The No-No

It is said that when you are in a discussion with friends, you should never talk about politics or religion. Let’s just say I will try to heed that… but just a little, and hopefully not stray into deep waters. The reason for not speaking about these two subjects is that they can bring out the worst in us as we retreat to the safety of our little corner and shout from there. The underlying reason is quite simple really. If you don’t agree on something at the start, you will not agree at the end, no matter how eloquent the arguments are made on either side. In fact, a perfectly good friendship can be changed forever. In the hope that we will still be friends, let me take the safer of these two ‘no-nos’ and bring up the subject of politics.

The starting point is easy. In politics both sides whether left or right want to live in a better world, and so bring out their plans to make it happen. These manifestos will be identical in some points, similar in others, and diametrically opposed in a few. The trouble is that these last ones tend to be the things we want to talk about, because they are the most interesting and divisive! We are drawn like a moth to the flame. We try, but we can’t keep our mouth shut.

Now here’s the question I want to leave with you. How do you and I react when we differ greatly on a major part of the manifesto, even with our friends?? I guess for the most part, we humour them (and ourselves) and pass it over as just ‘one of those things’, and that is good. But then there are those other times when we differ (and we will) over something which separates us greatly. It’s not so easy to gloss over these ones, and so we enter dangerous ground. If we stay quiet, they will think we have come over to their way, but then if we disagree as strongly as they have made their case, we will probably say too much and jeopardise our relationship. And anyway we argue (to ourselves) we always said we should be open and honest with each other. That openness and honesty can, and will, come with a cost. And there will be more than a political price to pay.

Come to think of it, whether in politics or religion, the dangers and pitfalls are the same. There are times we must make an informed but calculated decision to speak out about those things that separate us within the Christian church, or stay silent in order to keep the peace. Either way, silent or not, there is still a high price to pay with important relationships. Maybe then the old adage is true after all. We don’t talk about religion or politics in ANY open company. The price is huge, and have you noticed that neither side is ever wrong. Bad enough when it’s politics, but unChristlike when it’s religion.

Inconvenient Truth

Our news outlets have been filled with reporting of many injuries and deaths as a terrorist blew himself up, killing and injuring many others in the Manchester Arena. You will also recall the terrorist who drove straight into pedestrians at Westminster Bridge near to the mother of all parliaments. Do you also remember the killed and injured when a lorry was deliberately driven straight into Israeli soldiers, and the crowds enjoying a Christmas Market in Berlin when a vehicle was driven straight into them? These are not isolated occurrences but I feel we are becoming numbed to the attacks. What about the recent Turkey and Paris club attacks, the hijacked plane forced to land in Malta and the Tunisian beach shootings to name just a few? There are many, many more.

Have you noticed the trend adopted by the media as they report these atrocities? First of all, they don’t like to call them terrorist attacks. Then slowly, they will say it was an isolated incident, followed up by the statements that they are perpetrated by the insane, deranged who don’t represent the majority of good people. Eventually, when there is no other way to tell the inconvenient truth, it will be reported as the work of Islamists. The tag ‘extremists’ is added to have you think these are very out of the ordinary occurrences by a mad few.

Do yourself a favour. Take a Google search on Islamist terrorist attacks, and when you have done that, tell me these attacks are isolated or only the work of a few extremists. While you are at it you will be able to compare terrorism from non Islamic sources, only to find there are hardly any. We are told frequently that we must not blame the many for the wrongs of the few. Can I ask how many ‘few’ terrorist attacks it will take before we stop saying they are a form of extreme Islam, and we should not make the obvious link from Islam the so called religion of peace, to its troops who are all called Muslims (like it or not)?

If you know anything about Islam, you will know that it is certainly NOT a religion of peace. It was born out of conflict, and jihad is a recognised, basic, and fundamental part of its faith. Their terrorism strikes out at any infidel who should disagree with their form of Islam. Can we make it clear that ALL of the Muslim-ist attacks are carried out in the name of their God Allah (and it’s NOT the same God of the Christian faith), and in their stated quest to establish a worldwide Islamic caliphate with Sharia Law in any way they can. There is a fear that the Christian church has been sleepwalking into oblivion, afraid to speak out should we be called intolerant. Our ‘free’ governments do not help the situation. We need to ask ourselves, who are the ones who are intolerant? It would be a step in the right direction if we woke up and became honest, and less politically correct. There is a war going on, and it was not started by any other people of faith but the muslims of Islam.

Final thoughts. Have you noticed a mass uprising of ‘ordinary muslims’ marching against these atrocities? The occasional cleric or academic speaking platitudes do not count. Did you know that Islam allows lies to be told and used on its behalf as long as they are for the greater good of their religion? Secondly, has there been any report of droves of muslims who know all this and leave Islam for any other faith, or none at all, effectively saying ‘not in my name’? No, me neither. It’s time to wake up!

I am getting tired of hearing that steps are being taken to find the source of the terrorist’s radicalisation. Spare me that fake news, because we all know without a doubt where the source lies, and it is with Islam, and the blind allegiance of the Muslim believers, who all use the same ‘holy book’ as the reason for their actions. And anyway, the suicide bomber or anyone who dies in the quest, is told they will go straight to their heaven, and the family left on earth will be granted a pension for life because of the sacrifice paid by their hero. Get the picture? Good. Now we need to wake up to the truth and light of the only Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.

And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Yes, everything is made clear by the light. This is why we say, “Wake up, you who are sleeping! Rise from death, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:14

Real Love

Your love must be real. Hate what is evil. Do only what is good. Romans 12:9

The source of doing good, is real love. Not an artificial or superficial love, but a deep and genuine love. Christmas is a time when so much good is done by many people. You see it in the nursing homes, hospitals, on the streets, and in every family as we celebrate and enjoy the reason for the good that we do. It’s in the love of the baby in the manger who grew into a young man, eventually giving His life to show us what real love is. He is our example, from the cradle, through the grave, to the resurrection and ascension. Jesus is God, and is now where He started out before coming to earth to be the example and Saviour we needed.

So, while we are hating the evil in the world, remember the source of the ultimate love is Jesus. We are tempted to watch the evil that men do in the name of their false, barbaric religion, but we should never lose sight of love and the force and power it contains. What kind of God do you want to rule your life? A god of terrorism, hate, and death? Or a God of pure love who is the embodiment of goodness? My vote is already cast!

So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. Romans 8:31

Extremist

More than 200 young girls have been kidnapped from school in Nigeria by an Islamist group who have announced that the girls will be sold, and their crime? They should not have been in school. Are we getting used to this kind of extremism, and accepting that it ‘just happens’? After all, it is so far away and doesn’t affect most of us.

What about 9/11 and 7/7, are we getting used to the idea that these atrocities ‘just happen’ and we can’t do much about them? What about a young girl, shot in the head by the Taliban because she spoke out about the right of girls to be educated? What does the name Lee Rigby mean to you? What about shooting Christians as they come out of church? And while I am at it, what about mock crucifixions, beheadings, and hands being chopped off in a barbaric way? We are in grave danger of getting used to these atrocities, and accepting them, with some very senior politicians even being apologists for their groups and actions, calling Islam a religion of peace.

Can I make a suggestion? How about we drop the words ‘militant’ or ‘extremist’ from the descriptions ‘Islamist Militant’ or ‘Islamist Extremist’, and while we are at it, what is the difference between a Muslim and an Islamist? They use and refer to the same ‘holy book’. Maybe we should only and always refer to all of these groups as Muslim, after all, they are all cut from the same cloth, and go to the same mosques, and many become radicalised under the brainwashing of the leaders there. I would even accept the name ‘Muslamist’ as a description.

So, what does it take for us to wake up? If not the thought of 200+ young girls being kidnapped, sold and abused by Muslims, what will? While writing this, the news carried another story of more young girls being abducted in Nigeria by the same group, and for the same reason and purpose. If these events don’t touch your heart, you are already dead inside. Anytime soon, I expect to see a politician or Imam on TV saying they do not represent the normal Muslim population. Really? Where is the Muslamist backlash? How big a minority or tragedy do you need?

Why?

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35, and then John continues his theme.....Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13 NKJV

I am puzzled, and not for the first time. Maybe you can help me to understand, so here is my confusion: The overriding theme of the New Testament of the Christian Gospel is love. Love for God, and the supreme love of dying for a friend. Occasionally, the news media carries the story of the extremes of the Christian faith, and the result is that we wring our hands, confess our sins and repent. We usually try to put our failings right, and we use the example of Christ to make ourselves better Christians. the problem is that church attendance in the UK is falling, and people are less likely to believe in God, as they once did. We have sad and unacceptable extremes in the Christian religion, but these are usually well reported and repentance offered.

Then the news media is also filled almost daily on Islamic extremists, or jihadists who have no scruples in taking hostages and life: that is any life (usually ‘western’) who can be used to further their cause. The ongoing situation in Africa where Muslim Islamists openly attack Christian churches, and then say that the loss of any infidel's life is worth it, and within their religious rights. All in the quest for a perfect Islamic state like Iran. You may also be familiar with the recent atrocities in Mali and Algeria where Muslim Islamist jihadists took hostages and their lives to further their aim. These people are truly terrorists in every sense of the word.

Now here is my puzzle. Why is it that the Christian faith of love, repentance and forgiveness is failing, with church numbers in decline, but the active and involved Muslim Mosque population is on the increase? I would have thought that the good base of that religion would desert in droves, so as not to be associated with terrorist activities. After all, these extremists are a very significant part of the Muslim faith group. This much I know (as far as anything can be known) if anything even close to the level of murderous activity was levelled at the door of the Christian Church, there would be very few Christians left to attend any church of any denomination.

So in a nutshell: Why does a barbaric religion grow, but a loving religion fail?

Tired and Fed Up

Yes, I am tired and fed up with all that's going on in Scotland in the name of football. Once again, we are beaming TV pictures across the world of Neil Lennon under attack, this time by an opposing team's fan. Fan? Yes, that's what they said, a fan! This time, it wasn't a Rangers fan, so what does that tell me? On the same day, it was reported that another bullet was mailed to Lennon, and this one found its way into the Celtic Club Headquarters.

Sectarianism and bigotry are not limited to the rival Glasgow teams, but further reaching into the heart of Scottish society. So let's strip away all the pretence of shock, and sand dancing round the issue. We have a problem between Roman Catholics and Protestants, big time. Please, please do not give me the old tired excuse that this is the work of a crank, and is not representative of the bulk of society.

Let's take a logical and reasoned approach, if we can.

It's a religious and not a football issue, and happens mostly at football grounds, at certain games. It doesn't happen at Asda or Tesco, or in the town centre.

It divides families by religion (not faith).

It cuts across all parts of our country.

It is usually fuelled by alcohol.

It's Catholics and Protestants hating each other. (It should be noted here that these religious bigots don't actually go to church or chapel)

It is NOT the work of an isolated few. It is the work of a significant minority, who are out to cause religious trouble.

The apologists for protecting and promoting the so called 'culture' of these football religions, need to wake up and smell the coffee.

How many 'isolated instances' does it take to make a 'group'?

How many 'groups' does it take to make a 'crowd'?

How many 'crowds' does it take to make a 'mob'?

How big does the 'mob' have to get before we do something?

What does it tell you when the vast majority will travel many miles, past their own local football grounds, to be at the home of their idols to attend a game of football?

It is time for these apologists to come out and be counted. They will say, “You can't blame us all for a small 'isolated instance' (see above). I enjoy a game of football, where we can sing some sectarian songs in peace, and I want to be associated with these people”. They will also ask, “You are surely not associating me with these bigots”? The answer is that they have associated themselves with these bigots on both sides, and by choice.

Of course the police and the club chiefs agree that this is a problem. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to work that out. We need some action. Since the clubs can't or won't do enough about the blight on the 'beautiful game' in our once great nation of Scotland, and the police can't be everywhere in the grounds to arrest all the troublemakers, and the supporters won't turn against their own supporter friends, how about this for a suggestion?

All followers (they can't be called fans) of Rangers and Celtic Football Clubs, return their season tickets, and stop going to the matches, home or away, and with any and all other teams? That would be a good start. No? Oh dear, did I say something wrong? Is it not that obvious, or are you standing too close to the problem to see it yourself? I heard our own Chic Young say on radio, “If you arrested everyone who sang a sectarian song at a match, it would be in the thousands”. He unwittingly makes my point.

For me at least, the title says it all. I am tired and fed up with all the problems associated with the Neil Lennon hatred, and the blind bigotry behind it, and if we are not big enough, and bold enough to stand against it, and deal with the problem at grass roots level, it won't be resolved at all. We know we cannot trust the authorities, clubs, politicians, or even the police, so please don't hide behind these excuses any longer. It will take at least a generation to make a change, but if we don't start now, we will be facing an even bigger problem soon. Do we have to wait for someone to die in the name of religion at the hands of a 'fan'? Fan? Don't make me laugh! And the Catholics can stop smiling. You cannot say you have no part to play in the whole sectarian thing. You have no reason to be smug. Do I have to mention the arrogant chantings and the foreign Irish Tricolour, so openly used to flaunt their own brand of hatred in the name of tradition? No, I didn't think so. There is as much hatred here, as with the die-hard protestants. All I ask is for you all to grow up and come out of the school playground, and behave like grown up, civilised, human beings. If that is too much to ask, then we need legislation to shut you down. What about the Christian community? Does the following Bible passage apply? Just asking...

..for what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? For we are the temple of the living God... Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord 2 Cor 14-17 (NIV)

Religious Mockery

The news media has carried a story over the past few days about a leaked Foreign Office memo, covering a brainstorming session regarding the upcoming Pope's visit to the UK, which mocked him and made him a subject of ridicule. This strikes me as a symptom of the society we have made for ourselves, even at the highest level.


I am all for free speech, and the Christian religion in all its aspects, and all its traditions support this, but it should be noted that not all religions do! Everyone in this country is free to worship in the way they want. We live in a free society... but...
Yes, you knew there was a 'but' coming. There have been cases recently in the UK where a Bible has been scribbled on and defaced, and we were told it was a form of art. There was also the play, claiming to be 'opera' which depicted Christ as a figure of ridicule. In spite of many Christians complaining about both of these instances (and there are many others) nothing was done to change them. After all, we have free speech.
BUT.. there are religions where freedoms are not given, and no movement is allowed on how their leader is portrayed. One of these is of course, Islam. This country allows Islam to be practised as a religion, but do you honestly think that the Muslim community would have allowed their Koran to be defaced, whether as art or not, or for Mohammed to be shown as a figure of ridicule and mockery? I think not. Remember Salman Rushdie? The Danish cartoonist? Islam does not allow freedom, and will defend their religion with lives.... theirs or even someone else's! That's serious and extreme.


Our nation has now lost its Christian title, and we will live to regret it sooner or later. The question is, what will replace it? A form of extremism? Are we prepared for that? Maybe it is time to recognise that, instead of highlighting the small differences between the Christian faiths, we celebrate the things which we do agree on. At the basis of every Christian tradition is Christ. It's in the name, and maybe. just maybe, we will find that we will have to unite in Christian love, to be able to counter the extremism which we seem to tolerate so readily.


So, we should be open to the Pope's visit, and welcome him gladly, and not allow his time in our country to be marred and spoiled by extreme remarks from any section of society, and that includes the Foreign Office. Have you really considered the alternative? Now that is scary!! 
"God is Love" and "Fear the Lord" are good and certainly not contradictory statements! We need to live them and defend them.