And all over an innocent biscuit

[MotherBear]

Biscuits Satan's work, school principal told
01 December 2006

A Christchurch Catholic school principal was accused of "working for Satan" after allowing pupils to work with Muslim girls on a school project.

St Thomas of Canterbury College principal Bruce Stevenson was abused over the phone by a woman objecting to a Young Enterprise Scheme project involving a group of Year 11 boys and Muslim girls from the United Muslimahs of Canterbury. The two groups worked together to develop a cookie called a Salam Biscuit, made from a special recipe suitable for Muslims.

The biscuit was designed to be a symbol of peace between faiths. Profits from the sale of the biscuits were given to the International Red Crescent ? the Muslim equivalent of the International Red Cross.

Stevenson said the woman accused him of working for Satan and that he would go to hell for his actions. "I thought it was more bizarre than anything. She was really stirred up about it. "

She asked me if I believed in Christ and I said I did, but I believe faith is about working with others," he said. She also allegedly threatened to boycott Couplands Bakeries, who helped develop and market the biscuit.

The joint managing director of the Unity Biscuit Company, student Alex McClelland, said he was surprised by the woman's reaction but it had not put the group off.

"We were quite keen to meet her to discuss our point of view. Everywhere else we have had a great reaction to it."

The biscuit has been sold across the Canterbury University campus.

Twisted Hop co-owner Stephen Hardman said the Christchurch pub sold a small number of biscuits to support "a great community project".

- The Press

[selchie]

Some people really miss the message.