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I think it's a shame anybody should have to feel frightened for their safety to be a part of any political group, no matter how odious their beliefs.

And by the way, the fact that BNP members have to hide their names for their own safety says more about the state of 'democracy' in modern Britain than it does about the far-right.

Should we have a thread on persecuted facists? It's not fair that we're not letting them be unfair to others?

Would this be an ecumenical matter?

Yes Peter, this would be an ecumenical mathar.

I appreciate that this is an unseemly situation, and that it's sad if there are people who call themselves Christians in the BNP. However I'm equally disturbed by the use of inverted commas within the title of this entry. William, while I most likely share the sentiment you are trying to convey, its not for you to say who's a 'Christian' and who isn't.

Brickie

If we can't go around judging others what's the point of being a Christian? That's what it's all about, innit?

Let me do my bit of judging - there is no way that any member of the BNP knows Christ in any meaningful sense - NO WAY!!!

If you buy into hate you cannot simultaneously entertain the love of God in your life - it's impossible.

If Christians cannot say this without equivocation they have nothing worth saying about anything...

Let me explain the inverted commas in the title of this piece, since they've become slightly controversial in this thread. The inverted commas are used to signify a quotation from another document, in this case the BNP list (where some individuals have described themselves as 'Christians'). Their use in this way is journalistically appropriate and is also common. If I had simply written a headline with the word CHRISTIAN, some 'Christians' may have challenged my simple use of their faith-signifier. In other words, the inverted commas are used in order to avoid claims of partiality in the discussion.

brickinyermouth - are you serious? Are you really *equally* disturbed by William's inverted commas as you are by racist 'Christians'??

How quickly some believers jump for the "no true Scotsman" style of argument.Their little world will never be violated by anything that seeps in from the real world.

No truly noble Dee would ever make such a comment.

"Genuine asylum seekers are frequently escaping from persecution and torture. They often arrive in the UK, speaking no English and with no identifying documents. They are vulnerable, deeply traumatised people, seeking sanctuary and human kindness. That is shear emotional blackmail as most are after a higher standard of Living. But can this small Island be expected to acept everyone?

Is it any surprise that the far right is expanding in this country. The more people feel under threat the more they will turn to the right wing and make no illusion about it it is happening more and more. What suprises me is not so much that it is happening but the fact society seems surprised. We should wake up and realise what is happening in this country.

Noble and Brickie

Let me be even more judgemental: it is so difficult to contain my ire on this matter that I do not know how I can hope to escape moderation!

Not only could no true Christian be a member of the BNP, no true Christian could equate membership of that hate-filled party with another Christian's daring to make a judgement on the right of anyone who was a member to claim the name of Christ, and no true Christian would fail to see that neglecting to make that judgement is no less than a denial and a betrayal of Christ.

The sanctimonious piety of so many Northern Irish Christians who are happy to condemn insignificant things but jump on their high horse when real iniquity is challenged sickens me to the pit of my stomach.

Portwyne old chap

You really are getting stuck in these days, however, as a Presbyterian might say... the feeling's mutual.

Funny init the BNP are using EU legistlation to complain about the publication of the list,and also the human rights act.These two pieces of legislation would not exist if they had their way.Anyvon who sinks different vill be shot.Talk about two faced,but if they could choose from two why did they pick the one shown publicly,its not very nice is it.

Sorry Gveale, your post 11 went right over my head. You will have to explain what you mean and give examples from my previous posts.

Not that you will of course!