What a few days it has been in Britain, after the attack in Westminster, on 22 March. I don't really know how to express how I feel, without someone, calling me a racist, which I am not. I have written many times about Islam and Muslim extremism and will continue to express my views, however I feel, appropriate. The reality is, for me at least, I am sick to death of hearing about religion; it has no relevance in the modern world or my life. I am a deeply spiritual person, however I am not religious, nor do I worship a profit or God, whose words are irrelevant, sexist, homophobic and 2000 years old. How can I possibly believe in something, the teachings of which, cause so much harm, to other people. Those Muslim radicals, who preach hate, are not God fearing, good, or indeed moral, in the same way, most decent people are. Faith should be about love, respect and equality. Do you really think, for one moment, terrible acts of terrorism, are part and parcel of religious doctrine?
In London, a British born Muslim, rampaged along Westminster bridge, trying to cause as much destruction as he could; finally he stabbed a dedicated Policeman to death, outside the House of Commons. We are told, he was a lone man; Isis referred to him, as one of their own and many arrests have been made, in relation to this attack. Personally, I do not believe this man acted unaided. He may well have carried out the attack solo, but there were many others complicit, in this dreadful atrocity. This British citizen learned to kill from somewhere or someone; whether online or in mosques and meeting places. The teachers, preachers and Imams, leaders of the religion he held dear, are all equally responsible. These instruments of evil are still walking British streets, spouting the language of loathing and revulsion, yet Britain stands by and does very little!
It is all very well, having freedom of speech, in a liberal democracy, as Britain is, but we have people who do not conform to our shared values, living among us. They don't follow the same rules, as you or I, consequently, we need stronger measures to deal with these individuals. We are losing the battle against radicalism, because we are too bothered about upholding the civil liberties we enjoy, at the expense of protecting the vast majority of the British public. We are leaving ourselves vulnerable to attack, because our political correctness refuses to allow us, to do more. Surely it is time to deal with these people head on. If we have the slightest belief someone could hurt others, they should be removed from a civilised society. The guy who caused this murder and mayhem in London, was on a watch list, yet was free and not considered a threat.
When the clean up is over and inquires are finished, we will be told, this should never happen again, the Government will introduce new security measures and life will go on, much the same as it did before. The trouble is, there will always be others, waiting in the wings, to commit more crimes and murder more people, in the name of Allah. We still wouldn't have dealt with the cause of religious zealotry and these people will still be our neighbours.
After every attack, of this nature, we always review our security, yet these assaults still happen. Surely it is time to rethink our strategy. Europe's open door policy, allowing refugees and terrorists into its nations, unable to distinguish between the two, is dead in the water. The only way you are going to stop these appalling tragedies from occurring, is by dealing with all those, who attempt to enter Europe, in the Countries, from which they are fleeing, before they reach European boarders; stop bringing the problem home. Then of course you have home grown terrorists. These are more difficult to deal with. Here it is time for re-education, harder policing of the internet, restricting all extremist sites and accounts and controversially Government inspectors to inspect Mosques, unannounced, checking on standards of teaching; reviewing those who attend such meetings and the immediate closure of all those establishments that do not meet Government guidelines. As with schools, who full below required standards, a team of professionals, from the Muslim community, approved by The Home Office, should be sent in to improve ethics, ideals and morals, removing any harmful influences.
I do not believe Islam is entirely an evil religion. I disagree with everything it stands for, but in an open, liberated society, we have to have freedoms to practice whatever belief we want, even if I disagree with it. Closer monitoring, removal and detention of extremists, re-education, closure of boarders, until stricter immigration rules are introduced and a no tolerance policy, on anyone considered a threat should be used to help eradicate this problem. If we fail to deal with these issues now our children will not forgive us, for the mess we leave behind. All religious extremism needs to be outlawed; we need to start the process of change now. This problem demands radical ideas. All sectors of society should be asked to contribute to a national debate, a consensus reached and solutions implemented. All our futures depend on the path we take today, not tomorrow!
