What does it mean to be British? If we think about it carefully, there are only two things that make you British. You were either born here or you have been given British citizenship. Now, there may be some things that at a certain level unite us together. There is a common language and a… Continue reading We can’t have “British Values” if we want to be truly democratic, tolerant and pluralistic
Category: Opinion
How we respond to asylum policies is likely to depend on our presuppositions
Steve Kneale has argued here that we need a different type of blue-skies thinking to get to grips with the issue of asylum. He helpfully identifies a number of problems with the current situation and some of the suggested solutions. He then goes on to make some of his own recommendations. The challenge with responding… Continue reading How we respond to asylum policies is likely to depend on our presuppositions
Why we might not need the vaccine to be fully rolled out to get back to normal
This article comes with all the usual and hopefully obvious caveats and disclaimers. I’m not a doctor, epidemiologist or anything medical. So, these are the musings of an ordinary citizen and arm chair critic. However, sometimes it takes the ordinary citizen, the amateur if you like to raise observations that might get missed. That’s why… Continue reading Why we might not need the vaccine to be fully rolled out to get back to normal
The danger with playing the media game
Earlier this week, we were asked to sign a letter to the Government written by other church leaders. The letter expressed support for appropriate measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, expressed concern about the way some measures might be affecting the most needy and vulnerable, explained why churches play an essential role in our community… Continue reading The danger with playing the media game
No, troops are not being deployed on the streets
A lot of media attention and Christian commentary too this week was on speculation about the Government putting troops on the streets to deal with people who don’t comply with COVID-19. I came across some of the speculation in reaction to a letter that some church leaders have written to the government urging them not… Continue reading No, troops are not being deployed on the streets
No the church did not roll over during COVID
There’s an insinuation going around in some circles at the moment that because churches closed down buildings and started to meet online during the COVID-19 lockdowns and are currently conforming with face mask and social distancing rules that this makes us wet cowards. The narrative is that COVID regulations are some kind of authoritarian attack… Continue reading No the church did not roll over during COVID
What does it mean to “just focus on protecting the vulnerable”?
Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen a point of view gaining momentum in certain quarters which is that we should never have had a full national lockdown and that we should be lifting all restrictions now so that the young and healthy can be free to live their lives without interference. Instead we should… Continue reading What does it mean to “just focus on protecting the vulnerable”?
Is it hubris to believe we can control a virus?
Glen Scrivener thinks it is. So today I am going to do the risky thing and attempt to disagree with a brilliant mind! First of all, we need to distinguish between “Can we potentially control a virus.” And “have we been able to control this one” or “will we definitely be able to control it.”… Continue reading Is it hubris to believe we can control a virus?
A Great attempt at a letter -and why sadly I cannot sign it yet
A few church leaders have put together a letter to the Prime Minister and the first ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It expresses support for proportional responses to COVID-19 whilst expressing concerns about some measures and where the limit to their support is. They are inviting other ministers to add their signatures. You… Continue reading A Great attempt at a letter -and why sadly I cannot sign it yet
Will a circuit break work?
The latest proposal for combatting coronavirus is a “circuit break.” The idea is that by taking short breaks from normal life by imposing mini lockdowns, we can help flatten the next wave of COVID-19. Is this likely to be effective. Well, if the question is “will such measures effectively combat the pandemic” then I don’t… Continue reading Will a circuit break work?
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