Tom Lennie reviews ‘The Challenge of Islam: Understanding and Responding to Islam's Increasing Influence in the UK’, by Tim Dieppe (2025)

Death and Resurrection

Tackling the predominance of atheism in western society

Debunking the claim that religion is the major cause of war

Eco-warriors take to playing with fire engines and fake blood. 

Call for a new law to protect religious freedom

The erosion of liberties experienced by Christians in Britain has rolled back the clock to the Dark Ages before Magna Carta.

Now Christian charity Barnabas Fund, generally focusing on the persecuted Church abroad, has launched a campaign (and petition) for Parliamentary protection of religious practice within the UK.

In Turn the Tide (Isaac Publishing), they spell out the urgent need for reclaiming religious freedom with a new law.

Liberally illustrated by a number of recent case studies demonstrating how far we have fallen down the slippery slope, the Barnabas book calls for an Act of Parliament designed to cover seven specific areas, including the freedom to interpret Scripture without Government interference.

Responding to the Casey Review

This is a response to the 2015 Casey Review set up to examine the proliferation of extremism but, in its 2016 report, effectively suggesting the implementation of a Government-approved version of Christianity.

The report defined extremism as views “at odds with those of mainstream society” – including traditional views of sexuality which amounted to “taking religion backwards”.

Barnabas Fund has launched a campaign for Parliamentary protection of religious practice in the UK.

Turn the Tide says: “The use of this pejorative term in a government report implies an attempt to impose a government-backed definition of ‘modern British’ Christianity.” They clearly also see the merit of doing the same with Islam. All of which is more akin to the sort of ‘Big Brother’ arrangement existing in China.

Barred from Office?

Related to this is the apparent re-introduction by stealth of the ‘Test Act’, which in past generations excluded non-conformists and others from certain professions.

And from the experience of the 2017 General Election, it seems that it already applies to Christians, who are effectively being barred from office because they do not subscribe to politically-correct dogma, particularly on sexual ethics. Some candidates were for this reason deemed by the media to be “unfit” for public office and Liberal-Democrat leader Tim Farron later felt forced to resign because he was unable to reconcile his faith with the views expected of his position.

Because of this, Barnabas insists that a new law must include “freedom from being required to affirm a particular worldview or set of beliefs in order to hold a public sector job or stand for election, work in professions such as teaching and law, or study at university.”

There have been a number of high-profile cases of people who have lost their jobs because they have dared to speak freely of their faith, or who have been taken to court because their consciences would not allow them to provide certain services, as in the case of Ashers Bakery, who refused to bake a cake with the slogan ‘Support Gay Marriage’.

We are witnessing the re-introduction by stealth of the ‘Test Act’, which in past generations excluded non-conformists from certain professions.

One of the most shocking cases was the recent suspension of Christian teacher Joshua Sutcliffe for calling a pupil a girl when she wished to be known as a boy. Quite apart from the obvious insanity of the ‘offence’ itself, the school had bizarrely conducted a survey of pupils’ religion which found that, out of 1,853 students, there were no – repeat no – Christians! And yet Mr Sutcliffe had been running a highly successful Bible Club at the school attended by over 100 pupils (bigger than most churches), which was subsequently shut down by the head.

You couldn’t make it up. I like the phrase I heard the other day: “We have become so open-minded that our brains are falling out.”

Recklessly Abandoning Freedom

As to the freedom we are so recklessly giving away, we are reminded that it started with the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215, Clause 1 of which states: “The English Church shall be free, and shall have its rights undiminished, and its liberties unimpaired.”

Though it took centuries to work through, with martyrs burnt at the stake in the process, religious restrictions were gradually lifted until we became the envy of the world, with the liberty enshrined so wonderfully within our shores in time exported around the globe.

In commending Turn the Tide and calling on people of faith to speak up, Democratic Unionist MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said:

I am alarmed at the gradual erosion of the religious liberties and values that we have sought to uphold in this country for centuries. We live in a society today where there is growing intolerance among the metropolitan liberal elites towards those of us who take a faith-based approach to life. They speak much of diversity and inclusion but promote laws that undermine the values dear to Christians and practise the exclusion of people whose religious views they find ‘unacceptable’.

For more information, and to sign the petition, visit OurReligiousFreedom.org.

Christians must take back territory lost to Disney.

A deeply disturbing report has highlighted what many have come to know, expect and even accept – that many of our children are missing out on religious education.

Flagging up the ‘state of the nation’ report published by the Religious Education Council and the National Association of Teachers of RE (NATRE), the Daily Mail headline ‘Death knell for RE in schools’ was, I think, a tad over the top.¹

However, the neglect of this aspect of education is very serious and, as with so many sections of our broken society, the Church is in part responsible.

The Reason for Education

The very motive for introducing education for all in the 18^th and 19^th centuries was so that children could come to know the love of God. It was, in the first place, so that they could be taught the Bible, which contains a treasure trove of teaching on all matters of life and which equips new generations with unsurpassed knowledge on how to live – not just with your mind and body, but with your heart and soul.

The Bible teaches repeatedly that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov 9:10) and someone has said that godless education simply produces educated sinners.

The original motive for introducing education for all was so that children could come to know the love of God.

Deborah Weston, NATRE’s research officer, said: “By developing knowledge and understanding about different religions and world views in the security of a classroom, young people have the opportunity to engage with complex, diverse and constantly evolving subject matter.”² Indeed, what’s wrong with that – even for our humanist friends?

Julia Diamond-Conway of RE Today, an exhibitor at the Christian Resources Exhibition, said there was no excuse for breaking the law by not offering RE in schools. She told CRE News:

In collaboration with NATRE, we produce many high-quality resources to inspire and inform children – for their lives both now and in the future. There is just no excuse for not following the law and teaching a subject so relevant in today’s society. Many people think RE is about issues from centuries ago and no longer relevant. But our material talks of modern times and uses modern techniques to involve children fully in the learning process.³

A Department for Education spokesman said: “Religious education remains compulsory for all state-funded schools, including academies and free schools, at all key stages and we expect all schools to fulfill their statutory duties.”⁴

Perhaps this latter phrase – ‘statutory duties’ - is part of the problem. We have lost the heart and soul of what education is really about. We treat people as computers. Back in the 19^th Century, Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, speaking on the subject of education in various countries, said: “The truth was that wherever everything was left to the government the subject became a machine.”⁵

A Deprived Generation

According to the report, 28% of secondary schools told the Department for Education that they gave no dedicated curriculum time to RE. It is estimated that this equates to 800,000 pupils being deprived of their legal right to learn about major religions and beliefs, leaving them without the religious literacy they need for life in modern multi-faith Britain.

It further called for “a clear public statement that it is not acceptable in any circumstances for a school to be failing to provide RE at any key stage as part of its broad and balanced curriculum.”

We have lost the heart and soul of what education is really about - we treat people as computers.

It would be quite wrong to conclude that today’s youngsters are not interested in the spiritual side of life. It’s just that many have been denied the chance of exploring these things. And this is where much of the Christian Church is failing them. The average person in the pew is tragically ignorant of the huge opportunities we still have for sharing the Gospel in schools. They simply accept the perceived, but misinformed, notion that God has been thrown out of the school window (perhaps, in part, due to the teaching of evolution as opposed to creationism) – and all we can do is lick our wounds and sulk over a very sorry state of affairs.

Yet in stark contrast to the USA, where it may surprise many to learn that Christian teaching is banned from schools, we have a wide open door. And as with the vision St Paul had of the man from Macedonia (Acts 16:9), many are saying to us: “Come over here and help us!”

Opportunities Still There!

Conscientious head-teachers are only too willing to welcome those who have a heart to teach (though not preach to) children about the love of Jesus. In some cases, even qualified RE teachers (who are not necessarily Christians, after all) feel out of their depth when asked to lead assemblies.

But Christian youth workers can (and do) step up to the plate with an authoritative, passionate and winsome approach to the subject. And if they win the trust of staff, there are many opportunities to support pupils through the school curriculum.

For example, Bible Society’s Open the Book project is becoming increasingly popular in primary schools as teams from local churches around the country lead assemblies through a dramatic reading of Bible stories.

I declare an interest in this subject as my wife is involved in visiting primary schools across the large metropolitan borough of Doncaster in South Yorkshire. Along with other Christians, I have on many occasions accompanied her on various projects and witnessed the sheer delight of children – wide-eyed and open-mouthed – as they respond in rapt attention and wonder to the amazing stories of the Bible.

We share these stories because they are true – not fairytales – and yet there is something truly magical about them too! We need to take back territory lost to Disney and the like, and restore our confidence in the ‘greatest story ever told’. It should not surprise us that the Gospel story appeals to children. After all, Jesus said we could not enter the Kingdom of God unless we approached it as little children do (Matt 18:3).

It’s not that today’s youngsters are not interested in the spiritual side of life – it’s that many have been denied the chance of exploring these things.

Saving Priceless Souls

Our education has become too cerebral. Have we forgotten the importance of the soul? Jesus said: “What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul?” (Mark 8:36). What price do we put on the soul of a child? It is priceless. Do we think that by filling them with facts they will live useful lives?

Jesus said he had come to give us “life in all its fullness” (John 10:10). Isn’t that what we would like to see in our children – that they would learn to live life to the full; knowing God, being comfortable with themselves, feeling secure in the love of Jesus and fulfilling a very clear purpose as they answer a particular calling on their lives?

Jesus put so much emphasis on children, and I’m told that Jewish tradition still bears that out in that those wishing to teach children, as opposed to adults, are required to spend far more time training for the role.

Jesus warned that in the case of those who cause any of these little ones who believe in him to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone tied around his neck and drowned in the depths of the sea (Matt 18:6). Denying the opportunity for children to hear about Jesus surely comes close to this – for you would be encouraging them to turn away from God and never know the joy of salvation and of sins forgiven.

A Calling of Great Honour

Without a compass, how do we find the way? Forget the Satnav and the iPhone. Without the measuring rod of the Bible, how will children know right from wrong; how will they discern lies from truth?

In searching for a memorial plaque to a Jewish relative on the Thames Embankment, I was taken aback somewhat by a magnificent statue to Robert Raikes (1736-1811), founder of the Sunday School movement – a reminder that in days of yore, educating children with the Bible was seen as a calling worthy of great honour.

May it become so again!

References

1 Daily Mail, 18 September 2017.
2 Ibid.
3 Hall, D. RE in schools: No excuse to break the law. CRE News, 21 September 2017.
4 See note 1.
5 Speech to the House of Commons, 20 June 1839.

Sharon and Frances Rabbitts review ‘Sister Religions’ (Hatikvah Films, 2014).

In ‘Sister Religions’, we are offered a sensitive yet no-nonsense consideration of what has become a defining issue of our day: the relationship between Judeo-Christianity and Islam.

This series of five interviews, each half an hour or less, gives viewers a frank and biblical response to the common misconception that Jews, Christians and Muslims all worship the same god (bracketed as they often are under the term ‘the Abrahamic religions’) and equips Christians to respond well to the challenge of Islam.

There are four interviews with Dr Mark Durie (Australian theologian, pastor and researcher), book-ended with an introduction from former bishop Michael Nazir-Ali and a final interview with religious liberty advocate Elizabeth Kendal. Each session approaches this minefield of a topic from a slightly different angle – and the interviews necessarily jump around a bit, as interviews tend to do – which can make for confusing viewing. However, the general structure is clearly chronological.

A Stormy Relationship

After the introduction, in which Nazir-Ali tackles the disputed belief that Jews, Christians and Muslims share ancestry in Abraham and gives a brief overview of the “stormy” relationship between the three religions, Mark Durie begins with the historic foundation of Islam, including the different stages of Mohammed’s life and their connection into the writings that have become the Qur’an.

In the third session, he turns to the colonial expansion of Islam and how this was prophesied in the Bible, as well as the development of classic Muslim attitudes to non-Muslims (dhimmi), as exemplified in the ‘jizya’ tax. Durie’s discussion here is fascinating, as he not only clarifies the Islamic mindset towards non-Muslims, but also alludes to the profound spiritual impacts the jizya can have, as a curse.

There is fascinating discussion of how the jizya tax operates as a curse.

There is also a very useful overview in this session of the Islamic co-option of history and the Christian scriptures to suit its own theology – and the continuation of such practice today.

Durie’s final session engages with the tricky area of inter-faith dialogue - its potentials and dangers. The last interview (Kendal) departs from discussions about theology and history to focus on contemporary Islamic persecution of Jews and Christians around the world – and how Western Christians might respond.

As the DVD progresses, viewers not only get a decent potted history of the relationship between Islam and Judeo-Christianity, they also get expositions of key terms like ‘jihad’, ‘Islam’ and ‘jizya’. The sessions also develop a clear sense of the classic Islamic attitude towards Jews and Christians, which is being revived in modern-day jihad with deeply concerning fidelity.

Sobering Viewing

This is not intended to be light-hearted viewing; it is a sobering production designed to be a serious study aid. It is visually unexciting, being simply a series of face-to-face interviews rather than a documentary – and Durie and Kendal perhaps speak more engagingly than Nazir-Ali. However, all three are clearly experts in their field and answer the questions in a grounded, sensitive way.

In all, it is to be commended for its concise and eloquent yet uncompromising coverage. It blows out the water the common misunderstanding that Islam is somehow on the same footing as Christianity and Judaism and is able to be compared and contrasted as an equal. Instead, it shows that Islam has a fundamentally different set of starting points and a different mindset.

This is a serious study aid with concise, eloquent and uncompromising coverage.

For those new to the topic, this DVD is a good and thought-provoking introduction. For those already well-versed in the matter, there might be little new material (excepting, perhaps, Kendal’s interview) – but the whole thing would make a good discussion prompt for study groups or interested friends.

Explosive questions about how Christians should treat and engage with Muslims are tackled with sensitivity and respect. It would be suitable for open-minded non-Christians to watch, even though it is made with Christian viewers in mind. It should generally be targeted at teenagers and older, given the seriousness of the subject matter.

If anything, the DVD would benefit from an accompanying study guide – particularly for use in a group context. If you are planning to use it in this way, we would recommend the group leader watching it ahead of time and noting stand-out points and questions, to aid discussion. Alternatively, books by Mark Durie (e.g. Which God? Or The Third Choice, both available from Hatikvah) stand as recommended accompaniments.

‘Sister Religions’ is available from Hatikvah Films (where you can also watch a trailer) for £9.99 plus P&P, or rent online for less.

Catharine Pakington reviews ‘The New Civic Religion’ by Patrick Sookhdeo (2016, Isaac Publishing)

In the aftermath of the election I would recommend this book as a valuable aid to evaluating the agendas and culture of our main political parties.

In a recent Prophecy Today editorial, Clifford Hill highlighted how humanist beliefs are driving party policies and defining so-called ‘British values’. In this book, author and speaker Patrick Sookhdeo uses straightforward, clear language to introduce humanism as the religion of our age, particularly in the USA and UK.

Historical Context

He outlines historical influences from ancient philosophies through to the scientific and social changes of the Renaissance, the Enlightenment and the ‘Long 19th Century’ (1789-1914), all of which have culminated in a rejection of traditional Christianity.

The book is structured into 12 chapters, which take the reader through from the origins and content of humanism towards a Christian response. Bible studies and discussion questions on each chapter are provided, for individual or group use.

First, the core beliefs of humanists are presented along with their agenda to replace Christian morality. It is interesting to read the arguments for recognising humanism as a religion – something humanists themselves deny, since they oppose the teaching of religion in schools! How many Christians are aware of Tolerance, Equality, Reversal of Norms and then Aggressive Action as stages in a deliberate campaign to introduce humanistic values to education, the media, popular culture, government and law?

Sookhdeo uses straightforward, clear language to introduce humanism as the religion of our age.

The impact on education is particularly widespread. A time-line of the development of ‘hate speech’ law in the UK illustrates the growth of humanist influence up to now, and shows how biblical norms have been overturned.

Religion vs Science?

Turning to the relationship between Christianity and science, Sookhdeo demonstrates that though humanists would like to present faith and science as being incompatible, Christianity itself counters this with the Church’s history of promoting science. He highlights that far more scientists in the USA consider themselves to be Christian than humanist, atheist or agnostic. This is because Christians are encouraged to reason and think logically, whilst also being brought into the spiritual realm by a personal relationship with the triune God.

However, it is worth noting that in a related chapter on origins, there are times when the author does not uphold the authority of Scripture as consistently as on other issues.

Upholding Christian Identity

As the author compares humanist and Christian beliefs about God, Jesus and the Bible, we are challenged to review our own beliefs and then consider the identity and role of the Church in today’s culture.

A declaration of faith is suggested with the simplicity of the Jewish shema contrasted with historical creeds. All believers are urged to challenge today’s culture, just as the early Church stood against the Roman Empire (whose society shared many characteristics with our own).

Stirred to Respond

We are not left with a sense of helplessness after being presented with the extent of humanist influence today but are stirred to respond in our own areas of influence. If all of life is seen as worship, we can further the Kingdom of God wherever we are.

We are challenged to review our own beliefs and consider the role of the Church in today’s culture.

In addition to the helpful Bible study notes for each chapter, chapter 14 provides a useful summary of teaching about the authority of the Bible. As Christian creeds are quoted earlier in the book, two are given here in full and there is also a glossary, a list of references and sources including some key humanist documents.

Altogether this is a book that can be read quickly to introduce people to the extent of the influence of humanism in Britain (and possible responses to it), or it can be used as a more in-depth handbook for study, prayer and discussion. It is well worth reading as a primer, before other books that deal with related issues in greater depth, such as ‘What are They Teaching the Children?’ (ed. Lynda Rose), reviewed here.

‘The New Civic Religion: Humanism and the Future of Christianity’ (208 pages, paperback) is available from the Barnabas Fund for £10.05 (inc. P&P).
________________________________________________________________________
Patrick Sookhdeo has doctorates from London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies, Western Seminary and Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary. He is an author, lecturer and consultant.

Last week's Songs of Praise included 'worship' in a mosque.

I'm not usually shocked by the BBC but I watched Songs of Praise last Sunday and I was deeply offended to see them include so-called ‘worship’ in a mosque and the visit of children from a local primary school where the one Muslim boy in the village attended. The BBC's Muslim Head of Religious Programming is slowly changing all the Christian slots - now even Songs of Praise, the flagship of Christian broadcasting, is under attack.

Lord Reith’s original vision for the BBC was to broadcast TRUTH to the world. But now the Corporation has been taken over by a cabal of secular humanists who do not even know what truth is! I cannot help but feel that Trump was right to ban the BBC from the White House! They cannot be trusted to report accurately – they instead seem to be in the business of twisting the truth to achieve their own purposes.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that the BBC is dedicating itself to undermining the Judaeo-Christian foundations of the nation and that they are even prepared to use Islam as a weapon in this process. We warmly commend the article below from Voice for Justice and ask you to sign their petition.

The Perfidy and Contempt of the BBC

In November last year, following complaints of unacceptable Muslim bias and the deliberate marginalization of Christianity by its Muslim Head of Religion and Ethics, Aaqil Ahmed, the BBC announced that it was axing both the role of Head and the department of religion, bringing all religious programming and coverage under the remit of former Labour MP James Purnell, the head of radio and education.

However, on February 25, the BBC quietly announced that it had appointed another Muslim, Fatima Salaria, as its new Head of Religious Programming.

It would seem therefore that, in clear disregard of their earlier statement, the BBC has not only resurrected this role, but appears to be operating a policy of Islamic prioritization, once again ignoring the pleas of all other religious groups in the UK for proportionate and fair representation.

Ms Salaria’s most notable achievement since joining the BBC in 2015 would appear to have been to commission the TV reality show Muslims like Us, described in the press as ‘Muslim Big Brother’. It may be remembered that in this programme, among the ten Muslim housemates - chosen to reflect the diverse views of Muslims in the UK - was included Abdul Haqq, a Muslim convert, former boxing champion, convicted fraudster … and member of the inner circle of jailed radical cleric Anjem Choudary. But it gets worse, because Mr Haqq reportedly not only supported banned terror group Al-Muhajiroun, but was arrested in 2014 in Dover, and later charged with plotting to go to Syria to fight with Islamic State after spreading terrorist material online.

His inclusion, put forward without comment as merely one view among many, can only have served to ‘normalise’ extremism, and is an affront to all - including moderate Muslims honestly striving to integrate into British culture.

Do we really want someone who commissions programmes like this as head of religion for the BBC? Do we trust her to give proportionate and fair representation to all religious groups? Do we trust the BBC? Or do we share the view of Professor Anthony Glees of the Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies, who told The Mail: “If a BBC executive makes a programme that is notorious and then the BBC promotes them, it tells me that the BBC has in that area lost its moral compass.”

Ms Salaria is on record as saying the BBC needs to give greater voice to Muslims. It is a view that seems to have been swallowed hook, line, and sinker by dementedly ‘diverse’ Auntie, who seemingly takes every opportunity to undermine and pour derision on those who espouse the traditional Christian beliefs and values upon which our nation is founded. But exactly what voice does Ms Salaria class as authentically ‘Muslim’ and wish to be heard? After all, from the example of Abdul Haqq, she appears to have no problem supporting what the rest of us call extremism,

It goes without saying that there is religious diversity in this country, and all faiths should receive proportionate coverage. But Christianity remains the established faith of the UK and, despite declining church attendance, according to the 2011 census Christians still make up 59.5% of the population: a clear majority. Given therefore that Christianity is the main faith of this country, surely the head of religious programming should be Christian - or at the very least, as advocated by Conservative MP Bill Cash, the post should be rotated between the different faiths. Which should include Judaism, Hinduism and Sikkhism … as well as Islam.

As it is, this new appointment seems deliberately insulting both to Christians and to followers of other belief systems, and part of an orchestrated attempt to Islamise the UK. Such an attitude displays not just contempt, but is a betrayal of the principles and values on which the UK is founded. For these reasons VfJUK joins those who argue that the BBC is no longer fit for purpose. We call for urgent investigation into the Corporation’s governance and purpose, and for review of the licence fee.

Please sign our new petition to the Rt Hon Karen Bradley MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, calling for urgent investigation into the BBC's governance and leadership. Sign here.