Religion can never be justification for violence, say faith leaders
Faith leaders in the UK have issued a joint statement condemning the Norway terrorist attacks and repudiating suggestions that the killer was inspired by Christianity.
Police are still questioning Anders Behring Breivik about his attacks on a government building in Oslo and a youth camp on the island of Uteoya earlier in the month.
In a 1,500-page manifesto, Breivik described himself as a cultural Christian with no personal relationship to Jesus or God, prompting some media outlets to label him a 'Christian fundamentalist' or 'far-right Christian extremist'.
Leaders of the Christian Muslim Forum, the Three Faiths Forum and other faith groups in the UK condemned acts of violence or terrorism committed in the name of religion.
"We take this opportunity to reiterate that no religion, whatever the practices of those who claim to follow a religion, preaches violence or encourages attacks on the innocent," they said.
"Terrorism is terrorism and violence is violence, neither of these are religious or religiously-motivated.
"We thoroughly repudiate any suggestion that in his attacks Anders Breivik was inspired by Christianity; Christianity and all religions teach respect for human life."
The leaders expressed their shock over the attacks, which left 77 people dead, and said they supported initiatives to remember victims and the ongoing legal process against Breivik.
They called on all Europeans to hold dialogues on peace, reject violence against fellow-Europeans, and work for harmonious relations with all people, regardless of their religious or politican stance.
They also called on Europeans to "avoid scapegoating or reinforcing negativity towards minority communities, especially in the mass media".
"We remain committed to dismantling myths and prejudices, sharing similarities and differences and modelling genuine good relations," they said.
Signatories of the statement included Julian Bond, Director of Christian Muslim Forum, Stephen Shashoua, Director of Three Faiths Forum, and Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Co-Chair, Christian Muslim Forum.
