Posted on 05/20/2004 12:51:51 AM PDT by MegaSilver
CHURCH leaders in Tameside have told their congregation not to vote for the BNP.
A joint statement issued by 10 clergy says that voting for parties with racist overtones is not compatible with Christianity.
The Rev Philip Burrows, of Mottram Parish Church, says the ‘Racism Statement’ is one of many drawn up by UK religious leaders, as parties battle it out for seats in the local and European elections next month.
"Back in March the Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Rev Jack Nicholls, warned that voter apathy could result in British National Party candidates being elected to European Parliament and I now see that the BNP have candidates in our own local elections. As Christians we need to be well informed and prayerful for the good of our community," Mr Burrows tolds his parishioners in his parish magazine.
"It would be wrong for a church to support one political party and I don’t think we should get involved in party politics, but I do think it’s about people and the best interests of people at the end of the day, and we have the interests of our people at heart and so we wanted to speak out about things that are unjust."
The statement, which is signed by church leaders in Mottram, Hattersley, Hollingworth, Longdendale, and Glossopdale urges voters to steer clear of extremist parties, stating that "any political movement that seeks to divide our communities on the basis of ethnicity is an affront to the nature of God,’ and that it is a ‘grave danger to harmonious relationships’.
However, Mr Burrows added that as well as the BNP, the statement opposes any kind of discrimination or violence.
"Personally I don’t know a great deal about them (racist organisations) and that’s one of the reasons why I’m not pointing the finger at individuals. We live in a democracy and they have the right to stand."
"This isn’t about one particular party; we are against extremists that impact on our community and we believe that racism and extremist behaviour is wrong," he said.
BNP spokesman and Denton South candidate Anthony David Jones said: "Blowing people up in terrorist attacks is also not compatible with Christianity and over the last 30 years there has been a deafening silence from certain churchmen over IRA terrorism."
Signatories to the statement include: Rev Anne Lawson, St Mary’s Hollingworth, Hazel Cook, Hollingworth Methodist, Revs Derek Akker & Vicky Schofield, St Barnabas C of E, Hattersley, Fr. Paul at St James’ RC Hattersley, David Todd, Hattersley Baptist Church, Fr Don and Fr. Darren, The Catholic Church in Longdendale including Hadfield & Broadbottom, Gareth Lloyd Jones, Mottram Evangelical Church and Hattersley Community Church, Rev Philip Burrows, St Mary Magdelene C of E, Broadbottom and St Michael & all Angels C of E, Mottram in Longdendale.
Not to mention standing back and watching as the nation's government opens its doors up to people whose leaders have 500-year-old grudges against you, consecrating gay priests, attempting to bless same-sex "marriages," refusing to condemn abortion...
I'm no fan of the BNP, but I can think of many reasons for the Church of England to shut its mouth about this, or for that matter, any moral issue. (No offense to Confessional Anglicans intended.)
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