Griffin thinks he’s Jesus as BNP picks row with Church of England

THE British National Party has kicked off its campaign for the European elections in June by controversially comparing itself to Jesus Christ.

by Tribune Web Editor
Thursday, April 9th, 2009

by Marcus Papadopoulos

THE British National Party has kicked off its campaign for the European elections in June by controversially comparing itself to Jesus Christ.

Last week, representatives of the far-right party, which advocates the voluntary repatriation of immigrants but always denies it is racist, attended the unveiling of a billboard poster which features an image of Jesus alongside a quote from St John’s Gospel (15:20): “If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” This passage from the Bible is followed by a question – “What Would Jesus Do?” – and the extraordinary answer: “Vote BNP”.

The decision by the BNP to invoke the persecution suffered by Jesus is partly a response to the Church of England having banned its clergy from belonging to the fascist party.

During the annual gathering in February of the General Synod – the legislative body of the church – a motion was passed by 322 votes to 13, with 20 abstentions, to introduce measures which would prohibit members of the clergy from joining the BNP.

Following the vote Vasantha Gnanadoss, a lay member of the Synod who proposed the motion, said: “Passing this motion is a push that is seriously necessary. Without it, the day may come when the BNP will have gained significant power and the church will stand accused of having been feeble when it could have been resolute.”

The text of the motion included a clear statement reiterating the Church of England’s “abhorrence of the grave sinfulness of covert, overt and institutional racism” while emphasising that “support for political organisations whose policies engender racism is inconsistent with Christian discipleship.”

Incensed by the decision of the Synod, the BNP has decided to portray itself as a “persecuted party” and compare its “plight” with that of Jesus of Nazareth in an attempt to win votes from church-going Christians this summer.

In a provocative e-mail to party members, BNP leader – and would-be führer – Nick Griffin asked: “What has become of the Christian church in this country? Instead of inclusively ‘embracing all’ which the church claims is its basis, certain groups within that body have banned people from their ranks simply because of their membership in the British National Party.

“Jesus was viewed as a revolutionary figure, hated and hounded to death, not by ‘evil men’ but by the corrupt hypocrites who ran the church. Has nothing changed in 2,000 years?”

While the motion banning clergy from joining the BNP received overwhelming support at the Synod, concerns remain regarding whether it can be legally implemented.

William Fittall, secretary general of the Synod, warned: “Cases outside the church concerning the BNP have seen employees bringing claims against their employees arguing that their less favourable treatment is an interference with their human rights under the Human Rights Act.”

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  • David Harcombe

    Time for you lot to grow up and see that the BNP is fast becoming the party of the people. No good deriding Nick Griffin as a wood- be fuhrer, Gordon Brown has the job at the moment and is doing a damn good job of turning Britain into a totalitarian police state. Compared to him Nick Griffin would be a breath of fresh, uncontaminated air and his party would swifty set about prosecuting all the trough snouting criminals and traitors of Labour, growing fat off fiddled expense claims. Am I right in saying that Treason still carries the death penalty? I hope this is so for it is what most of the present crop of establishment politicians deserve.

  • David Harcombe

    Time for you lot to grow up and see that the BNP is fast becoming the party of the people. No good deriding Nick Griffin as a wood- be fuhrer, Gordon Brown has the job at the moment and is doing a damn good job of turning Britain into a totalitarian police state. Compared to him Nick Griffin would be a breath of fresh, uncontaminated air and his party would swifty set about prosecuting all the trough snouting criminals and traitors of Labour, growing fat off fiddled expense claims. Am I right in saying that Treason still carries the death penalty? I hope this is so for it is what most of the present crop of establishment politicians deserve.

  • Sean Lovell

    The church and the state can ban (persecute) whoever they like from becoming a BNP member but they can`t stop people voting for them. (yet)

  • Sean Lovell

    The church and the state can ban (persecute) whoever they like from becoming a BNP member but they can`t stop people voting for them. (yet)

  • Sarah Hargreaves

    “banned its clergy from belonging to the fascist party”

    I look forward to the day the first of you anti British hacks get sued for slander. The real ‘fascists’ are the marxist NUJ toe rags like yourself.

    “Marcus Papadopoulos” Nice British sounding name by the way.

  • Sarah Hargreaves

    “banned its clergy from belonging to the fascist party”

    I look forward to the day the first of you anti British hacks get sued for slander. The real ‘fascists’ are the marxist NUJ toe rags like yourself.

    “Marcus Papadopoulos” Nice British sounding name by the way.

  • James Scofield

    After the Churches statement my family who were regular church goers no longer attend. Reason…we are also BNP voters.

    The person who wrote this article needs to wake uo and listen to what decent people are actually thinking.

  • James Scofield

    After the Churches statement my family who were regular church goers no longer attend. Reason…we are also BNP voters.

    The person who wrote this article needs to wake uo and listen to what decent people are actually thinking.

  • Bob

    I think it’s a brilliant advert, and it serves the CoE right for picking the fight in the first place.

    The CoE have abandoned the British people, and stand idly by mouthing politically correct platitudes whilst our country and identity is dissolved through mass third world immigration.

    They now actually disgust me as much as the corrupt politicians and anti British ‘journalists’ like this ‘pomploulopodis’ or whatever his name is.

  • Bob

    I think it’s a brilliant advert, and it serves the CoE right for picking the fight in the first place.

    The CoE have abandoned the British people, and stand idly by mouthing politically correct platitudes whilst our country and identity is dissolved through mass third world immigration.

    They now actually disgust me as much as the corrupt politicians and anti British ‘journalists’ like this ‘pomploulopodis’ or whatever his name is.

  • Dr Stuart H Russell

    At least the BNP have done us all a service by lifting the veil, then drawing out and exposing for all to see the spite, the irrational hate and the hypocrisy of the Church of England Synod, the Bishops, trade union leaders, media hacks and the rest of the Lb/Lab/Con multiculturalists. The ordinary British people, a majority, suffer whilst the fat cats get rich on globalisation. The BNP certainly has my and my family’s vote on June 4.

  • Dr Stuart H Russell

    At least the BNP have done us all a service by lifting the veil, then drawing out and exposing for all to see the spite, the irrational hate and the hypocrisy of the Church of England Synod, the Bishops, trade union leaders, media hacks and the rest of the Lb/Lab/Con multiculturalists. The ordinary British people, a majority, suffer whilst the fat cats get rich on globalisation. The BNP certainly has my and my family’s vote on June 4.

  • Tom Roberts

    And there in black and white is the one of the main reasons why Christian churches are now being turned into Muslim meeting places and textile warehouses.
    The stench of fear is sickening, it smells like victory.

  • Tom Roberts

    And there in black and white is the one of the main reasons why Christian churches are now being turned into Muslim meeting places and textile warehouses.
    The stench of fear is sickening, it smells like victory.

  • Tom Roberts

    And reading it again Mr Papadopolous it becomes quite obvious that it is the Church who has picked the fight with the BNP.
    The BNP now has more supporters than people who go to Church regularly.
    And if the truth was told many of the churchgoers support the BNP.
    You are part of the rotten establishment who need completely routing out!.

  • Tom Roberts

    And reading it again Mr Papadopolous it becomes quite obvious that it is the Church who has picked the fight with the BNP.
    The BNP now has more supporters than people who go to Church regularly.
    And if the truth was told many of the churchgoers support the BNP.
    You are part of the rotten establishment who need completely routing out!.

  • Alan Moss

    The synod has become virtually irrelevant in Britain, as has the
    C of E. Due to the fine leadership this Church has had over the past years.
    This motion actually carries no weight and banning BNP members is in fact a contravention of the Human Rights Act. Therefore the whole pointless exercise was just the usual floppy irrelevant gesture to the Marxists who have taken this country over by stealth. If you want to pass motions on fascists look no further than this New Labour government, or the Bishop of Manchester who is now telling people who not to vote for. The C of E has become an apologist for Islam. Try passing a motion deploring the fact that taking a Bible into Saudi Arabia could cost you your life. Now that would be interesting. An obvious and futile attempt to sway voters away from the BNP.
    As to this point regarding the BNP in the article;
    “…which advocates the voluntary repatriation of immigrants..”

    So do the Labour and Conservative parties. A scheme has been in place for years to pay migrants to return to their original homes. It’s a pity it isn’t more widely advertised. But then that would be racist wouldn’t it?

  • Alan Moss

    The synod has become virtually irrelevant in Britain, as has the
    C of E. Due to the fine leadership this Church has had over the past years.
    This motion actually carries no weight and banning BNP members is in fact a contravention of the Human Rights Act. Therefore the whole pointless exercise was just the usual floppy irrelevant gesture to the Marxists who have taken this country over by stealth. If you want to pass motions on fascists look no further than this New Labour government, or the Bishop of Manchester who is now telling people who not to vote for. The C of E has become an apologist for Islam. Try passing a motion deploring the fact that taking a Bible into Saudi Arabia could cost you your life. Now that would be interesting. An obvious and futile attempt to sway voters away from the BNP.
    As to this point regarding the BNP in the article;
    “…which advocates the voluntary repatriation of immigrants..”

    So do the Labour and Conservative parties. A scheme has been in place for years to pay migrants to return to their original homes. It’s a pity it isn’t more widely advertised. But then that would be racist wouldn’t it?

  • http://norfolkunity.blogspot.com/ Denise

    The only “evidence” for this billboard poster so far has been a Photoshopped mock-up originally hidden away on a BNP website.

    To find it you had to know it was there to begin with, which only the person who wanted to leak this “story” (webmaster Simon Bennett) could have known.

    It’s been suspicious from the beginning. No BNP billboard anywhere is going to last five minutes, even if a letting company could be found to host them, and the BNP knows that.

    I think this was somebody in the BNP stirring the pot and then sitting back to see what would happen.

  • http://norfolkunity.blogspot.com/ Denise

    The only “evidence” for this billboard poster so far has been a Photoshopped mock-up originally hidden away on a BNP website.

    To find it you had to know it was there to begin with, which only the person who wanted to leak this “story” (webmaster Simon Bennett) could have known.

    It’s been suspicious from the beginning. No BNP billboard anywhere is going to last five minutes, even if a letting company could be found to host them, and the BNP knows that.

    I think this was somebody in the BNP stirring the pot and then sitting back to see what would happen.

  • Gerry

    If Gordon (not elected) Brown can appeal to the millions of immigrants amidst out population, in his desperate clawing to hang onto power, then why cannot the BNP appeal to our own Christian followers?
    I find critisism of this avenue taken, hypercritical.

  • Gerry

    If Gordon (not elected) Brown can appeal to the millions of immigrants amidst out population, in his desperate clawing to hang onto power, then why cannot the BNP appeal to our own Christian followers?
    I find critisism of this avenue taken, hypercritical.

  • Bob

    “No BNP billboard anywhere is going to last five minutes”

    Yes Denise, no doubt the Nu Labour and Conservative supported criminals masquerading as “anti fascists” would quickly demonstrate to everyone (yet again) their support for free speech and democracy.

  • Bob

    “No BNP billboard anywhere is going to last five minutes”

    Yes Denise, no doubt the Nu Labour and Conservative supported criminals masquerading as “anti fascists” would quickly demonstrate to everyone (yet again) their support for free speech and democracy.

  • Tom Roberts

    Would that be ‘Denise’ from the very undemocratic Lancaster Unity? Another bunch of toadying hypocrites.

  • Tom Roberts

    Would that be ‘Denise’ from the very undemocratic Lancaster Unity? Another bunch of toadying hypocrites.

  • Pete

    I think Denise is right. No billboard company will rent space to the BNP and there’s been no sign of the poster.

    They just pulled a fast one.

    Just one thing I want to ask: why is Tribune allowing unmoderated comments from BNP bilkheads?

    What happened to No Platform for Racism and Fascism?

  • Pete

    I think Denise is right. No billboard company will rent space to the BNP and there’s been no sign of the poster.

    They just pulled a fast one.

    Just one thing I want to ask: why is Tribune allowing unmoderated comments from BNP bilkheads?

    What happened to No Platform for Racism and Fascism?

  • Bob

    Thanks for your inspired input Pete, your ‘anti fascist’ fascism speaks for itself.

  • Bob

    Thanks for your inspired input Pete, your ‘anti fascist’ fascism speaks for itself.

  • Nick Griffin

    Hey Gerry, bet you’re not half as good at I am at duping your supporters.

    Wanna buy a used car?

  • Nick Griffin

    Hey Gerry, bet you’re not half as good at I am at duping your supporters.

    Wanna buy a used car?

  • michael barratt

    The ‘new’ BNP cohort in common with past would be führers – Mosley and Tindall are a bunch of fascists who attempt to cover themselves with a thin sugar glaze of ‘respectability’ although just waiting to get the racist ‘boot in’ if they get half a chance – Good on the CofE because BNP racist views are self evidently incompatible with the ethos of the Church. No one should be fooled by the BNP they are well organised as can be seen above and potentially as dangerous as the Nationalist Socialists were in the 1920s.

  • michael barratt

    The ‘new’ BNP cohort in common with past would be führers – Mosley and Tindall are a bunch of fascists who attempt to cover themselves with a thin sugar glaze of ‘respectability’ although just waiting to get the racist ‘boot in’ if they get half a chance – Good on the CofE because BNP racist views are self evidently incompatible with the ethos of the Church. No one should be fooled by the BNP they are well organised as can be seen above and potentially as dangerous as the Nationalist Socialists were in the 1920s.

  • Gerry Gable

    “Wanna buy a used car?”

    Not if it’s your old one Nick. If I turned up for an ‘anti-fascist’ rally in it then it’d probably get smashed to pieces with a claw hammer.

    Here’s a tip for you Nick. Keep a bar of soap in your glovebox and whenever my supporters look like they’re about to attack just wind your window down and show it to them. They’ll run a mile, believe me.

    Ok, gotta go. Labour have been busy printing money and I’ve heard there may be a brown envelope stuffed with fifties for me.

  • Gerry Gable

    “Wanna buy a used car?”

    Not if it’s your old one Nick. If I turned up for an ‘anti-fascist’ rally in it then it’d probably get smashed to pieces with a claw hammer.

    Here’s a tip for you Nick. Keep a bar of soap in your glovebox and whenever my supporters look like they’re about to attack just wind your window down and show it to them. They’ll run a mile, believe me.

    Ok, gotta go. Labour have been busy printing money and I’ve heard there may be a brown envelope stuffed with fifties for me.