BREAKING: Cameron Says 'Islam is a Religion of Peace... We Will Destroy ISIL With an Iron Determination'

by Breitbart London 14 Sep 2014, 3:58 AM PDT

The Prime Minister has said that tragic news of the beheading of British citizen David Haines by ISIS terrorists will not prompt the United Kingdom into a knee-jerk reaction, though he promised to "destroy ISIL with an iron determination".

David Cameron announced moments ago that Britain's strategy against ISIS remains the same – with the main idea still being to create a regional coalition to challenge ISIS, with Turkey, Saudi Arabia and others due to play a role.

He called the terrorist organisation – known as ISIS, ISIL, and the Islamic State – "the embodiment of evil" and claimed that the British government "will hunt down those responsible and bring them to justice no matter how long it takes".

"The fact that an aid worker was taken… sums up what this organisation stands for," he said.

"They are killing and slaughtering thousands of people… they boast of their brutality… they claim to do this in the name of Islam, that is nonsense, Islam is a religion of peace. They are not Muslims, they are monsters".

"They have planned and continue to plan attacks in europe and in our country"

Cameron laid out the current 5 point strategy in place: "First we will work with the iraqi government... we will support the Kurdish Regional Government who is holding the front line against ISIL... [Second], we will work at the United Nations to mobilise the broadest possible support to bear own on ISIL".

"[Thirdly]...The united states is taking military action, we support that… this is not about British combat troops on the ground it is about working with others... we are ready to take whatever steps are necessary to keep our country safe".

"[Fourth]... we will continue to support the humanitarian efforts, using the RAF (Royal Air Force) to do so".

"[Fifth]... we will… continue to reinforce our formidable counter terrorism effort in this country".

The lack of a refreshed response will likely attract criticism from those wishing that the West would take a stronger line on ISIS. Western leaders such as David Cameron and Barack Obama have used their press conferences about ISIS in recent weeks to make stronger statements about how "ISIS is not Islamic" rather than how they intend to tackle the terrorist group.

While a number of UK Muslim organisations have condemned the killing, it is clear that British security services fear attacks on the British homeland, and this may explain Cameron's reluctance to go in harder against ISIS.

Mr Cameron spoke just after midday following his chairing of a Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBRA) meeting this morning.

He is said to have been upset with his new Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond earlier this week, when Hammond told a press conference in Germany that the UK had no plans to launch airstrikes in Syria. Mr Hammond was almost immediately contradicted by Number 10, who claimed that all options were still on the table.

Mr Hammond attended the COBRA meeting this morning but is said to have left early and before anyone else.


Source

.

David Cameron and Barack Obama: We will not be cowed by barbaric killers

Last updated at 12:01AM, September 4 2014


As Russia holds a gun to Ukraine and Islamic extremists commit despicable murder, Nato must strengthen its alliance

When Nato last met in Britain in 1990 the Cold War was ending. As Margaret Thatcher and President Bush Sr pledged to continue to stand together, many might have thought that a new era of peace and prosperity would make this great security alliance less relevant. But today Nato is as vital to our future as it has ever been.

We meet at a time when the world faces many dangerous and evolving challenges. To the east, Russia has ripped up the rulebook with its illegal, self-declared annexation of Crimea and its troops on Ukrainian soil threatening a sovereign nation

To see the full article you need to subscribe

Source.

Syria: Putin backs Assad and berates west over proposal to arm rebels

Russian president says backing 'those who kill their enemies and eat their organs' flouts Europe's humanitarian values


Patrick Wintour in Enniskillen
The Guardian, Sunday 16 June 2013

David Cameron, left, with Russia's President Vladimir Putin after they held talks in Downing Street on differences over the Syrian crisis. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA


A diplomatic breakthrough on the Syrian civil war at the G8 summit in Northern Ireland appeared unlikely when the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, chastised the west for considering arming Syrian rebels, saying they ate human organs. He said Russia by contrast was arming the legitimate government of Syria.

Speaking after a difficult meeting with Putin in Downing Street, David Cameron claimed both men were in agreement on the need to end the human catastrophe of the civil war. But there was little to suggest the two men made progress on how to convene a fresh Syrian peace conference in Geneva, let alone who should attend, or its agenda.

In icy exchanges at a press conference, Putin said: "You will not deny that one does not really need to support the people who not only kill their enemies, but open up their bodies, eat their intestines in front of the public and cameras. Are these the people you want to support? Is it them who you want to supply with weapons? Then this probably has little relation to humanitarian values that have been preached in Europe for hundreds of years."

Putin's remarks will find an echo on the Conservative benches, where there is strong resistance to arming the Syrian opposition. Cameron has argued that it is possible to arm the pluralist democratic elements of the opposition, and he too wants to drive al-Qaida from Syria.

The talks Putin followed a decision by President Barack Obama's administration to arm rebels trying to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad after the US said it had obtained proof that the Syrian government had used chemical weapons. Some of the proof was provided by British scientists at Porton Down, and Cameron has now accused Assad of committing war crimes.

Cameron admitted the Russians and the UK held different points of view, but said the two countries would put aside their differences and focus on the "common ground" – organising peace talks between the parties in Geneva. Putin said he fully shared Cameron's view that the civil war could be ended "only by political and diplomatic means".

Cameron added: "We both see the humanitarian catastrophe. We both see the dangers of instability and extremism. We both want to see a peace process and a transition. The challenge for the G8 … is to put aside some of these differences."

The Russian leader, who arrived an hour late for the talks, said he wanted to help broker a peace deal for Syria, and he hoped the G8 summit in Northern Ireland could advance that process. Putin insisted his government was "not breaching any rules" in supplying weapons to Bashar al-Assad's "legitimate government" and called on partner G8 countries to respect the same rules.

"What I take from our conversation today is that we can overcome these differences if we recognise that we share some fundamental aims: to end the conflict, to stop Syria breaking apart, to let the Syrian people decide who governs them, and to take the fight to the extremists and defeat them," said Cameron.

In a sign of deteriorating relations among the G8, the Canadian prime minister, Steve Harper, claimed Putin was backing Assad's "thugs".

"I don't think we should fool ourselves," he said. "This is G7 plus one. We in the west have a very different perspective on this situation. Mr Putin and his government are supporting the thugs of the Assad regime for their own reasons that I do not think are justifiable, and Mr Putin knows my view on that."

Cameron's argument that it was possible to keep arms supplies out of the hands of extremist elements of the rebels was flatly contradicted by the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, who warned that there would be no way to prevent weapons ending up in the hands of "al-Qaida-affliated thugs".

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Johnson said some elements of the rebels were fighting "not for freedom but for a terrifying Islamic state in which they would have the whip hand – and yet there is no dodging or fudging the matter: these are among the Syrian rebels who are hoping now to benefit from the flow of Western arms".

Cameron was also under pressure from his coalition partners the Liberal Democrats to avoid dragging Britain into a military conflict. Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, implied that the case for intervention was less clear cut than in Libya or Iraq.

The shadow foreign secretary, Douglas Alexander, said MPs of all parties were feeling unease. "For months Labour has called on the government to answer basic questions about their approach, such as how the prime minister would ensure that weapons supplied did not fall into the wrong hands, and how this step would help to de-escalate the conflict rather than prolong it.

"The G8 is a key window of opportunity for David Cameron to exert pressure on President Putin and it is vital that he uses the coming hours to do so."

Tory MP Julian Lewis said it would be "suicidal" for Britain to hand arms to an opposition the government admits includes extremist elements.

He told the BBC's Radio 4: "The reason it would be suicidal would be that in taking over Syria they would also inherit Syria's arsenal of weapons, including in particular the nerve gas which is the centre of so much attention.

"In the past we have gone to war because we feared that weapons of mass destruction might fall into the hands of al-Qaida and it would be absolutely crazy to assist al-Qaida to get their hands on the very sorts of weapons we must keep away from them at all costs.

"I have little doubt the prime minister would struggle to get this achieved by parliament, because so many think it is not in Britain's national interest."

Source

.

PM calls on the Church to defend 'values and moral code' of the Bible

Speak up for Christianity, Cameron tells Archbishop: PM calls on the Church to defend 'values and moral code' of the Bible

•  PM said it's easier to be Jewish or Muslim in Britain than in a secular country like   France
•  
• Britons 'treasured' responsibility, hard work, charity, compassion, humility, self-sacrifice, love and pride in working for the common good, says PM
• 
  
•  Even admitted he was only a 'vaguely practising' Christian with 'full of doubts' about --theological issues

• 
  

By TIM SHIPMAN

Last updated at 9:52 PM on 16th December 2011

Taking a moral stand: Prime Minister David Cameron said it was time to teach right from wrong

David Cameron last night called on the Archbishop of Canterbury to lead a return to the ‘moral code’ of the Bible.

In a highly personal speech about faith, the Prime Minister accused Dr Rowan Williams of failing to speak ‘to the whole nation’ when he criticised Government austerity policies and expressed sympathy with the summer rioters.

Mr Cameron declared Britain ‘a Christian country’ and said politicians and churchmen should not be afraid to say so. 

He warned that a failure to ‘stand up and defend’ the values and morals taught by the Bible helped spark the riots and fuelled terrorism.

At Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, where Dr Williams used to teach, Mr Cameron said the time has come for public figures to teach ‘right from wrong’, and questioned whether the Church of England has done enough to defend those values in the face of the ‘moral neutrality’ that pervades modern life. 

And taking aim at the Archbishop, Mr Cameron tackled head-on his public criticisms of the Government over the last 12 months.

The speech was a bold Christmas gamble by Mr Cameron. In making a speech about religion, he did something that Tony Blair always longed to do but was talked out of by spin doctor Alastair Campbell, who flatly told him: ‘We don’t do God.’ 

The clash between the Government and Church is at its most acute since former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Robert Runcie clashed with Margaret Thatcher’s government in the 1980s.

The Prime Minister appeared emboldened by his opinion poll bounce since his decision to wield the veto during the Eurozone crisis summit in Brussels last week.

Admitting that he had ‘entered the lion’s den’ by addressing an audience of churchmen, Mr Cameron said: ‘I certainly don’t object to the Archbishop of Canterbury expressing his views on politics.

Challenged: The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, should take the lead in promoting Christian teachings, according to the Prime Minister

‘But just as it is legitimate for religious leaders to make political comments, he shouldn’t be surprised when I respond.

‘I believe the Church of England has a unique opportunity to help shape the future of our communities. But to do so it must keep on the agenda that speaks to the whole country.’ 

At an event to mark the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible, he said: ‘We are a Christian country and we should not be afraid to say so.

More...

• Festive ding-dong erupts in village after vicar sacks his bell ringers just days before Christmas
• 
  

'The Bible has helped to give Britain a set of values and morals which make Britain what it is today. Values and morals we should actively stand up and defend.

‘Whether you look at the riots last summer, the financial crash and the expenses scandal or the on-going terrorist threat from Islamist extremists around the world, one thing is clear, moral neutrality or passive tolerance just isn’t going to cut it any more.

David Cameron said it was 'easier for people to practise other faiths when Britain had confidence in its Christian identity'

‘Put simply, for too long we have been unwilling to distinguish right from wrong. “Live and let live” has too often become “do what you please”.

‘Bad choices have too often been defended as just different lifestyles. To be confident in saying something is wrong is not a sign of weakness, it’s a strength.’ 

 Mr Cameron’s demands for a ‘moral code’ were directed at human rights apologists and Left-wing politicians who recoil from promoting Britain’s Christian heritage.

But they also covered the hand-wringing pronouncements of many senior churchmen, who refuse to condemn lawbreaking by rioters and show unwillingness to take on militant Islam for fear of offending Muslims.

The PM said an ‘almost fearful, passive tolerance of religious extremism’ had let Islamic extremism grow unchallenged and called for the promotion of ‘Christian values’ saying it was ‘profoundly wrong’ to believe that promoting Christianity would ‘do down other faiths’.

Note: Bolds and Highlights added.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2075205/Speak-Christianity-Cameron-tells-Archbishop-PM-calls-Church-defend-values-moral-code-Bible.html#ixzz1h0AeBjjC

Caveats in Christian welcome for the Big Society

by Ed Thornton

Vision of a Big Society: David Cameron at a pre-election event in May

Christian groups responded en­thu­siastically to the Prime Minister’s speech on the Government’s Big Society programme this week, which laid out a larger place for voluntary groups in serving local communities.

Speaking in Liverpool on Monday, David Cameron said that the Govern­ment planned “the biggest, most dramatic redistribution of power from élites in Whitehall to the man and woman on the street”. It would “foster and support a new culture of voluntarism and philan­thropy”.

The Evangelical Alliance said the Big Society was “an immense oppor­tunity for community service which Christians should not pass up”. The organisation’s dir­ector, Steve Clifford, said: “We are delighted that the Prime Minister has recognised the in­credible work community groups are already doing, and want to en­thusiastically encourage churches to accept his invitation to get stuck in.”

The Interim director of Livability, a Christian charity that works with disabled people, Adam Bonner, said: “This new emphasis on community work could prove a great way to highlight and develop the existing long term work that many churches and Christian projects are already doing and present further oppor­tunities for involvement.” It re­mained to be seen, however, “whether there will be enough funding and support offered to implement this Big Society initiative”.

Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, the former Bishop of Rochester, speaking on behalf of Christian Concern for Our Nation, offered a more cautious welcome to Mr Cameron’s speech. While he welcomed “a freer society where people are enabled to work for their local communities”, it was important, he said that the “beliefs and conscience” of Chris­tian volun­teers were respected.

The Archbishop of Canterbury hosted a discussion on the Big So­ciety last week, with the Chief Rabbi, Lord Sacks, the RC Arch­bishop of Westminster, the Most Revd Vincent Nichols, and leaders of other faiths. They were joined by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Govern­ment, Eric Pickles, and the Minister for Decentral­isation, Greg Clark.

Mr Pickles said that central gov­ern­ment had not sufficiently recog­nised the “huge difference” faith communities had been making “day-in and day-out, to every single neigh­bourhood in the country”.

“Some see religion as a problem that needs to be solved. The new Gov­ernment sees it as part of the solution,” he said. “I want to send an important signal that we value the role of religion and faith in public life. The days of the state trying to suppress Christianity and other faiths are over.”

Faith Action Audit 2010, a report published this week by the diocese of Bath & Wells, found that in Bath and north-east Somerset, 5300 volun­teers were contributing 5600 hours of community work, which was estim­ated to be worth £3.6 million a year. The report cited evidence that people’s faith was “a strong motivator for their volunteering activities”.

Last month, bishops in the House of Lords warned the Government that voluntary work “does not come on the cheap” (News, 25 June). The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Tim Stevens, said that, as the state contracted, “civil society does not automatically expand to take up the slack.” The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Richard Chartres, suggested making places of worship “more serviceable as community hubs” to assist with the Big Society pro­gramme.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will respond to the Prime Minister’s latest ideas about the Big Society at a speech at the Oasis Centre in London this evening.

.
Leader
Giles Fraser

.
Is the Big Society programme asking too much of the voluntary sector? Vote here.

Source: http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=98079

.