St Luke's Church Eccleshill, Bradford, UK

Not the Christian Council of Britain

Recently our national news has carried an item about the launch of "The Christian Council of Britain". We wanted to make our position clear.

So far as we understand, "The Christian Council of Britain" is linked with the British National Party and has no formal connection with the umbrella organisations of the mainstream Christian churches of our country. On the basis of this link we reject any suggestion that "The Christian Council of Britain" is in fact what its name claims. We recognise the Church of England and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland as the umbrella bodies which represent Christians in our country.

Some of the evidence for the link is set out by Ekklesia on its news-service web site. We agree with the Church of England's stance on this, and we also support the Methodist Church's statement reported on these two web sites (which has also been endorsed by Churches Together).

Our Church Council has not yet had the opportunity to consider a view on "The Christian Council of Britain", but we endorsed a statement in 2003 when the BNP was contesting seats at the local elections:

"Our church is open to all in its worship; and no-one is ever barred from attending, whatever their views. However, we reject the British National Party’s policies and practices as incompatible with the Church’s teaching and our understanding of the love of God for all people. We ask the people of our area to reject the BNP and its attempts to stir up racial hatred and fear of asylum seekers."

"The Christian Council of Britain" is reported as joining protests from other Christian groups about "Jerry Springer: The Opera". Members of St Luke's Church Eccleshill have signed a petition against the visit of this musical to Bradford. However, this does not mean that we endorse any other policies and practices of any other groups who align themselves with this petition.

John Hartley.

	St Luke's Church, Eccleshill, Bradford, UK Bringing the good news of Jesus to the people of Eccleshill. Visitors are warmly welcome to all our events and services.
Home Page. Bradford Diocese. Other pages: find us, usual services, diary, noticeboard, magazine. News Index. Contact us.	Not the Christian Council of Britain Recently our national news has carried an item about the launch of "The Christian Council of Britain". We wanted to make our position clear. So far as we understand, "The Christian Council of Britain" is linked with the British National Party and has no formal connection with the umbrella organisations of the mainstream Christian churches of our country. On the basis of this link we reject any suggestion that "The Christian Council of Britain" is in fact what its name claims. We recognise the Church of England and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland as the umbrella bodies which represent Christians in our country. Some of the evidence for the link is set out by Ekklesia on its news-service web site. We agree with the Church of England's stance on this, and we also support the Methodist Church's statement reported on these two web sites (which has also been endorsed by Churches Together). Our Church Council has not yet had the opportunity to consider a view on "The Christian Council of Britain", but we endorsed a statement in 2003 when the BNP was contesting seats at the local elections: "Our church is open to all in its worship; and no-one is ever barred from attending, whatever their views. However, we reject the British National Party’s policies and practices as incompatible with the Church’s teaching and our understanding of the love of God for all people. We ask the people of our area to reject the BNP and its attempts to stir up racial hatred and fear of asylum seekers." "The Christian Council of Britain" is reported as joining protests from other Christian groups about "Jerry Springer: The Opera". Members of St Luke's Church Eccleshill have signed a petition against the visit of this musical to Bradford. However, this does not mean that we endorse any other policies and practices of any other groups who align themselves with this petition. John Hartley.
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