Back in March, we welcomed Revd Dr Helen Paynter to the Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds to question just how Jesus would ‘Unite The Kingdom’, a reference to the rallies held in London by Far Right figurehead Tommy Robinson, the second of which took place just this weekend.

In this talk she explores the ways that groups are fusing Christianity with nationalism, ethnic identity, and anti-immigration rhetoric in ways that threaten liberal democracy and distort the message of Jesus. She then points to some ways that Christians can engage with these groups from across the political divide without resorting to the same hostility and power-driven politics.

About Helen:

Helen is the Director of the Centre for the Study of the Bible and Violence in Bristol, has written and edited several books on Christianity and extremism, and has recently edited a volume titled ‘The Church, the Far Right and the Claim to Christianity’.

Coming up

Our next live Café Theologique event is taking place on Thursday 4 June and features Professor Thomas Jay Oord on the topic of ‘What’s left of God after deconstruction?’. Space is limited and tickets are going fast so if you’d like to join us, book your place asap.

About A God We Could Believe In:

A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We’re examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you’ve never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

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