Sir,
It was with disbelief that I read your article of the 11th September detailing the views of the FCC regarding the planned mosque in Stornoway.
I would be interested to find out whether the FCC thinks that the Muslim community of Stornoway does not currently worship and pray due to their current lack of official religious premises?
Indeed, maybe the FCC would like to be pointed in the direction of Luke 10:27, which states that “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.”
Letter: Stornoway mosque -
13 Sept 2017
I am not a believer myself, but it strikes me as nothing short of sheer hypocrisy that people who profess to follow the teachings of the bible are able to ignore passages such as the above, in order to spread their bigotry. Are Muslims not our neighbours? It is simply draconian to suggest that a group of people are unwelcome simply because they hold differing beliefs.
It would appear, on the surface at least, that this morally deficient attack on the right of Muslims to have a place of worship, is simply to mask the insecurities of the FCC, for surely one who is staunch in his beliefs would see no reason to find fault with someone else’s beliefs, to the point that they will publicly condemn them and oppose them to such an extent.
The FCC states that “If a mosque ever opens, Islam will be able to promote itself in our midst through public worship, despite its beliefs and practices being alien to the religious convictions of the vast majority of our community.” What they don’t seem to realise is that the Muslims aren’t asking anyone to join in, or to convert to Islam. If you don’t like the way Muslims worship, don’t do it.
It amuses me greatly that the FCC has called for prayer to oppose the mosque, and that they go so far as to call its opposition a kindness. What kindness it is to bully and marginalise others for their beliefs! What kindness it is to spread hate and fear and to encourage others to do the same!
If the FCC finds fault with Islam, then I would be swift to point out that the Bible, or at least the Old Testament, advocates slavery, rape, the killing of children, and worse! If those of Christian faith are allowed to choose the good parts that they wish to live their lives by, then why should Muslims not be allowed to do the same?
Live and let live.
Cameron Thompson
Broadbay View
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Lewis