Thought for the week

IN the early 1980s Francis from Lebanon stayed with us for a few days.

He was in the UK on a speaking tour, explaining to his audiences what it was like as a Christian to live in a country alongside Palestinian terrorists.

At that time the PLO were a ‘government within a government’, having been expelled from Jordan.

On Bonfire Night we were taking some young people from the church to the Council-run fireworks display, and invited Francis to come with us.

He asked me what we were celebrating.

Recognising that English was his third, or maybe fourth language, I tried to explain as simply as possible what Guy Fawkes Night was all about.

I have always remembered his response: “Ah! You are celebrating the downfall of terrorism!”

I had never thought of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 in that way before, but he was right.

Regrettably we have not seen the end of terrorism, as we hear reports nearly every day.

But today it has been broadened to what could be called verbal terrorism – violently attacking someone where we disagree with their views, not just their actions.

Unfortunately the attacks are not confined to words, but include threats, injury and even murder.

There is a saying, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

That is a hallmark of a civilised society, from which we in Britain are rapidly retreating.

Today people are being excluded from social media, physically attacked or even killed because of the views they express, as Jesus was 2,000 years ago. How long will it be before the Bible itself is banned?