David Amess – Open Season on Christians

Attacks on Christians are becoming commonplace in the West:

These are dark days if you are a Christian. Or a conservative. Or pro-life. Or pro-family. Or outspoken about your faith. If you happen to be all of these things, watch out. What just happened in the UK to Sir David Amess, the Conservative MP who represented Southend West in Essex could happen to any one of us.

On Friday he was knifed to death while he was holding a constituency meeting at Belfairs Methodist Church. He was stabbed at least 12 times and died at the scene. One news report says this: “Horrified constituents waiting to see the veteran MP, who has campaigned to help refugees, watched in horror as the assailant leapt on him just after midday. Shortly after midday, the knifeman waited calmly in line after booking in at the constituency surgery before launching the fatal attack, according to witnesses.” https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10097509/Terror-police-probe-British-Muslim-Somali-descent-extremist-links-MP-stabbed.html

It turns out his killer was another Muslim import who did not exactly seem to embrace British values and beliefs. Ali Harbi Ali, a 25-year-old British national of Somali heritage is now under arrest. One news report says this of the killer:

The attack has been declared a terrorist incident by police. The early investigation revealed “a potential motivation linked to Islamist extremism”, according to Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command. Mr Ali was initially detained on suspicion of murder but was further detained under the Terrorism Act late on Friday. On Saturday, detectives were granted a warrant by magistrates to allow them to keep Mr Ali in custody until Friday 22 October. The force says it is believed that the man acted alone but enquiries are continuing. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-58922522

The 69-year-old Amess was a Conservative Party politician who had served as an MP from 1983. He was married and was the father of five children. LifeSiteNews said this in part about the man:

Sir David, who had been an MP since 1983, is Catholic and pro-life. His parliamentary website notes that his “main interests and areas of expertise are animal welfare and pro-life issues.” In a 2013 debate at Oxford, Amess argued passionately in defense of the role of religion in society, saying that “religion is at the heart of everything.”

 

“I was born a Catholic and I will die a Catholic. Just as if I had been born Jewish, I would have been proud to have been born a Jew,” Amess stated. “I’ve never met anyone … who have explained to me, in such a way that I could accept entirely, that there is no God.”

 

For Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI’s 2010 visit to the U.K., Sir David was part of a select group invited to Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh to welcome the Pontiff, along with the Queen, due to his role as Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on the Holy See.

 

Sir David, a father of five, has reflected his faith in his voting record on issues of abortion and LGBT matters, consistently voting in a pro-life manner, against assisted suicide and “buffer zones” around abortion clinics to prevent pro-life street counseling.

 

“Everything I have done as an MP I have been driven by the preservation of life,” he declared while campaigning in 2010. “I think we should preserve life at all cost, whether that is limits on abortion or not paving the way for assisted suicide.”

 

He has also consistently voted against same-sex “marriage,” despite public criticism from his daughter for his position, as she supports LGBT ideology and declares to be “very pro-gay rights.” Sir David joined a number of prominent Catholics from the U.K. in signing an open letter expressing their “profound dismay” at the Vatican’s secret “sell out” deal with China.

 

In November 2020, Amess joined fellow parliamentarians to demand that the government ease restrictions on churches so that religious ceremonies could occur at Christmas. “Whatever replaces the current restrictions in England from 3 December — whether that is new national measures or a local approach — we must never again stop people from attending religious services,” the 70 politicians wrote. https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-pro-life-british-mp-stabbed-to-death-while-meeting-with-constituents/

Voice for Justice UK said this about Amess and his murder:

The MP’s death in such tragic circumstances would always have provoked horror and heartfelt regret, and are thoughts and prayers are with Sir David’s family and friends at this sad time. But – without prejudging the outcome of the police investigation – it takes on even deeper resonance if this was a politically motivated attack, underpinned by a focused desire to topple and destroy British society and values. Because that is what such extremism is – an attack on our heritage and values, with the intention of destroying who we are and what we stand for.

 

Many tributes have been paid to Sir David over the last 24 hours, but what really stands out is that he was a man of deep Christian faith, who demonstrated in his life Christ’s command to love and treat others as we would be treated ourselves. What is perhaps less known, or maybe publicly acknowledged, was his unfailing support for the protection of the unborn. In circumstances such as this, it’s often said in tribute that the victim will be sorely missed – but in Sir David Amess’ case this is 100% true. We have lost a committed and faithful ally, a man of faith, who gave his all – literally – to serve.

 

The question arises, however, how do we as a society now guard against the evil that has taken root within? The evil that cloaks itself in lies and weasel words of seeming support, only waiting opportunity to strike?

 

VfJUK suggests that, as a society, we could do no better than to follow the example of Sir David himself. That we recover as a nation our Christian identity and faith, seeking in all things to act with love, fairness, kindness, and strength towards all. https://vfjuk.org.uk/tribute-to-sir-david-amess-mp-may-he-rest-in-peace/

And a Christian news site said this:

Mervyn Thomas, the founder president of religious freedom charity Christian Solidarity was a friend of his. Speaking to Premier, he said: “He was just one of those nice people. He was certainly a social conservative, he was quite right wing. He was certainly a Brexiteer, he took a firm stance on abortion and gay marriage and those kinds of things and yet, he was popular across the house. Politicians of all parties liked and revered David.

 

“He was a great guy to be around. He was deeply religious, devout and a really God fearing man. He was kind and compassionate, deeply caring. That came across in everything he said and did.” Encouraging Christians to pray, he said: “First of all pray for his wife and family at this time. What they’re going through…I just can’t begin to think so we need to uphold them in prayer that they’ll find some peace in this. Also his staff in Parliament.

 

“Everybody knows that David was a man of faith and sometimes people can blame God in situations like this but pray that this will turn people to God rather than the other way.” Archbishop of York Most Rev Stephen Cottrell knew Sir David, having grown up in his constituency and served as Bishop of Chelmsford.

 

Speaking to Premier, he said: “I don’t think any of us can get our heads around it. I consider David a friend so it’s deeply shocking. “He was a devout Christian and a supporter of the life of the Church. I can’t speak highly enough of him as a human being. A great Christian, a great MP.” https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/tributes-pour-in-for-god-fearing-christian-mp-sir-david-amess-who-s-died-after-being-stabbed

Of course much more can be said about this case. It entails not just anti-Christian bigotry and a hatred of conservatives, but it is yet another example of political Islam being alive and well in the West. Europe especially has let in millions of Muslims over recent years, in the name of multiculturalism and inclusion and acceptance.

While the majority of these folks may not go around stabbing people to death, there have of course been many thousands of cases of jihad attacks throughout the West. The ever helpful Religion of Peace website keeps a running total of these attacks. Consider this shocker of a statistic:

Since the September 11 twin towers assault of just over twenty years ago, there have been 40,226 deadly terror attacks carried out in the name of Islam. That is over 2000 such attacks every year! In fact, in just one week (October 2-8) there were 42 attacks in 13 countries resulting in 263 deaths and 287 injuries. https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/

Religion of peace indeed. Between militant Islam and an increasingly militant and hate-filled secular left, it really has become open season on Christians and conservatives. These are dangerous times to be alive. We must stand strong, and we must keep ourselves and our loved ones surrounded in prayer.

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7 Replies to “David Amess – Open Season on Christians”

  1. What an incredibly sad loss. The changes that have happened in a few short decades in the UK have been utterly tragic.

  2. Thanks Bill for this wonderful tribute to a special man – pro life etc. I am in tears. Although I am now in Australia I was born and lived in South on Sea, and family from that area, and took my wife to that place a few years ago as this was a bastion of good values and strong Christianity. Thanks again Bill for calling out attacks on Christians.

  3. “a 25-year-old British national of Somali heritage” It’s interesting how the word ‘Muslim’ is NEVER used.
    It’s the safe “British national” in order to take the sting out of the report; the “Somali heritage” is slipped in – like Australian heritage or car salesman…But don’t mention the words ‘Muslim’ or ‘Islam’…especially with regard to the ‘Religion of Peace.’

  4. He stood up to his daughter over the alphabet people. Something that is increasingly rare among Christians. Way too many rethink the whole issue when a relative especially offspring come out or show overt support of the alphabet people. He correctly put GOD before FAMILY!

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