J&P Commission endorses joint Christian letter signed by 35 representatives of Christians in Leeds
As Christians we believe in God’s love for everyone, shown to us in Jesus Christ. Because of this we reject the use of Christian language and imagery in any racist context. We note the march on 25th April in Leeds, and we wish to make it clear that UKIP do not speak for us or for the Christian faith of which we are a part.
Please join us resisting UKIP’s divisive exclusive politics. Please join us in praying for unity and peace for our Leeds communities, recognising the evils of Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and all racism, and calling out racism in your everyday life whenever you can.
Jesus said:
‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself’ (Matthew 22.39; Mark 12.31; Luke 10.27)
and
‘Do to others what you would like them to do to you’ (Matthew 7.12; Luke 6. 31).
When asked who our neighbour is, Jesus makes it clear that he does not mean the person who is closest to us in ethnicity – in fact, the person he chooses as an example of a neighbour in the parable of the Good Samaritan is a Samaritan – that is, someone who was distrusted and regarded as inferior and impure by most of the society of Jesus’ time. (Luke 10.29 – 37)
Our calling as Christians is to love and to learn from all God’s people: celebrating the beauty and dignity of every human being, with a special bias for anyone whose beauty and dignity is contested through ignorance, pride, prejudice, racism, hatred. We believe that God is on the side of people who are marginalised and oppressed, and that if we turn away from or persecute those people we turn away from God.
In our context, we believe this means that we have a God-given duty to stand up for people of all faiths and none who are victims of racism. This is particularly the case when victimisation is being justified using Christian language.
Loving God, make us channels of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us bring love.
Where there is suspicion, let us bring faith.
Where there is fear, let us bring hope.
Where there is division, let us bring unity.
Amen.