Cardiff Council criticised as it tells residents, ‘Trust in Jesus – Come to Church!’

Humanists UK has criticised Cardiff Council for displaying banners across the city which feature text saying ‘Trust in Jesus, He is Alive, Come to Church!’ and then feature its logo at the bottom. While this is almost certainly paid advertising from an external organisation, this is not stated and so the impression given is very much that the Council itself is imploring all its residents to be Christian. 

Over the last week since the banners seemingly first appeared, Wales Humanists has received multiple complaints about them.

Wales Humanists Coordinator, Kathy Riddick commented:

‘Cardiff Council serves a diverse community with a wide range of beliefs. It has a responsibility to remain impartial and not give the impression of favouring or endorsing any particular religion or belief. By failing to make sure these banners clearly state they are paid advertisements from an external group, the Council is using its authority and branding to promote one specific faith.

‘We call on Cardiff Council to address the issue with urgency and then review its policies on lamppost banner advertising. Either it should make sure that all future adverts include prominent disclaimers regarding their origin, preventing any confusion with official Council communications, or it should remove its own logo from the banners.’