Only one bomber but plenty of hatred in many minds

Anders Behring Breivik

There was a discussion this morning on the Today programme. Academics discussing Islamaphobia vis-a-vis the Norwegian bomber. The general idea is that Anders Behring Breivik, aka "Mr Breivik" on the BBC website, is a loner on one side of a barbarian fence with quite a large group of sympathisers on the other side. The hope is that they leave the loner on his own.

I hear quite a lot of nasty things said about Muslims. In fact since 9/11 such things have been acceptable in the highest quarters by some people. Of course, they wouldn't dream of setting off a bomb or killing droves of teenagers in aid of some warped political dream. But they might not get too worked up about it either.

The BNP hasn't muttered much about it. Nothing on their website. Now, before anyone screams that the BNP wouldn't set off bombs, it's fairly certain they don't cry over the deaths of innocent Muslims or those starving in far off lands. In fact, Nick Griffin lauds his "How to campaign against a mosque planning application". Being a semi-trained legal eagle he spouts this - "However, I think the main argument should be on principle – that there are enough mosques in the area and the country, and that Islamic doctrine is discriminatory and hate filled and, therefore, contrary to law." Only an opinion, of course. No law of the realm states categorically that Islam is "discriminatory and hate filled". But plenty think it is.

One such character is Anders Behring Breivik. He took it to extremes. Further than most people could imagine an extreme extending to. Hatred just fuels hatred. But there is a legitimate political discussion to be had about how people co-exist with people.

We all live on this planet together. John Donne wrote that "No man is an island" and that is even more true now than when he first wrote it. Politicians have not been as exemplary in political life as they should be. Far too much is still hidden or spun into vacuous facts. So people are left to make six out of two plus two.

Proper immigration policies are not based on racial or religious hatred but on sound thinking to help avoid social and economic tensions. Governments have a duty to govern fairly, not to cause division, upheaval and stress. And pontificating from on high only fuels the tensions.

It is good to see the people of Norway come together at this time of crisis. But what are they going to do with those amongst them that hate so much? Tough questions need positive answers.

Posted in: Anders Behring Breivik,Islam,Norway