In Scotland there is one Reform MSP and 21 councillors. Reform controls four councils in England, with over 200 councillors around the country, and there are five Reform MPs.

Nigel Farage has said he would politicise the Bank of England. Robert Jenrick has said he would politicise the judiciary. Don’t say we haven’t been told.

Little doubt remains that there are strong similarities to Germany in the 1930s. The malevolent Trump White House has made it explicit that it seeks to actively support nationalist far right parties, especially in western Europe.

Farage has nailed his colours to the Trump mast and stands to be judged accordingly. Fascist “policy” is the out-workings of the inner psycho-drama of a single person, facilitated by a small cabal. It always over-reaches. It always causes real damage. It never ends well.

Tommy Robinson and Farage have now, explicitly, parked their tanks on the churches’ front lawn. Robinson’s cry to “put Christ back into to Christmas” is risible. This cannot go unanswered by the churches.

As an elder in the Church of Scotland, I call on churches generally to find their Biblical prophetic voice and become part of the resistance.

Last month a church in Massachusetts USA, a baby Jesus in the cradle was replaced by a sign: “ICE was here”. The priest explained that it was fully intended to be a commentary on current affairs and made no apology. It was a symbol of support for some of his parishioners. A more senior figure in the church said this was inappropriate and “disrespectful” of the political authorities.

This is a classic example of protecting the church’s status at the expense of exercising the Biblical function of commenting, condemning, making a teaching point and loving neighbours. It’s exactly the sort of cave-in that rapidly spirals out of control.

In the first five books in the Bible, migration is normal and natural. The people are enjoined to grant citizenship to the strangers, reminding them that once they were slaves in a foreign land (Leviticus 19:33,34).

The Book of Amos is a bitter denunciation of hypocrisy and exploitation of the poor and vulnerable. Engagement with the fundamental issues of the day is inherent in the Bible.

The greatest teaching of all is very simple: “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Any idea of a righteous “Christian Nationalism” that becomes exclusive and self-protective dies in Paul’s letter: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female.” (Galatians 3:28). We are one.

Many Jews helped Abraham Lincoln draft the Bill of Rights, aimed in the first instance towards Black people. They knew better than anyone that if one minority is targeted, no minority is safe. Pastor Martin Niemoller’s post-WW2 reflection applies:

First they came for the Communists

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Communist

Then they came for the Socialists/trade unionist/Jews

And I did not speak out

Because I was not a Socialist/trade unionist/Jew

Then they came for me

And there was no one left

To speak out for me.

Martin Niemoller (abbreviated)

The aphorism that Edmund Burke didn’t say holds true: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Churches must read the signs of the times. We don’t need to wait for church authorities to take a position. In my view individual ministers, priests and pastors are fully authorised, and indeed obliged, by their ordination to discern their truth and share it, urgently, locally.

The pulpit is not the only vehicle for joining the resistance. Clergywo/men can call local meetings, show up at demos, write letters to the editor, issue press releases, send parish newsletters wider than the congregation, and be active on social media.

Fascist names should be named, published statements and established facts should be laid out and subjected to a Christian critique. It provides moral leadership and a focus of resistance. Fascism is good at separating its critics and opening up the gaps.

It’s not my place to call for other religious bodies to do likewise, but I hope they do. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, God isn’t a Christian.

There are no side lines to stand on here. To do nothing is to normalise fascism. Leith is looking for a local Antifa movement.

It’s not too late to stop this. But it will be too late at some point.

A longer version of this is available at: https://sceptical.scot/2026/01/