Dr Rowan Williams says the recent election of a BNP councillor in Kent is "a straw in the wind"
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has warned that the recession could make Britain more vulnerable to a “tempest” of extremism and contribute to a rise of the British National Party.
Rising unemployment and falling house prices were among factors that could contribute to xenophobia and prejudice, he said.
Dr Williams, speaking at a seminar of Christian and Muslim scholars in London, warned that the recent election of a BNP councillor in Kent was a “straw in the wind”.
He said that people were feeling angry because of the financial crisis.
“The fact that the BNP can win a seat in Sevenoaks is a straw in the wind, and we have to watch the horizon very, very carefully for the tempest that might be behind that.”
Dr Williams was addressing the Christian-Muslim Forum at St Ethelburga's in the city, the small medieval church rebuilt as a centre for reconciliation and peace after it was almost completely destroyed by an IRA bomb.
He was speaking the week after the General Synod of the Church of England voted to ban clergy and lay staff from joining the British National Party or any other organisation that contradicts the doctrine that all races are equal.
Dr Williams, who also spoke in support of credit unions and criticised the “unequal sharing of risk” in some financial institutions which protect some at the expense of others, said society cannot afford to ignore the risk posed by extremism during the financial crisis.
He said: “I think we do ignore, at our peril, a very high risk which history should have taught us if it teaches us anything: a very high risk of financial stringency leading to political extremes – anger finding its expression in xenophobia, prejudice, rivalry, all the tactics that both sociologists and psychologists remark on as the displacement of unease and fear.”
Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham and Financial Secretary to the Treasury, also spoke at the Forum saying, “Faith communities represented in this forum represent generosity rather than greed, fairness, peacemaking, strength in family values — community values that underpin these things we want to achieve.”
Other speakers at the event included The Community Cohesion Minister, Sadiq Khan, Alex Cobham of Christian Aid and Faizal Manjoo of the Islamic Foundation.
Re: Britain is vulnerable to a "tempest of extremism" warns the Archbishop of Canterb
He is referring to "political extremes" as opposed to terrorist extremism, just in case anybody is confused. It makes sense really. At times of financial difficulty, people tend to blame rising unemployment on the immigrants for "stealing our jobs", hence an increase in support for anti-immigration parties e.g the BNP.
Last edited by Uthman; 03-03-2009 at 06:15 PM.
"I spent thirty years learning manners, and I spent twenty years learning knowledge."
Re: Britain is vulnerable to a "tempest of extremism" warns the Archbishop of Canterb
The rise of right wing parites is a natural reaction to immigration, finances don't play a major role here, though the currecnt crisis may have enhanced the phenomenon. The trend started years ago, all over western Europe.
It doesn't happen in America, I guess Europe's got special issues.
Re: Britain is vulnerable to a "tempest of extremism" warns the Archbishop of Canterb
Greetings and peace be with you Mr. Osman, you certainly find the hot cookies
“The fact that the BNP can win a seat in Sevenoaks is a straw in the wind, and we have to watch the horizon very, very carefully for the tempest that might be behind that.”
Hitler was a corporal in the First World War, he was a straw blowing in the wind, but we saw the power of the tempest.
In the spirit of praying for justice for all people
Re: Britain is vulnerable to a "tempest of extremism" warns the Archbishop of Canterb
Greetings and peace be with you Dawud_uk;
love it when i get morons on the da'wah stall shouting at us to get back we came from!
I have found it helps me in similar situations to pray that they may find peace in their hearts. Don’t take it personally, people just don’t like religion.
In the spirit of searching for justice for all people
Re: Britain is vulnerable to a "tempest of extremism" warns the Archbishop of Canterb
format_quote Originally Posted by Whatsthepoint
The rise of right wing parites is a natural reaction to immigration, finances don't play a major role here, though the currecnt crisis may have enhanced the phenomenon. The trend started years ago, all over western Europe.
It doesn't happen in America, I guess Europe's got special issues.
Germany 1930's
No one was migrating to my knowledge.
O my Lord,
if I worship you
from fear of hell, burn me in hell.
If I worship you
from hope of Paradise, bar me from its gates.
But if I worship you
for yourself alone, grant me then the beauty of your Face.
Re: Britain is vulnerable to a "tempest of extremism" warns the Archbishop of Canterb
format_quote Originally Posted by Eric H
Greetings and peace be with you Dawud_uk;
I have found it helps me in similar situations to pray that they may find peace in their hearts. Don’t take it personally, people just don’t like religion.
In the spirit of searching for justice for all people
Eric
peace eric,
most of the shouters are christians, though ones who are not practicing very much i would say from their attitude and actions.
i have however had lots of good decent debates and discussions with practicing christians, who are polite and not puffed up with pride.
there is a verse in the Quran which sums this up, let me see if i can find it...
Re: Britain is vulnerable to a "tempest of extremism" warns the Archbishop of Canterb
peace eric, here is the Quran reference i was referring to,
Certainly you will find the most violent of people in enmity for those who believe (to be) the Jews and those who are polytheists, and you will certainly find the nearest in friendship to those who believe (to be) those who say: We are Christians; this is because there are priests and monks among them and because they do not behave proudly.
Quran, 5:82
Re: Britain is vulnerable to a "tempest of extremism" warns the Archbishop of Canterb
Greetings and peace be with you Dawud_uk;
most of the shouters are christians, though ones who are not practicing very much i would say from their attitude and actions.
Sadly a lot of people seem to live in fear, and fear has been associated with a lack of love. I am so sorry to hear that you get a lot of abuse from Christians, you might remind them about the greatest commandments to love their neighbours as they love themselves. We certainly should not look on you as an enemy but if this appears to be so, you might remind them about Mathew 5:43
Love for Enemies
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[h] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[i] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
i have however had lots of good decent debates and discussions with practicing christians, who are polite and not puffed up with pride.
There is hope for us then. :smile:
In the spirit of praying for a greater interfaith friendship
Re: Britain is vulnerable to a "tempest of extremism" warns the Archbishop of Canterb
format_quote Originally Posted by Pomak
Germany 1930's
No one was migrating to my knowledge.
The jews werent immigrants (at least not the new one) but they lived in ghettos, seperating themselves from the german majority and had other ethnicity.
This country is dying because of a lack of men, not a lack of programs.
Re: Britain is vulnerable to a "tempest of extremism" warns the Archbishop of Canterb
format_quote Originally Posted by Aaron85
The jews werent immigrants (at least not the new one) but they lived in ghettos, seperating themselves from the german majority and had other ethnicity.
That was their mistake.
The European Man apparently prefers that immigrants integrate.
Re: Britain is vulnerable to a "tempest of extremism" warns the Archbishop of Canterb
format_quote Originally Posted by Pomak
Germany 1930's
No one was migrating to my knowledge.
format_quote Originally Posted by Aaron85
The jews werent immigrants (at least not the new one) but they lived in ghettos, seperating themselves from the german majority and had other ethnicity.
format_quote Originally Posted by Whatsthepoint
That was their mistake.
The European Man apparently prefers that immigrants integrate.
...Are we having this conversation?
Or is there some undercurrent of sarcasm and irony I've missed?
Re: Britain is vulnerable to a "tempest of extremism" warns the Archbishop of Canterb
format_quote Originally Posted by Aaron85
The jews werent immigrants (at least not the new one) but they lived in ghettos, seperating themselves from the german majority and had other ethnicity.
Thats actually not exactly historically correct. Jews were highly assimilated, with many not being even Jewish based on the religious definition.
But lets say you were right, erm then the problem in Uk still isn't because of migrants but rather because of state policies in the last 30 years.
O my Lord,
if I worship you
from fear of hell, burn me in hell.
If I worship you
from hope of Paradise, bar me from its gates.
But if I worship you
for yourself alone, grant me then the beauty of your Face.
Re: Britain is vulnerable to a "tempest of extremism" warns the Archbishop of Canterb
format_quote Originally Posted by Osman
Dr Williams, who also spoke in support of credit unions and criticised the “unequal sharing of risk” in some financial institutions which protect some at the expense of others, said society cannot afford to ignore the risk posed by extremism during the financial crisis.
And whaddayaknow, that's something that Islamic banking can specifically address.
"I spent thirty years learning manners, and I spent twenty years learning knowledge."
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