Australian Christians say 'No' to Book Ban to Tackle Religious Extremism

Church leaders in Australia have said that banning controversial books is not the answer to terrorism, following recent discoveries of materials being sold that advocate extremism.

Australian Federal Police (AFP) have recently been investigating the sale of books in Sydney that carry and endorsement from Osama bin Laden, the head of the terrorist network al-Qaeda.

A prominent Muslim Cleric called for such books to be banned.

However, the National Council of Churches in Australia has said that current state and federal laws were sufficient to deal with extremist material.

"I would have thought existing laws are sufficiently strong but they need to be applied," said NCC Australia President James Haire. "But the main thing is to create a climate of tolerance where the community itself rejects these things."

He added that it was extremists and terrorists that had to be dealt with and also said that he was encouraged by Muslim leaders who had spoken out against violent fringe groups.

The calls for book bans come as concern grows in Australia about extremism, following the July 7 suicide blasts in London. One book found in police investigations called for "martyrdom" operations, according to the Straits Times.

In Melbourne, a bookstore run by a fundamentalist cleric was selling a book calling for violence against Christians. A passage in the book read, "It is either Islam or death," according to the Straits Times.

The idea of censorship has been contemplated as a possible solution to the problem. However, Anglican Primate Archbishop Philip Aspinall felt that a proper balance between freedom of speech and other rights was necessary.

He also hoped that laws would not single out a particular religion. He said he also looked forward to a longer term solution based on "increased understanding, tolerance and learning to live together peaceably.

"...that means addressing the ignorance that gives rise to fear and to hatred," he added.

Under current Australian law, anyone found guilty of inciting hatred is eligible for a maximum jail sentence of 10 years.

Haire said he was encouraged by the comments by Sheik Taj al-Din al Hilaly, according to the Australian Associated Press.

However, Haire added that it was important not create martyrs by marginalising people.

Presently, Federal anti-terrorism laws in Australia make it a crime to collect or make a document that are connected to assisting a terrorist act.

Also, censorship laws ban imports of material that would promote, incite or instruct violence, according to AAP.

Certain states have already put into place anti-vilification laws that could include jail terms for spreading material that attacks identifiable groups or individuals on religious grounds.





Francis Helguero