Church leaders from a broad spectrum of denominations and traditions have issued a joint statement against the “co-opting” of Christian symbols just like the cross.
Signatories include quite a few Church of England bishops, Evangelical Alliance CEO Gavin Calver, the top of CARE (Christian Action Research and Education), Ross Hendry, Salvation Army Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main, and Baptist Union of Great Britain General Secretary, Lynn Green.
The statement is a response to the Unite the Kingdom rally, which was staged in London earlier this month to face without spending a dime speech although the rhetoric was also anti-immigration. The rally was organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson and drew no less than 110,000 people.
Christian symbols just like the cross and banners with Christian slogans on them were visible in the course of the rally, as were some people wearing Crusader-type costumes.
In their statement, the Church leaders said they were “deeply concerned in regards to the co-opting of Christian symbols, particularly the cross, during Saturday’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally”.
They acknowledge that many individuals on the rally were there due to a “deep sense of frustration at feeling unheard and forgotten within the democratic process” but said that the event also included “racist, anti-Muslim and much right elements” that made some people feel “threatened”.
The statement expresses “respect” without spending a dime speech but argues that the answer to the emotions of frustration lie within the Church and society as a complete rising “to do more to deal with the problems of poverty, inequality and exclusion”.
“As Christians from different theological and political backgrounds we stand together against the misuse of Christianity,” they write.
“The cross is the last word sign of sacrifice for the opposite.
“Jesus calls us to like each our neighbours and our enemies and to welcome the stranger.
“Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude others is unacceptable.”
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