Church 'British Values' Call

Tuesday July 21

The Convener of the Church of Scotland’s Church and Society Council, the Rev Sally Foster-Fulton, has called on David Cameron to embody ‘British values’ by welcoming refugees, promoting social cohesion and advancing international dialogue.

Mrs Foster-Fulton was responded to the Prime Minister's speech yesterday in which he set out a five-year strategy to combat extremism.

She said she feared that the British values Mr Cameron wishes to promote could be undermined by increased military operations and tighter surveillance. Instead, she called for 'genuine encounter' between communities, to 'build bridges' and 'break down barriers'.

Mrs Foster-Fulton said: “I believe the Prime Minister’s presentation of extremism as a ‘problem’ which needs ‘solutions’ is disheartening.  This is not some technical procedure that the right legislation and government funding can fix in five years.  That type of response is flawed in that it suggests that the drivers of violent extremism can be disarmed with surveillance at home, air strikes abroad and the co-option of a range of statutory and non-governmental organisations into the Government’s agenda.

"Our experience is that the best ways to develop societal cohesion are through well-rounded Religious and Moral Education in schools, through inter-faith dialogue in the community and through genuine collaboration. It is through positive relationships, mutual understanding and common acceptance that bridges of respect can be built up and barriers of fear and misunderstanding come down.
 
Faith communities, in the way they live their lives, seek to express and embody the very best humanity has to offer - peace, justice, forgiveness, a radical hospitality that goes beyond tolerance and love. The Westminster Government’s comments about Islam needing to express 'British values' undermines the vision of a global family and common humanity that is at the heart of faith. Perhaps, rather than asking faith communities to buy into 'British values', we should encourage our country and each other to embody the values that reach past cultures and borders, those values that are glue that holds all human beings together.  
 
"We would encourage the Government to consider ways we in the UK could live out the values of love and hospitality it is so keen to promote. I would ask us to consider how last week’s intervention by Cabinet Ministers calling for air war over Syria and how the UK’s refusal to discuss taking a share of refugees exemplifies the vision of a society that welcomes, includes and promotes human flourishing.

"I would ask us to consider why the Government talk about action, and not about the importance of working diplomatically with nations across the region and the world to seek a joint and peaceful effort to apprehend and disarm the terrorist groups.
 
"The Church of Scotland stands shoulder to shoulder with our Muslim brothers and sisters, committed to find ways to eradicate the stigma that encourages extremism in all the forms it takes in today’s world. In our experience, it is through genuine encounter that bridges are built and barriers broken down. When you sit, think, imagine and work together, when you encounter past the differences and know your neighbour’s name, you quickly realise that, though you differ, you have the world in common.
 
"Peace, justice, forgiveness, a radical hospitality that goes beyond tolerance and love - the very best humanity has to offer. Let’s start building there on those strong foundations.”

Post Tags: extremism, sally foster fulton, church and society

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Comments

Rev Dr John Cameron - Saturday, July 25th, 2015

“The Prime Minister’s speech demonstrated a deeper and broader understanding of the problem than any other speech recently given by a Western leader. He is correctly presents the threat of radical Islam as an ideological threat which needs to be countered both at government level as well as in society as a whole. Both New Labour and the coalition promoted sinister and regressive Muslim voices under the belief that they were playing the numbers game. So the clear change in emphasis to supporting Muslim progressives who are supportive of Britain is extremely welcome. For many years, after any and every terrorist attack, Western political leaders ignored the elephant in the rim by claiming Islamist violence has ‘nothing to do with Islam.’ This is total nonsense and Cameron correctly said, ‘To deny it has anything to do with Islam means you disempower the critical, reforming voices.’ However an opportunity was missed to declare his intention of stopping the state’s insane support for hate preachers who live on handouts. This includes the man suspected of being an inspiration for the Tunisia attack which killed 30 British citizens but who has the gall to claim £50,000 a year benefits.”

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