Beware when political leaders speak of restoring the so-called Judeo-Christian tradition, for more often than not they’re not reaching for the heart of faith, but for a convenient distortion of it. They take the language of Christianity, strip it of its compassion and humility, and reforge it into a tool of nationalism, designed to divide rather than to heal. Instead of the gospel’s call to love neighbour and stranger alike, they present a narrow, exclusionary creed that elevates their nation above others and demands loyalty to power over loyalty to God. In this way, what is sacred becomes a banner for building intolerant empires, where the vulnerable are cast aside and difference is treated as a threat rather than a gift.

The challenge for us is to recognise this twisting of faith and to live out a truer Christianity that reflects Christ’s radical love, justice, and mercy.