We, the undersigned, as leaders of local churches in the Wimborne area from a variety of denominations, would like to place on record our opposition to any attempt to utilise the European elections to gain credibility by minority parties whose politics is based on racism, and religious intolerance.
Wimborne is a warm and welcoming community, with an honourable record of welcoming strangers, as exemplified by the formation of the Wimborne Refugee Trust at the time when Vietnamese nationals were fleeing a war zone. We are also in an area which has a strong Army presence, including many serving and retired Gurkhas, who have served this country in time of war and made sacrifices in the armed services.
Wimborne is a town where different races and faiths are able to live and work together in harmony for the good of our local community.
Our churches reject the politics of hatred and discrimination.
We urge Christians of all denominations to use their votes prayerfully, and to treat with scepticism the claim of any party which presents itself as the natural choice of someone with faith.
We believe that the policies and practices of those who promote racism and religious intolerance are incompatible with Biblical teaching.
At a time when the reputation of traditional politics is at a low ebb, Christians in Wimborne will be guarding against any attempt by extremists to hijack the electoral process for the politics of narrow and discriminatory racist nationalism.
Rev Robert M Jones, Pastor, Wimborne Baptist Church, Canon John Holbrook, Rector, Wimborne Minster, Father Kenneth Noakes, Priest, St Catherine’s Church, Rev David Butcher, Pastor, Wimborne Elim Pentecostal Church
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