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Mosque critic brands himself the 'Christian choice' for mayor
Evening Standard12 Feb 2008
A councillor who campaigns against a "mega mosque" near the Olympic Park in Stratford is to run for London mayor.
Alan Craig, leader of the Christian People's Alliance opposition group on Newham council, is to be a candidate in the 1 May poll.
He will also run for the London Assembly and could win a seat if he secures five per cent of the votes cast across the capital.
He has been chosen to represent the Christian Party and will brand himself the "Christian choice".
Mr Craig has been active in opposing the mosque proposed for West Ham, which would be the biggest in Europe. He says it "must be challenged for the sake of open, diverse London" because it is being backed by "separatist Islamic sect" Tablighi Jamaat.
He said: "Londoners are right to be proud of our diverse and multi-ethnic capital where openness and tolerance are vital for our thriving world-class city. This proposed national landmark mosque stands for separateness and secrecy and against social cohesion."
Reader views (9)
London desperately needs a Christian perspective in its politics. There are serious issues with drugs, violent crime, children shooting other children. We need someone who would stand up and proclaim morality strongly. And Gareth, there's nothing wrong with holding those views on marriage and other social issues. We need proper standards in public life. I'll vote for Alan Craig as my 1st Choice and Christian choice for the Assembly.
- Anne Evans, Hounslow, England, 14/04/2008 15:16
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It is good to see a Christian voice stand up for London. Ken Livingstone has brought religion back into politics and now there is a space to discuss God's plan in the public area.
- Tom Conquest, Canning Town, London, 14/02/2008 10:34
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What exactly do you mean by that Gareth? There is only one view on homosexuality, bbortion and marriage. It is not allowed in the case of marriage - DIVORCE is not allowed. Name anyone of those who are in Heaven that were any one of these?
Everyone is trying to get into Heaven even Satan ( it is written) is trying to change his light and turn himself into an Angel of Light to creep in.
Imagine a night club and the bouncer says - Your are out! But hey your fav star is in there and you need to get it... type thing of Satan and Heaven.
- Elizabeth Obisanya, Thamesmead SE 28, 13/02/2008 12:31
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Let us judge the campaign and the man by output and not by our preconceptions of Christianity. Let us stop complaining about the status quo if we will shoot down anything that represents change. I welcome the Christian choice as it seems the others have done all that they can do and we are still well short of the mark on several fronts!
- Rele Adesina, London, 13/02/2008 09:55
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Gareth needs to understand the difference between conservative and orthodox. A voice that can accommodate both orthodoxy and heresy is no voice at all.
Alan is the choice for those, not just Christians, who want to see the Kingdom of God put back into politics.
- Tom Gorilla, Northampton, UK, 13/02/2008 09:37
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Great choice, no cathedral for separatists.
- Mike Fidimore, UK, 13/02/2008 04:14
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If it's 'conservative' to give up a champagne lifestyle as a world-class businessman, in order to work among deprived Londoners, as Alan did 25 years ago, and to go on sticking it out on behalf of the poor against fat cat developers and dishonest politicians, then he gets my vote. London needs altruism more than it needs the opinion police.
- Jenny, Bounds Green, 12/02/2008 21:07
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Worth noting before anyone thinks of voting for these guys that the CPA is what one might describe as at the conservative end of the Christian spectrum and are therefore hardly the Christian choice as opposed to the conservative Christian voice.
They hold conservative views which aren't necessarily the only Christian views on marriage, abortion, and homosexuality to name but three.
- Gareth Morgan, London, 12/02/2008 16:56
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Come on Alan...I'll be backing you!
- Viktor, Tolworth, 12/02/2008 15:59
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