THE METHODIST CHURCH VOICES CONCERN OVER GOVERNMENT PROPOSALS ABOUT COMBATTING EXTREMISM IN PLACES OF WORSHIP

The Methodist Church has welcomed the opportunity to comment onthe recent government consultation document 'Preventing ExtremismTogether: Places of Worship'. The Church's response to thedocument, however, voices serious misgivings about some of thelegislative proposals to combat extremist behaviour in places ofworship.

Anthea Cox, Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and SocialJustice comments that; 'We consider that action in this area isboth unnecessary and counter-productive as there are very fewinstances where a place of worship has been used to fomentterrorist behaviour. If the discussion of these issues is removedfrom places of worship, there will be no opportunity for those inthe mainstream teaching of the faith to argue for alternativeinterpretations of the texts. Because of such matters, we arestrongly urging the government not to implement theseproposals.'

There are also concerns that while the proposals cover all placesof worship, they will be seen as being targeted specifically atmosques, exacerbating religious and social tensions. There seems tobe a real danger that the proposed measures could be more harmfulthan helpful.