My article on Tommy Robinson’s Christmas carol service created all kinds of responses.
BBC Radio 4 and The Times Radio got in touch and the organisation Stand Up to Racism asked me to speak at their counter-demo on Whitehall held just before Tommy Robinson’s event.
Criticism
But as with any widely read article, I also got a fair bit of criticism. And what I found intriguing and frustrating is how polarised these discussions quickly become.
I wanted to avoid a general, blanket condemnation which is why my article was specific in highlighting the difference between the public publicity for the carol service and the emails Tommy Robinson has sent to his supporters.
I can see how describing him as a ‘far-right campaigner’ in the opening line immediately sparks a binary polarisation for some. It allowed them to simply label me ‘far-left’ or ‘progressive’ and entrench discussion in predictable battle lines.
A different way
And I also knew that an event organised by Stand Up to Racism (which also featured legendary singer and activist Billy Bragg) could feed this polarisation further.
But I accepted the invitation to speak because they specifically asked me to speak from a Christian perspective. And in my talk, I said this:
“I love my local community and I love my country. And more than ever our communities and our country need people who build bridges of connection not barriers of contempt.
Times are tough for so many, communities have been left behind and more than ever people are looking for hope.
And we can find it in the Christmas story – a story of God becoming human into the pain, injustice and mess of the world.
So I agree with Tommy Robinson, Christ does need to be put back into Christmas.
But not a Christ used as a mascot of exclusion, or as a basis of division, or by using his cross as a weapon to fight with. But the Jesus who heals, includes, bridges racial divides, who speaks truth to power, who forgives and who gave his life for others.
Let’s challenge lies and deceit, and let’s be people of truth. But let’s act with grace – especially to those struggling. Let’s love the people who come to Tommy Robinson’s event today even if we don’t like what’s being said from the platform.
Let’s have Christ at the heart of Christmas. And let’s be people of grace and truth.”
The carol service
Afterwards I walked up to Trafalgar Square and entered Whitehall from the north end for Tommy Robinson’s carol service. I had assumed that a huge jumbotron screen was for his event, but it turned out that this was set up for another protest gathering about Digital ID.
Tommy Robinson’s event was further down Whitehall and I was immediately struck by the fact it was a far more modest event than I had expected.
Little anger
There were about a thousand people there but there was nothing remotely like the febrile energy or anger of the Unite the Kingdom rally I had experienced in September. It felt like an outreach event a charismatic church might organise in a local town centre. But with more flags.
From the platform there was some energetic testimonies shared and loud proclamations but many were milling about and chatting amongst themselves. And as there were no song-sheets the collective singing was minimal, with many content to lip-sync along to soft-rock versions of Christmas carols.
Underwhelming
And whilst it may disappoint some, the truth was there was very little to be offended by. I heard nothing overtly racist and the ethnic diversity of the crowd was actually very similar to the left-wing Stand Up to Racism demo I had been at earlier.
Overall, it was all quite underwhelming for anyone who feared a fascist take-over of the Christian faith.
Learning
As I walked away afterwards, I wondered what the learning was for all of us engaged in the public debate about this event. I recalled the wisdom of Helen Paynter who has done much to challenge Tommy Robinson but also urged everyone to Keep Calm and Carry On.
I am pretty sure that Robinson and friends will be reflecting today that using the Christian faith as a vehicle for his kind of politics is probably not a great strategy. We are not the US, and the UK’s religious culture is fundamentally different.
Faithful dialogue
I believe that the key learning focusses on the need to build bridges and do all we can to avoid polarisation – and the self-righteousness which generally accompanies it.
And the best thing I witnessed yesterday embodied this brilliantly.
It was seeing my friend, Sally Mann, a Baptist Minister from East London and of Red Letter Christians, bringing chairs and signs inviting dialogue. Sally is staunchly against what Tommy Robinson stands for, but instead of shouting or arguing, she courageously offered a space to talk and pray with those who had come to the event.
Mustard seed
Sally had a continual stream of people sitting down with her and it was beautiful to see. Away from the stage, loud mics and social media, this was the mustard seed of God’s kingdom in action. It was the most Jesus-like thing I saw all day.
We don’t have to fuel polarisation and self-righteousness. Let’s be concerned for truth – but find grace-filled ways to do it.
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I have to admit I’m one of those who jumps to conclusions and might, if I was a more vocal type, rant a little too much and create more polarisation rather than harmony. This was very insightful for me. I love Sally Mann’s approach. That’s got to help
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Yes – Sally’s approach really shone out as a beacon of how to do things yesterday. She and her husband Dave are the real deal. Read more about their work: Radical faith, remarkable community: the real deal at Bonny Downs – Grace + Truth
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Nice one, Jon, seeking the Christ-centred approach in a polarised atmosphere and finding it.
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Thanks Gav!
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As an admirer of this Blog: 1. Great Title! 2. Some substantial diappointment. Your assumption in both recent blogs is that Robinson has made a profession of faith as a cynical marketing act. “I am pretty sure that Robinson and friends will be reflecting today that that using the Christian faith as a vehicle for his kind of politics is probably not a great strategy”. I listened to his short speech on YouTube – sounded like a v young new believer to me. I just do not see how you and so many other Christians feel it is OK to pre-judge his inner heart so easily. I recall the various IRA converts. None of THEIR professions of faith were doubted. nor a political attack on their Republicanism made by the churches. Their subsequent fruit was the test, not their pasts. I also contrast with the way the Christian Left ridiculously presumed that the Liverpool hospital attacker was a true believer ‘because he had done Alpha’! Double standards, I’m afraid (although I am not saying that regarding you or your writing. I am just saying that what you have written is cruelly unjustified.)
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Thanks for your comment and I do take this accusation very seriously. I don’t think I have done this and feel sad that it has been read by you in this way.
I know nothing of his heart or the genuineness of TR’s beliefs – its not for me to judge that.
I did judge his actions in my previous article because by using his own words which I thought were deeply wrong and cynical. No one is tearing down crosses and London does not have sharia law.
You say that I have written that ‘Robinson has made a profession of faith as a cynical marketing act’ but I never did write that or have ever said that. I said that the decision to put on this event has not worked. It is a ‘strategy’ to utilise faith in a certain way like they have or to put on an event – every organisation does events for a reason and Tommy Robinson put this on for a specific reason: as he said to bolster his movement – to quote him:
“This isn’t just a concert, it’s a rally for our values, a beacon of hope amid the chaos of mass migration and cultural erosion that threatens our way of life. But hear me, this concert is more than music, it’s a statement that Britain belongs to the British people, and our Christian heritage will not be silenced.“
To repeat, I am not ‘pre-judging his inner heart’ I am critiquing his actions. This is what I consistently try to do on this blog – see this post for unpacking the difference: The critical difference: between good judgement & being judgemental – Grace + Truth
But thanks for reading and commenting – and I am glad you liked the title.
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I appreciate your desire to be measured, and had already read your other piece before posting. I feel it is also biased. ‘Good Judgement’ seems to mean doubting people you already disagree with apparently, but not people you already agree with. I continue to admire both your work and your writing. I just think you are allowing yourself too much leeway. I invited a recently converted young man to sit with me at church this morning. He was accused by an old guy sitting just in front of being hard right due to views on unrestrained immigration he had expressed in Costa years before conversion. I pleaded for the aggressor to focus on the fact that we were there to worship Jesus and take communion together. He kept with the jibes and harrassed the new convert out of the building. I told him his actions were intemperate and unwarranted. He refused to speak to me. This ‘silent revival’ claim is getting a bit of a joke. What they mean is upper-middle class young men with left leaning views welcome, not an ordinary male sinner.
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OK – well I will take on board your feedback but I do need to say that I get plenty of people who are more ‘left-leaning’ criticising my views too – especially on issues of begging and other subjects like that.
Not sure if you have read this one but its an example where I also questioned mass immigration – and I think this is legitimate and should not be called ‘racist’. I actually think doing that causes racism.
Reclaiming social justice from toxic identity politics
The way the young man was treated in your story is terrible – churches need to cope with a wide range of views – being able to grapple with hard issues is part of discipleship.
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In discussing about polarization I personally find it disheartening that you only have to mention you are concerned about the growth of Islam in the UK and about undocumented men travelling across the channel and this apparently makes you racist and that you can’t be a Christian. 🤔 Note I mention the Islamic faith not the people, who are generally lovely. If you vote Reform then apparently you can’t be Christian, particularly according to the current C of E hierarchy! Maybe it would be better to actually listen to the legitimate concerns of people, before judging. Personally I am concerned about illegal immigrants particularly as my teenage daughter was groped by a man from Afghanistan whilst walking her dog. Obviously not all immigrants are sex offenders, I am friends with a lovely family from Afghanistan and we have a lot of UK people who behave badly. However to allow undocumented males to enter the UK is to further risk the safety of our children. With regards to Tommy Robinson, I understand his concerns, whether he is sincere in his faith, God knows his heart but loves him regardless.
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I agree that we need to talk about all these issues – carefully but openly. This is the big problem with the ‘grooming gangs’ scandal which has particularly fuelled the anger of Tommy Robinson because his family were personally affected by it. It actually fuels racism if we cannot name cultural factors that connect to the crimes, and especially crimes done in certain groups against targeted people.
But as far as I know many of these young people were not ‘immigrants’ but people who had been born and raised in the country. So immigration is a complex issue – and of course some refugees are involved in crime but in my experience the vast, vast majority are model citizens, keen to work hard and contribute.
I am not in the C of E but agree that the C of E has got stuck in a liberal silo when it comes to discussing many social issues and this needs challenging. See this post for more on that: Living off the fumes of Faith (in the City) – Grace + Truth
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