I HAVE lived seven years of my life in France, having served as a paratrooper in the French Foreign Legion and as a pastor of a French Church. I go there most years on holiday and have travelled the length of the country on a bicycle – a wonderful experience.
I love France and I love the French. The result of those seven years has meant that its founding principles of Liberte, Egalite and Fratenite – freedom, equality, and brotherhood – have become ideologically sacred to me. So the news of Wednesday's attacks shock me to the core of my being.
I noticed that the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has called the attack "brutal, demonic and cowardly". It has since come to light that the alleged perpetrators were only 18 years old.
As an Anglican minister, I live and work in Normanton, where large parts of the population in the parish where I serve are of the Muslim faith. This attack has deeply misrepresented the faith that my neighbours hold.
Therefore, it is vital that in Derby we do not embrace Islamaphobia and that we continue to work hard to keep the excellent community relations that we have in the city.
So what should be my Christian response to this barbaric and – yes, I will join with my archbishop in calling it demonic – attack on the founding principles of any Western democracy?
Firstly, the criminals who perpetrated this crime are those who are wicked and cowardly, not my neighbours. Muslims are my fellow human beings, friends and citizens of the city in which I live.
Secondly, we need to stand united as citizens to defend the principles of liberty, equality and brotherhood.
A defence of the liberty that allows you to practise your faith, hold an opinion, disagree and to stand for your principles, even if they are distasteful to me. I constantly hear people blaspheme the name of Jesus. It is offensive to me. But, I uphold people's right to hold that opinion.
Equality, that whoever you are, whatever your gender, faith, sexuality, political opinion, nationality or ideology, we recognise your right to live as an equal citizen under the law of this land.
Brotherhood, that we stand with you in your rights, we do not allow people to scapegoat you and we will work with you for a fair and equitable society – working with you to make our society a good place to live and work.
The editorial team of Charlie Hebdo gave their lives for these principles. For me, these are things worth dying for.
Church deacon Alasdair Kay is chief executive of Derby City Mission, which runs projects such as the Street Pastors, food banks, debt welfare and advice clinics and the Derby Churches Night Shelter.
