Muslims should be less sensitive to criticism says Evangelical -15/12/04
Muslims should be less sensitive to c
Muslims should be less sensitive to criticism says Evangelical -15/12/04
Muslims should be less sensitive to criticism, a spokesperson for Evangelicals in the UK has said. Television programmes and newspapers are ìawashî with pro-Islamic programmes and articles, Dr Don Horrocks, head of public affairs at the Evangelical Alliance suggested, whilst Christians face regular provocation ranging from the waxworks nativity scene featuring Posh and Becks to bestseller the Da Vinci Code, he told MPs. The comments to the Home Affairs Select Committee, in response to direct and specific contextual questions and reported by the Press Association, came as some Christian groups expressed their opposition to Government proposals to outlaw actions which incite religious hatred. The measures, contained in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill currently before Parliament, would make it a criminal offence to incite hatred against any individual or group because of their religious beliefs. But outlawing religious discrimination risks provoking conflict between faiths, some church leaders warned MPs. Christians could react ìquite stronglyî to offensive attacks on their religion but instead showed restraint, Don Horrocks argued. Answering the committee’s request for specific illustrations and examples, Don Horrocks pointed to the Muslim Association of Britainís call for a boycott of the Daily Telegraph over an article saying people should be free to hold unpleasant views of Islam. Making religious discrimination an offence could make the problem worse, Dr Horrocks suggested. ìWe worry that bringing in this kind of legislation may mean community hostility could be created where it does not exist now,î he said. His concerns were echoed by Canon Guy Wilkinson, Church of England interfaith adviser, and Father Philip Sumner, of the Catholic Bishops Conference. Canon Wilkinson warned MPs that the new law risked creating martyrs. People might make deliberately provocative statements ìto have themselves arrested under that legislation and using that as a platform for their own viewsî, he said. ìThat is a potential disadvantage.î Father Sumner said comments made at both Muslim Friday prayers and Sunday services in Catholic Churches could be taken out of context to suggest someone was inciting religious hatred. ìIt could add to tensions rather than reducing them between communities,î he said. ìRace is something we donít have any choice about. We are born into it instead of choosing it so there should be a difference.î Not all Christians however agree. The Methodist church has come out in support of the bill. Methodist Parliamentary and Political Secretary Rachel Lampard said that such views are based on a misconception of what the Bill proposes. “The legislation is about inciting hatred,” said Rachel Lampard. “It is about preventing extremist political groups using loopholes in the existing law to promote hatred of certain religions.” The Bill is also supported by a variety of faith communities. Dr Elizabeth Harris, Secretary for Inter Faith Relations, said; “the Methodist Church is committed to an open discussion of beliefs and ensuring that people of all faiths are protected from hatred. Other faiths tell us that they want this legislation. We have to respect this. “This legislation is not about debating truth claims nor about whether all religions are the same. But it is about all individuals and communities having the right to live and work without the fear of violence arising from religious hatred. The legislation will apply to everyone, so Christians will be protected as well.”
Muslims should be less sensitive to criticism says Evangelical -15/12/04
Muslims should be less sensitive to criticism, a spokesperson for Evangelicals in the UK has said. Television programmes and newspapers are ìawashî with pro-Islamic programmes and articles, Dr Don Horrocks, head of public affairs at the Evangelical Alliance suggested, whilst Christians face regular provocation ranging from the waxworks nativity scene featuring Posh and Becks to bestseller the Da Vinci Code, he told MPs. The comments to the Home Affairs Select Committee, in response to direct and specific contextual questions and reported by the Press Association, came as some Christian groups expressed their opposition to Government proposals to outlaw actions which incite religious hatred. The measures, contained in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill currently before Parliament, would make it a criminal offence to incite hatred against any individual or group because of their religious beliefs. But outlawing religious discrimination risks provoking conflict between faiths, some church leaders warned MPs. Christians could react ìquite stronglyî to offensive attacks on their religion but instead showed restraint, Don Horrocks argued. Answering the committee’s request for specific illustrations and examples, Don Horrocks pointed to the Muslim Association of Britainís call for a boycott of the Daily Telegraph over an article saying people should be free to hold unpleasant views of Islam. Making religious discrimination an offence could make the problem worse, Dr Horrocks suggested. ìWe worry that bringing in this kind of legislation may mean community hostility could be created where it does not exist now,î he said. His concerns were echoed by Canon Guy Wilkinson, Church of England interfaith adviser, and Father Philip Sumner, of the Catholic Bishops Conference. Canon Wilkinson warned MPs that the new law risked creating martyrs. People might make deliberately provocative statements ìto have themselves arrested under that legislation and using that as a platform for their own viewsî, he said. ìThat is a potential disadvantage.î Father Sumner said comments made at both Muslim Friday prayers and Sunday services in Catholic Churches could be taken out of context to suggest someone was inciting religious hatred. ìIt could add to tensions rather than reducing them between communities,î he said. ìRace is something we donít have any choice about. We are born into it instead of choosing it so there should be a difference.î Not all Christians however agree. The Methodist church has come out in support of the bill. Methodist Parliamentary and Political Secretary Rachel Lampard said that such views are based on a misconception of what the Bill proposes. “The legislation is about inciting hatred,” said Rachel Lampard. “It is about preventing extremist political groups using loopholes in the existing law to promote hatred of certain religions.” The Bill is also supported by a variety of faith communities. Dr Elizabeth Harris, Secretary for Inter Faith Relations, said; “the Methodist Church is committed to an open discussion of beliefs and ensuring that people of all faiths are protected from hatred. Other faiths tell us that they want this legislation. We have to respect this. “This legislation is not about debating truth claims nor about whether all religions are the same. But it is about all individuals and communities having the right to live and work without the fear of violence arising from religious hatred. The legislation will apply to everyone, so Christians will be protected as well.”