National Trust accused of 'Christianophobia' after BANNING filmmaker from making Christian documentary

However, the National Trust has hosted Ramadan events, erected signs on its land pointing to Mecca and supported the Muslim hikers who fundraise for Gaza.

Speaking to GB News, Editor of The Custodian Substack Zewditu Gebreyohanes shared further details of the ban.

She explained: "A Christian filmmaker thought he'd make a documentary about Saint Cuthbert, and thought it would be a good idea among many historic sites to visit Saint Cuthbert's Cave, which obviously was a very important site in his life.

"And the National Trust said he was not welcome to film there because of the Christian affiliation, because of the religious affiliation of the film."

Ms Gebreyohanes added: "And it was unclear exactly why they would refuse that sort of request, given that it's a perfectly benign request, there's nothing controversial about it.

"But they said this has been mandated by the very top levels of the of the National Trust, and it was very clearly because of the religious and potentially even political affiliation of the film, as was reported."

Highlighting the "irony" of the National Trust's ban, she said: "Britain is a Christian country, whether or not the leaders of the National Trust are Christian themselves, it should make no difference whatsoever. They're meant to be protecting and preserving this nation's heritage, which, of course, is primarily a Christian heritage.

"I think what makes this all the more ironic is that the National Trust is all too happy to bring in other religions, particularly Islam. Signs were put up pointing towards Mecca, across the Peak District sites owned by the National Trust. They've done Ramadan events, they've put up prayer places for Muslims.

"I think you can't pick and choose whether you're going to have religious affiliation or not. But it's particularly ironic, given that Britain is a Christian country, and one of the three founders of the National Trust was a priest, vicar and then chaplain to the King."

As GB News's Nick Dunning suggested that the leaders of the National Trust "don't consider us a Christian country anymore", Ms Gebreyohanes responded: "Well, it's strange. One of the things I've noticed over the past several years working on National Trust topics, having a look at what the management are doing, it seems that they're very interested in what brings in the funding.

"And that aligns, of course, with whatever's fashionable at the time, and at this moment in time, sadly, Christianity isn't seen as fashionable."

She added: "So when they go on about being really inclusive and bringing in different audiences and things, evidently what they mean is bringing in different audiences that align with grant money incentives, but not necessarily the majority of the country."

Questioned on whether she believes that the National Trust cares "more about its own survival and money flow than the truth of our nation's history", Ms Gebreyohanes agreed: "Well, yes, but also another thing that's really ironic is that they are putting off their core loyal supporters, which means it's actually in the long run, I don't think they're doing themselves any favours.

"They're trying to bring in audiences who might be interested, but also could be quite fickle and could happily go on to the next thing that's shouting their agenda from the rooftops."

She argued: "So perhaps it might be a wiser strategy to look at the people who have been funding you for a very long time, leaving money for you in their wills and spending lots of time to volunteer for you. I think it's a very unwise decision to be alienating those people."

Accusing the National Trust of "institutional bias against Christianity", Ms Gebreyohanes concluded: "If an organisation is picking and choosing which religions or which segments of society it will represent, then there's a very consistent bias against one religion. I think there's an institutional bias.

"I use the term Christianaphobia because everyone goes on about Islamophobia, but in a Christian country, you would expect that an organisation that was founded to preserve the heritage would not be anti the religion that made the country.

"So it was sort of a play on words, but I think hinting at a real issue."