BT Shuts Down Antisemitic Catholic Website

Evangelical Christians Force Cancer Charity to Refuse Donation

As evangelical Christians force a Scottish cancer charity to refuse money raised from a benefit performance of controversial show Jerry Springer – The Opera, Iain S Bruce reports on the emergence of new militant faith groups who are no longer prepared to turn the other cheek.

New Soldiers of the Cross

They see themselves as defenders of the faith, Christian sanity’s last line of defense against the ruthlessly advancing forces of immorality and decline. The fire in their bellies burning with the white heat of righteous outrage, these new soldiers of the cross are taking their fight on to the streets, and this time they vow that it will be no war of words: just a bitter moral conflict in which there will be no hiding places and no choice but to take sides.

A Shocking Attack on a Cancer Charity

Firing the opening salvoes of a campaign that looks set to rage for decades to come, last week they launched an attack that took Britain by surprise when the evangelical cadre Christian Voice stepped in and, demonstrating the militant guerrilla tactics set to become a familiar feature of 21st-century politics, pressured a small Scottish cancer charity, Maggie’s Centre, into rejecting a £3000 donation. The proceeds of a benefit performance by the cast of the controversial musical Jerry Springer – The Opera could have had a significant impact upon the work of Maggie’s Centre, but amid reported warnings of picket action and the thinly veiled threat that accepting the funds could lead to a backlash from devout donors, the Glasgow-based voluntary organization felt compelled to decline.

Fundamentalist Thugs

It was, Labour MP John Cryer told parliament, the work of “fundamentalist thugs,” an act of theological blackmail so far beyond the pale that it beggared belief. Sending a storm of liberal outrage sweeping through the nation’s media and provoking a deluge of hate mail directed at the perpetrators, it was an incident that the popular consensus might hope was a single unacceptable aberration but was in fact merely a taste of things to come.

Rise of Protest Culture

“This was not democracy or reasoned debate – it was an act of tyranny, a breathtaking demonstration of the power of the mob and a harsh introduction to the unacceptable face of things to come,” said Paul Edwards, a media analyst whose company Publicis is conducting research into the rise of protest culture. “The Christian assault on Maggie’s Centre was only a taste of the future,” he added. “We are entering a new age of protest, and before long every organization, charity, and business in Britain is going to have to come to terms with the threat posed by the emerging militant ranks.”

The Emergence of New Faith Groups

The Christian voice is becoming more strident, more vocal, and more in-your-face. Next month the evangelical MediaMarch organization will descend upon Downing Street to hand over a 120,000-signature petition demanding tougher media obscenity laws, and as the year rolls on, theologically inspired activism is set to become a familiar rumble rolling through the corridors of power.

Identifying the New Tribal Faith

Britain is waking up to a new breed of faith that seems a million miles from the traditional forms of religious expression in this country. No longer content to remain in society’s shadows, they are stepping out into the light, armed with a reinvigorated brand of militant faith and a fundamentalist agenda on which they insist there will be no compromise. Radical, committed, and apparently no longer prepared to turn the other cheek, they have presented the nation’s policy makers with an unexpected new challenge.

The Political Foe to be Reckoned With

Attempting to flush out the facts on who is behind the emerging new strain of vigorous British Puritanism is no easy task, however. Drawing its foot soldiers from a plethora of small-time fellowships and organizations such as Christian Voice, MediaMarch, the Christian Institute, and Mediawatch UK, the movement consists of dozens of self-starting, autonomous groups.

An Unavoidable Feature of Public Life

What is clear, however, is that these groups represent a political foe to be reckoned with. Attracting members from both the established mainstream church and congregations from the far fringes of the Christian faith, these self-funded organizations are believed to have total backing worth in excess of £20 million a year and are rapidly turning themselves into highly organized and zealously committed campaigning machines.

A Challenging Agenda

Pinpointing what people like Miranda Suit are fighting for is no less difficult a task. Much emphasis is placed upon halting the deluge of media-borne sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll that groups like her own hold responsible for a range of social ills from rising rates of violent crime and sexually transmitted diseases to the collapse of the NHS, but beyond that lies a far wider agenda, which varies depending upon which activist you talk to but generally centers around a desire to dismantle the secular state and replace it with a system built on unashamedly biblical foundations.

A Harshly Intolerant Edge

While such ambitions might seem essentially benign, there is a harder, steelier edge to the new Christian agenda that, while undeniably observant of biblical law, has a harshly intolerant edge that many fear could lead to violent divisions opening up throughout society. Puritanical and unbending, Christian Voice is strident in its opposition to homosexuality, abortion, and anything deemed to fall outside the parameters of the traditional family unit it deems to be the bedrock of British society.

The Impact of Protest Culture on Hotels

The rise of protest culture in Britain is not only affecting political and social organizations but is also leaving its mark on various industries. The hospitality sector, including hotels, is no exception and is facing new challenges in navigating the demands and potential backlashes from these emerging militant ranks.

Conflict Between Values and Business

Hotels, as commercial entities, strive to serve diverse customer bases with different beliefs and practices. However, as the new breed of faith groups becomes more vocal and assertive, conflicts between their values and the services provided by hotels may arise. For example, if a hotel hosts an event or conference that goes against the moral stance of these groups, there could be pressure or even boycotts aimed at the establishment.

Adapting to Changing Demands

In order to navigate this complex landscape, hotels will need to carefully consider the potential impact of their choices on various customer segments. This may involve having a robust understanding of the diverse beliefs and values within society and being conscious of the potential consequences of certain business decisions.

Balancing Inclusivity and Staying True to Values

Hotels will also need to strike a balance between inclusivity and staying true to their own values. While it is important to respect and accommodate different viewpoints, it is equally important for hotels to maintain their own identity and principles. This requires careful deliberation and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.

The Future of Hotels and Protest Culture

As protest culture continues to evolve and expand, hotels will need to remain adaptable and responsive to the changing landscape. This may involve developing strategies to address potential conflicts and finding creative solutions that can accommodate a diverse range of beliefs and values. Ultimately, successfully navigating the impact of protest culture on hotels will require a combination of open dialogue, empathy, and a commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences for all guests.