Justin Welby

I don't like the phrase political correctness because it's often used in a lazy way to criticise the beliefs of others. I'm not suggesting TerriBull that your post was either lazy or inaccurate by the way.

I agree, Justin Welby stated the obvious, but somebody had to do it and somebody who couldn't possibly be accused of being a rabid racist or bigot, so well done him.

I think he was right in what he said and right to say it. Good on him!

It was too short and he was wrong not to explain fully

I don't understand that comment, ab. His speech wasn't particularly short, and he did go on to explain fully what he meant. Have you read the whole speech?

Sorry, it was actually an interview:

www.politicshome.com/home-affairs-foreign-and-defence/articles/house/justin-welby-eu-debate-not-all-about-us-its-about

Ana, the media doesn't 'do' full speech, racists will not read the full speech, he should have thought of this before speaking , he has given his blessing to racists to speak out their venom

Well, that's a risk you have to take because people like this will spew racist venom at the drop of a hat the moment anybody says anything that even remotely concerns them of this nature. Justin Welby is not an idiot man. He is a well read, thoughtful caring compassionate man of God; combining that with a thorough knowledge of a world outside religion, in fact the best archbishop for many many years. He is well within his rights to express concern, doubts and fear for the worse situation that is facing all of us since WW2. There's nothing racist in expressing a view that lets face it most of us share but because of fear of being accused of God knows what, haven't dared say out loud. Somebody had to get this discussion into the open and Justin Welby has my total admiration for having the guts to say what the rest of us dare not.

Thank you Ana I have just read the link and it is well worth a read. I think Justin Welby has taken a well balanced , sensible approach to the many issues the UK is facing.

The irony of it all is the fact there will be some who challenge his thoughts in the exact same manner as he speaks of as they will now be calling him a racist/xenophobe. It just cements his thoughts were correct when he connects talking openly and frankly about immigration will to some fire the starter gun to close down rational debate by making personal accusations of xenophobia/racism against anybody who dares to think differently to them.

That is why the term 'Political Correctness' is used so widely as it is the affirmation that we dare not speak openly/frankly in an adult manner for fear of being called a racist. Not having the ability of openness to debate serves only one side very well, those who wish to dictate their view and their view only and anybody who dares to have a thought of his/her own is fair play for verbal abuse. Well it is not and Welby had the courage to make this point knowing the 'howls' of misrepresentation would be sure to follow, unsurprisingly by those who see themselves as those he alludes to.

I don't think of him as a man of the world, he was in the city then entered the church

Anniebach. Are you aware that debate of this subject is being shut down in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Ausria, particulaly in relation to the horrendous sex crimes that are happening in those countries. One reason given is that they are afraid of being called Natzi's. Thank God we still have free speech in this country.

What is your definition of a man of the world?! He's certainly got more idea of what goes on in the outside world than any other archbishop in living memory. You're so right petra, thank goodness we still do have freedom of speech. I've nothing but admiration for Justin Welby.

How on earth can anything be resolved if no one is allowed to discuss it?!!

Nigglenellie, you know him, you knew previous Arch Bish's

Anniebach. I'm assuming that you agreed with Rowantree Williams who said that we were racists if we had a problem with immigration.

No Petra, I believe immigration should be discussed , I do not agree that to discuss it absolves all from being racist . Do you believe all who discuss immigration are not racists ?

I did as it happens know archbishop Fisher many years ago as there is a family connection. The others are easy enough to decipher as their careers are on line for the world to see, and no one other than Archbishop Welby have been attached to anything other than an ecclesiastical life.

Terri well considered words IMO.

Pity he didn't stress the difference between immigrants and refugees

There is a proposal to build 72 houses in a very small village near here and many people are expressing concerns about this as it will totally change the nature of the village. The people who will inhabit these new houses will not be immigrants in the national sense, so their concerns are not racist.

People fear change and need to have a voice and reassurances; and some power in the debate.

If we do not acknowledge and discuss people's concerns about the effect of large influxes of people on existing communities then there will be no solutions. If people are gagged by the accusation of racism then there will be no way forward, no compromises, no listening, which is needed most of all.

Of course there will be those who use what the archbishop has said for their own evil propaganda; but that should not stop him from saying what is right and opening up a discussion that could help find a way forward.

Because all debate on immigration was shut down by Tony Blair genuine refugees got lost in the whole debacle.

The foreign secretary had no problem with talking of refugees , they will lower our standard of living

I think most people understand perfectly what Archbishop Welby means and don't need to have it explained to them in minute detail.

Do you nigglenellie? I doubt most people no longer give though to the difference between refugees and immigrants , or should I say bunch of refugees

Yes I do, and while some.people will inevitably think as you say, the majority are intelligent enough to understand perfectly what the Archbishop means. We're a small island, with 60 million people in it. Our infrastructure is under severe strain, which of course is of concern to most people, and for all right minded people of which the Archbishop is one, nothing to do with racism.

I doubt the majority know who he is and his speech last year that we are not giving shelter to enough refugees was derided on this forum and ignored in the country

Well, this is turning into a somewhat ridiculous slightly boring conversation, with overtones of point scoring! Far better that we agree to differ and leave it at that, so I won't be posting on here again.