Twisting religion

Chris, Perhaps you and ‘most people you know’ have a ‘pretty negative view’ of asylum seekers, but I think this may reflect more on you than on them. Most people I know are very proud to live in a country that provides asylum for people who have been persecuted in their own countries. While this does undoubtedly lead to abuse there are way of dealing with this without closing our borders to those who only want the opportunity you and I take for granted; that of living in a country where they can work, study, practice their religion and earn enough money to go on holiday.

Elaine I have nothing against people who are genuinely persecuted coming here for asylum whatsoever.But I just don’t think the massive numbers claiming aslyum now are really in fear of their lives, they’re economic migrants using the asylum rules to stay in the country and get lost in the system.The UK definitely needs emigrants but you’ve got to have control of who exactly comes.Right now we don’t know who they are, where they’re from or even how many are here.The Algerian asylum seeker who stabbed the policeman to death in Manchester last month during the raid for Ricin suspects was doing more than just looking for the good life.
The racism charge always gets thrown around as soon as any politician brings the subject up,but like it or not it will be an issue at the next election.

Chris, He never fought in Afghanistan, that’s a different story/bloke. He is a British citizen so what’s wrong with him being given a British passport and receiving benefits?
I think it’s great that Britain can accommodate people who have such extreme views, Marx and Engels anyone?
The bloke wants to return to his country of origin and when he is able, he will.

A terrific back-and-forth here. No comments. No time to research this.

One point Elaine made that I agree with. We take for granted what opportunities we have that others want.

And, Chris, extreme views today may be fashionable at some later date. All views need to be tolerated - extreme or otherwise - unless body, spirit and freedom are threatened.

Abu Hamza claims he got his injuries fighting in Afghanistan but maybe he’s just inventing it for effect,he won’t go back to Egypt because he can get away with inciting people from here, his son and a couple of nephews were jailed in Yemen a few years ago for plotting to kill western tourists.
When the police raided his mosque last month they found chemical warfare suits,stun guns,loads of stolen credit cards and fake i.d.’s, just what you’d expect in a place of worship.And I feel pretty pissed off that I have to pay tax to support this guy.

As for asylum seekers looking for a better life, if I were in their shoes I’d be doing exactly the same thing, the problem is with our system which lets anybody stay who asks for asylum while their case is heard.This can take years because of the huge backlog,in the late 80’s there were about 3000 applicants a year,its now 100,000 plus and this only counts the head of household not spouses or children.They’re not allowed to work legally while their case is being decided and take priority in being housed, which is really unfair to local people waiting to get places from the council.