The Crisis Facing Britain
The rise of Islam is confronting Britain with a very serious crisis. The demographics indicate that the proportion of Muslims is increasing rapidly and it
is evident that little cultural assimilation is taking place. There are increasing numbers of Muslim mayors and Muslim members of Parliament, and with the influx of migrants the visibility of Islam increases daily. If present trends continue, Britain may become a Muslim country in the lifetime of some of our readers (the example of the SNP in Scotland shows that even a minority of the electorate can dominate in politics, if they are sufficiently united).
Most or all the countries of Western Europe are facing the same problem, and some of them have made feeble efforts to address it. None of these efforts recognise the root of the problem, which is that God has sent Islam as a scourge to chasten or punish the secularism of the western world. In France, attempts have been made to ban the burkini – the reason being given is that the wearing of the burkini does not “respect secularism”. In other words, women are expected to dress in a less modest fashion in honour of secularism. This is not the sort of opposition to Islam that God is likely to bless.
In Britain, our rulers steadfastly refuse to acknowledge the danger from Islam. The promotion of sodomy continues unabated, especially by the BBC, and the hatred of the secularists is directed, not at Islam, but at Christianity. This open hatred manifests itself at “gay pride” marches and on internet sites. Nevertheless, Christianity is (we think) the only thing that can save Britain from becoming an Islamic country. One great need is the compulsory teaching of the Bible in schools, so that children growing up in Britain are confronted with the truth and the authority of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is the true “British value” that should be promoted. As long as the secularists and humanists and sodomites oppose this remedy, they will find that every other effort to resist Islam is in vain. It seems almost inconceivable at the moment that the Bible will be restored to our schools, but this is what we should be praying for. “When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream” (Ps 126:1). DWBS
Humanist Campaign Against Christian Education
The humanist campaign against Christianity continues relentlessly, and nowhere is this more evidently seen than in the sphere of education. The secularists are convinced – as are promoters of all anti-Christian systems – that if young minds can be prejudiced against religion at an early stage, in spite of what their parents may believe, they can be won over to a secular outlook. In England and Wales, since 2006, pupils have been free to withdraw from religious lessons without any parental intervention. The Humanist Society Scotland (HSS) wants to have this “liberty” extended to Scotland – the ultimate aim being to eliminate statutory religious education.
The HSS has published two new pamphlets, A Guide for Non-Religious
Parents and A Guide for Non-Religious Young People. Copies of both have been sent to all Directors of Education in Scotland accompanied by a letter highlighting the “necessity” that all parents (and their children) be made aware of the right to withdraw pupils from religious education. The booklets give advice on how to opt out of religious assemblies and observance, and how to complain when they feel their wishes are not being respected. A template is provided to help compose opt-out letters.
The Society says, “The guides are a helpful tool to empower the two-thirds of non-religious young people in Scotland to have a greater say in their education”. Gary McLelland, HSS head of communications and public affairs, states, “Many people across Scotland feel uncomfortable about the religious content of the school system but are unsure about what their legal rights are. Every week, we hear from parents asking for advice about opting their child out of religious observance, or pupils wanting to include non-religious views – such as humanism – in their own RME [religious and moral education] classes, but are not sure how to do it”.
Unashamedly he adds, “It is our ultimate aim to see religious observance scrapped and replaced with a more inclusive activity, such as philosophy, but until then we will campaign to make sure that all parents and young people are aware of their rights.” Clearly the aim is to rid all schools in Scotland of religious education.
However, we are thankful for some restraint. Earlier this year, humanists’ appeals to the Scottish Government for pupils to have the right to opt-out were rejected – in spite of a United Nations report recommending that ministers replace the existing guidance, which makes it compulsory for pupils to attend faith-based classes (unless, of course, their parents have requested such an opt-out). Mr McLelland is deeply unhappy that Holyrood will not comply with his secular agenda, complaining, “The Scottish Government continues to drag its feet over children’s rights by not allowing senior pupils to opt out of religious observance – it really is time that we had a serious discussion about the place that religion has in Scottish education today”.
In spite of his determination to flood schools with humanist literature, and his demands for “children’s rights”, Mr McLelland appears intolerant of Christian books – even books containing only a proportion of Christian material – being distributed. Protesting about the religious content of a guidance book – which has a section recommending seeking guidance from God in prayer – and handed out at a Perthshire school leavers’ event in Scone, he claims, “As you know, many millions of Scots live life without religion. We believe that this material is not appropriate; it promotes one religious belief as more valid than the other and has the potential to cause distress for some
children”. Objections by Mr McLelland, on behalf of a parent, resulted in the head teacher agreeing to withdraw the book completely. Such is the influence of humanism.
Humanists are also stepping up their efforts to have religious representatives on council education committees removed. The HSS expresses concern about “religious appointees who have full voting rights without ever seeking a mandate from the electorate”. A recent HSS report, “Religion in Scots Law”, concludes that while other areas of life, including marriage, have become more secular, education is the “major exception”. Clearly education is firmly on the HSS radar.
The new “Enlighten Up” campaign by the HSS is closely focused on training humanist school visitors to take part in classes, group discussions and debates. Parents therefore need to be alert to this insidious infiltration of our schools. Tragically, far from “enlightening” children, it is leading them further into the kingdom of darkness. How solemn are the words of the Saviour, “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Mt 6:23). We need to pray for the young, exposed as they are to so many dangers and to the snares of a godless world. Above all we need the power of the Holy Spirit, who is so grieved by us, to return to our land and to our hearts. He alone can destroy every work of darkness. KHM