Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Why are we frightened of minorities?

"What is most interesting is the fact that our discrimination campaign was waged by two opposite sides for different reasons, but the result was the same.

The pro-religion side of the state imposed restrictions in the name of �protecting Islam.� It forced the arrest of those who distributed free Bibles, and it banned missionaries.

The secular side of the state, on the other hand, continually imposed bans to keep tabs on religious foundations.

These efforts eventually created significant confusion. Today we want to become a European Union member, but we can't see any way of resolving this matter."

"Can't you just imagine what's happening? In a country of 70 million we are frightened of a few hundred thousand non-Muslims.

We are worried about them establishing churches and continuing to exist with the help of their foundations.

What do you think they'll do?

Are they going to distribute free books and convert all 70 million of us to Christianity? Will the missionaries succeed in persuading society? Will their foundations become so rich that they will divide up the country?

How can this even be taken seriously?"
Turkish Daily News - Mehmet Ali Birand: Why are we frightened of minorities?

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