Category: ethics

Ableism and the Church (2) The Words we use

I was used to being called names like speccy four eyes at school and mocked and bullied because of my sight issues and asthma.  I didn’t expect those attitudes attending a comedy gig in our hall of residence at university.  Students tend to consider themselves right-on when it comes to prejudice yet there was the… Continue reading Ableism and the Church (2) The Words we use

Following The Science … or The Sciences? How much disagreement really?

Every so often in life, you will hear someone say “well there are so many different opinions on x, therefore I am completely entitled to believe y” at which point they introduce a completely new option that no sane person in the debate would ever endorse. The belief that there are lots and lots of… Continue reading Following The Science … or The Sciences? How much disagreement really?

Ableism, society and the church

In recent years, there have been strong and persistent campaigns against “Ableism”. Like sexism, ageism and racism, ableism is about prejudice against people seen as of less value than others. As the word suggests, it is about prejudicing able bodied people against those with physical and mental disabilities.  As with other prejudices, ableism can include… Continue reading Ableism, society and the church

You can’t stop a virus from spreading that has already spread

This week the Welsh First Minister announced that people living in Tier 2 and 3 areas in England would be banned from entering Wales. Ostensibly this is to help prevent or reduce a spike of cases in Wales. I suspect that in reality, this is more about the type of political posturing I complained about… Continue reading You can’t stop a virus from spreading that has already spread

You don’t have to be my Facebook friend

I was asked a brilliant question the other day. The questioner explained that they have friends on social media who they really struggle with, they find their regular comments about immigration hard to stomach and often there is an undercurrent of racism.  For balance, they observed that they find some of the Black Lives Matter… Continue reading You don’t have to be my Facebook friend

It’s okay to be a socialist … it is even okay to be a right-wing

The other week, I wrote about the danger of allowing our political philosophy to drive our beliefs and actions instead of our faith and theology. At the same time, this does not mean that we have to absolve ourselves from all involvement in and engagement with politics. Personally, I find politics fascinating. I was involved… Continue reading It’s okay to be a socialist … it is even okay to be a right-wing

Keir and Boris … stop the party politics over COVID

It didn’t take long for our politicians to step into the gutter over the pandemic did it. We’ve had cheap stunts like “Eat Out to Help” from the chancellor and we have had Boris insulting the Labour leader as Captain Hindsight whilst refusing to give serious answers to questions and treating scrutiny as a nuisance.… Continue reading Keir and Boris … stop the party politics over COVID

Refugees – Blessing or burden?

Thinking back to a conversation I had with two other Christians about the Home Office’s approach to processing asylum claims, I was struck again by how much our perception of the asylum system is shaped by our view of asylum seekers themselves. If I think that asylum seekers are very likely to be fake, just… Continue reading Refugees – Blessing or burden?

Death, sympathy and Distinguishing – Is Donald Trump equivalent to Bin Laden?

Have a watch of this video clip.  I wonder if you can spot the mistakes that Ash Sarker makes in her response. Sarkar’s argument is that she sympathises with those who have been celebrating Donald Trump’s illness and wishing for his death for three reasons. That we use black humour to cope with tragic situations… Continue reading Death, sympathy and Distinguishing – Is Donald Trump equivalent to Bin Laden?