Category: ethics

No papers?  Why might an asylum seeker lack documentation such as passports?

In recent discussions about asylum seekers, especially those coming by boat, a recurring comment was that it was illegal to try and enter the UK without appropriate documentation.  This is correct, and asylum seekers are expected to provide such documentation when turning up for their application to be processed. There are however defences available if… Continue reading No papers?  Why might an asylum seeker lack documentation such as passports?

Endorsements

One fall out from the recent TGC debacle over the article that was pulled, replaced with a longer book extract and then replaced with a resignation announcement has been greater attention on the Christian publishing world and how book endorsements work. A couple of the people who endorsed Josh Butler’s book have since withdrawn their… Continue reading Endorsements

One Flesh – Is it just about sex?

The other day, I wrote about how a particular problem at the moment is where we acknowledge that a theology of everything is possible but do this by breaking everything down into its constituent parts and analysing them leading to what I called the anatomisation of everything. I was making a wider point but it… Continue reading One Flesh – Is it just about sex?

The Gary Lineker Saga

At the weekend, Gary Lineker was stood down from presenting duties on Match of the Day, numerous other commentators and panellists refused to participate in solidarity. The result in the end was severe disruption to the BBC’s sporting schedule.  Some people might argue that this was generally for the better including those who think there’s… Continue reading The Gary Lineker Saga

How should we look on the asylum seeker (responding to “stop the boats”

Immigration control is the last resort of a government in difficulty.  Over the years, we’ve seen politicians from both sides of the divide ramp up the rhetoric, whether it was Gordon Brown promising British jobs for British workers or David Cameron telling us that he could reduce immigration to the tens of thousands. Easier said… Continue reading How should we look on the asylum seeker (responding to “stop the boats”

Suspended Tolerance?

I’ve just had time to look a little bit more at this story that emerged over the weekend.  On social media, the story has been presented focusing on one severely autistic boy being suspended and then receiving death threats due to a Quran being scuffed/damaged.  A local councillor defended the school for suspending the boy… Continue reading Suspended Tolerance?

The toxic danger of gossip for both men and women

I recently engaged with an article that described gossip and slander as “the curse of women.” The article has since been withdrawn, I suspect one if those articles written in haste and frustration at specific circumstances. However, the association of women specifically with gossip is a common misconception. I found that phrasing unhelpful because I don’t… Continue reading The toxic danger of gossip for both men and women

Is the protestant position on abortion contradictory?

I just wanted to pick up on this tweet. I think that it runs with a number of misconceptions and confusions.  First,  a misunderstanding of what we mean by things like original sin and Total Depravity.  The choice of wording in the tweet suggests that the doctrines require us to regard people, including babies and… Continue reading Is the protestant position on abortion contradictory?

On Jews counting -another look at the problem of antisemitism in British politics

I wanted to revisit the issue of antisemitism here in the UK. I wrote a little bit more about this recently in the light of the Stephen Sizer case and this article builds a little on this one which looked at how someone who would not consider themselves, nor be considered by others as hating… Continue reading On Jews counting -another look at the problem of antisemitism in British politics