"No, surely Britain is well-fortified against American-style extreme evangelism. But Christianity erupts in its latest manifestation as far-right nationalist politics cosplaying as piety. Take seriously these Christian soldiers marching onward as to war under Tommy Robinson's banner, some dressed as crusaders. Are we still a Christian country? a GB News reporter asked the prime minister, who wriggled uncomfortably beside Donald Trump at their press conference."
"Keir Starmer is an atheist and a humanist who celebrates Jewish festivals with his family, so here's his reply verbatim: Yeah, look, I mean, in terms of a Christian country, I was christened. So, that is my church has been, um, all my life. And we are, that is, wired into our informal constitution. Of course, we celebrate many other faiths as well. I'm really proud that we're able to do so as a country."
"Labour is not yet strapped into armour for the fight with the right, still tongue-tied, lacking the language, afraid of offending Tommy Robinson supporters instead of confronting them. Gloves-off, racist demagogues are on the march and the country is at more risk than it was when the threat came from Oswald Mosley's blackshirts: he drew 10,000 to a rally at Olympia in London in 1934, plus the Mail's raucous support."
Christianity in Britain is manifesting as far-right nationalist politics that presents itself as piety. Tommy Robinson leads marches with supporters styling themselves as crusaders and mobilizing anti-immigration sentiment. Prominent right figures such as Nigel Farage harness those emotions through sympathetic media. Keir Starmer, though an atheist and humanist, described his christening and acknowledged Christianity's place in the informal constitution while affirming celebration of other faiths. Labour remains hesitant and underprepared, lacking language and resolve to confront racist demagogues. Church leaders issued a public letter condemning the co-opting of Christian faith to exclude others, but many responses remain timid.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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