Queen says Islam should be challenged

Copenhagen Post ^ | 14.04.2005 | Copenhagen Post

[Eurotwit]

In a new biography, Denmark's Queen Margrethe II says Islam should be challenged

Islam poses a challenge both globally and locally, and the challenge should be taken seriously, says Queen Margarethe II in a new, openhearted biography.

The book, based on interviews between the queen and the book's author, journalist Annelise Bistrup, is to be released on Saturday, the queen's 65th birthday.

'There is something impressive about people, whose existence is immersed in religion from dawn to dusk, from the cradle to the grave. There are also Christians who live like that,' the Queen said in the book.

'But it is a challenge, which we need to take seriously,' she added. 'We have admittedly ignored it for too long. Because we are tolerant - and a little lazy. I don't find it easy at all. Nor especially pleasant.'

Queen Margarethe has studied Islam through her archaeological pursuits, and says she does not feel entirely unprepared to enter the debate.

'As I said, there is something fascinating about people who go to such lengths to surrender themselves to a religion. But there is also something frightening about the all-encompassing side of Islam,' she said.

'The challenge must be met, at the risk of getting some less flattering labels attached,' the Queen said. 'For there are some things we should not meet with tolerance. When we are tolerant, we should be careful to note whether it stems from convenience or conviction.'

Queen Margarethe said we might stand at crossroads.

'Unfortunately, crossroads often only reveal themselves after we have crossed them,' she said. 'And one doesn't always turn out to have taken the right road. But we have at least realized that we cannot let ourselves be shooed off by things that frighten us. We cannot compromise our notions of justice and legitimacy.'

Apart from discussing the challenges of Islam, the book offers a personal insight into the life of Denmark's beloved monarch.

'It becomes a very personal affair when one has a lot of long conversations with one particular person,' said Denmark's Queen Margrethe II Wednesday as the new biography was presented.

According to previews, the long and frequent interviews between Bistrup and the queen meant that the biography could be laced with many personal insights into the queen's life, such as how she felt as a young queen, the growth of her spirituality, and her role, as a member of an older generation, to pass the country's history on.

Queen Margrethe said her interviews with Bistrup brought up forgotten memories that could be worthwhile for others, especially young people, to hear.

'All of a sudden, things that I didn't even know I could remember were pouring forth. One realises that one has memories that some don't have, simply because they are too young,' said Queen Margrethe, referring especially to important periods in Denmark's history such as the German occupation during WWII.

In addition to offering a view into the Queen Margrethe's role as Head of State, the book also opens up the queen's world as head of family, with her reflections on being a mother, a stepmother, and now grandmother.

Bistrup said she was glad that the format she chose to write the book would allow Danes to get to know their queen as person rather than as an icon.

[tjwmason]

After I toast my own Queen this evening, I think I'll raise the glass in toast Her Majesty Queen Margrethe as well.

[NZerFromHK]

A cousin of her, such as this one, should seriously consider what the good Queen of Denmark had said:

As per:

Text of The Queen's Christmas Broadcast to the Commonwealth 2004

Religion and culture are much in the news these days, usually as sources of difference and conflict, rather than for bringing people together. But the irony is that every religion has something to say about tolerance and respecting others. For me as a Christian one of the most important of these teachings is contained in the parable of the Good Samaritan, when Jesus answers the question "who is my neighbour". It is a timeless story of a victim of a mugging who was ignored by his own countrymen but helped by a foreigner - and a despised foreigner at that. The implication drawn by Jesus is clear. Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed or colour. The need to look after a fellow human being is far more important than any cultural or religious differences.

[Katya]

I sincerely hope she has very good security....

[television is just wrong]

A person who intends you harm, is not your neighbor. She may be queen, but it doesn't make her 100% right.

[NZerFromHK]

Exactly! This is why I was disgusted by the Queen's Christmas message last year. So did Mark Steyn.

[SlowBoat407]

I have my new tagline! Thank you, Queen Margarethe

[softwarecreator]

This is a PC way of saying that Islam is a major threat. People are starting to talk about this more openly and maybe the seeds are being planted for a major leader to finally step forward and say out loud what we all know ... Islam is NOT a Religion of Peace.

These muzzies demand nothing less than total global submission to their ideals and will stop at nothing to achieve it.

The sooner this "religion" is looked at for what it is ... a murderous cult ... the quicker it can be dealt with, before it is too late.

[NZerFromHK]

A portrait of Queen Margrethe II:

[sure_fine]

islam has been challenged, it has been exposed, it needs to be condemned

[Prodigal Son]

The Queen is simply quoting Christ.

Luke 10: 27

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

[sgtbono2002]

Not only is she smarter than old Liz she is a lot better looking.

[NZerFromHK]

It is true, but it is at the Christian's personal level. At the corporate national level God intends for governments to deal with things differently.

[tkathy]

Kicking the monarchies out was the best thing our founding fathers did for the world.

[television is just wrong]

Still doesn't make people that would intend to harm you, your neighbor.

[gridlock]

Every now and then, one of these royals proves that they do have a function. Remember the young Queen Elizabeth II, talking about a life of service and submission in the dark days after WWII, or King Juan Carlos of Spain, standing up against the military junta. Now Queen Margrethe of Denmark speaks up to say what desperately needs to be said.

[Prodigal Son]

At the corporate national level God intends for governments to deal with things differently.

Did God tell you this?

[Prodigal Son]

But it cannot be denied that if everyone were to follow the teachings of Christ in this example, as paraphrased by the Queen, the world would be a much better place in which to live.

[NZerFromHK]

Read Romans 13:1-7 and Genesis 9:3-7 as God intends what human governments do. Human governments and individual Christians have different obligations.

[thombo]

Wise words,but(imo)too little,too late.Denmark(and Western Europe)have already passed the cultural "crossroads". European nobility is slowly sliding into irrelevance.They just haven't figured it out yet.