There was confusion last night over whether Norwich North's British National Party (BNP) candidate has the credentials to call himself “reverend”.
The Rev Robert West is at the centre of a row over his ministerial moniker, which he claimed was genuine - even though he admitted he had no current connection to any Christian denomination.
When questioned, Mr West, who lives in Holbeach in Lincolnshire, said: “It's been dealt with once and I don't have to justify myself.”
He said he had explained himself and shown his ordination certificate on a TV show in recent months, and said he had been advised “not to go through it all again”.
He said he had been “ordained as an elder” of the Apostolic Church of Wales some years ago. He claimed the word “elder” in the New Testament came from a Greek word meaning “priest”.
Mr West, who will be bidding to win the vacant Norwich North seat once the by-election date has been announced, said: “Ordination means recognition. It's simply recognition of what you are. It recognises your gifts.”
Meanwhile, UKIP leader Nigel Farrage was in Norwich yesterday outlining how his party planned to reach out to traditional Labour voters and Tories disenchanted with David Cameron's Conservative Party.
Norwich Evening News
June 30, 2009
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12 comments:
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He claimed the word “elder” in the New Testament came from a Greek word meaning “priest”.
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This man simply cannot help himself.
"Elder" derives directly from the Old English "ealdor", meaning "elder", "parent", often in the sense "wise older one". It is the stem of words like "Alderman".
A pity the Evening News didn't press home the matter of West's "credentials" more forcefully.
It does not matter what he calls himself he still remains an idiot! Just because Mr Barnes calls himeslef a lawyer does not make him one, or for that matter the allegations by the whole bunch of them that they are not racist does not change the facts - a name does not change anything!
His stupidity just shows him for what he is and in fact makes him the laughing stock of anyone who has two brain cells to rub together - his self conferred title does him mor harm than good!
I suppose he probably meant that the word translated as 'elder' in the Bible was a Greek word meaning 'priest'. Though what that has to do with whether he's 'self-ordained' or not I don't know.
The use of the title in this case is IMHO a cheap way to try and get some respectability amoungst the flock (no pun intended!) and typical IMHO of a person who wants to pull the wool over someone's eyes. - like nationalism, 'the last refuge of a scoundrel'! (GBS?)
As someone with one, and like most with one only used in appropriate circumstances and I certainly wouldn't use it in the political arena.
Like the rest of them he's a shit:-(
"It recognises your gifts"
And what "gifts" would these be you delusional, bigoted, self-important clown?
The last refuge of a scoundrel quote was Dr Johnson and he was a bit of a git by all accounts and talking about a quite positive form of nationalism, relatively speaking by all accounts. But that's enough accounts. With the BNP now having achieved such prominence then their candidates should hopefully come under more media examination so the bigger the fruitcake the better. Amen.
weirdo cultist West's bullshit is flowing like a tap of fucking diarrhea.
The word translated as "elder" in the New Testament was "presbyteros" ("presbyter") in Greek, which literally means "elder". Anglicized, the word "presbyteros" became "priest" as we know it today. The Greek word is the foundation of Presbyterianism, where "elders" lead church government.
John Knox, who is a respected figure amongst the sort of people the "Rev" West presumably seeks to impress, stated that "the election of elders ought to take place every year, lest by long continuance of such officers men presume upon the liberty of the Church".
In other words - somebody could be appointed as an elder and then go 'off the rails' and abuse the position.
Bit like Robert West perhaps?
“It's been dealt with once and I don't have to justify myself.” - Sounds like the Plastic Rev is protesting too loudly.
Keep the pressure on the phony bastard!
This is just another example of how the BNP will use every possible opportunity to win votes regardless of morals or ethics - a good percentage of the leadership have openly stated that they are not Christians - they reject everything to do with the belief and in fact profess to be Odin worshippers etc - on this basis they have no business trying to use someone's dubious religious affiliations to fool the public and win votes.
This is exactly what they are - USERS! for their own benefit.
Personally I would leave it to him upstairs to deal with West.
A sudden bolt of lightening, a once secure hanging basket, a very friendly rabbit who suddenly turns rabid.
Its down to the big boy as far as I am concerned and I certainly have the faith that he will act.
tulip
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