To think we are in danger of losing our compassion

[LarrytheCucumber]

Some of the newspapers this morning have stories condemning the BBC for filming part of Songs of Praise from a migrants' church in Calais.
I can't see the problem with migrants talking about how their faith keeps them going. There is apparently a makeshift mosque and a makeshift Christian church.
Surely we should see them as human beings, rather than as a threat.

[Samcro]

but they are a threat. ask the lorry drivers that have to run the gauntlet. they should not be encouraged.

[SuburbanRhonda]

Which newspapers?

Would we be able to guess, OP?

[WorraLiberty]

They are human beings and a threat.

I would very much hate to be a lorry driver, having to deal with that situation.

I have no opinion either way about Songs of Praise.

[LarrytheCucumber]

I don't see how sharing their faith is a threat. I don't think Sally Magnusson is saying 'Come on I'll give you a lift in a BBC truck'! I take the point about some of them being a threat to lorry drivers and tourists, but they aren't all taking part in the mobs.
I just saw the covers in Tesco. I think it was the Mirror, and possible the YouKnowWhat!
Have just looked in DH's Daily Telegraph and there is a picture of Ms Magnusson outside the church and a mention of the filming, and the fact that the BBC sent two body guards to accompany her.

[Samcro]

op I think your are deliberately missing the "threat" point

[DurhamDurham]

Two very different issues; the migrants faith isn't being questioned, it's their right ( or lack of ) to be where they are and to do what they are doing. I respect their faith, I have lots of compassion about them as people but that doesn't mean I have to agree with their actions.

[LarrytheCucumber]

I am not deliberately missing the 'threat' point, but I don't think all of them are a threat. Yes I agree that it is very frightening. DH has a friend who had his car charged when he came through Calais.
I also think that some of them are asylum seekers who genuinely believe they can have a better life here. Although goodness knows why, because we aren't exactly making it easy for them.
Perhaps when the programme is broadcast and we see the slant they put on it things will be clearer.

[GoblinLittleOwl]

I didn't see the article but feel it was probably more of an attack on the BBC for their very pro migrant stance. I wasn't impressed by the reporter who bounded across the beach in Kos, welcoming the (illegal) migrants to Europe and making clear his sympathy and admiration for them; news reporting should be as impartial as possible.

[Moreshabbythanchic]

The BBC are never impartial, you can bet your life they will only show one side of the migrants intentions. I object to them using my licence fee to broadcast their biased views and condoning the actions of migrants who are using whatever means to get into the UK.

[ProjectPerfect]

The articles I've read have focussed on the fact that the people who attend the church don't necessarily wanted to be filmed and put on TV since many of them are escaping persecution (for their religion amongst other things).

[Epilepsyhelp]

They will have a much better chance at a better life over here because where they are coming from is just not a developed stable country with infrastructure, health services, welfare services for all, education and wealth. Who would not want to access that if they possibly could, and who can justify simply geographical location of birth as being the reason we are all allowed that access and they are not.

Obviously that fact does not take reality or practicality into account, but doesn't make it untrue. I have no idea what the answer is and I'm bloody glad I'm not the one who has to find the answer

[herethereandeverywhere]

I have a few thoughts on this (and they're a bit disjointed which isn't my usual style... but anyway...)

1. Given Songs of Praise is a Christian programme can this not be seen from a Christian perspective? What would Jesus make of this? Would he admonish the Christians in the camps or would he come up with something akin to a blend of 'love thy neighbour' and 'he who has never sinned cast the first stone'?
   
2. Is this not about the worship of God rather than the political and legal wranglings of why and whether they should be there?
   
3. Is worshipping God only to be shared with fellow white middle class grannies from the WI citizens who can present a passport and clean criminal record?
   

[Moreshabbythanchic]

Because the bbc are using this programme to promote the plight of the migrants. They will not show the ones who are using knives, bottles etc to threaten the very people who are paying the licence fee to make these programmes. It will be a one sided programme to tug at heartstrings whilst not showing the true picture.

[Moreshabbythanchic]

Everyone should reuse to watch it.

[Moreshabbythanchic]

*refuse, I have a sticky F.

[SlaggyIsland]

Well Larrythecucumber your point has been thoroughly proved by most of the responses thus far.

[GeorgeYeatsAutomaticWriter]

I was just going to say the same thing Slaggy - some awful posts on this thread.

[BeyondTheWall]

Yy slaggy!

[LarrytheCucumber]

I think the 'What Would Jesus do?' comment is probably where I have a problem. If the roles were reversed and we were fleeing the dictator Cameron (hope it will never go that way) surely we would want other human beings to show compassion to us. My DD lives in an area where they took refugees from DRC and a lot of them go to her church. They were given asylum so they were not killed, basically. Some of them still do not know if family members are alive or dead (in some cases including their own children).
I agree with the poster who said they are glad they are not the decision maker. I would not want to be in that position either, but I also think that there are plenty at Calais, including women and children, who need our care, not our condemnation.

[GarminGirl]

Where are all the family members of these people at Calais? The elderley parents,mothers,children,wives?? Cos majority im seeing are single men.....have they abandoned their families to 'persue a better life for themself'?

[Tenieht]

Yes and fleeing persecution in France, Italy, Germany. Let's face it these people could if they wanted easily call any of those countries home. Why try and storm and cut their way into the UK. Just criminals half of them. Queue jumping cheats and chancers.

[LarrytheCucumber]

I read that there are parts which are full of families, which are relatively well ordered. It is possibly there that the Church and Mosque are situated.
The young males are the ones causing the trouble and therefore getting the publicity. I can't imagine very many elderly people will have survived the journey to Europe if they came by boat, although I do not know the facts.