fish5133
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 Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 11:58 am Post subject: Iranian President's Christmas Message |
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| Quote: | Anger over alternative Christmas message
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
The decision to broadcast the Alternative Christmas Message by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has angered human rights campaigners and Israelis.
The speech by the hardline leader, whose anti-Western rhetoric and views on Israel and homosexuality have strained international relations between Iran and the West, is not scheduled at the same time as the Queen's Speech but will go out at 7.15pm on Channel 4.
Campaign groups attacked the broadcaster's decision to air the speech, as 'dangerous' and motivated by ratings.
However, the president uses the message to express his wish for a peaceful New Year and greater spirituality among governments, leaders and society as a whole.
Speaking in Farsi with English subtitles he will say: 'Jesus, the Son of Mary, is the standard bearer of justice, of love for our fellow human beings, of the fight against tyranny, discrimination and injustice.
'If Christ were on earth today, undoubtedly He would stand with the people in opposition to bullying, ill-tempered and expansionist powers.
'If Christ were on earth today, undoubtedly He would hoist the banner of justice and love for humanity to oppose warmongers, occupiers, terrorists and bullies the world over.
'If Christ were on earth today, undoubtedly He would fight against the tyrannical policies of prevailing global economic and political systems, as He did in His lifetime.'
But the Israeli Embassy branded the Christmas message a 'sick and twisted irony'.
Israeli Ambassador Ron Prosor said: 'In Iran, converts to Christianity face the death penalty. It is perverse that this despot is allowed to speculate on the views of Jesus, while his government leads Christ's followers to the gallows.'
He said Channel 4's decision to broadcast the message was a 'scandal and a national embarrassment' and in 'its search for ratings and shock factor, Channel 4 has lost its ethical way'.
Stephen Smith, director of the Holocaust Centre, said the message should be treated with caution.
President Ahmadinejad's views on the state of Israel and his claims that the Holocaust is a 'myth' have angered Jewish groups.
Mr Smith said: 'I think this benign message is deceptive. People need to be alert to the fact that this is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
'Many of his political and historical views are very dangerous and do not uphold the views in his message.'
Mr Smith criticised 'the fact that somebody who openly denies the Holocaust is given legitimacy on prime-time television, someone who uses Holocaust denial to be divisive'.
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, of Liberal Judaism, said: 'I have no trouble with Channel 4 dealing with difficult issues. The Queen's speech is so benign that it is worthwhile having something thought-provoking.
Channel 4 head of news and current affairs Dorothy Byrne defended the decision to broadcast the message.
She said: 'As the leader of one of the most powerful states in the Middle East, President Ahmadinejad's views are enormously influential.
'As we approach a critical time in international relations, we are offering our viewers an insight into an alternative world view. |
http://www.orange.co.uk/news/topstories/19210.htm?linkfrom=hp4&link=ti cker_pos_1_link_3&article=index
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JO911B.
"for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high places " Eph.6 v 12 |
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