The church in the picture sits in Leicestershire. A place called Frisby-on-the-Wreake near Melton Mowbray if you know it. I suspect that not too many of us will for it is not the largest conurbation in Leicestershire or anywhere near it.
I ask you folks does this look like the sort of place that a churchwarden of long standing who has provided services to the church since the age of eight would face discrimination based upon his political beliefs?
I kid you not. Over on the Melton and Rutland Community Voice blog there is a post entitled Persecution of good Christians which I have reproduced below.
A churchwarden has been pressured to resign after church leaders deemed his political views as "incompatible" with Christianity. David North from Frisby-on-the-Wreake near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire resigned three weeks ago.
Speaking exclusively to this website, Mr. North said, "for 60 years I have worked hard for Frisby Church. When I was 8 years old my job was to pump the organ in church services and help lay out the carpets before each service. Over the years I have helped raise thousands of pounds for the church in different projects. I have been the churchwarden for over 15 years in two stints and I find it deeply hurtful to be asked to resign having done nothing illegal - it hurts"
Mr. North's son James, a local councillor for the BNP and the Melton and Rutland Organiser said, "I feel very upset by this decision. The church was a big part of my father's life and I feel let down by this decision, my family have always lived in Frisby and supported the church but sadly history always has a way or repeating itself. My grandmother when she was a child was not allowed to attend Sunday school and her parents were told they were not welcome in the village church due to the fact that they were not married at a time when this was deemed "incompatible" with Christianity. They were forced to become Methodists because of this but as attitudes changed they did finally return to the church. I believe we will see a similar story here."
A spokeswoman for the Diocese of Leicester said, "It was pointed out to Mr. North that membership of the BNP is incompatible with being a practicing Christian. This is the Bishop's complete stance on it. The pastor is not able to kick out a churchwarden but it can be pointed out that he must make a choice between the BNP and the Church. Members of the congregation can be a member of the BNP but he held an office in the church and was representing us both legally and professionally."
You can voice your opposition to the persecution of good Christians like David North by writing to:
The Bishop of Leicester
Rt Revd Tim Stevens
Bishop's Lodge
10 Springfield Road
Leicester LE2 3BD
e-mail: bishop.tim@leccofe.org
I extend my most sincere condolences to Mr North. I understand your disappointment.
In our own household we count ourselves as good Christian people and yet we had an experience ourselves some time ago. our attendance at church was not as regular as the priest may have wished but we knew everyone in the congregation most weeks and attended when time allowed. Our two eldest children took part in the service in white robes and as they progressed began to take different roles within the service as is natural. Start with the simplest job and work through them as understanding grows.
On the Sunday in question the sermon was highly politicized and referring directly to the British National Party the priest made the statement that, “such extremist elements within the community will be responsible for the next Belsen and Auschwitz.” This was the lowest point of a very poor sermon.
Needless to say the church in question has lost some of its congregation and not just us. We do not see ourselves as being any less Christian than we were before the sermon. I particularly question the Christian ethics of the Church of England.
I sincerely do believe that the Church of England needs to take the time to look at its position with regard to the only political party which seeks to represent a constitutionally Christian nation.
Their current position is that of a victim of a mugging hitting out at the policeman to help the mugger escape.