British Methodists Ban Its Members From Joining British National Party

Ekklesia reported yesterday that Britain's Methodist Church has passed a resolution at its annual conference providing that: "No member of the Church can also be a member of a political party whose constitution, aims or objectives promote racism. This specifically includes, but is not solely limited to, the British National Party." The resolution does not ban BNP members from attending Methodist churches without becoming church members. Earlier this year, the Church of England banned its clergy from joining the right wing British National Party, (see prior posting) but the Methodists become the first major denomination to ban all members from doing so. Other Christian denominations have merely called for their members not to vote for the BNP. Recently the BNP has tried to appeal to Christians by claiming it is protecting Britain's "Christian heritage."