JRS says “her experience and commitment will be essential in shaping a more humane asylum system”. She was an MP from 2003-2015, and for two years served as minister of state for children and families. She is one of three new Liberal Democrat appointments to the House of Lords.
Charedi Jews in London protest against conscription in Israel
Jewish News reports that more than 2,000 members of Stamford Hill’s Strictly Orthodox Jewish community staged a protest outside the Israeli embassy in London, in protest at the forced conscription of Charedi Jews into the Israeli army. They were responding to reports of Orthodox Jews being arrested and imprisoned in Israel for refusing to serve in the IDF. Since the founding of Israel, Charedi Jews have been exempt from national service, in order to study the Torah, seen as a higher for of service. Protesters said they were standing “in solidarity” with those “trapped alone with police and the army and the courts and the jails.” Report here
Migrant avoiding arrest posed as a shepherd in nativity tableau
A migrant from Ghana on the run after a conviction for assault, hid from police by posing as a shepherd in a Christmas nativity scene in a small town in Italy. The nativity tableau has pride of place in the town square, and he was pictured standing amongst straw bales and beside life size figures of Joseph and Mary. But he was spotted by the town’s mayor who saw him move, and he was taken into custody to start his nine month sentence. The migrant, aged 38, who has not been named, was convicted of assault and resisting arrest.
