LONDON (Reuters) — A religious think-tank urged British churches yesterday to provide alternatives to the red remembrance poppy worn by millions of people around the world, saying a white poppy was more in keeping with Christianity.The red floral symbol has been worn on lapels since just after the end of the First World War to honour those who die in battle, because the poppy was the only plant that grew in the aftermath of the bloody trench warfare.

However Jonathan Bartley, director of the religious theological group Ekklesia, wrote in an article for the Church Times, the largest Church of England newspaper, that there was “political correctness” surrounding the use of the red poppy.

He compared its acceptance to a recent national debate about the wearing of religious symbols in public sparked after a British Airways worker was sent home for refusing to conceal a small crucifix while on duty.

“Whilst apparently banned from wearing one symbol of hope (the cross), public figures in Britain are simultaneously urged, indeed in many cases required to wear another (the red poppy) almost as an article of faith,” Bartley said.

“Whilst the red poppy implies redemption can come through war, the Christian story implies that redemption comes through non-violent sacrifice. The white poppy is much more Christian in that respect than the red variety.”

The Royal British Legion charity, which runs the Poppy Appeal to raise money to help serving and ex-Service personnel and their families, said Bartley’s views were misguided and a white poppy would only confuse the public.

“The colour has become an internationally recognised symbol,” said Brigadier David Wills, the Legion’s director general.

“If you start to dilute that recognition by bringing in other colours, I don’t think people will fully understand what they are buying the poppy for,” he told BBC radio, adding the poppy was not about glorifying war.