Mike Baird and the teaching of Jesus

#1138 for broadcast on 2CH Sydney, 11 October 2015

Following police raids on houses across Sydney in the aftermath of last week’s fatal shooting of police accountant Curtis Cheng, NSW Premier Mike Baird took to Facebook, saying his government’s efforts to hunt down those who may have assisted the gunman were

part of a growing trend across the world where young men are radicalised via dangerous teachings (often on the Internet) that are totally out of step with the mainstream Muslim faith.

Mr Baird called on Muslim leaders to ensure that young Muslims were not radicalised. He noted the efforts of police and other law enforcement agencies, and political leaders, in keeping us safe and leading well. Then he said:

It will take effort from all of us. Effort to love our neighbour. Effort to embrace unity over division. Effort to embrace hope over fear.

Good words. Wise words straight from the mouth of a different kind of radical named Jesus.

I’m Rod Benson for the NSW Council of Churches.