Principal Clerk indicators letter lamenting misuse of the cross

The Principal Clerk of the Common Meeting, Rev Fiona Smith, has signed an open letter expressing concern on the Christian cross being utilized in a political demonstration that focused among the most susceptible individuals in society.

Signed by a gaggle of Christian leaders from a variety of various religion communities, the transfer comes after a march in London on 13 September the place the cross was carried as extremist audio system addressed the group.

The Principal Clerk stated it’s the responsibility of the Church to talk up when the cross, the last word signal of sacrifice for the opposite, is misused.

” Jesus calls us to like each our neighbours and our enemies and to welcome the stranger” she defined.

“As Christian leaders, we’re pleased with our nation and commit ourselves to work with others constructing a extra United Kingdom the place the values of affection, humility and compassion shine by means of in each neighborhood, and we achieve this unapologetically within the title of Jesus Christ.”

The letter has been printed in a variety of media shops together with: The Instances, The Mirror, Christian Right now, The Guardian, Premier Christian Information and MSN.

Right here is the letter in full:

“We’re deeply involved concerning the co-opting of Christian symbols, notably the cross, throughout Saturday’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally. Many people and communities felt anxious, unsettled and even threatened by facets of the march.

“There have been undoubtedly various motivations for these engaged within the occasion. We respect the appropriate to free speech, to carry completely different views on points resembling immigration, the significance of wholesome debate between spiritual communities and the necessity to disagree nicely when consensus is troublesome.

“We additionally perceive that for a lot of of these concerned within the rally there’s a deep sense of frustration at feeling unheard and forgotten within the democratic course of. We all know that we can’t heal this wound except the Church, and society as a complete rises to do extra to handle the problems of poverty, inequality and exclusion.

“Nevertheless, this rally included racist, anti-Muslim and much proper parts. As Christians from completely different theological and political backgrounds we stand collectively in opposition to the misuse of Christianity. The cross is the last word signal 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 religion to exclude others is unacceptable.

“As Christian leaders we’re pleased with our nation and commit ourselves to work with others constructing a extra United Kingdom the place the values of affection, humility and compassion shine by means of in each neighborhood; and we achieve this unapologetically within the title of Jesus Christ.”

Among the many signatories are:

• Rev Fiona Smith, Principal Clerk of the Common Meeting of the Church of Scotland.
• Rt Revd Dr Rowan Williams.
• Revd Dr Sam Wells.
• Revd Lucy Winkett.
• Revd Canon Steve Chalke MBE and 32 others

The Principal Clerk of the Common Meeting, Rev Fiona Smith, has signed an open letter expressing concern on the Christian cross being utilized in a political demonstration that focused among the most susceptible individuals in society.

Signed by a gaggle of Christian leaders from a variety of various religion communities, the transfer comes after a march in London on 13 September the place the cross was carried as extremist audio system addressed the group.

The Principal Clerk stated it’s the responsibility of the Church to talk up when the cross, the last word signal of sacrifice for the opposite, is misused.

” Jesus calls us to like each our neighbours and our enemies and to welcome the stranger” she defined.

“As Christian leaders, we’re pleased with our nation and commit ourselves to work with others constructing a extra United Kingdom the place the values of affection, humility and compassion shine by means of in each neighborhood, and we achieve this unapologetically within the title of Jesus Christ.”

The letter has been printed in a variety of media shops together with: The Instances, The Mirror, Christian Right now, The Guardian, Premier Christian Information and MSN.

Right here is the letter in full:

“We’re deeply involved concerning the co-opting of Christian symbols, notably the cross, throughout Saturday’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally. Many people and communities felt anxious, unsettled and even threatened by facets of the march.

“There have been undoubtedly various motivations for these engaged within the occasion. We respect the appropriate to free speech, to carry completely different views on points resembling immigration, the significance of wholesome debate between spiritual communities and the necessity to disagree nicely when consensus is troublesome.

“We additionally perceive that for a lot of of these concerned within the rally there’s a deep sense of frustration at feeling unheard and forgotten within the democratic course of. We all know that we can’t heal this wound except the Church, and society as a complete rises to do extra to handle the problems of poverty, inequality and exclusion.

“Nevertheless, this rally included racist, anti-Muslim and much proper parts. As Christians from completely different theological and political backgrounds we stand collectively in opposition to the misuse of Christianity. The cross is the last word signal 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 religion to exclude others is unacceptable.

“As Christian leaders we’re pleased with our nation and commit ourselves to work with others constructing a extra United Kingdom the place the values of affection, humility and compassion shine by means of in each neighborhood; and we achieve this unapologetically within the title of Jesus Christ.”

Among the many signatories are:

• Rev Fiona Smith, Principal Clerk of the Common Meeting of the Church of Scotland.
• Rt Revd Dr Rowan Williams.
• Revd Dr Sam Wells.
• Revd Lucy Winkett.
• Revd Canon Steve Chalke MBE and 32 others

The Principal Clerk of the Common Meeting, Rev Fiona Smith, has signed an open letter expressing concern on the Christian cross being utilized in a political demonstration that focused among the most susceptible individuals in society.

Signed by a gaggle of Christian leaders from a variety of various religion communities, the transfer comes after a march in London on 13 September the place the cross was carried as extremist audio system addressed the group.

The Principal Clerk stated it’s the responsibility of the Church to talk up when the cross, the last word signal of sacrifice for the opposite, is misused.

” Jesus calls us to like each our neighbours and our enemies and to welcome the stranger” she defined.

“As Christian leaders, we’re pleased with our nation and commit ourselves to work with others constructing a extra United Kingdom the place the values of affection, humility and compassion shine by means of in each neighborhood, and we achieve this unapologetically within the title of Jesus Christ.”

The letter has been printed in a variety of media shops together with: The Instances, The Mirror, Christian Right now, The Guardian, Premier Christian Information and MSN.

Right here is the letter in full:

“We’re deeply involved concerning the co-opting of Christian symbols, notably the cross, throughout Saturday’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally. Many people and communities felt anxious, unsettled and even threatened by facets of the march.

“There have been undoubtedly various motivations for these engaged within the occasion. We respect the appropriate to free speech, to carry completely different views on points resembling immigration, the significance of wholesome debate between spiritual communities and the necessity to disagree nicely when consensus is troublesome.

“We additionally perceive that for a lot of of these concerned within the rally there’s a deep sense of frustration at feeling unheard and forgotten within the democratic course of. We all know that we can’t heal this wound except the Church, and society as a complete rises to do extra to handle the problems of poverty, inequality and exclusion.

“Nevertheless, this rally included racist, anti-Muslim and much proper parts. As Christians from completely different theological and political backgrounds we stand collectively in opposition to the misuse of Christianity. The cross is the last word signal 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 religion to exclude others is unacceptable.

“As Christian leaders we’re pleased with our nation and commit ourselves to work with others constructing a extra United Kingdom the place the values of affection, humility and compassion shine by means of in each neighborhood; and we achieve this unapologetically within the title of Jesus Christ.”

Among the many signatories are:

• Rev Fiona Smith, Principal Clerk of the Common Meeting of the Church of Scotland.
• Rt Revd Dr Rowan Williams.
• Revd Dr Sam Wells.
• Revd Lucy Winkett.
• Revd Canon Steve Chalke MBE and 32 others

The Principal Clerk of the Common Meeting, Rev Fiona Smith, has signed an open letter expressing concern on the Christian cross being utilized in a political demonstration that focused among the most susceptible individuals in society.

Signed by a gaggle of Christian leaders from a variety of various religion communities, the transfer comes after a march in London on 13 September the place the cross was carried as extremist audio system addressed the group.

The Principal Clerk stated it’s the responsibility of the Church to talk up when the cross, the last word signal of sacrifice for the opposite, is misused.

” Jesus calls us to like each our neighbours and our enemies and to welcome the stranger” she defined.

“As Christian leaders, we’re pleased with our nation and commit ourselves to work with others constructing a extra United Kingdom the place the values of affection, humility and compassion shine by means of in each neighborhood, and we achieve this unapologetically within the title of Jesus Christ.”

The letter has been printed in a variety of media shops together with: The Instances, The Mirror, Christian Right now, The Guardian, Premier Christian Information and MSN.

Right here is the letter in full:

“We’re deeply involved concerning the co-opting of Christian symbols, notably the cross, throughout Saturday’s ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally. Many people and communities felt anxious, unsettled and even threatened by facets of the march.

“There have been undoubtedly various motivations for these engaged within the occasion. We respect the appropriate to free speech, to carry completely different views on points resembling immigration, the significance of wholesome debate between spiritual communities and the necessity to disagree nicely when consensus is troublesome.

“We additionally perceive that for a lot of of these concerned within the rally there’s a deep sense of frustration at feeling unheard and forgotten within the democratic course of. We all know that we can’t heal this wound except the Church, and society as a complete rises to do extra to handle the problems of poverty, inequality and exclusion.

“Nevertheless, this rally included racist, anti-Muslim and much proper parts. As Christians from completely different theological and political backgrounds we stand collectively in opposition to the misuse of Christianity. The cross is the last word signal 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 religion to exclude others is unacceptable.

“As Christian leaders we’re pleased with our nation and commit ourselves to work with others constructing a extra United Kingdom the place the values of affection, humility and compassion shine by means of in each neighborhood; and we achieve this unapologetically within the title of Jesus Christ.”

Among the many signatories are:

• Rev Fiona Smith, Principal Clerk of the Common Meeting of the Church of Scotland.
• Rt Revd Dr Rowan Williams.
• Revd Dr Sam Wells.
• Revd Lucy Winkett.
• Revd Canon Steve Chalke MBE and 32 others