Helen Paynter - Faith, the Far Right and the Politics of Fear (N357)

As far-right movements gain visibility in Britain and beyond, many are drawing on Christian language, symbols and stories to justify exclusion and division. What happens when the gospel of love is co-opted by the politics of fear? In this conversation, theologian and Baptist minister Helen Paynter explores how theology, scripture and nationalism are becoming dangerously entangled. She reflects on why parts of the church are vulnerable to far-right narratives, how faith can be weaponised, and what it means to resist with wisdom, compassion and courage. Following the interview, Nomad hosts Tim Nash and Nick Thorley reflect on anger, numbness, purity spirals and the quiet work of resisting despair, and ask what it might look like to keep telling a better story when the old one keeps getting twisted. Interview starts at 15m 29s Books, quotes, links → The creation of Nomad’s thoughtful, ad-free content is entirely funded by our equally thoughtful and wonderful listeners. By supporting us, you gain access to Nomad’s online spaces—like the Beloved Listener Lounge, Enneagram Lounge, and Book Club—as well as bonus episodes such as Nomad Contemplations, Therapeutic Reflections, and Nomad Revisited. If you’d like to join our lovely community of supporters, head over to our Patreon page . You might even be rewarded with a Nomad pen or our coveted Beloved Listener mug! If a monthly commitment isn’t possible right now, a one-off donation is always deeply appreciated—you can do that here . Looking to connect with others nearby? Check out the Listener Map or join our Nomad Gathering Facebook group . And if you're up for sharing your own story, we regularly post reflections from listeners on our blog —all with the hope of fostering deeper understanding, connection and supportive relationships. If you'd like to share your story on the blog, contact us for more information here .

You can listen to Helen Paynter - Faith, the Far Right and the Politics of Fear (N357) online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Helen Paynter - Faith, the Far Right and the Politics of Fear (N357) is an episode from Nomad Podcast by Tim Nash.

This episode is 87:42 long.

This episode was published on Nov 24, 2025.

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