Why no prayers for dead terrorist?

The hustings event in Whitstable on Friday was a joy to be a part of. Great work by the host and the venue and a top effort from the four candidates. Great work, too, from the boisterous and challenging electorate who refused to be silenced. Democracy in the raw. Just one thing. It was the same day as the attack in London. A resident priest chose to make a speech at the opening, to propose a prayer at an essentially secular event. It was her venue, her choice, her beliefs. I have no issue with that. She gave a prayer and she explained that no one had to join in. It was very civilised and reasonable. Pray or don’t pray – your choice. Could everyone be silent and reflect? No problem with that either. I was respectfully silent and reflected. Just one thing. She proposed that we pray for the two dead people. Two? Two victims plus one man shot by the police.

I make that three. Maybe that makes me a terrorist apologist. I think the dead attacker probably had a mother and father. He maybe had other relatives too. Small children, perhaps. Kill him dead if it prevents a bomb killing others. Erase him from our thoughts and prayers? That reeks of ignorance and prejudice. Surely not in the enlightened church?

I am an ex-teacher. In China, teachers are called engineers of the soul. This contribution is a small attempt to engineer the soul of the nation. Can we please think of all humanity in these attacks? However deranged or deluded or frustrated or angry or immoral, all humanity deserves to be acknowledged in death and in life. I am not seeking an apology from the priest – they may well be embarrassed by their oversight. I seek to change the world. Violence is almost always evil. Terrorists use violence and that is almost always evil. But even terrorists are human. I for one will think of their families and pray for them as I pray for their victims. From the horror perhaps our shared humanity may shine.

Nick Hayes