Methodist Leader Warns Against Nationalist Use of Christian Symbols at London Christmas Rally

The event, scheduled for a Saturday afternoon in central London under the banner “Put Christ back into Christmas,” has been organised by activist Tommy Robinson and supporters following the earlier “Unite the Kingdom” march held in the summer.

At the summer gathering, participants carried large crosses, chanted religious slogans such as “Christ is King” and sang worship songs while speakers delivered speeches focused on immigration and national identity. The upcoming Christmas‑themed rally is expected to draw similar crowds and messaging, combining festive imagery with calls to defend Britain’s supposed Christian character.

Methodist Theologian Raises Concerns

The Rev Dr Mark Rowland, Secretary of the Faith and Order Committee of the Methodist Church in Britain, set out his concerns in a detailed blog post addressing the language and symbolism associated with the event.

He emphasised that Christ’s presence is not controlled by human movements or campaigns, arguing that phrases like “put Christ back into Christmas” risk implying that Christians can deploy Jesus to serve particular cultural or political projects. He wrote that Christ is already present and active in the world and need not be “put” anywhere by campaigners.

Dr Rowland also pointed to biblical commands regarding the treatment of migrants and refugees, noting that Christian scripture repeatedly instructs God’s people to welcome and protect the stranger. He contrasted this with messages emerging from rallies that tie Christian symbols to opposition to immigration or to a restrictive vision of national belonging.

Debate Over Britain as a “Christian Country”

The controversy has revived longstanding debate over claims that Britain is, or should remain, a “Christian country.” Supporters of the event frame their campaign as a defence of Christian heritage, warning that traditional values and holidays are under threat from secularism and migration.

In response, Dr Rowland argued that the Christmas story itself challenges such narratives. He highlighted that the nativity describes a holy family on the move across borders, reliant on hospitality in unfamiliar places, and that the story unfolds among different peoples and regions rather than belonging to any single nation.

He suggested that invoking Christmas to reinforce a narrow concept of British identity distorts the theological heart of the season, which proclaims good news of peace and salvation for “all people” rather than for one ethnic or national group.

Guidance for Churches on Political Co‑option of Faith

In light of the planned event, the Methodist Church has drawn attention to guidance prepared by the Joint Public Issues Team, a partnership of the Methodist Church, the Baptist Union and the United Reformed Church. The material is designed to help congregations recognise and respond when Christian language, imagery and festivals are used to advance partisan or nationalist causes.

The guidance encourages churches to differentiate between public witness to Christian convictions—such as advocating for the poor, the marginalised and the stranger—and campaigns that use Christian symbols to legitimise hostility or exclusion. It urges Christian communities to remain attentive to those at the margins and to ensure that the way they speak about faith does not marginalise migrants or religious minorities.

Reactions Across the Christian Community

The Methodist statement has been welcomed by some ecumenical partners and Christian advocacy groups, who see it as a necessary clarification at a time when religious imagery is increasingly visible at political demonstrations. They argue that such clarity helps protect both vulnerable communities and the integrity of Christian witness.

Others within the wider Christian community have expressed concern that church leaders risk alienating believers who feel culturally and economically insecure and who are drawn to rallies that promise to defend traditional values. Some pastors report pastoral tensions as congregants share social media content promoting the event while others in the same churches are alarmed by its tone.

Church observers note that the dispute illustrates broader pressures on British Christianity: shrinking congregations, polarised political discourse, and competing visions of how faith should intersect with national life.

Wider Implications for Faith and Public Life

The London rally and the Methodist response highlight a growing challenge for churches across Europe and beyond: how to speak credibly in public life without allowing the gospel to be subsumed into partisan projects.