Cheshire clergyman says BNP vote opposes Christian values (From Northwich Guardian)

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Cheshire clergyman says BNP vote opposes Christian values

8:00am Thursday 30th April 2009 in News

A rector has accused the British National Party of positioning itself as the Christian party of the country.

As reported in the Guardian last week, the BNP held a secret meeting in Winsford Lifestyle Centre.

It was booked under the name of the Christian Council of Britain, although the BNP admitted there was no affiliation between the two groups.

The Rev Ian Bishop, of St Michael and All Angels Church, in Hightown, Middlewich, says many churches are opposed to the BNP manifesto.

He said: “In my opinion to vote BNP is to oppose Christian values and the Christian Church.

“I have made it abundantly clear that I cannot see how it is possible to call yourself Christian and vote BNP. The Archbishop of York was recently quoted saying: ‘A vote for the BNP is like spitting in the face of God’.”

Comments(18)

HeadInTheSand says...
12:46pm Thu 30 Apr 09

Goodness, you can almost feel the hatred the 'Rev' Ian Bishop has for the indigenous working class of this country who vote BNP because they have all but been abandoned by the ruling political elite. How very un-christian.

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SylvieM says...
1:13pm Thu 30 Apr 09

I find this rather strange because our own clergy leave a lot to be desired. They are Turkys voting for Christmas, with their support for Sharia law and munticulturalism. They need to ask themselves why the pews are empty. Could it be that they do not support their own church, and when they see a party that actually follows the Bible and can prove it, they do not like it. They would rather back highly suspect groups who are known for their own violent words and deeds. Keep this up and the church is finished.

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Regg says...
1:29pm Thu 30 Apr 09

Yeah! and unless you don't mind disappointment: 'voting for the main parties is like spitting in the wind'

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suzzie says...
1:31pm Thu 30 Apr 09

Well Rev Ian Bishop i am a dedicated Christian and i am apalled at your remarks.
Would you please stick to getting the job done that god intended you to do.

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bertie bert says...
9:39pm Thu 30 Apr 09

It may surprise some people that the BNP have members of polish,Italian, hungarian decent, gay, disabled, jewish, and many members have foreign wives/husbands etc.
The BNP have Jewish councillors, a Jewish treasurer.
BNP also have Members of the Armed forces, ex WW2 veterans, ex spitfire pilots, pensioners.
Unemployed, Self employed and professional people !

Adam Walker BNP teacher has a Japanese wife, Richard Barnbrook (BNP GLA member) his partner Simone Clarke (BNP member)are bringing up Simones mixed race young child.

Regarding the usual ‘racist’ accusations – the most seriously injured BNP activist turns out to have a Chinese wife; one of the two BNP officers in Wigan turns out to have been married 24 years to an Asian woman, and has a mixed race child (well, she’s 20 now).

Democracy=the will of the people, the opposite is dictatorship.

Soon the Media will HAVE to report the BNP in a fair and honest manner, because the people are waking up!

JUST REMEMBER.
It was not the BNP that started the illegal wars that are getting our soldiers slaughtered. I WOULD CALL THAT EXTREME!

It was not the BNP that stole the pension funds of millions of our elderly.
I WOULD CALL THAT EXTREME!

It was not the BNP that sold of our Utility Companies to overseas buyers who now exploit us. I WOULD CALL THAT EXTREME

It was not the BNP that betrayed the True British People by swamping Our Country with mass unfettered immigration. I WOULD CALL THAT EXTREME

It was not the BNP that sold our gold for peanuts to Europe.
I WOULD CALL THAT CRIMINAL !
It was not the BNP that gave away our fishing fleets, industry, farming.
I WOULD CALL THAT TREASON !
It was not the BNP that allowed the banker to rip us off for billions.
I WOULD CALL THAT THEFT!

It was not the BNP that destroyed our education, NHS, Law AND Order etc
I WOULD CALL THAT CRIMINAL!
It was not the BNP that destroyed our manufacturing base.
I WOULD CALL THAT TREASON!

It was not, not, not the BNP that created the mess we are now in !

WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE BNP, THEN FIND OUT YOURSELF.
GO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE .

It may surprise some people that the BNP have members of polish,Italian, hungarian decent, gay, disabled, jewish, and many members have foreign wives/husbands etc. The BNP have Jewish councillors, a Jewish treasurer. BNP also have Members of the Armed forces, ex WW2 veterans, ex spitfire pilots, pensioners. Unemployed, Self employed and professional people ! Adam Walker BNP teacher has a Japanese wife, Richard Barnbrook (BNP GLA member) his partner Simone Clarke (BNP member)are bringing up Simones mixed race young child. Regarding the usual ‘racist’ accusations – the most seriously injured BNP activist turns out to have a Chinese wife; one of the two BNP officers in Wigan turns out to have been married 24 years to an Asian woman, and has a mixed race child (well, she’s 20 now). Democracy=the will of the people, the opposite is dictatorship. Soon the Media will HAVE to report the BNP in a fair and honest manner, because the people are waking up! JUST REMEMBER. It was not the BNP that started the illegal wars that are getting our soldiers slaughtered. I WOULD CALL THAT EXTREME! It was not the BNP that stole the pension funds of millions of our elderly. I WOULD CALL THAT EXTREME! It was not the BNP that sold of our Utility Companies to overseas buyers who now exploit us. I WOULD CALL THAT EXTREME It was not the BNP that betrayed the True British People by swamping Our Country with mass unfettered immigration. I WOULD CALL THAT EXTREME It was not the BNP that sold our gold for peanuts to Europe. I WOULD CALL THAT CRIMINAL ! It was not the BNP that gave away our fishing fleets, industry, farming. I WOULD CALL THAT TREASON ! It was not the BNP that allowed the banker to rip us off for billions. I WOULD CALL THAT THEFT! It was not the BNP that destroyed our education, NHS, Law AND Order etc I WOULD CALL THAT CRIMINAL! It was not the BNP that destroyed our manufacturing base. I WOULD CALL THAT TREASON! It was not, not, not the BNP that created the mess we are now in ! WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THE BNP, THEN FIND OUT YOURSELF. GO VISIT THEIR WEBSITE . bertie bert

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john-marg says...
10:34pm Thu 30 Apr 09

It is with no minor irritation that I read of another so called "christian" COE clergyman issuing a blanket condemnation of the BNP as a racist party. I am a Christian and I tire of false Christians opening their mouths and driving people away from the real Church of Christ The so called "Christian" Church of England excels at this. I would like to point out a few Christian facts to counter the confusion this person has caused. First the only people Christ ever criticised as a group were the scribes and the Pharasees . In other words the "established Church" of his day. He said "you worship god with your tongues but your hearts and minds are far from me." Amen to that !! and that describes the hierarchy of the COE completely, from their "sharia law is ok for the UK" stance to their chief prelates being also Arch druids to their recent condemnation of a church group that has been helping people overcome the sickness of homosexual desires. Properly they are called pan theists, because this describes accurately their published philosophy. Christ says no one comes to the father except by me. Christians can come from anywhere and any walk of life but the key thing is they have to stop worshiping false Gods and ask Jesus to come into their hearts.
Now if the COE had just kept its mouth shut and not issued a politically based mass condemnation of a group of people I would have also have refrained from pointing out that they are NOT Christians. But I don't like false advertising, And I am sick of the COE once again in its long history sticking it nose in politics and condemning a group opposed to the current political rulers. That kind of nonsense is why the Pilgrim fathers came to America. If you want to know Christ stay away from the COE and find yourself a pentacostal group.

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lippy57 says...
12:23pm Fri 1 May 09

I am a christian and a member of the British National Party and they live by Christian values much more than any so called Christians of the COE. When I meet other members and supporters there is no difference between them and people of my local Baptist church.

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WillHeff says...
2:59pm Fri 1 May 09

Oh dear. The local vicar complains that a political party tries to position itself as a christian organisation, and he gets slated by members of that party for sticking his nose into politics. I think anyone sensible reading what he said realises that he was complaining about the BNP trying to claim they represent the christian church, so in fact they are the ones at fault here.

It is obvious I think that the BNP are as much a christian organisation as the Conservatives or Labour pary - i.e. not at all.

Also I cannot see how anyone saying the BNP are not a christian organisation is attcking the working class - absolute nonsense. The BNP are an organisation which will do anything to increase their share of the vote, and this is just another little trick of theirs.

Can you be a member of the BNP and a Christian? I am not sure if you can really - anyone of any intelligence knows that the aims of the BNP are in effect 'racist' - i.e. they judge people on their race. In their simplistic view 'White' is acceptable and 'Non-white' is not - although they have of course changed this recently to ride on the back of fears about foreign workers in the UK. I can't see Jesus holding the same views as they do; the parable of the Samaritan would seem to support my view.

I think real Christians do not judge people by the colour of thier skin, or their racial group.

Funnily enough, I would imagine that most BNP members, if they look back three or four generations, will find that they too have non-English ancestors, be they Irish (who were a target in the 50s and 60s), French, German, Polish or whatever.

But that is getting off the point. The thrust of Revd Bishops complaint was the attempt by the BNP to clothe themselves as a Christian organisation, something they are obviously not.

Well done Rev Bishop - politicians of all colours need to keep their noses out of religion, especially those who aim to divide our wonderful, tolerant society.

Oh dear. The local vicar complains that a political party tries to position itself as a christian organisation, and he gets slated by members of that party for sticking his nose into politics. I think anyone sensible reading what he said realises that he was complaining about the BNP trying to claim they represent the christian church, so in fact they are the ones at fault here. It is obvious I think that the BNP are as much a christian organisation as the Conservatives or Labour pary - i.e. not at all. Also I cannot see how anyone saying the BNP are not a christian organisation is attcking the working class - absolute nonsense. The BNP are an organisation which will do anything to increase their share of the vote, and this is just another little trick of theirs. Can you be a member of the BNP and a Christian? I am not sure if you can really - anyone of any intelligence knows that the aims of the BNP are in effect 'racist' - i.e. they judge people on their race. In their simplistic view 'White' is acceptable and 'Non-white' is not - although they have of course changed this recently to ride on the back of fears about foreign workers in the UK. I can't see Jesus holding the same views as they do; the parable of the Samaritan would seem to support my view. I think real Christians do not judge people by the colour of thier skin, or their racial group. Funnily enough, I would imagine that most BNP members, if they look back three or four generations, will find that they too have non-English ancestors, be they Irish (who were a target in the 50s and 60s), French, German, Polish or whatever. But that is getting off the point. The thrust of Revd Bishops complaint was the attempt by the BNP to clothe themselves as a Christian organisation, something they are obviously not. Well done Rev Bishop - politicians of all colours need to keep their noses out of religion, especially those who aim to divide our wonderful, tolerant society. WillHeff

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C Baylis says...
3:13pm Fri 1 May 09

Leaving aside the politics - but it's worth saying that this is a country where even vicars are allowed to state an opinion - I am saddened at the vitriol expressed in many of these comments, even though the authors claim to be Christian.
Just because our views may differ, surely a certain amount of respect should be shown to fellow Christians and indeed citizens?

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WillHeff says...
4:04pm Fri 1 May 09

Oh.. and just for a laugh, in the style of Bertie Bert above (who seems a bit confused if you ask me)..

It was not the BNP that took that last piece of chocolate cake I was hoping to have after my supper last night.
I WOULD CALL THAT EXTREME!

It was not the BNP in that car who splashed that puddle all over me on Wednesday night. I WOULD CALL THAT EXTREME!

It was not the BNP who made me stand for five minutes in a queue at the post office, whilst some woman chatted to the non-English bloke behind the counter.
I WOULD CALL THAT EXTREME!

It was not the BNP who caused that rain last weekend when I was trying to water my roses. I WOULD CALL THAT EXTREME!

Sorry, some people's views are just risible...I just had to laugh at that diatribe.. hope you did too! Sorry if the words are a little bit too advanced for the more politically challanged amongst you...

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ralfellis says...
4:59pm Fri 1 May 09

.
>>but it's worth saying that this is a country
>>where even vicars are allowed to state
>>an opinion

Not for much longer, with the clergy's open support for Sharia Law. Why cannot these CofE ostriches understand that Islam will never reciprocate the freedoms that Christianity enjoys today.

I would suggest that the Rev Ian Bishop convenes a multi-denominational congress in the Saudi cathedra, to discuss thisl. Oh, silly me, there isn't one because Christianity is outlawed in Saudi and any display of Christian icons results in a lengthy prison sentence.

That's what I call reciprocation.

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ralfellis says...
5:18pm Fri 1 May 09

.
>>I think anyone sensible reading what he
>>said realises that he was complaining about
>>the BNP trying to claim they represent the
>>christian church,

Then the vicar must be particularly misguided. Let me put him straight, the BNP does not 'support' any religion, for it is a secular political party advocating secular policies. The last thing Britain needs, 300 years after the Reformation, is a theocracy.

However, it is true that the BNP recognises that British culture is founded upon Christian values, and in that respect the party may well share much in common with the Christian Church - the Christian Church prior to the recent generation of self-destructive clergy, who see good in every lifestyle, culture and creed except their own.

If it came to a vote, I doubt that the BNP would consider Dr Rowan Williams to be a true CofE Christian.

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joescott says...
2:19pm Sat 2 May 09

To anyone who feels that the BNP can even have any association with the church, I invite them to read 1 John 2:9

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waywoodwind says...
5:07pm Sat 2 May 09

you are very right joescott

the politicians and especially the churches have a lot of hate for the BNP

Can any one name just one of their policies that they don’t like, it’s all hear talk about them

who would leave their child in the care of a clergyman, after all the churches have paedophiles and perverts in their ranks

And the politicians believe in their right to rule so they can Lie Cheat and Embezzle with no criminal charges every brought against them, for at this present time they are above the law

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charles farley says...
7:09pm Sat 2 May 09

The BNP is a racist and fascist party and should have no place in British politics.

Vote 'em out!

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joescott says...
8:14pm Sat 2 May 09

Dear waywoodwind.

Needless to say, your application of the passage could not be more different from mine.

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Christine Malkin says...
4:46pm Sun 3 May 09

The BNP has been very devious in trying to gain votes from Christians. and, reading some of these comments, it seems that some people have unfortunately been takes in by this. It is true that we Christians are concerned about the current trnd for "PC", and the general decline in Christian values in this country, and the BNP has latched on to this in an attempt to win our votes. As for "What would Jesus do", this is irrelevant, as if the BNP had its way, he would not be allowed in this country! I am a member of Rev. Ian Bishop's congregation, and would urge the authors of these rather vitriolic remarks to visit us at our services in Middlewich (we do not have many empty pews), to go to their local church, or to join an Alpha Course in order to find out what Christianity is relly about. You would be welcomed, and would find yourself in a loving, worshipping community where hatred for anyone has no place at all.

Christine Malkin

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Antony Rogers says...
10:24am Mon 4 May 09

Christine Malkin wrote:
The BNP has been very devious in trying to gain votes from Christians. and, reading some of these comments, it seems that some people have unfortunately been takes in by this. It is true that we Christians are concerned about the current trnd for "PC", and the general decline in Christian values in this country, and the BNP has latched on to this in an attempt to win our votes. As for "What would Jesus do", this is irrelevant, as if the BNP had its way, he would not be allowed in this country! I am a member of Rev. Ian Bishop's congregation, and would urge the authors of these rather vitriolic remarks to visit us at our services in Middlewich (we do not have many empty pews), to go to their local church, or to join an Alpha Course in order to find out what Christianity is relly about. You would be welcomed, and would find yourself in a loving, worshipping community where hatred for anyone has no place at all. Christine Malkin

Being devious makes the BNP no different to any other political party. We've been lied too and mislead for years, under different governments and I see no other political party being any different.

Furthermore, the people of this once great county should not stand by and allow themselves to be questioned, pressurised intimidated or dictated to. If they choose to voice their opinions and/or choose to vote for BNP then that is the peoples choice and democratic right.

My life experiences have turned me away from politics, religion and faith. I'm agnostic and therefore I do not except authority in the sense in which religious people do.
I think out questions and conduct myself accordingly. I respect other peoples beliefs and opinions but rather than excepting that as unquestionable, find myself analysing that information in a process of seeking fact not fiction.

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