13 January 2021
“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” [Ezekiel 33:6]
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” [Ephesians 6:12]
Presbyterians Week Headlines
[3] United Methodist Minister Invokes Hindu God at Opening of U.S. Congress
[4] May 2020 Safe Church Webinar with Chuck DeGroat, Author of When Narcissism Comes to Church
[5] World Food Program Head Warns of Potential Famines of ‘Biblical Proportions’ in 2021
—
Today, Wednesday January 13, 2021, a Christian chaplain and former detective, suspended for ten years from all prisons for telling a Sunday newspaper about Islamic extremism dominating HMP Brixton, is set to have a permission hearing for judicial review at the High Court.
Pastor Paul Song, fifty, spoke to the Mail on Sunday in September 2018 after news broke about his experiences at the hands of radical Islam in the London prison.
His experiences included having his mainstream Evangelical courses hijacked by Islamic extremists, and inmates taking over the prison’s Christian chapel and proclaiming the killers of Lee Rigby.
He also spoke of fearing for his safety and being assaulted and racially abused by Islamic inmates.
Pastor Song, who had given nearly twenty years of exemplary service to the prison, also revealed how Muslim gangs were being allowed to act with impunity and were intimidating inmates to convert to Islam.
In 2015, the serving Anglican chaplain had left the prison, leaving a void that was filled by head ‘chaplain’ Imam Mohammed Yusuf Ahmed.
Imam Mohammed was the former General Secretary of the Islamic Party of Britain, which had advocated for Britain to be transformed into an Islamic State.
Upon his appointment, Imam Mohammed vowed to dismantle what he saw as Christian ‘domination’ in the prison and began to scrutinise Pastor Song’s activities.
Pastor Song was subsequently told by Imam Mohammed that his mainstream Evangelical courses, taught and recognised all over the world (including the Alpha course), were ‘too extreme’ and that he was a ‘radical’ Christian.
Pastor Song reluctantly stopped teaching the courses, was forced out of the chapel, and left with no option but to meet with inmates in their cells.
Troubling lack of transparency
Following a visit to the jail in January 2017, prisons inspector Peter Clarke found high levels of violence and reported that ‘a third of prisoners felt unsafe’. It was also noted that the jail had been without a full-time Anglican chaplain for 18 months. Mr Clarke said one should be recruited ‘without delay’.
In August 2017, after Pastor Song had an exchange with an inmate about Islam and Christianity, he received an email from Imam Mohammed, which said: “You do not have permission to enter the wings, nor do you have the permission to speak to any prisoners here at HMP Brixton. If you do turn up here without my prior permission, your keys will be confiscated, and you will be walked to the gate”.
After unsubstantiated allegations, that he had called the inmate a ‘terrorist’ and threatened Imam Mohammed, which Pastor Song vehemently denies, he was permanently banned.
Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Pastor Song is took the Ministry of Justice to the High Court, to challenge the ban and to clear his name.
Ian Acheson, author of a Government review into Islamic extremism in UK prisons, said at the time of Pastor Song’s case that: “There seems to be a very troubling Jack of transparency and due process around the decision to expel this chaplaincy volunteer.”
In May 2018, Pastor Song agreed to stay the proceedings after an independent investigation was promised by the Ministry of Justice.
MP Theresa Villiers had submitted a written question to the Secretary of State for Justice, asking if he had discussed the matter with the prison governor and if he would “take steps to press for that pastor’s reinstatement.”
43,000 people signed a petition calling for his reinstatement.
Carried out by Sara Pennington, a governor from another prison, the subsequent review concluded that his exclusion was “not reasonable” and recommended an immediate reinstatement.
Banned again
Pastor Song met Brixton’s governor, David Bamford, on 16 August 2018, who assured him that he would now be allowed back into the prison with full privileges. He was also told that Imam Mohammed had been suspended, pending an investigation into an unrelated matter.
On 15 September 2018, the Mail on Sunday published a front-page article covering Pastor Song’s experiences in the prison and how he had been vindicated.
However, as soon as Pastor Song formally agreed to drop his High Court case on 20 September 2018, the same day Mr. Bamford notified him in an email that he would now be suspended because of the interview he had given to the Mail on Sunday.
Mr. Bamford told Pastor Song that there would be an investigation of what he had said in the interview, including his “compromising of the safety of staff and prisoners by disclosing information to the press without permission” as well as “any breach of confidentiality” and “possible anti-Muslim comments.”
On 3 May 2019, following an investigation, London’s Prison Group Director banned Pastor Song, not only from HMP Brixton, but from all prisons for ten years for ‘failure to adhere to the expected requirements of a chaplaincy volunteer.’
Left with no alternative but to pursue a judicial review of this decision, Pastor Song is now bringing a claim to the High Court on nine grounds, including victimization, breach of public sector equality duty and for breach of his rights under Articles 9 and 10 of the European Court of Human Rights.
Pastor Song’s lawyers will argue that he has been victimized for exposing the reality of Islamic extremism at the prison to the media, and that ‘there was nothing new (post-dating the settlement) which justified the prison taking fresh action against him.’
His case includes witness statements from former prison inmates, whose lives Pastor Song helped to transform during his time at HMP Brixton.
One statement from former prisoner and drug addict, Nigel Williams, states: ‘I cannot speak highly enough of Pastor Song. He is a brilliant man of God with a loving and compassionate heart and I have never heard anyone say a bad word about him. Paul helped me a lot in my own Christian faith, and I know there are hundreds of ex-prisoners who have the highest respect and admiration for Paul and would say that his actions changed their lives for the better.’
‘I have been severely punished’
Ahead of the hearing, Pastor Song said: “I was deeply shocked and hurt when I received the letter telling me that I would be banned for 10 years from doing what I have been called to do through my Christian faith.
“After twenty years of service supporting vulnerable inmates at HMP Brixton, I have been severely punished for exposing the truth.
“What has happened to me has set a dangerous precedent for anyone else who dares to tell the public about the growing domination of Islamic extremism in our prisons. I am determined to fight for justice.”
Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “The decision to ban Pastor Song from all prisons for 10 years has sent a chilling message to anyone prepared to expose wrong-doing and corruption in our public institutions.
“Removing him immediately after the prison authorities had confirmation that he would drop the high court legal case against his original removal, was cruel, underhand and unlawful.
“This is a case that exposes the disturbing rise and influence of Islamic extremism and intimidation of Christians in our prisons. The public must know the truth, and those being impacted by it must be free to tell it without fear.
“While Pastor Song has been victimized by HMP Brixton, he is no victim – he is the real deal. A Christian minister who has dedicated his life to his faith and transforming people’s lives through Jesus, not just in the UK, but across the world.
“Christian ministry in prisons has a long history, and its presence is essential for the rehabilitation and transformation of lives. Paul’s work has led to many prisoners in Brixton turning their lives around, and so it is shocking that prisoners who are desperate for a new way of life should now be prevented from being supported by him.”
+ Christian Concern, 70 Wimpole Street, London W1G 8AX, England, 020 7935 1488, Contact Page
[Editor’s Note: Inclusion of any article in Presbyterians Week does not necessarily imply endorsement by the editor, Presbyterians Week, or the Christian Observer.]
January 8, 2021
Our faith instructs us to take seriously positions of leadership, not to lead others astray and to be careful about what we say and do. In Philippians 2:3-4 we are taught to, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.”
President Donald J. Trump’s actions and words have endangered the security of the country and its institutions of government by inciting a violent, deadly, seditious mob attack at the U.S. Capitol. His words and actions have placed the lives of the people he is supposed to serve in grave danger to advance his own interests. Further, he not only failed to stop or condemn the attack after the Capitol had been stormed but instead encouraged the mob by calling them patriots. This domestic terrorist attack resulted in at least five deaths, including a Capitol Police Officer, and more than a dozen police officers injured. The desecration of the Capitol building was also disgraceful and reprehensible.
For the good of the nation, so that we might end the current horror and prepare the way for binding up the nation’s wounds, we, as leaders of the member communions of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC), believe the time has come for the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, to resign his position immediately. If he is unwilling to resign, we urge you to exercise the options provided by our democratic system.
In addition, we recognize the need to hold responsible not only those who invaded the Capitol, but also those who supported and/or promoted the President’s false claims about the election or made their own false accusations.
We grieve for our country at this difficult time and continue to pray for the safety and security, and ultimately the healing of our nation. Holding those who have abused their power and participated in these immoral and tragic actions accountable, in particular the President of the United States, is one step toward healing.
Signed:
Jim Winkler, General Secretary and President, National Council of Churches
Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ and Chair, National Council of Churches Governing Board
Bishop W. Darin Moore, Presiding Bishop, AME Zion Church and Immediate Past Chair, National Council of Churches
Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and Vice Chair, National Council of Churches
Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Dr. Néstor Gómez, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Paula Clayton Dempsey, Director of Partnership Relations, Alliance of Baptists
Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate, The Episcopal Church
Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Sally Dyck, Ecumenical Officer of the Council of Bishops, The United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Jean Hawxhurst, Ecumenical Staff Officer, The United Methodist Church
Rev. Eddy Alemán, General Secretary, Reformed Church in America
Rev. Jane Siebert, President, Swedenborgian Church of North America
His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Ecumenical Director and Diocesan Legate, The Armenian Church, Eastern Diocese of America
Dr. Kimberly Brooks, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. Richard Tafel, Swedenborgian Church
Carole Collins, Director of Operation, Alliance of Baptists
Reverend Brenda Girton-Mitchell, Progressive National Baptist Convention
Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Chair, Conference of National Black Churches
Stephen M. Veazey, President (Head of Communion), Community of Christ
His Grace Mar Awa Royel, Bishop of California and Secretary of the Holy Synod, Assyrian Church of the East
Bishop Francis Krebs, Presiding Bishop, Ecumenical Catholic Communion
Rev. Dr. James Herbert Nelson II, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Presbyterian Church (USA)
+ National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 880, New York, New York 10115
+ United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115, 216-736-2100, ogm@ucc.org
+ Reformed Church in America, 4500 60th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512, 800-968-6065, questions@rca.org
+ Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, 888-728-7228, Fax: 502-569-8005
[3] United Methodist Minister Invokes Hindu God at Opening of U.S. Congress
Emanuel Cleaver, an ordained United Methodist minister and Democrat Representative, opened the first session of the 117th U.S. Congress by praying in the name of a Hindu god. He concluded, “We ask it in the name of the monotheistic God, Brahma, and god known by many names by different faiths. Amen and a-woman.” The term “amen” has nothing to do with gender, of course. It simply means “so be it.” According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, “Brahma was born from a golden egg and created the earth and all things on it. Later myths describe him as having come forth from a lotus that issued from Vishnu’s navel.”
+ Way of Life Literature, Post Office Box 610368, Port Huron, Michigan 48061, 519-652-2619, fbns@wayoflife.org
+ United Methodist Church, 7178 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, Maryland 21046, 410-309-3400
[4] May 2020 Safe Church Webinar with Chuck DeGroat, Author of When Narcissism Comes to Church
On Wed May 27 at 12 pm Eastern, the Christian Reformed Church’s Safe Church Ministry hosted a webinar with Chuck DeGroat, author of When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse.
View the recording of this webinar here:
+ Christian Reformed Church in North America, 2850 Kalamazoo Avenue Southeast, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49560, 616-241-1691, Fax: 616-224-0803 crcna@crcna.org
+ Christian Book Distributors (CBD), 140 Summit St. Peabody, Massachusetts 01960, 800-247-4784, Contact Page
[5] World Food Program Head Warns of Potential Famines of ‘Biblical Proportions’ in 2021
The head of the World Food Program believes that 2021 could see “famines of biblical proportions” as the economic struggles of COVID-19 may hamper global responses to food shortages caused by military conflicts, the rise of Islamic extremism and locust infestations.
+ The Christian Post, National Press Building, 529 14th Street Northwest, Suite 420, Washington DC 20045, 202-347-7734, info@christianpost.com
+ United Nations World Food Programme, Via C. G. Viola 68 Parco dei Medici – 00148 Rome, Italy, +39-06-65131, Fax: +39-06-6590632, Contact Page
Comments are closed for this Article !