The Hard Right Are Claiming The Cross – And True Christians Should Not Allow It | Polly Toynbee

British church leaders have finally spoken out about the dangerous rise of Christian nationalism. But their message was far too timid

Not here in this tolerant green and pleasant land of gentle, if deserted, country churches. 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.” That was probably the best he could do without lying as he took on the excruciating duty, on our behalf, not to offend the bully who can wreck our economy at the click of his small fingers.

Polly Toynbee is a Guardian columnist

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