Jesus to join Epping Forest BNP?

Loughton is waiting in eager anticipation over the BNP's final verdict over whether the town will host the party's latest election billboard proclaiming that Jesus would vote BNP.

According to Epping Forest BNP branch, it has been shortlisted by the party to pick a billboard on its patch featuring Jesus. The poster plays on the BNP's paranoid belief that its persecution is as bad than the Roman persecution of Jesus and His disciples. It features a verse from John stating "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you. What would Jesus do? Vote BNP."

Jonathan Bartley of leading Christian organisation Ekklesia pointed out that "the verse comes in the context of Jesus' teaching about love, which is of course a long way from the BNP's perspective." Churches have also strongly criticised the election stunt and accused the BNP of scapegoating minorities.

The BNP is incensed that Christian churches are unanimous in their condemnation of the party and its racist ideology, which goes well beyond criticism of immigration policies and actively works towards expulsion of non-white people. Last month, the Synod of the Diocese of Chelmsford condemned the extremist party and urged that all members of the Church of England "take an active part in responding to the challenge posed by the BNP and similar racist political parties."

Some members of the local party have privately voiced their disquiet over the poster, fearing it could bring ridicule and condemnation from the local churches. Loughton Churches Together have been at the forefront of local campaigning against the BNP and more pragmatic party members see the pitfalls of inciting yet more conflict with the churches. The party's campaign against the town's only Christian-denominated secondary school has already raised the hackles of many local Christians and the BNP's Jesus advert will only focus efforts to oppose the racist party.