This video clip of a Muslim speaker demonstrates the very thing 'Yes Minister' cites, in that it depends how you ask questions and in what order - as to the answers you want and the subsequent conclusions.
In the unemployment story of Yes Minister, the issue at stake was whether the unemployed might be diverted to national service. Sir Humphrey Appleby the permanent secretary of the Department of Administration who was not keen on this idea, gave Jim Hacker the Minister a lesson in this art form.
The question was put as to whether the voting public would appreciate highly military trained gangs of unemployed youth, running riot across Britain. The answer was a forgone conclusion.
In other words, the issue of giving unemployed young people a chance to better themselves, to see them get some trades training, providing them self esteem and the nation a boost in morale, was completely turned around to something negative and fearful.
The Muslim speaker in this video plays the same trick to get the response he is after.
First, in summary, he asks his audience whether they believe as a normal Muslim, the punishments as set out in the Koran (he lists some of them, gruesome as they are) as established by Allah and his Holy messenger – and asks the question whether this is the best for mankind? He asks his audience whether Allah's holy wisdom is as it should be, did they believe this?
They all raise their hands. His point is that whether they speak it or not, these are the tenants of belief in being a "normal" Muslim.
His second question
The follow up question relates as to whether any of them in that room saw themselves as a Muslim "terrorist". Of course not, they are all peaceful "normal" Muslims, and no one raised their hand. None of them were terrorists, they were "normal" Muslims.
There is the slight of hand – I recommend you view the 2 min video.
On the one hand, the way the speaker asked the question so as to get the result he wanted, illustrated every "normal" Muslim recognised the teaching of the Koran was perfect for living and needed to be followed to the letter. This includes the blood thirsty bits which he spelt out.
The second question the Muslim speaker asked, related to whether they saw themselves as terrorists. Of course not. Yet as "normal" Muslims, they would be at one with the Koran and with the punishments laid down for a range of human behaviour in their religious and political dogma, ie the tenants of Islam.
The application
The mindset as described in this video and the manner in which the Muslim speaker, as in Yes Minister, chasing the result sought, is it any wonder that the West is having difficulties.
In Australia there are estimated to be 500,000 Muslims, that represents between 1.75% to 2.5% of the nation's population – the figures are not totally reliable, it's somewhere around those percentages.
Yet, we do not see such demanding issues arising with -
the Buddhist community of whom many are home spun Anglo-Saxons representing 3.8%,
the Hindu community,
the Jewish community,
the Greek Orthodox community with 8% Greek heritage,
the Russian Orthodox and
other such minority groups.
The question raised, is why doesn't the Prime Minister also hold a celebratory dinner for these groups as well? (and with a sprinkling of other faiths).
Our political leaders and most left leaning commentators want to sweep this under the carpet, hiding their heads in the sand, somehow thinking 'they don't mean it', and, 'Oh No, it's not Islam or its philosophy?'
If anything, the Book of Nehemiah teaches us is to take such issues to heart and act with a serious and protective hand.
Illustrations
The times I have been to Israel I've noticed the military in the cities, many of them young people, acting with all seriousness and with a protective hand over against those who would come against them and their freedoms.
There is a courage and a strength of heart that each of us as citizens may need to muster when political weasel words do nothing but appease.
Where is our Winston Churchill?
Yes, I concur, pray. Yes, exhibit a Christ like witness. Yes, show generosity of spirit and good will. Yes, display love to all our neighbours. Equally, show wisdom, discernment and responsibility.
The Scriptures are replete with both sentiments.
Political correctness in its true form, in reality is a message of righteousness and strength rather than kowtowing to troublesome minorities. It's time for the political classes to man-up to these real issues.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html