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06/06/2014
Belfast Pastor Apologises Over Islam Remarks
The Belfast pastor James McConnell from the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle, who called Islam "heathen" and "satanic", has apologised in a public statement.
The pastor said: "I had no intention of causing any offence or insulting any member of the Muslim community" and he added he had not intended to "arouse fear or stir-up or incite hatred" towards them.
Mr McConnell said speaking to his congregation in north Belfast on 18 May: "Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell" and he added other remarks as " a new evil has arisen" or "there are cells of Muslim right throughout Britain".
In the statement that pastor said: "I have qualified my comments by reference to those who use their religion as justification for violence. As a preacher of the word of God, it is this interpretation of the doctrine of Islam which I am condemning. I abhor violence and condemn anyone, of any faith, who uses religion to justify it."
He also remarked on his work in Ethiopia helping children, both Muslims and Christians.
Earlier this week the First Minister of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson visited the Belfast Islamic Centre to make a public apology for his remarks backing the pastor.
Mr Robinson also was heavily criticised after said: "I wouldn't trust Muslims who are following Sharia Law to the letter and neither would he" but added he "would have no difficulty in trusting Muslims to go down to the shop for me."
(CVS)
The pastor said: "I had no intention of causing any offence or insulting any member of the Muslim community" and he added he had not intended to "arouse fear or stir-up or incite hatred" towards them.
Mr McConnell said speaking to his congregation in north Belfast on 18 May: "Islam is heathen, Islam is satanic, Islam is a doctrine spawned in hell" and he added other remarks as " a new evil has arisen" or "there are cells of Muslim right throughout Britain".
In the statement that pastor said: "I have qualified my comments by reference to those who use their religion as justification for violence. As a preacher of the word of God, it is this interpretation of the doctrine of Islam which I am condemning. I abhor violence and condemn anyone, of any faith, who uses religion to justify it."
He also remarked on his work in Ethiopia helping children, both Muslims and Christians.
Earlier this week the First Minister of Northern Ireland Peter Robinson visited the Belfast Islamic Centre to make a public apology for his remarks backing the pastor.
Mr Robinson also was heavily criticised after said: "I wouldn't trust Muslims who are following Sharia Law to the letter and neither would he" but added he "would have no difficulty in trusting Muslims to go down to the shop for me."
(CVS)
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