Friendly Gestures, Could They Spread?

[daisya]

Do you find this heartening and wish that this sort of gesture could be the norm here in this country and other places in the world? I do and would hope that others might follow suit on both sides...or am I being unrealistic in thinking so?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-22689552

[missnemesis]

Well how jolly nice of Father Tim Jones to pop along and add his tuppence worth to the interview; personally I'd be more impressed if he hadn't felt the need to use the phrase "that ramshackle little mosque".

Patronising git.

Well done those muslims.

[AB Editor]

In fairness MissN it has a bit of a mosque-cum-local-football-club-changing-rooms air about it :)

[mikey4444]

There has been a dialogue between the different religions for many years now, and its a good thing. Growing up the 50's and 60's as a Catholic in Britain, we wouldn't have dreamt of going anywhere near any other church that was Christian but not Catholic, ie Protestant, in Catholic-speak.

I can remember as a child being addressed by the Priest on the last day of summer term at assembly, and being told that just because we were going on hols, we still needed to go to Mass every Sunday. He went on to say that if we couldn't find a Catholic Church wherever we staying, than a Russian or Greek Orthodox would do, at a pinch, but under no circumstances were we to go to a Protestant Church ! Instant one-way trip to hell was promised. Now we used to go and stay with relatives on Dartmoor and quite where we were supposed to find a bloody Orthodox Church there is beyond me !

I no longer go to church but I would hope that the kind of blinkered thinking of the 50's and 60's is behind us now.

Therein lies a problem. British Muslims, on the whole, seem to be regular practitioners of their religion, and a major part of that would be attending services at their Mosque. But most of us white, so-called Christian Brits go nowhere near a church if they can possible help it. Maybe a wedding or funeral every now and then but that's it. I worked on the Census in 2011 and helped hundreds of people to complete their forms. Most of them were a bit stymied by the religion question, and said something along the lines of
"Well, I never go to Church but I suppose I am a Christian!

So how does this much needed dialogue take place ? If the local Mosque were to have a open day, then I would be glad to go, even if it was only for a good nose around ! Perhaps my local Mosque DOES have open days....I shall have to find out.

We only need to look at Northern Ireland to see the result of years of ignoring the other side, to see the huge problems that have ensued. Here in Wales a mixed school is where boys and girls go together. In Belfast, if they have such a thing, its where Catholics and Protestants learn alongside each other. People generally don't mix together at all if they can help it. They even have different footballs teams.

[anotheoldgit]

AB Editor

/// It's not particularly extraordinary to accept the offer of a cup of tea. ///

It is when you set out in an angry mood, if they had thrown it back in their faces, then that would have been the time to condemn them, but they didn't did they?

/// To offer tea to people shouting and protesting your closely held beliefs outside your window IS. ///

Hardly a level playing field, in your sentiments.

It is no surprise that we will never be able to get on with each other when one takes this kind of attitude.

These people no matter how few, were angry for one reason or another, they were offered a hand of friendship which they were prepared to accept, for that surely they should also be congratulated?

[missnemesis]

I agree is not the most salubrious of buildings Ed however he could have left the word "ramshackle" out of his quote surely?

IMO it would have been enough to have just said mosque.

[AB Editor]

"It is no surprise that we will never be able to get on with each other when one takes this kind of attitude."

But they DID get on. They had a cup of tea and probably biscuits. Together. That's almost the definition of "getting on" in this country.

It wasn't a level playing field - that's the point?

I very much liked your post there Mikey4444

[AB Editor]

"I agree is not the most salubrious of buildings Ed however he could have left the word "ramshackle" out of his quote surely?"

He was probably drawing a comparison to the less than salubrious building that Christ was born in. It's a well worn religious motif to suggest grace comes from humble places.

There's no need to jump down his throat for little perceived slights.

[AB Editor]

To actually answer the question:

"Friendly Gestures, Could They Spread?"

They could, but probably not. Or rather, they won't be reported - only because it isn't really news "religion of peace does something peaceful" or "Good Samaritan is good" don't really have the same headline ring to them :)

[maggiebee]

AOG - there is an annual event in Dundee called "open doors" where buildings not normally open to the public open their doors for a day or two. Last year my friend and I went to the local Mosque and had a lovely time. We were shown round the building, were told a bit about their beliefs and had wonderful food. There was even a short talk by a muslim surgeon from our local hospital. We left feeling we had more in common than we had differences. I would recommend a visit.

[mikey4444]

Thanks Ed !...its not often I get any praise, let alone from our Editor !

Why can't we live and let live in Britain these days ? Those dreadful people who killed the young soldier were not representative of Muslims in Britain, any more then the IRA murderers were of the Irish community.

[jno]

I'll believe it when I see an atheist invite a Jehovah's Witness in out of the cold and offer him tea and a biscuit.

[anotheoldgit]

maggiebee

Sounds like a very good idea, have you any experience of other establishments opening their doors to Muslims, and if so were these equally widely attended by members of the Muslim religion?

[maggiebee]

Now AOG that's another question entirely. Our Cathedral was open too, but whether or not any muslims visited I have no idea. They would certainly have been made welcome. I visited buildings in Dundee I didn't even know existed. Great annual event.

[mikey4444]

This post is looking terribly positive boys and girls...keep it up ! Don't let the moaners win !

[AB Editor]

"I'll believe it when I see an atheist invite a Jehovah's Witness in out of the cold and offer him tea and a biscuit."

:)

The point there is actually the JW is the instigator and it violates the general love of privacy that characterizes the British.

I think Orwell went on about this a bit.

[bazwillrun]

"Why can't we live and let live in Britain these days ?"

and there lies the problem

we are letting far too many live here, that are slowly but surely taking over and destroying this countries cultural identity.

sadly theres too many that seem to think thats fine and dandy

[Zeuhl]

I bet bazzer can suggest some 'bitter and twisted' gestures

[mikey4444]

Baz....you talk such rot.

How are "they" slowly but surely taking over and destroying this countries cultural identity ? Over the B/H weekend I have been to the Cotswolds, Mid Wales and Pembrokeshire ( which looked wonderful ) and never saw a black or brown face.

According to the last Census in 2011, Muslims comprise less than 5% of the population of Britain :::
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_the_United_Kingdom

About the only thing that you said in your last post that was made any sense whatsoever was the word "slowly". At less than 5% it may be centuries before Muslims reach 50%, let alone "take over" If black and brown people are so horrid, who is buying all that delicious Asian food in the 10,000's of takeways that every town and village has ? Has anybody noticed that there is a distinct lack of Liver and Onions or Shepard's Pie take away outlets in our high streets ?

Why don't you just admit that you don't like foreigners ? Its not against the law not to like black or brown people. Its entirely up to you. Why hide your hatred behind such silly posts ?

I stand by "live and let live" and that even includes people like you !

[daisya]

""Why don't you just admit that you don't like foreigners ? Its not against the law not to like black or brown people.""

Surely foreigners don't just consist of black or brown people for goodness sake...why is colour always introduced into the argument?