Methodists say terror should not overcome justice
-19/08/05
In the wake of July’s bomb attacks in London, the Methodist Church in Britain has reaffirmed its commitment to inter-faith cooperation and questioned proposals which may push extremism underground or require closing down places of worship.
It is also calling on the Government to seek a broader consensus in its response, and to ensure that anti-terrorism measures do not unacceptably compromise civil rights and the need to offer shelter to refugees.
The Methodist Church’s secretary for international affairs, Steve Hucklesby, declared this week: ìOur society currently faces the difficult challenge of ensuring the security of all whilst not eroding the fundamental human rights of which we are rightly proud. To meet this challenge it is necessary to encourage a climate of debate that is inclusive of a range of views in our multi- religious and multi-ethnic society.î
In his comments, Mr Hucklesby echoed civil rights groups such as Liberty, who worry that some of the measures currently being put forward by PM Tony Blair go far beyond those needed to protect the innocent in society.
He said: ìWe encourage the Government to foster broad cross-party consensus as it explores changes to legislation in the light of the London bombings. [Some] proposals raise questions concerning the independence of the judiciary or seemingly fail to recognise that there is often a gulf between ëextremistí and ëcriminalí.”
Continued Hucklesby: ìMany will question how the proposal to introduce new powers to close down places of worship will be balanced with fundamental rights regarding freedom to worship, or indeed how effective such measures will be. It is right that we re-examine measures to enable the police to ensure our security but the Government must give serious attention to the scope for enhancing existing powers before proposing new legislation.”
On the imperative of inter-faith cooperation, he added: ìThe Government’s reaffirmation of its desire for consultation with the Muslim community is welcome. However such consultation is going to be more difficult if founded on proposals that are unclear and create suspicion. Ultimately terrorism cannot be defeated by security measures alone.”
Dr Elizabeth Harris, the Methodist Church secretary for interfaith relations agreed. She said: ìSince 7 July, dialogue among Muslims about the causes of terrorism and religious extremism has intensified. Christians have helped this process though showing friendship and solidarity. Legislation that might push underground those Muslims tempted by extremism could hinder this dialogue and increase divisions within the Muslim community, thereby strengthening extremism.î
Dr Harris is widely respected for her ecumenical work in promoting exchange between Christians and other faith communities. Her background includes time working and studying in Sri Lanka, a country frequently challenged by political and religious violence.
In July a leading Methodist broadcaster and writer, Dr Colin Morris, said that it is impossible to understand suicide bombings without tackling theology, and that Christianity and Islam have to revisit and reaffirm their core doctrines of life overcoming death.
The Mayor of London has also called on faith communities across the capital to stand together against terror.
The UK Christian think tank Ekklesia responded to the London bombings with its paper Beyond the politics of fear. It has also said that the religious roots of terror must be faced and discussed.
Methodists say terror should not overcome justice
-19/08/05
In the wake of July’s bomb attacks in London, the Methodist Church in Britain has reaffirmed its commitment to inter-faith cooperation and questioned proposals which may push extremism underground or require closing down places of worship.
It is also calling on the Government to seek a broader consensus in its response, and to ensure that anti-terrorism measures do not unacceptably compromise civil rights and the need to offer shelter to refugees.
The Methodist Church’s secretary for international affairs, Steve Hucklesby, declared this week: ‘Our society currently faces the difficult challenge of ensuring the security of all whilst not eroding the fundamental human rights of which we are rightly proud. To meet this challenge it is necessary to encourage a climate of debate that is inclusive of a range of views in our multi- religious and multi-ethnic society.’
In his comments, Mr Hucklesby echoed civil rights groups such as Liberty, who worry that some of the measures currently being put forward by PM Tony Blair go far beyond those needed to protect the innocent in society.
He said: ‘We encourage the Government to foster broad cross-party consensus as it explores changes to legislation in the light of the London bombings. [Some] proposals raise questions concerning the independence of the judiciary or seemingly fail to recognise that there is often a gulf between ëextremist’ and ëcriminal’.”
Continued Hucklesby: ‘Many will question how the proposal to introduce new powers to close down places of worship will be balanced with fundamental rights regarding freedom to worship, or indeed how effective such measures will be. It is right that we re-examine measures to enable the police to ensure our security but the Government must give serious attention to the scope for enhancing existing powers before proposing new legislation.”
On the imperative of inter-faith cooperation, he added: ‘The Government’s reaffirmation of its desire for consultation with the Muslim community is welcome. However such consultation is going to be more difficult if founded on proposals that are unclear and create suspicion. Ultimately terrorism cannot be defeated by security measures alone.”
Dr Elizabeth Harris, the Methodist Church secretary for interfaith relations agreed. She said: ‘Since 7 July, dialogue among Muslims about the causes of terrorism and religious extremism has intensified. Christians have helped this process though showing friendship and solidarity. Legislation that might push underground those Muslims tempted by extremism could hinder this dialogue and increase divisions within the Muslim community, thereby strengthening extremism.’
Dr Harris is widely respected for her ecumenical work in promoting exchange between Christians and other faith communities. Her background includes time working and studying in Sri Lanka, a country frequently challenged by political and religious violence.
In July a leading Methodist broadcaster and writer, Dr Colin Morris, said that it is impossible to understand suicide bombings without tackling theology, and that Christianity and Islam have to revisit and reaffirm their core doctrines of life overcoming death.
The Mayor of London has also called on faith communities across the capital to stand together against terror.
The UK Christian think tank Ekklesia responded to the London bombings with its paper Beyond the politics of fear. It has also said that the religious roots of terror must be faced and discussed.