Outrage grows over National Trust discrimination against Christians

Following our complaint to the National Trust over their refusal to permit filming at St Cuthbert’s Cave by Christian Holden on the ground of ‘religious affiliation’, the National Trust has responded with the statement below.

“The National Trust welcomes everyone to the places in its care. We were founded to serve the whole of society, regardless of anyone’s background or beliefs.

Providing space for people to come together and celebrate the culture and heritage of our nations is an important part of what we do and religious and cultural traditions are part of that heritage. We are proud to look after historic chapels and churches, some of which are still used for worship today, as well as other sites of religious significance. We mark Easter and Christmas at most National Trust places and at some we host events such as Diwali, which is important to a number of faiths. (Emphasis added)

We are reviewing what has happened in this case. We do not have a formal policy about religious filming at our places.”

In other words, ‘This is all a big mistake, guys; not our fault at all!’  But, that apart, the wording is also of interest.  They say they are ‘providing space for people … to celebrate the culture and heritage of our nations’.   Exactly which nations do they have in mind, I wonder?  And when they talk about the ‘religious and cultural traditions that are part of our heritage…’, what heritage are they trying to celebrate?

At first glance, the questions may seem facetious, but new and concerning information has now been unearthed by the Daily Telegraph, showing that, though the Trust may have refused to allow Christian filming in order to maintain supposed impartiality between different faiths, they have been, and are, more than happy to support Muslim projects.  One video uploaded to the NT’s YouTube channel in 2023, for instance, follows a Ramadan walk and retreat at Trust property Ilam Park, in Derbyshire, including footage showing attendees kneeling to pray in the park’s grounds.   Search out similar videos for yourself!

This is rank hypocrisy.  Christian Holden was explicitly told that there was a total ban on any filming of a religious nature, that was ‘mandated at the highest level’.  But it appears that Muslims at least are exempt!

Now the Trust is trying to say that the ban was ‘a mistake’, but the only mistake seems to be that they have been found out!  In discriminating against Christian Holden on the ground of ‘religious affiliation’, the National Trust is in clear breach of equality law – but that they should then demonstrate their support for Islam, which has no part in the heritage of our country, is frankly alarming!  Can it really be that the Trust has a deliberate policy aimed at sidelining the Christian part of our heritage?

In their response, the National Trust are exposed as liars, with what appears to be an anti-Christian agenda.  They are not fit for purpose.

 If your share our concern, write to: Hilary McGrady, Director-General of the National Trust, The National Trust, PO Box 7083, Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 1XE

Or email:  hilary.mcgrady@nationaltrust.org.uk