---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Alan Clifford
<[email protected]>
Date: 2009/1/26
Subject: SUPPORT FOR GAZA PALESTINIANS
To: Daily Telegraph <
[email protected]>
CHRISTIAN COMPASSION
Sir, The decision by the BBC and Sky not to broadcast the
Gaza Appeal for fear of appearing partial is appalling. Judging
by the statements of the Lord Jesus Christ and His faithful
follower the Apostle Paul, how superior is Christian compassion
to the tender mercies of the secularists:
"Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to
those who hate you" (JESUS, Matthew 5: 44).
"Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; ... Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (PAUL, Romans
12: 20).
Surely this decision will be counter-productive. A refusal to
show kindness to the suffering people of Gaza is not the same as
supporting Hamas and its hate-driven Muslim antisemitism. The
surest way to build up more resentment, with the risk of
increased terrorist activity, is to ignore the plight of Gaza's
victims.
Provided humanitarian aid is not seen to endorse the Hamas
ideology or to promote a replenishment of weapons to further
attack Israel, help for the destitute and homeless is entirely
justified. With a true Christian spirit, let us be generous with
our aid, thus to demonstrate that while we will not be seen to
embrace the tenets of Islam, we nonetheless are determined to
show love to its adherents. By giving as well as praying, many
might even embrace the loving truth of the Christian Faith.
Yours sincerely,
The Revd Dr Alan C. Clifford
Norwich Reformed Church
Tel: 01953-453803