Christians speak out against Westboro Baptist's hatred

Joint statement from Christian organisations and denominations

20 February 2009

Six Christian organisations and denominations have produced a joint statement in response to the proposed visit of Westboro Baptist Church to picket in the UK.

“We are dismayed that members of Westboro Baptist Church (based in Kansas, USA and not associated with the Baptist Union of Great Britain) might picket the performance of The Laramie Project in Basingstoke on Friday.

“We do not share their hatred of lesbian and gay people. We believe that God loves all, irrespective of sexual orientation, and we unreservedly stand against their message of hate toward those communities.

“Neither the style nor substance of their preaching expresses the historic, orthodox Christian faith. And we ask that the members of Westboro Baptist Church refrain from stirring up any more homophobic hatred in the UK or elsewhere.”

Signed:

Baptist Union of Great Britain

Evangelical AllianceUK

Faithworks

The Methodist Church of Great Britain

Theos: the public theology think tank

United Reformed Church