"“Christianity shouldn’t be co-opted politically. We also need to speak up when we see it co-opted in other ways. We need to be aware of how it can be used and instrumentalised. And at the same time – and this is the real paradox – we want to engage in politics. We want to speak Christianly into the political square so that it is influenced in the way of Jesus.”"
In this episode of Cross Section, Danny Webster, Alicia Edmund and Zanna Meynell sit down together in the studio for a wide-ranging and timely conversation at the intersection of faith, news and culture.
We begin by continuing our ongoing exploration of Christian nationalism. After the recent march led by Tommy Robinson in London displayed crosses, prayers and worship alongside divisive political messages, Christian leaders – including our CEO Gavin Calver – signed an open letter cautioning against the co-opting of Christian symbols for far-right causes. The team unpack what was said in the letter, the pushback it has received, and why the church needs both confidence and clarity in its public witness. How do we discern when Christianity is being used to serve political ends rather than the gospel? And what does it mean to engage in politics without being co-opted by it?
The conversation then turns to the House of Lords, where the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has passed its second reading. Unusually, a special select committee has been called to hear evidence from professional bodies, ministers and those with lived experience. Danny explains the significance of this. We reflect on why this bill has drawn such strong opposition across party lines, what its progress means for the debate on assisted suicide in the UK, and how Christians might respond with both compassion and conviction as the issue returns to parliament in the months ahead. We will be revisiting the conversation the next few months.
Finally, we discuss the UK government’s recent announcement that it will formally recognise the State of Palestine. What exactly is being recognised, and what does it mean for the peace process, for Israel, and for the wider international community? The team reflect on the domestic political pressures behind the decision, the international context, and how Christians might navigate such a deeply polarising issue. With grief over the ongoing tragedy of conflict, we consider how the church can embody unity in Christ while accommodating diverse perspectives – lamenting, praying and seeking peace without resorting to simplistic answers.
Throughout the episode, a common theme is clear: in moments of political upheaval and cultural division, the call of the church is to keep Jesus at the centre. Whether in debates about nationalism, ethics or international conflict, we are invited to witness with confidence, engage with clarity and pray with hope.
