Justin Welby

I think he's absolutely right. Immigration, who ever the immigrants are has got to be properly discussed without people being accused of racism. Making it a taboo subject is quite ridiculous, and detrimental to the poor souls concerned.

I found what he said refreshing.

Yes, he is right. Seems a straightforward sort of bloke, not afraid to say what he thinks. Good for him.

Yes, good for the ABC for saying what he did. He was not criticising refugees, in fact he spoke critically about Cameron's approach. He is though, correct in saying that people need to be able to express fears about the impact on society and services of what is the biggest movement of people, certainly in my lifetime.

He was in Durham for only a short while but he struck me as a very decent man. I think he is able to say that without being accused of racism because of who he is.

Yes and hopefully, his comments will make it easier for others to join in the debate.

Whilst immigration should be discussed how many actually say to him - we don't want Muslims here

Anniebach. I would imagine that an awful lot do. But that would be a step too far for him to repeat.

The point being surely, that an open debate in which people are allowed to express repellent views, providing they are within the law, needs to be encouraged not repressed.

Petra, I doubt the arch Bish chats in the pubs or hangs around street corners , the Anglican Church puts great store in forming good relationships with the Muslim community. The Arch Bish is not the man in the street

I don't see what is repellant about saying we haven't enough houses , if it's repellant opinion I would think it would be against the law

Anniebach. If you think that conversations about Muslims are only being had on street corners and in pubs, you are very mis informed.
My dearest friend who is deeply religious can hardly bring herself to say the word.

I was listening to Any Questions last night from somewhere in East Anglia I think and I noticed when the question of immigration was raised, all the panellists almost walked on eggshells to avoid saying anything that sounded detrimental.

One older person in the audience said she felt she was living in a foreign land as when she was out in the street she hardly heard a word of English spoken. I wondered how I would feel if my hometown was like that. Food for thought

How very sad that your friend feels like that, Petra.

NanKate when we see on the television film of London, and some of the cities in the Midlands, we always comment on the fact that there seem to be more 'foreigners' than English people walking about. We are becoming multicultural in the larger areas, and the schools are coping with ever increasing numbers of children for whom English is not the first language.
I think we should be able to express our concerns for this openly, without being accused of racism.

Petra, I am fully aware that conversations about Muslims are held in all parts of the country and by people of different life styles. I do not believe anyone would let rip with a racist rant during dinner with the Arch Bish and now we will hear more because this idiot man has given his approval to the likes of UKIP

Anniebach. Did you have this opinion of Justin Welby before he made his views known, or are you now scathing of him because he has spoken out.

Petra, i think his comment on immigration was wrong , he has a right to speak out and I have the right to say i think he is wrong

What was wrong about the ArchBish's comment on immigration?

It was too short and he was wrong not to explain fully, he is fully aware of headlines, comments taken out of context etc

Ok I can see that argument but I do feel that some people have felt unable to speak about the impact of immigration on public services, or housing as you mentioned earlier because of the fear they'd be considered racist. If the archbish's comments enable a more open, genuine and honest discussion I believe that's a good thing.
I don't like bigotry, which is what springs to mind following petra's comment that her friend can hardly bring herself to say the word 'Muslim'. I may be wrong in assuming her deep religious beliefs are Christian but if so, I don't see such prejudice fitting into the Christian faith.

Iam, for me it is not possible to have Christian Faith but hold such feelings towards those of another faith

Immigration does cause concern over housing etc, and I can understand anger from people who have waited for social housing for several years then see a family given housing within months. What troubles me is when a race or faith is singled out, Welby should have said this too

I think it's lamentable that we live in such a politically correct age that saying anything pointing out an inconvenient truth can be pounced upon as an unacceptable statement. Justin Welby is hardly some rabid, intolerant firebrand.

I live in the South East we have a dire shortage of affordable housing, school places etc. Possibly depending on where we all live, we may have different perspectives on how our country is bearing up on accommodating newcomers.

Whilst we are a multi religious society, I think it's important to bear in mind that Christianity has been the cultural and historical backdrop that has underpinned and shaped our country. I think in the main most non Christians practice their beliefs, including Muslims, in such a way that doesn't threaten the rest of us. However, evangelical religious zealots are a problem and this is where conflict arises. Evangelism is divisive if it's in people's faces, particularly when it emanates from a section of a religion that would seek to impose their beliefs on a Christian/secular country, and more so when we all know that there are very few places in the Muslim world that tolerate other religions. Whist I imagine those living in the American bible belt who are atheist or non Christian must tire of the perpetual "Jesus said" all the time, similarly some of us here tire of the rabid finger jabbing we are subjected to on occasions with the accompanied "Mohammed said" or "Allah said". Quite simply Mohammed is not our prophet and Allah is not our God" and therefore largely irrelevant to our lives, just as Jesus is to theirs. I don't think I have ever experienced a Hindu for example preaching to us about the pronouncements of any of their deities. Religion is not something to shove into the faces of the rest of society imo.

Too much has been sacrificed on the altar of political correctness already so much so Justin Welby has to state the obvious.

Not wishing to make racist comments is not political correctness