Use your cross on 4 June

I was staggered to read that the British National Party is planning a billboard campaign for the forthcoming European elections on 4 June which quotes scripture.

The quote from John 15:20 is "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you" and is followed by "What would Jesus do? Vote BNP."

This scandalous distortion of the gospel pretends that the BNP's vile policies of hatred are in some way justified by the Christian faith. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

The Christian faith is clear that race is no grounds for discrimination of any kind, that all people are equal before God and that true justice requires total opposition to bigotry and prejudice.

I hope that Christians will be especially motivated to vote on 4 June, for any party except the racist BNP.

More details at The Church Times, Telegraph and Mirror.