Charles' fear over online radicalisation of young people

The Prince of Wales has described his fear at how people can be radicalised online.

In an interview with Radio 2's The Sunday Hour this morning, Prince Charles described his "deep concern" for Christian suffering in the Middle East and also spoke of his hopes to "build bridges" between faiths.

The Prince, in Jordan on a six-day tour, said radicalisation and the extent to which it is happening is "the alarming part" and "one of the greatest worries".

He said this was particularly so in Britain, with the values British people held dear.

"You think that the people who have come here, [are] born here, go to school here, would imbibe those values and outlooks," he said.

"The frightening part is that people can be so radicalised either through contact with somebody else or through the internet, and the extraordinary amount of crazy stuff which is on the internet."

The reason some young people went for it was a "search for adventure and excitement at a particular age", he added.

He said: "What I have been trying to do all these years with the Prince's Trust is to find alternatives for adolescents and people at a young age, for constructive paths for them to channel their enthusiasm, their energy, that sense of wanting to take risks and adventure and aggression and all these things.

"But you have to channel them into constructive paths."

Expressing his solidarity for what so many churches are going through in the Middle East, he said: "Christianity was founded in the Middle East, which we often forget. From a morale point I hope it showed they were not forgotten. I wish I could do more. Many of us do wish we could do more.

"I think what doesn't bear thinking about is people of one faith, a believer, could kill another believer. That's the totally bewildering aspect in our day and age."

One answer was to work harder to build bridges. "We have to remember that our Lord taught us to love our neighbour, to do to others as you would do to you and just to go on despite the setbacks and despite the discouragement to try and build bridges and to show justice and kindness to people."

related articles
Prince of Peace? How Prince Charles is becoming an increasingly vocal defender of Christianity
Prince of Peace? How Prince Charles is becoming an increasingly vocal defender of Christianity

Is Prince Charles' defence of Christianity a PR stunt, an ill-judged show of favouritism or an expression of faith?

Prince Charles says he is 'praying fervently' for persecuted Christians

Charles attacks 'diabolical' attacks on people of different faiths.

British tributes to Saudi King spark criticism over human rights record
British tributes to Saudi King spark criticism over human rights record

Several British politicians criticised the deference shown to the leader of a country accused of having a poor human rights record.

Prince Charles: The Holocaust is a \'warning to all of us of all faiths in all times\'
Prince Charles: The Holocaust is a 'warning to all of us of all faiths in all times'

The Prince of Wales led Holocaust survivors and national leaders at a service to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

News
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach
Campaign aims to mobilise 500,000 Christians for Christmas outreach

Shine Your Light is aiming to mobilise half a million Christians to share the gospel with five million people across the UK this Christmas, with more than 2,000 churches already signed up, organisers say.

The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'
The Church of England should repent for previous calls to ban 'conversion therapy'

The Church of England's uneasiness about the government's ‘conversion practices’ bill is a perfect lesson in the old adage, 'be careful what you wish for,' writes Dr Martin Davie.

Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns
Leaked Home Office report links 'Christian extremism' to traditionalist beliefs and immigration concerns

An internal Home Office report lists concerns about immigration, multiculturalism and changing social values among the characteristics associated with what it calls "Christian extremism", it has been reported.

Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity
Tearfund calls for COP31 funding to reach farmers struggling with climate change and food insecurity

Tearfund warns that worsening climate conditions are threatening food production and pushing more people towards hunger.