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Tommy Robinson’s ‘put Christ back into Christmas’ message"

(431 Posts)
Wyllow3 Sun 07-Dec-25 22:11:44

I honestly couldnt believe what I was reading, except it follows a US trend for Far Right attempts to do the same.

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/07/church-of-england-campaign-challenging-tommy-robinson-put-christ-back-into-christmas-message?fbclid=IwY2xjawOi2aRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETBRRlJaamg3azk1VEZHWjdHc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoJp_m-Q2CWoLTNrxw8Ulo1PbD6iGQ3ZQ_tSXALujn68lWh-i-4WYDweMdnn_aem_gCwflvl9uuLiybICAOguWg

"The Church of England is to launch a poster campaign aimed at challenging the anti-migrant message of Tommy Robinson, whose “Unite the Kingdom” movement has urged its supporters to join a carols event next weekend to “put the Christ back into Christmas”.

The posters, which will go on display at bus stops, say “Christ has always been in Christmas” and “Outsiders welcome”. They will also be available for local churches to download and display over the festive period."

At a march organised by Unite the Kingdom in September there was a significant presence of Christian symbols, including wooden crosses and flags bearing Christian slogans, as well as chants of “Christ is king” and calls to defend “God, faith, family, homeland

Last week, Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, announced next weekend’s Christmas carol event at an undisclosed outdoor venue in central London. It would mark the beginning of “a new Christian revival in the UK – a moment to reclaim and celebrate our heritage, culture and Christian identity”.

I find this truly, truly chilling

You?

(Some Christian activists are planning a counter-event to protest at the far-right views of those organising the carol service)..(do read the rest of the article)

IOMGran Sun 14-Dec-25 20:23:28

I am so very disappointed 😂

fancythat Sun 14-Dec-25 19:41:09

IOMGran

fancythat

^Jesus's precepts in the Good Samaritan, his feeding the poor, his statement on the widows mite, his overturning of the tables at the temple:
^

Also, I would say no abortion, no same sex marriage. etc

I dont think this particular thread is the time and place for me personally, to go into all that.
And I dont read/go on to all threads about Christianity, so I presume that has all been chewed over many times before.

And his is why I despise religions including Christianity. Jesus never said anything about abortion or same sex relationships BTW.

I am not going to go into all of that on this particular thread.

IOMGran Sun 14-Dec-25 18:54:31

Me too Iam64.

Iam64 Sun 14-Dec-25 18:52:18

I’m not surprised Tommy Laxley thing has found Christianity in prison. One alternative would have been converting to Islam, as many do in prison,
He’s not daft, he’s a nasty bullying opportunist. He saw The Light and realised he could harness it to further his cause.

Look at what’s happening in America. The religious right extremists leading to the HandMaids tale.

Jesus was indeed a leftie. I’m a follower, extremism isn’t me

IOMGran Sun 14-Dec-25 18:51:51

fancythat

^Jesus's precepts in the Good Samaritan, his feeding the poor, his statement on the widows mite, his overturning of the tables at the temple:
^

Also, I would say no abortion, no same sex marriage. etc

I dont think this particular thread is the time and place for me personally, to go into all that.
And I dont read/go on to all threads about Christianity, so I presume that has all been chewed over many times before.

And his is why I despise religions including Christianity. Jesus never said anything about abortion or same sex relationships BTW.

Wyllow3 Sun 14-Dec-25 18:14:08

Oreo

Wyllow3

I'll give you a spot of background that might help you see why I asked. As you know I'm a Quaker, and most UK Quakers do not believe in the Creed. We believe "there is that of god in everyone" and we talk of trying to 'Live in the Light" of the compassionate light that Jesus himself taught.

However Kenyan Quakers, and there are many, mostly do believe not so much in the creed as such, but do believe in the virgin birth and the resurrection.

But we exist together in harmony.

So Quakers aren’t Christians then?At least in the UK?
Your interpretation of Christianity appears to be that Jesus was a good man but not the son of God on earth and that his teachings were admirable but nothing more.You could be Jewish or Muslim or Humanist surely with that outlook?
Which is why I agree with Smileless

I was on my way to a quaker MfW (meeting for Worship) when I saw the post, and was about to reply in a long winded way, but I am not at all certain the question was benign.

I found this a couple of days ago.

if you other posters are really wanting to find out what quakers are about, and how can we claim to be "this or that" when we have no standing creed. Quakers, in the early days, and still, refer to themselves as "Seekers".

As we believe each person has a personal spiritual connection to whatever we conceive of as God/god, without the intermediary priest or leader, you may find this useful to read, and wish to make points or ask questions afterwards.

www.hastings-quakers.org.uk/about-us/#:~:text=The%20basis%20of%20Quakerism%20is,and%20a%20way%20of%20living.

You will appreciate it is far from and easy going "pick and mix" - to take on the responsibility for our fellow Quakers wellbeing and put ourselves through self-query as well as read widely is no simple task, but can be immensely rewarding, if rather earnest.

Chocolatelovinggran Sun 14-Dec-25 11:06:45

I am glad to hear that the event went peacefully, and horrified ( but not surprised) to hear of the foul language aimed at the minister.
Now, Mr Yaxley Lennon, I would like to address your avowed interest in Christianity. An hour singing carols does not equate directly to being a Christian: plenty of atheists and agnostics enjoy this experience, too.
Now, will we see you and your followers taking next steps on the path, hopefully omitting the verbal abuse of the minister.
The phrase sometimes quoted is " If you were accused of being Christian, would there be evidence to convict you?"
Singing a carol at Christmas probably isn't going to cut it.

Maremia Sun 14-Dec-25 11:00:35

As I said, 'What will be his next Christian act?'

Maremia Sun 14-Dec-25 10:59:19

This time of year, as well as collecting for the upkeep of the particular church, there are collections for the poor and homeless. Did this happen at the Stephen YL event?

Mamie, relax, I was simply repeating a headline.
I will be surprised if he is able to maintain the facade.
Only one thousand attended. I think many more were expected.

Smileless2012 Sun 14-Dec-25 10:51:32

It didn't take long for the true colours of some to be shown did it.

Mamie Sun 14-Dec-25 10:45:02

Allira

Mamie

Allira

Mamie

This was the salient point for anyone who missed it.
"At the carol service in Whitehall, Sally Mann, a Baptist minister, was told by some attendees to “fuck off” when she invited them to pray with her, and said: “Christ wasn’t English. Christ was a refugee at Christmas.”.

😲

I think I pointed that out too (could be on another thread)

I thought I would be first with the Sunday Observer article at 4am French time. 😂

Yes, you are first with the news 🙂

I meant the point about Jesus being a refugee.

In the context of people on the thread at that time commenting that the event had gone well, I was pointing out how dreadful it was that a Baptist Minister had been told to fuck off for asking some attendees to pray with her.
I am surprised there has not been more reaction to it to be honest.

Allira Sun 14-Dec-25 10:33:57

Mamie

Allira

Mamie

This was the salient point for anyone who missed it.
"At the carol service in Whitehall, Sally Mann, a Baptist minister, was told by some attendees to “fuck off” when she invited them to pray with her, and said: “Christ wasn’t English. Christ was a refugee at Christmas.”.

😲

I think I pointed that out too (could be on another thread)

I thought I would be first with the Sunday Observer article at 4am French time. 😂

Yes, you are first with the news 🙂

I meant the point about Jesus being a refugee.

Mamie Sun 14-Dec-25 10:12:22

Allira

Mamie

This was the salient point for anyone who missed it.
"At the carol service in Whitehall, Sally Mann, a Baptist minister, was told by some attendees to “fuck off” when she invited them to pray with her, and said: “Christ wasn’t English. Christ was a refugee at Christmas.”.

😲

I think I pointed that out too (could be on another thread)

I thought I would be first with the Sunday Observer article at 4am French time. 😂

Whitewavemark2 Sun 14-Dec-25 10:02:09

What a lot of nonsense it all is.

Point out to me in a couple of years time how TR and followers have faithfully attended church every Sunday and appropriate days and have adhered to Christian principle I will begin to show them respect.

What chance?

Snowballs chance in hell!

Allira Sun 14-Dec-25 09:58:46

lixy

fancythat Jesus is respected as a prophet in religions other than Christianity, including both Islam and Judaism.

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is an opportunist and, like grandmabatty I would not want to be associated with him in any way.
I find it astonishing that he is now promoting the cause of one of the most famous refugees in history and, presumably, the Christian ethos of acceptance of all.

Mamie

lixy made the point very well on this thread!!
Well said, lixy

Allira Sun 14-Dec-25 09:56:06

Mamie

This was the salient point for anyone who missed it.
"At the carol service in Whitehall, Sally Mann, a Baptist minister, was told by some attendees to “fuck off” when she invited them to pray with her, and said: “Christ wasn’t English. Christ was a refugee at Christmas.”.

😲

I think I pointed that out too (could be on another thread)

foxie48 Sun 14-Dec-25 09:41:34

Mamie

This was the salient point for anyone who missed it.
"At the carol service in Whitehall, Sally Mann, a Baptist minister, was told by some attendees to “fuck off” when she invited them to pray with her, and said: “Christ wasn’t English. Christ was a refugee at Christmas.”.

You can take a horse to water etc etc

I'm not a Christian but I've been to lots of carol services. I know the words to most of the carols and I know enough to behave appropriately and respectfully in a church. I think TR needs to run a few training courses in basic manners for his followers if he wants to be taken seriously.

Mamie Sun 14-Dec-25 09:30:22

This was the salient point for anyone who missed it.
"At the carol service in Whitehall, Sally Mann, a Baptist minister, was told by some attendees to “fuck off” when she invited them to pray with her, and said: “Christ wasn’t English. Christ was a refugee at Christmas.”.

Maremia Sun 14-Dec-25 09:25:55

So, he knows the 'songs'. Can he follow up with the actions, '
Peace and goodwill to all men' and women too?
The churches are right to be anxious about the possible influence of extremism from the States.
Hope they are up to the challenge.

Maremia Sun 14-Dec-25 09:18:40

No Mamie I have not. Was reporting an online headline.
Will have a look at your posting now.

foxie48 Sun 14-Dec-25 09:12:47

I can't help seeing a certain irony in thinking that a carol service at Christmas has gone off peacefully and in the "spirit of Christmas" Surely that would be the norm?

Mamie Sun 14-Dec-25 09:11:56

Maremia

So far so good. Let's see what his next 'Christian' act is.

Have you read the Observer article I posted above? Do you really think that is acceptable behaviour?

Maremia Sun 14-Dec-25 09:06:55

So far so good. Let's see what his next 'Christian' act is.

Oreo Sun 14-Dec-25 08:58:29

Maremia

In the end, one thousand people showed up. Seems to have gone peacefully. No doubt some of the carol singing will be viewed online.

That’s good isn’t it, in the spirit of Christmas !

Oreo Sun 14-Dec-25 08:56:45

Wyllow3

I'll give you a spot of background that might help you see why I asked. As you know I'm a Quaker, and most UK Quakers do not believe in the Creed. We believe "there is that of god in everyone" and we talk of trying to 'Live in the Light" of the compassionate light that Jesus himself taught.

However Kenyan Quakers, and there are many, mostly do believe not so much in the creed as such, but do believe in the virgin birth and the resurrection.

But we exist together in harmony.

So Quakers aren’t Christians then?At least in the UK?
Your interpretation of Christianity appears to be that Jesus was a good man but not the son of God on earth and that his teachings were admirable but nothing more.You could be Jewish or Muslim or Humanist surely with that outlook?
Which is why I agree with Smileless