Justin Welby

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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

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.

Not wishing to make racist comments is not political correctness

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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 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

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.

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

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

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 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

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

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.

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

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