There is never a shortage of examples of how Islam is slowly but surely creeping into Western democracies, with sharia law and other less than democratic features being promoted and eventually accepted. Democracy of course can be its own worst enemy as it seeks to accommodate itself to anyone and everyone, even those forces which are anti-democratic at heart.
Four more examples appeared in today’s press, and all make for worrying reading. Consider first two overseas examples. The Swedish city of Malmo is now effectively a no-go zone for Swedes, police, firemen and emergency workers. A quarter of the population is Muslim, and anti-Western rioting has become commonplace there.
As with many other European cities, many urban areas have come under the domination of Muslim radicals who are making life miserable for everyone else. Muslim immigrants there have refused to integrate, and are causing all sorts of major problems for authorities and the rest of the nation. Many do not know Swedish, and many refuse to even try to learn the language.
Swedish tolerance is being stretched to the breaking point, and many areas of Sweden are simply not safe to enter if you are a non-Muslim. The video link provided in the link below is well worth looking at. It makes for sobering viewing.
In the UK we have another example of creeping sharia, and the demise of the Christian West. Incredibly – or perhaps not so incredibly – a UK equality bigwig has come out and said that Christians – not Muslims – are the real threat to English democracy!
Here is how one report covers this alarming story: “Despite Britain being an officially Christian country with a majority Christian population and a Christian heritage reaching back to the 7th century AD, the UK’s equalities chief has said that Christians need to ‘integrate’ better into Britain’s ‘modern liberal democracy.’ Compared to Muslims, he said, Christians are ‘more militant’ and have a harder time blending in.
“‘There are a lot of Christian activist voices who appear bent on stressing the kind of persecution that I don’t think really exists in this country,’ said Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The current movement towards doctrinal and moral orthodoxy in the Anglican and Catholic churches is a revival of ‘an old time religion incompatible with modern society’ that is clashing with ‘mainstream’ views, especially on homosexuality, he continued.”
This is absolutely mind-boggling. Muslims better adapt to modern British life than do Christians? Christians are more of a threat and more militant than Muslims? What planet does this guy actually live on? Is he telling us that Christians take flying lessons so they can send planes into buildings?
Is he actually suggesting that Britain must fear Christians walking around with bombs strapped to their bodies? Is he telling us the London tube bombings were in fact carried out by Christians? Is he telling us the Bali bombings were the work of Christian terrorists?
This is sheer lunacy. Yet such is the power of creeping sharia, coupled with anti-Christian bigotry in the UK, that this guy can actually get away with saying such nonsense. Talk about rewriting history. Talk about Orwellian doublespeak. Talk about political correctness gone mad. No wonder the UK is such a basket case.
The third example comes from Australia and demonstrates the benefits of wearing a burka: you can commit a crime and escape doing the time. Here is how a news report covers the story: “A Muslim woman sentenced to six months’ jail for making a deliberately false statement that a racist policeman tried to forcibly remove her burka has been freed on appeal.
“Judge Clive Jeffreys said he was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt it was Carnita Matthews, a 47-year-old Muslim woman from Woodbine, NSW, who accused the police of racism because the person who handed in the complaint to police was wearing a burka at the time.
“To reach the level of proof of identity to prove the case, it appears Mrs Matthews would have been required to identify herself by lifting her burka at the police station to prove her identity – which is what started the uproar in the first case. More than a dozen Muslim supporters linked arms and began chanting ‘Allah Uh Ahkbar’ as they stormed out of Downing Centre, Sydney, with Mrs Matthews concealed behind them.”
While most Muslims of course do not wear the burka to get away with committing crimes, this is nonetheless a real worry. When religious clothing becomes a means by which law-breakers can escape conviction, then we need to have a rethink about how much tolerance we show to these guests in our country.
While the calls to ban burkas altogether need to be discussed and debated, surely more cases like this will make it almost a foregone conclusion. Muslims who refuse to integrate and embrace Western values will continue to be a thorn in the flesh to freedom and democracy.
Finally, consider the ongoing trial of Australian journalist Andrew Bolt. Our unhelpful laws on race, religion and vilification have resulted in him being taken to court by angry aborigines, who objected to some columns he wrote. In a similar fashion Muslims have taken Christians to court in Victoria. While we await the outcome of this particular case, one writer has today highlighted the foolishness of this case and these laws:
“Last night nearly 600 people in Melbourne paid to attend an evening in support of free speech. The audience and speakers were also there to support columnist Andrew Bolt who has been taken to court for an opinion he voiced in the Herald Sun. The legislation that allows that sort of speech-stifling action is terrible legislation in my view, and so I was happy to be one of five invited speakers.”
He continues, “The only sort of free speech that matters is the sort that offends some people somewhere. In a situation where all is agreement and harmony and people sitting in circles, holding hands, and singing Kumbaya, the concept of liberty and free speech does nothing. You will never have to fight for it meaning a freedom only to act or speak within the bounds of agreed opinion, good taste and proper decorum just isn’t valuable. It doesn’t carry with it any obvious good consequences.
“The threat to our freedom of speech in the West today does not come from some Soviet-style secret police. No, it comes from turf-protecting bureaucrats who find themselves all of a sudden in the human rights game; it comes from people who want to create a right not to be offended.
“Or at least not to be offended about the things that matter to them, because almost all the sorts of people who like the legislation being deployed against Bolt would be horrified to think that those in the US who are offended by the burning of the American flag ought to be able to prosecute the burners for their offended sensibilities. So what they really want is a right not to be offended, as long as it’s the sort of things a good chardonnay-sipping member of the progressive elite ought to be offended about, nothing else.
“But plain and simple that’s a mistake. The only kind of free speech worth anything is the kind that leads to speech that offends people. And I say that knowing full well that none of us can be absolutists and there will always have to be some limits on speech, against counselling murder, say, or detailing how to make biological weapons.”
Quite right. But creeping PC and Islamist influence and intolerance is shutting down free speech in Australia. It is shutting down freedom of religion and freedom of conscience as well. And these idiotic laws which aid and abet such intolerance are a big part of the problem.
In sum, these four examples can be multiplied many times over. They all demonstrate how the tolerant West may have to rethink just how far it goes in allowing those with a hostile ideology coming to our nations, especially if they do not or will not seek to blend in and integrate.
When these pockets of separatism are allowed to grow and fester, they will cause more damage, undermine any attempts at unity, and make a mockery of notions of multiculturalism. They will instead just be further examples of creeping sharia, and the radical Islamic war against the West.
I attended last nights seminar held by the Institute of Public Affairs and it was most encouraging to see so many people willing to stand up for free speech, including even Paul Howes who is generally far more left-leaning.
Most telling was how restricted Andrew Bolt was from saying what he would have liked to have said simply because of the restrictions place upon his free speech, even among those who were overwhelmingly in support of his views.
Despite Andrew’s non-Christian beliefs, he is doing a better job of standing up for Christianity than the majority of those who would refer to themselves as Christians. It is a sad state of affairs. We as Christians need to do far more to stand up for the gospel and stand against the influx of new laws and trends being forced upon us by the powerful and faceless few.
Mario Del Giudice
Yes quite right Mario
Bolt puts most Christians to shame in this regard. If we would only be half as bold and outspoken as he is.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Two points….
1. I’ve yet to figure out why people escape a country and then try to turn their new country into a clone of the one they escaped from..
2. I think Christians should be more vocal about standing up to what we might call Christo-phobia. That approach seems to work for the gay lobby.
John Bennett
Thanks John
Yes you make two good points there.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Not to sound like a suck up, but I’m glad to say that you are one of the few that he does not put to shame. Keep fighting the good fight.
Mario Del Giudice
Many thanks Mario
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Just watched your input, on Today Tonight, brilliant and exactly what all oz thinks, but sadly most are too afraid to say. God bless and keep it up, my full support is with you.
Brian Carrick
Well said Bill. I do struggle time to time, as a Christian as to know how to respond to the threats facing us with these abhorrent laws and creeping Sharia.
The Q Society quietly works behind the scenes to educate the law makers and politicians as to what is the real agenda of Islamists. They have not long been formed and could do with many helpers to get on board. They are in most of the capital cities now.
The Australian Defence League who’s aim is to be out there to be seen in order to inform the public of Islamic stealth jihad are a good organisation. Contrary to media and politician’s slandering them as intolerant bigots who need to be dealt with, they conducted themselves with dignity and decorum at the Fed Square rally recently. I was there in the thick of it and the group were being constantly provoked by a much larger Marxist group. Only six policemen were sent to oversee the event.
In a small way I support the above two organisation but also witness to Muslims of the love of God and hand out the Gospel of John and New Testaments. I do this in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. Living in Ballarat presents time restrictions but I try and get down once a week.
Bill although I feel that this witnessing is the most urgent and important thing to do, especially amongst the Muslim population, the two groups above are also necessary to push against the Islamisation of Australia. So here are some suggestions for your readers. God will not give us anything to do that He will not give us His enabling.
Keith Lewis
Bill I forgot to mention that the Q Society is having an information night in Melbourne this Thursday night. Readers can log on and request to attend.
Keith Lewis
Some great comments above. I am a great admirer of Andrew Bolt. Always interesting and always with an intelligent analysis of current events, it is absurd that he is in court with this ridiculous charge. What on earth did our servicemen and women fight for and die for in past wars, if it were not freedom of speech? You Bill and Andrew Bolt are two of a handful of journalists doing the work that almost all of the clergy are neglecting in what should be considered their pressing responsibility.
Frank Bellet, Petrie Qld
Thanks Keith
Yes there is a balance to maintain, as hard as it may be. We must love our Muslim neighbours and seek to win them to Jesus. On the other hand we have an obligation to resist creeping sharia. Hard to square both but we must try. I discuss all this in more detail here: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2010/08/01/christianity-other-religions-and-islam/
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks Frank
I appreciate how you so regularly speak out as well. Keep up the good work.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks guys.
It seems that our burka wearing mama is a serial offender, with a whole string of crimes:
I agree that we must love our Muslim neighbours and I think part of that is saving them from Sharia law. You are not working against them by disallowing them to practice Sharia law. There are Muslims in Canada that are grateful that in 2005 the Ontario government chose not to allow it there. They can enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy in Canada instead of replicating the countries that they left, in far too many cases at least, for good reasons.
Dan Brinkman
Very good point Dan.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Another part of the Orwellian Newspeak in the Sydney “Burka” case is the defending barrister’s defence of the rioting, chanting supporters of Ms Matthews.
He claimed that it was merely that they were celebrating in “a culturally appropriate way”.
This “culturally appropriate” business shows that the burka is not a core religious thing but merely a cultural thing.
It is part of a set of weasel words designed to give the impression of a religious belief which (heaven forfend!) is not to be offended against, and therefore is sacrosanct.
My foot! I am offended by their claim that Allah is “great”.
John Angelico
Bill the Q Society information meeting has been moved from this Thursday evening to July 14th. Readers will need to contact them through their website for venue and time closer to the date.
Keith Lewis
I smelt a rat on this Carnitha Matthews case. Seems from the information coming in that Judge Clive Jeffreys hated Police to begin with. He suddenly became a hand writing expert absurdly declaring it didn’t look like her signature.
The signs are there that Jeffreys went to the leftist “all cops are racists” school of victimisation.
He should be proud of himself he emboldened the Islamic bullies outside the court house and the already tribal, segregationist nature of the Islamic community.
Damien Spillane
Hear hear John. Jesus is Lord and worthy of all glory honour and worship.
The Allah uh Akbar chant is a taunt and an insult to our very faith and legal system – particularly in the context used. By using those words in that context I read the situation as those dozen or so present effectively giving the finger to the legal system of this country and affirming that they do not acknowledge it. Being entirely consistent with the view that sharia does not recognise any law other than itself.
While I am sure that there are many muslims in this country who are law abiding and appreciate the freedoms inherent in our system, it seems there is an increasing number who hold it in contempt. The sad thing is that they probably do not even fully understand the implications of what they think they hope for.
Phil Twiss
The thing that concerns me here are the Muslims who are trying to make an effort to integrate, pay their way and abide by the law. I think it is fair to say that there are some of them who are probably embarrassed by the conduct of these upstarts and I feel for them as they are eventually going to be pressured without mercy by these rabble rousers and hard liners who appear to have all the clout. I think the time will come when not only Christians are called to decide who they follow but also the Muslims who are trying to integrate will have to decide whether to either denounce Islam altogether or become like the radicals. As for Trevor Phillips above, just another perfect example of someone taken captive by the devil to do his will, Isaiah 5:20 also comes to mind here!
Steve Davis
I regularly read or hear of these Muslims who are “not like those militants”. If they are so good and without blemish and “in a majority”, where are these people protesting against those who are causing havoc? If anyone has heard any speak out favouring proper behaviour, let us all know, because I have never heard one. I do know that following the Muslim railway bombings over in London, a couple of years ago, a survey was taken in one section of England asking if they approved of the bombings. Those surveying received over 100,000 replies approving of the terrorism.
Frank Bellet, Petrie Qld.
Bill:
I am concerned about this type of situation occurring in the USA. The USA, because of the economics of oil, have allowed Saudi Arabia to build Islamic centers and mosques in the USA without much review by American communities. Those concerned have been labeled as Islamophobic. What can be done to avoid a Shariah or similar takeover in the USA?
Donald Johnston, US
Thanks Donald
An entire article would be needed to properly answer that question, but plenty can be done. Become better informed about the issues. Tell others about it. Vote for politicians who will not give in to creping sharia. Get involved with groups which are doing something about it. And so on. The sky is the limit really.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
The U.S.A. isn’t our country anymore with the muslims taking over. This country is way to tolerant and all the political correct libs, and cowards, that let this creeping sharia creep in will allow these muslims to takeover the USA eventually. Islam is out to take over the world and the sorry excuses for politicians are just letting it happen. Christianity is not a threat, but Islam is! My God help us!
Jennifer McCulloch, US
The fact that the judge could not identify her signature because it could not be matched against her facial identity should be another reason why the wearing of the burka in public should be prohibited and the judge should be the first to persue this end, but from what has been said, that is not likely.
Isn’t it interesting to note the recent development of the greenback no longer being the currency on which the worlds finances are built around? Not sure that the chinese currency is a good replacement except for the fact that the church is very strong there, not officially of course, but it must make an impact with Christians outnumbering the communists 3 to 1.
I attended last nights seminar held by the Institute of Public Affairs and it was most encouraging to see so many people willing to stand up for free speech, including even Paul Howes who is generally far more left-leaning.
Most telling was how restricted Andrew Bolt was from saying what he would have liked to have said simply because of the restrictions place upon his free speech, even among those who were overwhelmingly in support of his views.
Despite Andrew’s non-Christian beliefs, he is doing a better job of standing up for Christianity than the majority of those who would refer to themselves as Christians. It is a sad state of affairs. We as Christians need to do far more to stand up for the gospel and stand against the influx of new laws and trends being forced upon us by the powerful and faceless few.
Mario Del Giudice
Yes quite right Mario
Bolt puts most Christians to shame in this regard. If we would only be half as bold and outspoken as he is.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Two points….
1. I’ve yet to figure out why people escape a country and then try to turn their new country into a clone of the one they escaped from..
2. I think Christians should be more vocal about standing up to what we might call Christo-phobia. That approach seems to work for the gay lobby.
John Bennett
Thanks John
Yes you make two good points there.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Not to sound like a suck up, but I’m glad to say that you are one of the few that he does not put to shame. Keep fighting the good fight.
Mario Del Giudice
Many thanks Mario
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Just watched your input, on Today Tonight, brilliant and exactly what all oz thinks, but sadly most are too afraid to say. God bless and keep it up, my full support is with you.
Brian Carrick
Well said Bill. I do struggle time to time, as a Christian as to know how to respond to the threats facing us with these abhorrent laws and creeping Sharia.
The Q Society quietly works behind the scenes to educate the law makers and politicians as to what is the real agenda of Islamists. They have not long been formed and could do with many helpers to get on board. They are in most of the capital cities now.
http://www.qsociety.org.au/
The Australian Defence League who’s aim is to be out there to be seen in order to inform the public of Islamic stealth jihad are a good organisation. Contrary to media and politician’s slandering them as intolerant bigots who need to be dealt with, they conducted themselves with dignity and decorum at the Fed Square rally recently. I was there in the thick of it and the group were being constantly provoked by a much larger Marxist group. Only six policemen were sent to oversee the event.
http://www.libertiesalliance.org/2010/01/25/australian-defence-league-%E2%80%93-the-defence-league-movement-against-sharia-law-goes-global/
In a small way I support the above two organisation but also witness to Muslims of the love of God and hand out the Gospel of John and New Testaments. I do this in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. Living in Ballarat presents time restrictions but I try and get down once a week.
Bill although I feel that this witnessing is the most urgent and important thing to do, especially amongst the Muslim population, the two groups above are also necessary to push against the Islamisation of Australia. So here are some suggestions for your readers. God will not give us anything to do that He will not give us His enabling.
Keith Lewis
Bill I forgot to mention that the Q Society is having an information night in Melbourne this Thursday night. Readers can log on and request to attend.
Keith Lewis
Some great comments above. I am a great admirer of Andrew Bolt. Always interesting and always with an intelligent analysis of current events, it is absurd that he is in court with this ridiculous charge. What on earth did our servicemen and women fight for and die for in past wars, if it were not freedom of speech? You Bill and Andrew Bolt are two of a handful of journalists doing the work that almost all of the clergy are neglecting in what should be considered their pressing responsibility.
Frank Bellet, Petrie Qld
Thanks Keith
Yes there is a balance to maintain, as hard as it may be. We must love our Muslim neighbours and seek to win them to Jesus. On the other hand we have an obligation to resist creeping sharia. Hard to square both but we must try. I discuss all this in more detail here:
https://billmuehlenberg.com/2010/08/01/christianity-other-religions-and-islam/
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks Frank
I appreciate how you so regularly speak out as well. Keep up the good work.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Thanks guys.
It seems that our burka wearing mama is a serial offender, with a whole string of crimes:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/judge-could-not-be-sure-who-was-behind-the-veil/story-fn7x8me2-1226078801032
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
I agree that we must love our Muslim neighbours and I think part of that is saving them from Sharia law. You are not working against them by disallowing them to practice Sharia law. There are Muslims in Canada that are grateful that in 2005 the Ontario government chose not to allow it there. They can enjoy the freedoms that we enjoy in Canada instead of replicating the countries that they left, in far too many cases at least, for good reasons.
Dan Brinkman
Very good point Dan.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
Another part of the Orwellian Newspeak in the Sydney “Burka” case is the defending barrister’s defence of the rioting, chanting supporters of Ms Matthews.
He claimed that it was merely that they were celebrating in “a culturally appropriate way”.
This “culturally appropriate” business shows that the burka is not a core religious thing but merely a cultural thing.
It is part of a set of weasel words designed to give the impression of a religious belief which (heaven forfend!) is not to be offended against, and therefore is sacrosanct.
My foot! I am offended by their claim that Allah is “great”.
John Angelico
Bill the Q Society information meeting has been moved from this Thursday evening to July 14th. Readers will need to contact them through their website for venue and time closer to the date.
Keith Lewis
I smelt a rat on this Carnitha Matthews case. Seems from the information coming in that Judge Clive Jeffreys hated Police to begin with. He suddenly became a hand writing expert absurdly declaring it didn’t look like her signature.
The signs are there that Jeffreys went to the leftist “all cops are racists” school of victimisation.
He should be proud of himself he emboldened the Islamic bullies outside the court house and the already tribal, segregationist nature of the Islamic community.
Damien Spillane
Hear hear John. Jesus is Lord and worthy of all glory honour and worship.
The Allah uh Akbar chant is a taunt and an insult to our very faith and legal system – particularly in the context used. By using those words in that context I read the situation as those dozen or so present effectively giving the finger to the legal system of this country and affirming that they do not acknowledge it. Being entirely consistent with the view that sharia does not recognise any law other than itself.
While I am sure that there are many muslims in this country who are law abiding and appreciate the freedoms inherent in our system, it seems there is an increasing number who hold it in contempt. The sad thing is that they probably do not even fully understand the implications of what they think they hope for.
Phil Twiss
The thing that concerns me here are the Muslims who are trying to make an effort to integrate, pay their way and abide by the law. I think it is fair to say that there are some of them who are probably embarrassed by the conduct of these upstarts and I feel for them as they are eventually going to be pressured without mercy by these rabble rousers and hard liners who appear to have all the clout. I think the time will come when not only Christians are called to decide who they follow but also the Muslims who are trying to integrate will have to decide whether to either denounce Islam altogether or become like the radicals. As for Trevor Phillips above, just another perfect example of someone taken captive by the devil to do his will, Isaiah 5:20 also comes to mind here!
Steve Davis
I regularly read or hear of these Muslims who are “not like those militants”. If they are so good and without blemish and “in a majority”, where are these people protesting against those who are causing havoc? If anyone has heard any speak out favouring proper behaviour, let us all know, because I have never heard one. I do know that following the Muslim railway bombings over in London, a couple of years ago, a survey was taken in one section of England asking if they approved of the bombings. Those surveying received over 100,000 replies approving of the terrorism.
Frank Bellet, Petrie Qld.
Bill:
I am concerned about this type of situation occurring in the USA. The USA, because of the economics of oil, have allowed Saudi Arabia to build Islamic centers and mosques in the USA without much review by American communities. Those concerned have been labeled as Islamophobic. What can be done to avoid a Shariah or similar takeover in the USA?
Donald Johnston, US
Thanks Donald
An entire article would be needed to properly answer that question, but plenty can be done. Become better informed about the issues. Tell others about it. Vote for politicians who will not give in to creping sharia. Get involved with groups which are doing something about it. And so on. The sky is the limit really.
Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch
The U.S.A. isn’t our country anymore with the muslims taking over. This country is way to tolerant and all the political correct libs, and cowards, that let this creeping sharia creep in will allow these muslims to takeover the USA eventually. Islam is out to take over the world and the sorry excuses for politicians are just letting it happen. Christianity is not a threat, but Islam is! My God help us!
Jennifer McCulloch, US
The fact that the judge could not identify her signature because it could not be matched against her facial identity should be another reason why the wearing of the burka in public should be prohibited and the judge should be the first to persue this end, but from what has been said, that is not likely.
Isn’t it interesting to note the recent development of the greenback no longer being the currency on which the worlds finances are built around? Not sure that the chinese currency is a good replacement except for the fact that the church is very strong there, not officially of course, but it must make an impact with Christians outnumbering the communists 3 to 1.
Many blessings
Ursula Bennett