Beware religious extremists, warns PM

PRIME MINISTER Patrick Manning in appealing to religious bodies to do more to curb increasing crime and degenerating moral standards and warned against religious extremism. Manning did not name any particular religious group but while addressing members of the Beth’aleel Fundamental Baptist Church of Drayton Street, San Fernando yesterday, he said nearly all religious groups in our society share the basic concept of truth, right action and moral values. “So there is no basis for conflict,” he explained. “At the same time, however, extremes of religious conviction and behaviour could lead to another level of chaos and confusion among people and groups in their relations one to another and with each other.”  Saying that such religious extremism was not what he was advocating, Manning warned that the country could not afford a religious conflagration. Manning was invited to deliver the feature address at the church’s anniversary celebrations.