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March 2001, Page 1.
Index of articles.
Vicar's Letters:
index,
Pilgrims,
Christmas,
Old dog,
Purpose,
Racism,
Jesus risen.
Race & Faiths:
index,
Multifaith,
Racism,
World faith.
In this issue:
(March 2001)
Vicar's Letter,
Manifesto,
Sidesmen,
Vision,
Healing,
Question.
Our racism in our society
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P166 CEEFAX 1 166 Mon 22 Jan 17:52/03 ASYLUM SEEKERS REHOUSED AFTER VANDALISM Six families of asylum seekers have had to be moved from their homes after they were subjected to a campaign of terror. Their properties on the Fagley estate in Bradford were vandalised while the families were visiting relatives. After they had returned, more threats were made and windows were smashed. The families have now been rehoused. The culprits were branded `mindless vandals` by the council which has served eviction notices on a number of its tenants. Police are investigating. |
You probably read this news item in the press, or heard it on the radio. As a Christian I need to say that this type of racist behaviour, vandalizing properties and threatening people from other countries, is not acceptable. The Church condemns it, and so do I as your local vicar.
It’s tempting to say that people are “mindless vandals”, but the truth is people aren’t mindless. We do what we do because we think we have good reason for the way we feel, we want to “teach them a lesson”, we think we can get away without being caught, we think others deserve it, and for a whole range of other reasons. People have reasons for the way they behave, and I guess the culprits think they are justified in their actions. But they’re wrong.
Perhaps the worst thing is, there are many others who are nervous about Britain becoming a multi-racial and multi-faith society. Some say “they are taking our jobs”, or “they are just here to sponge on our welfare state.”
Oh no they aren’t! The truth is we originally asked people to come to England because we didn’t have enough people to work in our industries. Refugees have not come just for welfare - they want nothing better than to be able to earn their own living in a new country. A country where we do not persecute people because of their religious or political beliefs.
The bible’s message to us is very simple. “You were aliens and strangers yourselves, so care for the alien among you.” “Love your neighbour as yourself.” As people of faith we know what it is like not to belong to the world and its ways. “Do not neglect to show hospitality, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
John Hartley