Ezidi’s friends told The Telegraph last week that he was a “good Muslim” who would eat Halal food, despite his apparent conversion to Christianity.
The Home Office is responsible for checking the criminal records and safety of asylum seekers. However, religious institutions are under increasing scrutiny and pressure regarding conversions.
Suella Braverman, the former Home Secretary, wrote in The Telegraph that “churches around the country are facilitating industrial-scale bogus asylum claims”.
Pastor Nicholls, who serves as a local church leader at Christ Church Haywards Heath, Sussex, said conversion claims should not all be taken at face value.
“We need discernment as church leaders to test whether people are genuine in their beliefs and to see how they are living it out,” he said.
“Sadly, in some cases, we may have to decide that for whatever reason they are ‘faking it’. And there may be contexts where we need to be especially vigilant and see ‘red flags’.
“We love heartfelt conversions to Christ from all religions and none, and we want to welcome those who face real danger in their home countries, but we are also committed to act with integrity and wisdom.”
Pastor Nicholls added that these “red flags” may consist of large numbers of people presenting as converts, an undue haste from people to receive some credible sign of being a Christian like baptism, a “rather mechanical assent to believing but without any obvious heart change”, and a general sense they might not be genuine.
He acknowledged that “these things are hard to judge” and that “we cannot see into people’s souls”, but added: “Churches do not run the asylum system and it is not for us to decide whether it is right for any individual to stay here.
“We can only deal with what is in front of us with the compassion of Christ, but the commitment to truth from the one who embodies truth.
“We have not had experience of large numbers of applications to join churches by asylum seekers, but I do know of situations where there have been conversions from people coming from other countries with sincere spiritual hunger.
“As church leaders we do want to be sympathetic and not cynical to those who come to us to ask for help, or who have a genuine interest in the Christian faith.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
