"-All that lives is subject to the recreative power of love, our national poet Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson wrote in his poem "Love your neighbour". This is the power that is now let loose in Norway"
From the Speech by Dagfinn Høybråten* at the Memorial for the Norwegian terror attacks...
"The acts of terror offends what we hold dearest as a people: Human life and dignity, freedom and democracy. But the Norwegian plural democracy can not be stopped by bullets. After this, there will be more unity and more plurality. Plurality does not threaten our culture. It strengthens and builds our culture.
Today I want to say thanks to Norwegian muslims in general and the Pakistani community in particular for your contribution to build Norway as a society of culture and welfare. I have worked with muslim leaders for years and in them I have met a strong feeling of responsibility and desire to contribute to a peaceful, non-violent and more human society....... It is meaningless to label the suspects confused thinking Christian fundamentalist. His acts and his thinking is contrary to true Christianity.
-All that lives is subject to the recreative power of love, our national poet Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson wrote in his poem "Love your neighbour". This is the power that is now let loose in Norway. Love is strong enough to conquer hate and desire for revenge. The power of life is stronger than the power of death. Greatest of all is love. By focusing this way, the leaders of our land may release new strengths and energies among the people. "
Love Your Neighbour
by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson
Love your neighbour, you Christian leal *
tread him never with iron heel
though in the dust he’s lying.
Living creatures will celebrate
love’s mild power to recreate
given the chance of trying.
*
To be “leal” means to
be “true or genuine”
**Dagfinn Høybråten
Leader of the Christian Democratic Party
In office
23 January 2004 – 30 April 2011
