One of the reasons I fund and organise the Festival of Biblical Literature is because I am dismayed at the way the Bible is being used by authoritarian regimes. Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of RT (formerly Russia Today) has authored a novel reinterpreting the Gospel of John. In the United States, many churches are using the Bible to justify the appointment and policies of Donald Trump. In the United Kingdom, Tommy Robinson (Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) is quoting from the Bible at his rallies. People of a liberal political persuasion seem unable or reluctant to challenge this. I hope that the Festival of Biblical Literature will assist that challenge. The festival celebrates the Bible as a collection of literature, with seminars, music and poetry. All the speakers have an academic background in Biblical Studies. The festival is independent of and does not receive funding from any religious, political or ideological group. The festival does not include any worship or prayer.