Rev Richard Barrett: A Christian in Bristol
Does Nick Griffin of the BNP have the right to denigrate non-white people and does Geert Wilders of the Dutch Freedom Party, who visited Britain last week, have the right to malign Islam, all in the name of freedom of speech? I say no and I say so as a Christian.
We should not be taken in by the freedom of speech argument. Both Griffin and Wilders claim to be supporting the liberal ideal that there should be no restrictions on speech or behaviour when in fact they display fascist tendencies. They do not grant other groups like non-whites or Muslims the same freedom they claim for themselves.
They are cashing in on the current backlash against so-called "political correctness". It has become commonplace to make cheap jibes about causing offence to minorities. Jeremy Clarkson has poked fun at the BBC's diversity policy saying he will soon be expected to take on a black Muslim lesbian as a presenter. Of course there have been some examples of carrying policies to silly extremes, but the underlying issue is about the right of every person to respect fair treatment.
We know that this is still far from the case. It was reported in the Evening Post this week that in Bristol and other cities people with African or Asian names find it almost twice as hard to get job interviews as those with English names and the same qualifications.
Nor does it matter how British people may be treated in other countries. We may rightly protest at discrimination to ourselves if it occurs elsewhere, but we should uphold our standards in our own country regardless, because we think they are right.
Christians believe in the equality of human beings, regardless of racial or religious distinction. We believe in a God who created all people and in Jesus who broke down every man-made barrier to create a new world-wide, inclusive community. Any political ideology that denies that is to be condemned.
So when the BNP states it is wholly opposed to any form of racial integration between British (!) and non-European peoples, and is committed to restoring the white make-up of the British population, Christians have to condemn it.
I have great respect for what Farooq Siddique writes in his Evening Post column on Tuesdays. He courageously criticises those who misrepresent Islam's beliefs, whether from the Muslim community or outside, and seeks to explain what Islam stands for.
18 Comments
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by Spydyman, Bristol
Thursday, October 29 2009, 11:51AM
“Amazing! Amongst the usual drivel there is actual inteligent debate here in front of me on the comments pages of the BEP website. That fact alone justifies the appearance of Nick Griffin on Question time.”
by Martin, Clifton
Wednesday, October 28 2009, 12:42AM
“Christians do not believe in equality of human beings, they place Christians in a far higher regard than Christians of other cults, or atheists like myself.
Look at the way Jehovah's Witnesses will not talk to family members who leave the cult, or Catholics who refuse to acknowledge protestants as Christians and vice versa.”
by Nikita, bristol
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 10:09AM
“So if Jesus came back, would Nick "Peter" Griffin send him back to Jeruselum?”
by Martin, Knowle,Bristol
Tuesday, October 27 2009, 8:43AM
“Grim reading from David, but based on evidence.
The type of atrocities David describes don't just happen to Christians of course. Any other faith or no faith at all seems to fit the bill nicely at the moment if the deluded select the "right" passages from the Koran to justify themselves.
Thank goodness, David, you and the rev choose to ignore the chillingly similar passages from your bibles.
Griffins crowd,if elected, might not.”
by DCI Gene Hunt, Hyde, 1973
Monday, October 26 2009, 6:27PM
“"If being a right winger means having a job and paying my way, upholding the law, agreeing with freedom of speech, uninterested in causing violence at demos then I suppose I am, George. mark, Bristol"
One of the best posts I've read on here. Apart from mine.
Oh yes, the Count of Monte Cristo, Ashtonia has a point about the deletion of comments. Even a premier division racist stroker like George shouldn't have his comments deleted. We can see him for the scumbag he is then. The moderation Nazis at the BEP should look up the phrase 'Freedom Of Speech' and digest it. No wonder my scources tell me that sales are dropping.
Savvy?”
by DCI Gene Hunt, Hyde, 1973
Monday, October 26 2009, 6:22PM
“"I'm sure they do - these people have a conscience. George, Bristol"
Of course they do. Until you disagree with them or when it comes to assaulting police officers. Utter, utter, utter scum. Along with the stroker that deleted this relevent comment originally.
Savvy?”
by Count of Monte Cristo, Ashtonia
Monday, October 26 2009, 6:20PM
“Could the comment I posted earlier magically appear now, please, or could the ¿thought police¿ from this website contact me at the email address associated with my account to explain why it hasn't? Thanks.”
by Alex, Redcliffe
Monday, October 26 2009, 3:57PM
“David from Knowle highlights perfectly why so many people see Islam as a wicked, hateful religion. People in this country are rightly scared when seeing examples such as this. Behaviour such as this does not even belong in the dark ages, never mind now.
While I would never vote BNP, I do understand the need for them appearing on Question Time etc. The problem is that this country (England) does need to tackle immigration and drastically reduce it. I don¿t say this out of racism, but because we are the most densely populated country in Europe and (compared to other large countries with a population over 10m) the third most densely populated in the entire world! Office for National Statistics predict that the (UK) population will rise from 61m to 70m in the next 20 years, 7m of which will come from immigration. This country is simply not big enough and does not have the resources of infrastructure to cope with the ever increasing demands of an expanding population. Cutting immigration is not racist ¿ it is common sense!
By publicising the BNP, the media have opened the debate that should have already been happening between the main political parties. That they refuse to be drawn into and adult debate on immigration for fear of being labeled racists has left a huge gap for the BNP to fill. Many people voting BNP were traditionally supporters of Labour or Tory, but they feel their parties have deserted them on this key issue. This is such a huge issue for many people in this country and if one party just went on record and said they were going to do something meaningful about it, they would win the next election and the BNP would fade back into obscurity. Therefore, the BNP do serve some (limited) purpose. If you want to act on immigration, UKIP have some good policies on it. The difference between them and the BNP is that the BNP formulate their immigration policy on the basis of racism, while UKIP (and hopefully the other parties in time) form their policies on the basis of what is best for this country.”
by mark, Bristol
Monday, October 26 2009, 2:35PM
“If being a right winger means having a job and paying my way, upholding the law, agreeing with freedom of speech, uninterested in causing violence at demos then I suppose I am, George.”
by geoeeee, southville
Monday, October 26 2009, 1:44PM
“Why dont we write them a sternly worded letter as well as the petitions? That'll probably do the trick.”