The Moderator’s response to recent incidents of racism towards Jewish people

The Moderator’s response to recent incidents of racism towards Jewish people

Wednesday, 3 September, 2014

Rev. Dr Brian Brown, Moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of NSW and the ACT has provided the following statement in response to recent incidents of racism towards Jewish people in Sydney.

The Uniting Church Synod of NSW and the ACT affirms the great value of the Australian multicultural community, and the right for every person and cultural group to abide safely and harmoniously in that community.

In the light of this conviction, and our commitment to the Common Good, we are particularly concerned about the recent rise in anti-Semitic incidents in Sydney, including an abusive pamphlet calling for action from “White Australia” against Jewish people.

We strongly condemn the distribution of such hateful anti-Semitic materials to the community. Whatever our views may be about conflicts in other parts of the world, as strong proponents of an inclusive, harmonious, peaceful, multicultural and cross-cultural Australia, we find no place nor right to harm nor express hatred towards any individual, religious or cultural group. We especially want to stand with our Jewish friends at this time against bigotry and unjustified hatred directed at them.

In a similar vein, we empathise with and affirm the Australian Islamic community as they suffer from the negative language and tone of recent public statements and media coverage in the light of conflict in Northern Iraq and Syria.

As Australians, we have a wonderful opportunity and solemn responsibility to demonstrate, by the accepting and hospitable way we relate to one another, what true harmonious community is all about.

For Further Information Please Contact:

Lisa Sampson, Media Manager
T:  02 8267 4303 M: 0414 947 000
E:  lisas@nsw.uca.org.au

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2 thoughts on “The Moderator’s response to recent incidents of racism towards Jewish people”

  1. Re this article on the response to recent incidents of racism towards Jewish people, I agree that it’s vital to “strongly condemn the distribution of such hateful anti-Semitic materials.”

    But there is one point I think is dangerous to non-Muslims: “we empathise with and affirm the Australian Islamic community as they suffer from the negative language and tone of recent public statements and media coverage in the light of conflict in Northern Iraq and Syria. As Australians, we have a wonderful opportunity and solemn responsibility to demonstrate, by the accepting and hospitable way we relate to one another, what true harmonious community is all about.”

    I think we need to show Islam for what it is – something that has a worse ideology toward what they term infidels than the Nazi party had re Jews.

    Of course there are many nice Muslims – it’s important to affirm that.

    But an important question is: why are they staying with a religion with an ideology that includes, as just a few examples from the Quran:

    Quran: Al Taubah (9 – 29): Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last day, nor hold the forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and his messenger, nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth from among the People of the Book, until they pay the Jaziyah with willing submission. And feel themselves subdued.

    Quran: Al Anfal (8 – 12): When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.

    Quran: Al Bayyinah (98 – 6): Lo! Those who disbelieve, among the people of the Scripture and idolaters, will abide in fire of hell. They are the worst of created beings.

    Quran: Muhammad (47 – 4): When you meet the unbelievers in the Jihad strike off their heads and, when you have laid them low, bind your captives firmly. Then grant them their freedom or take ransom from them, until War shall lay down her burdens.

    Quran: Al Haqqah (69 – 30.37): Take him and fetter him and expose him to hell fire. And then insert him in a chain whereof the length is seventy cubits. Lo! He used not to believe in Allah the tremendous, and urged not on the feeding of the wretched. Therefore hath he no lover hear this day nor any food save filth which none but sinners eat.

    Quran: Al Anfal (8 – 65): “O Prophet, exhort the believers to fight. If there be of you 20 steadfast, they will overcome 200 and if there be of you a 100, they shall overcome a 1000, because the disbelievers are a folk without intelligence.”

    Quran: Al Anfal (8 – 67.68): “It is not for any Prophet to have captives until he hath made slaughter in the land. You desire the lure of this world and Allah desires for you the hereafter and Allah is Mighty, Wise. Now enjoy what you have won as lawful and good and keep your duty to Allah. Lo! Allah is forgiving, merciful.”

    Quran: Al Taubah (9 – 123): O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you and let them find harshness in you and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty.

    Quran: Al Dukhan (44 – 40.49): The fruit of the Zaqqum tree shall be the unbelievers’s fruit. Like dregs of oil, like scalding water, it shall simmer in his belly. A voice will cry: “Seize him and drag him into the depths of Hell.” Then pour out scalding water over his head, saying: “Taste this, illustrious and honourable man!” This is the punishment which you have doubted.

    Quran: Al Dahr (76 – 1.5): For the unbelievers, We have prepared chains and fetters and a blazing Fire.

    Quran: Al Haj (22 – 19 & 22 – 23): Garments of fire have been prepared for the unbelievers. Scalding water shall be poured upon their heads, melting their skins and that which is in their bellies. They shall be lashed rods of iron. Whenever, in their anguish, they try to escape from Hell, back they shall be dragged, and will be told: “Taste the torment of the Conflagration!”

    Quran: Al Bayinah (98 – 1.8): The unbelievers among the People of the Book and the pagans shall burn forever in the fire of Hell. They are the vilest of all creatures.

    Quran: Al Ma’idah (5 – 57): Believers, do not seek the friendship of the infidels and those who were given the Book before you, who have made your religion a jest and a pasttime.

    Quran: Al Ma’idah (5 – 51): Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends. They are friends with one another. Whoever of you, seeks their friendship shall become one of their number. Allah does not guide the wrong doers. ”

    Quran: Al-Ma’idah (5 – 33): ‘Execution, or Crucifixion, or the Cutting and Removing Off of hands and feet from OPPOSITE sides, or exile from the land.’ That is their disgrace in this world and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter.”

    THIS IS ALL HORRIFIC. Why are nice Muslims – and you – not speaking out against this.

  2. I find it very heartening to hear the voice of the UCA, through our Moderator, continuing to come out strongly to support all oppressed groups. I just wish some of the bigots would read the long cruel history against the Jewish race.

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