Category: ethics

Reforming the asylum system

Steve Kneale, has shared a proposal for a possible solution the current crisis in the channel tunnel with people seeking to enter Britain for asylum through hazardous boat crossings organised by people smugglers.  These crossings are dangerous and this week resulted in tragic loss of life.** I don’t intend to engage with the detail of… Continue reading Reforming the asylum system

The hermeneutical foul

If you’ll indulge me, I want to say a little bit more about the recent debate that followed that Jonathan Leeman article.  The article and the aftermath raised important questions about how we read and hear what others are saying, including God’s Word but also how we read and hear what each other are saying.… Continue reading The hermeneutical foul

Questioning gender

This question has come up in the context of the conversation about transgender issues. Some people have commented that they struggle a little with when people say that they have a clear sense of their gender.” I think they are particularly referring to when people consider themselves different to the gender on their birth certificate.… Continue reading Questioning gender

On your bike – what are the real obstacles?

I got into one of those circular arguments with someone the other day which leaves you with a sore head. The context was the COP26 discussion about electric vehicles and the argument by some that we need to focus our attention more on things likme public transport and “active transport” – by which they mean… Continue reading On your bike – what are the real obstacles?

Move along nothing to see?

On Tuesday 9th November 2021, Tzipi Hotovely, an Israeli ambassador  spoke at the London School of Economics.  At the venue, students gathered to protest.  Video footage shows her being greeted by a wall of noise, chants of “shame on you” and having to be ushered quickly into a car. Additional reports state that students had… Continue reading Move along nothing to see?

Is the church helping asylum seekers to game the system?

On Sunday morning a Liverpool taxi driver realised that his passenger had an explosive devise attached to him. Bravely he chose to lock the cab doors so that the potential bomber was secured in the vehicle. As a result, when the bomb went off at the Liverpool Women’s hospital significant loss of life and injury… Continue reading Is the church helping asylum seekers to game the system?

Can a jury decide not guilty if they think the sentence is unjust?

Frances Crook, formally head of the Howard League For Penal Reform tweeted this comment. I’m not sure how long the tweet will stay up because it raises significant issues, not just in terms of morality but in terms of Legality Juries have a responsibility to remain within the Law and to fulfil the specific duties… Continue reading Can a jury decide not guilty if they think the sentence is unjust?

Electric cars, COP26 and the elephant in the room regarding climate change

Today at the COP26 (yes it’s still going) the focus is on switching to electric cars.  Dave Walker hs argued using his cartoon today that this is the wrong focus.  Switching to electric vehicles may prove costly, have its own environmental impact and not bring as significant benefits as we might hope for. He argues… Continue reading Electric cars, COP26 and the elephant in the room regarding climate change

Learning COVID lessons – Sweden and comparison tables revisited

I’ve seen two types of article about Sweden’s pandemic response over the past few weeks (as indeed I have throughout the pandemic). On the one hand, there are those who continue to argue that the Swedish approach demonstrates that we were wrong to bring in tough measures such as social distancing, face masks and lockdowns.… Continue reading Learning COVID lessons – Sweden and comparison tables revisited