A Mucky Business with Tim Farron
Sep 22, 2026 · 28 min · 15 segments
We're continuing our conference season, and this time it's the Lib Dems' turn. Tim is joined by Munira Wilson, the party's education spokesperson and MP for Twickenham. They discuss the rise of…
Tim FarronHostMunira WilsonGuest
When does patriotism become idolatry? Well, in recent weeks, we have seen large groups of men in black with covered faces blocking roads in coastal towns.
Their leader told The Times that they were growing a, and I quote, Christian patriotic army to put pressure on the government over immigration.
This sort of pacifism seems to me to be a darker nationalistic framing of an idealised Britain that probably actually never existed, a defence of a traditional white British Christianity against invaders who are not like us.
It's a far cry from the gentle patriotism of last week's last night of the proms, where people waving Union Jack flags sang along to Jerusalem and land of hope and glory.
And indeed, the patriotism and the flag waving and ultimately the disappointment of the English run in the World Cup.
Now, our country has seen a lot of social and cultural change over the last 60 years, and people have genuine concerns around immigration that successive governments have sought, to one degree or another, to tackle.
Christians may legitimately disagree with one another on the nature of the issues and the solutions.
But I do hear alarm bells when I see groups deliberately stirring up anger and fear on these issues, appropriating Christian imagery and values and using the language of salvation to advance their political claims.
They wanted to pin all our hopes on charismatic leaders or ideologies who promise that they can, and I quote, save Britain.
They seek to elevate a legitimate love of country... into something that bears the weight of all our expectations, that tells us that we'll be crushed if it's taken away.
This is when patriotism is in danger of becoming idolatry, and Christians must beware.
Some Christians will be attracted by familiar language and assurances of protecting our faith against other religions or traditions, but we must always take care to examine our personal politics through a biblical lens, rather than taking our politics to the Bible to seek scriptural endorsement.
Now, Jesus turns no one away, but neither did he conform to anyone's political expectations.
Neither the nationalist zealots who wanted him to overthrow the Romans, nor the establishment Pharisees who wanted him to turn their line, nor those who wanted to ignore God and live as they pleased.
The Bible says a great deal about caring for the vulnerable, doing justice for the poor, being a voice for the voiceless.
This does not mean that we should accept everyone or even the majority of those landing on our shores, but we are always to treat others with dignity as humans made in God's image.
We are always to love our neighbour at cost to ourselves and remember that Jesus tells us that our neighbour is at least potentially everyone, not just those we pick and choose and want to favour.
All human regimes will one day be in rubble and ruin, but God's kingdom lasts forever.
When does patriotism become idolatry? Well, in recent weeks, we have seen large groups of men in black with covered faces blocking roads in coastal towns.
Their leader told The Times that they were growing a, and I quote, Christian patriotic army to put pressure on the government over immigration.
This sort of pacifism seems to me to be a darker nationalistic framing of an idealised Britain that probably actually never existed, a defence of a traditional white British Christianity against invaders who are not like us.
It's a far cry from the gentle patriotism of last week's last night of the proms, where people waving Union Jack flags sang along to Jerusalem and land of hope and glory.
And indeed, the patriotism and the flag waving and ultimately the disappointment of the English run in the World Cup.
Now, our country has seen a lot of social and cultural change over the last 60 years, and people have genuine concerns around immigration that successive governments have sought, to one degree or another, to tackle.
Christians may legitimately disagree with one another on the nature of the issues and the solutions.
But I do hear alarm bells when I see groups deliberately stirring up anger and fear on these issues, appropriating Christian imagery and values and using the language of salvation to advance their political claims.
They wanted to pin all our hopes on charismatic leaders or ideologies who promise that they can, and I quote, save Britain.
They seek to elevate a legitimate love of country... into something that bears the weight of all our expectations, that tells us that we'll be crushed if it's taken away.
This is when patriotism is in danger of becoming idolatry, and Christians must beware.
Some Christians will be attracted by familiar language and assurances of protecting our faith against other religions or traditions, but we must always take care to examine our personal politics through a biblical lens, rather than taking our politics to the Bible to seek scriptural endorsement.
Now, Jesus turns no one away, but neither did he conform to anyone's political expectations.
Neither the nationalist zealots who wanted him to overthrow the Romans, nor the establishment Pharisees who wanted him to turn their line, nor those who wanted to ignore God and live as they pleased.
The Bible says a great deal about caring for the vulnerable, doing justice for the poor, being a voice for the voiceless.
This does not mean that we should accept everyone or even the majority of those landing on our shores, but we are always to treat others with dignity as humans made in God's image.
We are always to love our neighbour at cost to ourselves and remember that Jesus tells us that our neighbour is at least potentially everyone, not just those we pick and choose and want to favour.
All human regimes will one day be in rubble and ruin, but God's kingdom lasts forever.
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