{"id":81787,"date":"2025-04-20T15:01:01","date_gmt":"2025-04-20T14:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.taxresearch.org.uk\/Blog\/?p=81787"},"modified":"2025-04-20T15:01:01","modified_gmt":"2025-04-20T14:01:01","slug":"christianity-starmer-and-the-far-right","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.taxresearch.org.uk\/Blog\/2025\/04\/20\/christianity-starmer-and-the-far-right\/","title":{"rendered":"Christianity, Starmer and the far-right"},"content":{"rendered":"

Starmer put out this Tweet this morning:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Easter eggs really did feature at the top of his video. It was that absurd.<\/p>\n

I then noticed this response from a far-right activist:\"\"<\/p>\n

So I asked ChatGPT:<\/p>\n

\n

What is the essence of Christian teaching? Please ignore ideas promoted by St Paul. Focus on the Gospels.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

It suggested this, based presumably on a web search:<\/p>\n

\n

Focusing solely on the Gospels\u2014Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John\u2014and setting aside the later interpretations of St. Paul, the essence of Jesus\u2019 teaching in the Gospels can be summarized around a few central themes:<\/p>\n

1. <\/b>The Kingdom of God<\/b><\/h3>\n

Jesus\u2019 primary message is the coming of the Kingdom of God<\/b><\/span>\u2014not just as a future hope, but as something breaking into the present. It represents a new way of life aligned with God\u2019s will: one marked by justice, mercy, humility, and peace.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!\u201d<\/i> (Mark 1:15)<\/p>\n

2. <\/b>Love of God and Neighbor<\/b><\/h3>\n

When asked the greatest commandment, Jesus summarizes the law:<\/p>\n

\u201cLove the Lord your God with all your heart\u2026 and love your neighbor as yourself.\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 22:37\u201340)<\/p>\n

Everything else, he says, hangs on these two commandments. This teaching is both a return to Jewish roots and a radical elevation of love as the core of spiritual life.<\/p>\n

3. <\/b>Compassion and Mercy<\/b><\/h3>\n

Jesus consistently shows compassion to the marginalized\u2014lepers, sinners, women, Samaritans, the poor. He teaches that mercy<\/b><\/span> trumps religious ritual.<\/p>\n

\u201cBlessed are the merciful\u2026 Blessed are the peacemakers.\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 5:7,9)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cGo and learn what this means: \u2018I desire mercy, not sacrifice.\u2019\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 9:13)<\/p>\n

4. <\/b>Forgiveness and Reconciliation<\/b><\/h3>\n

Jesus calls for radical forgiveness\u2014not just of friends, but even enemies:<\/p>\n

\u201cLove your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 5:44)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cForgive, and you will be forgiven.\u201d<\/i> (Luke 6:37)<\/p>\n

5. <\/b>Humility and Servanthood<\/b><\/h3>\n

Greatness in Jesus\u2019 view is defined by serving others<\/b><\/span>, not by power or status.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.\u201d<\/i> (Mark 9:35)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cThe Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.\u201d<\/i> (Mark 10:45)<\/p>\n

6. <\/b>Nonviolence and Peace<\/b><\/h3>\n

Jesus rejects retaliation and promotes nonviolence:<\/p>\n

\u201cDo not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 5:39)<\/p>\n

7. <\/b>Inner Transformation<\/b><\/h3>\n

He challenges outward religion and emphasizes the heart:<\/p>\n

\u201cBlessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 5:8)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cFirst clean the inside of the cup\u2026 and then the outside will also be clean.\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 23:26)<\/p>\n

In Summary:<\/b><\/h3>\n

The core of Jesus\u2019 teaching in the Gospels is a radical call to love\u2014of God, neighbor, stranger, and even enemy\u2014expressed through humility, mercy, nonviolence, forgiveness, and a life aligned with the values of God\u2019s Kingdom. It\u2019s a call to inner transformation and outward compassion.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I then asked this:<\/p>\n

\n

Expand these ideas into a politics for modern living.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

I got this:<\/p>\n

\n

Absolutely\u2014let\u2019s explore how the core teachings of Jesus in the Gospels might inform a politics for modern living<\/b><\/span>. This isn\u2019t about religion per se, but rather a moral and civic vision rooted in the values he lived and taught\u2014translated into principles for personal, communal, and political life today.<\/p>\n

\n

A Gospel-Inspired Politics for Modern Living<\/b><\/h2>\n

1. <\/b>The Kingdom of God as Public Vision: Justice, Equity, and Human Flourishing<\/b><\/h3>\n

Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God<\/b><\/span> as a radical alternative to empire and domination. A modern politics grounded in this vision would seek:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    Universal human dignity<\/b><\/span>: Every person has value, regardless of wealth, race, status, gender, or nationality.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Justice as fairness<\/b><\/span>: Economic systems should be evaluated by how they treat the poor and vulnerable, not just by growth or profit.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Public life organized around well-being<\/b><\/span>, not domination: Policy would prioritize healthcare, housing, food security, education, and peace.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Political implication<\/b><\/span>: Build societies where the last are first\u2014systems that lift the marginalized rather than reward only the powerful.<\/p>\n

    \n

    2. <\/b>Love of Neighbor as Social Ethic<\/b><\/h3>\n

    The command to love your neighbor as yourself becomes the basis for solidarity<\/b><\/span> and social responsibility. In modern politics:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      Healthcare, education, and housing<\/b><\/span> are not luxuries, but expressions of care for neighbor.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      National borders and identities do not negate moral obligation to others\u2014refugees, immigrants, the poor abroad.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Systems that breed hatred, division, and exclusion must be reformed in favor of policies that cultivate empathy and community.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Political implication<\/b><\/span>: Civic life should be guided by the question, \u201cWhat does love require of us?\u201d<\/p>\n

      \n

      3. <\/b>Mercy Over Sacrifice: Compassion as Governance<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Jesus critiqued systems that exalted religious or ritual performance over human need. Today, this translates into a politics of compassion over ideology<\/b><\/span>:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        Criminal justice rooted in restoration<\/b><\/span> rather than retribution.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Public assistance systems designed not to shame but to empower.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Mental health, addiction, poverty, and homelessness addressed with understanding, not punishment.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Political implication<\/b><\/span>: Design institutions with mercy at their core\u2014not as charity, but as justice.<\/p>\n

        \n

        4. <\/b>Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Healing the Social Fabric<\/b><\/h3>\n

        Jesus\u2019 emphasis on forgiveness and peacemaking invites a politics of repair<\/b><\/span>, not vengeance:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n

          Truth and reconciliation<\/b><\/span> processes where communities have been divided by violence, racism, or injustice.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Policies that foster healing, not just retribution, for historical wrongs (e.g., racial injustice, colonization).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Encouraging civic dialogue that moves beyond tribalism and polarizing rage.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Political implication<\/b><\/span>: Promote truth-telling, mutual accountability, and the hard work of mending broken relationships.<\/p>\n

          \n

          5. <\/b>Servant Leadership: Power Reimagined<\/b><\/h3>\n

          Jesus turned power upside-down: true leaders serve others.<\/p>\n

            \n
          • \n

            Elected officials as stewards<\/b>, not celebrities or kings.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            Power used to amplify the voices of the voiceless<\/b><\/span>, not to entrench personal or corporate gain.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            Public accountability and humility, not dominance and ego.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Political implication<\/b><\/span>: Redefine leadership as service; elevate those who serve the common good, not personal ambition.<\/p>\n

            \n

            6. <\/b>Nonviolence and Peacemaking: A Politics Beyond War<\/b><\/h3>\n

            Jesus called his followers to turn the other cheek and love their enemies.<\/p>\n

              \n
            • \n

              A politics of <\/span>diplomacy over militarism<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Police reform focused on <\/span>de-escalation and community trust<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              Foreign policy that prioritizes <\/span>peace-building, not imperial influence<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Political implication<\/b><\/span>: Refuse to glorify violence\u2014whether in policing, war, or rhetoric\u2014and build cultures of peace at every level.<\/p>\n

              \n

              7. <\/b>Inner Transformation as Civic Renewal<\/b><\/h3>\n

              Jesus emphasized the heart\u2014because no system, no law, works without changed people.<\/p>\n

                \n
              • \n

                Foster ethical education<\/b><\/span> and moral imagination<\/b><\/span>\u2014in schools, in public discourse.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              • \n

                Encourage personal responsibility for justice<\/b><\/span>, not just institutional reform.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              • \n

                Embrace humility, self-reflection, and growth as civic virtues.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Political implication<\/b><\/span>: True transformation begins in people, not policies\u2014but must move from heart to action.<\/p>\n

                \n

                In Short:<\/b><\/h2>\n

                A Gospel-inspired politics isn\u2019t about making a religious state. It\u2019s about building a society where love is public policy, mercy is law, peace is strategy, and the vulnerable are not just protected but honored.<\/p>\n

                It\u2019s about reimagining power, community, and justice\u2014not in abstract ideals, but in budgets, laws, and daily lives.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

                I did not stop there. I then asked:<\/p>\n

                \n

                Suggest policy recommendations.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

                My requests were deliberately kept as brief as possible. I was offered this:<\/p>\n

                \n

                Absolutely\u2014let\u2019s turn those Gospel-rooted values into concrete policy recommendations<\/b><\/span> across major areas of public life. These aren\u2019t religious policies but ethical ones, rooted in a vision of love, justice, mercy, and peace as public goods.<\/p>\n

                \n

                Gospel-Inspired Policy Recommendations<\/b><\/h2>\n

                1. <\/b>Economic Justice & the Common Good<\/b><\/h3>\n

                Value<\/b><\/span>: \u201cBlessed are the poor\u2026 for theirs is the Kingdom.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

                Policy Recommendations<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • \n

                  Living wage legislation<\/b><\/span>: Ensure all workers earn a wage sufficient for housing, food, healthcare, and dignity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Progressive taxation<\/b><\/span>: Structure taxes to fairly redistribute wealth and fund public services.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Universal basic needs guarantees<\/b><\/span>: Access to food, water, shelter, and sanitation as rights, not privileges.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Public ownership or regulation of essential services<\/b><\/span>: Healthcare, utilities, and housing must be protected from profit exploitation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  \n

                  2. <\/b>Healthcare as Mercy<\/b><\/h3>\n

                  Value<\/b><\/span>: \u201cI was sick, and you cared for me.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

                  Policy Recommendations<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n