They're not refugees, we're being invaded

[goonthenflameme]

I admit, the Syrians have got it bad. There is a war and those boys who haven't been shot by ISIL are being conscripted by the President.

But if life is that bad, why do they only want to go to Germany and if they can't go then then they'll go back to Syria.

Why are we now seeing people from Kazakstan joining the throngs?

I agree that people from Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria need help. But the thougsands and thousands of people coming through can't all be refugees in dire need of help if they are so picky as to where they will live.

They're invading Europe. And we are letting them. What's going to happen in 20 years? Will Christianity and western ways be swept under the carpet?

[Ubik1]

No one will criticise the Saudis though. It makes me sick. They are going to crucify and be head a teenage boy who took part in anti government protests. No one says a word.

Taking these refugees is not a safe option but it's the moral thing to do. No doubt there will be consequences.

[MissFitt68]

Where are they? I had no idea some have been brought over already. I'm guessing Cameron has to prove we have taken some of our quota in. Thought it would be all over the media as Britains first refugees arrive

[MissFitt68]

Consequences ubik?

[LeaveMyWingsBehindMe]

MissFitt over the last 15 years I think you'll find it's quite a few!

It's not just about how many have come in this immediate crisis, and whether or not we have room to accommodate them now, it's about looking at the long term population projections based on the first generation immigrants we have here already. They tend to have much, much larger families than we typically have in the UK now. If we expect a massive population boom that will continue exponentially then that has a very large bearing on how many people we think we can comfortably absorb going forward.

It's not as simple as looking at the numbers now and the space we have now.

[Olivepip59]

I don't want to import people whose cultural beliefs fundamentally contradict the rights and freedoms this country holds dear.

I think so many are blinded by the massive moral hard-on they get berating anyone who's not sobbing and flinging open borders, that this fundamental consideration just passes them by.

[merrymouse]

We have a largely white, loosely Christian government now because we are a mostly white, loosely Christian society now.

With the emphasis on loosely - from what I learnt in RE and a brief period at Sunday School, Jesus would be in the refugee camps now.

You really can't use Christianity as an excuse not to help others.

[LeaveMyWingsBehindMe]

Well said Olive

[MissFitt68]

Yes I know others have arrived previously

But I was wondering how many since Cameron stated we are taking people from the actual camps rather than those who have already travelled to Europe

It seems to have to have gone quiet in the media

[LeaveMyWingsBehindMe]

I think we need to separate Christianity from our culture. difficult to do so, when our culture is rooted in it in so many ways, but I don't think most people are frightened of an erosion of Christianity, they are frightened of an erosion of our culture and our values.

That's why I said 'loosely' Christian. I don't consider myself a Christian because I don't believe in God, but I do acknowledge that my culture is rooted in basic Christian values, whether I like it or not, and I am quite fond of my culture thanks.

[merrymouse]

I don't want to import people whose cultural beliefs fundamentally contradict the rights and freedoms this country holds dear.

Apparently so much so that you are willing to jettison those very beliefs...

The reality is that the UK isn't that Christian and is not about to open its doors to all refugees. However, if spouting about the defence of Christianity from the Muslim hoards can somehow lessen the likelihood that the UK will help anyone, apparently plenty of people are prepared to do so.

[LeaveMyWingsBehindMe]

It's largely a culture of tolerance (and the gradual mass abandonment of organised religion that for centuries instilled fear and exerted control over our society) that has led us to the point where we have all the freedoms we have. I don't want to do anything to jeopardise that.

[thehypocritesoaf]

What a shame tho that people think our liberal and tolerant society is nothing special and we should happily give up these western ways...

[LeaveMyWingsBehindMe]

Can we start saying hordes please? Sorry to be a pedantic twat but I've read the word hoards so many times this week it's starting to give me a nervous tic.

[PisforPeter]

Most of them aren't even Syrian and are young male economic migrants from elsewhere with some ISIS thrown in for good measure. If you were looking for a place of safety you would go to a neighbouring country. Why are they not in neighbouring Muslim countries in the Middle East.....
Maybe because there is no benefits system....

[LeaveMyWingsBehindMe]

Yes it's a dilemma to be sure, in order to maintain tolerance we have to be less tolerant.

[merrymouse]

And yet there seem to be many Muslims in this country now and we still have Shakespeare, digestive biscuits and cricket. (Cricket actually being quite popular in Muslim countries).

It's a rum old world.

[Ubik1]

Of course there will be consequences. You can't just dump people in a council flat and forget about them. They need services, translators, medical help, education. there needs to be a system and processes set up. Otherwise they disappear into a void.

It's naive to think that immigration always brings positives - it doesn't. There is a cost and a risk to everything. We need to manage that cost and risk.

[thehypocritesoaf]

Many/most refugees ARE in neighbouring turkey and Lebanon. You could ask why there are none in Saudi or Dubai etc though.

[LeaveMyWingsBehindMe]

Most of the rich gulf states won't take them. I'm sure many would go there if they could.

It's a Sunni/Shia thing. Complicated. far more complicated than a Christian/Muslim thing, obviously.

[JeffreysMummyIsCross]

Who is talking about flinging the doors open and inviting everyone? I haven't seen anyone saying this. The government has made it clear that it will allow a limited number of refugees to come here. I can't say I've noticed anyone on here saying "it's not enough, we must let them all come".

[PisforPeter]

Oh & free healthcare because the first thing they do on arrival is register with a GP. So if you are very pro accepting migrants think about that the next time one complains that they can't get an appointment..

[Lweji]

Coming late, but:

nd that will still annoy some of you. "She's a lurker, burn the witch."
Oh, no. More like burn the troll. Which, really, you look like.

How about reading more in depth about the entire issue instead of posting inflammatory comments here?
Do you know that they all want to go to Germany, or was Germany the first European country to offer to receive large numbers of refugees?
Do you have any idea how many hundreds of thousands of refugees are in dire conditions in camps in neighbouring countries to Syria?

[Lweji]

And do you know how many hundreds of thousands British economic migrants leave the UK every year?

[LittleLionMansMummy]

But our culture is founded on centuries of 'invasions' by different cultures, punctuated by periodic fighting between protestants and catholics. Likewise it is based on years of invasion of other countries, enslavement and upper class superiority. Just what is British culture? I am always confused by this term. In the modern era, in which curry is the nation's favourite food, what makes us British? I would much rather a culture of acceptance and the willingness to help those who need it than an island of small minded, selfish people intent on protecting their modern day castles.