I’ve seen a few social media posts, mainly from the US picking up on a parade in London being banned. The posts usually express outrage contrasting this “Walk with Jesus” being banned in case it offends Muslims whilst Muslim festivals and parades are allowed
It’s important to be factually clear about this. The march is not a Christian event in a similar vein to the kind of events Graham Kendrick used to organise in the 1980s. Rather, it is a political march organised by UKIP which seems designed to antagonise residents in Tower Hamlets. UKIP were the anti EU party that used to be led by Nigel Farage, in recent years they have morphed into a fringe party which seems to focus on ethnic politics and anti immigration.
There is still plenty of freedom to march and protest. In September last year, there was a large protest called Unite the Kingdom through Central London. Its organiser, Tommy Robinson, also organised an event in December under the banner of putting Christ back into Christmas.
Meanwhile, there are also many Christians and churches involved in public events such as outdoor Carol services and walks of witness on Good Friday. These are more comparable to the Muslim celebrations of their festivals.
Personally, I’m not big on walks of witness. However, I do value the freedom to share the Gospel by giving out Gospels and talking one to one in Muslim majority neighbourhoods. These kinds of stories and events seem likely to hinder Gospel outreach into such areas
As a Christian I am not offended that our nation seeks to show tolerance to those the majority may disagree with. I do find the appropriation of Christianity for political causes whether far right, liberal or far left offensive. But freedom to offend is an aspect of free speech.
I would ask American Christians and political social influencers to check their facts and not to engage in stirring up some culture war that diverts from and hinders the work of the Gospel.
Faithroots 