After the magi have visited Jesus, Matthew tells us that God warns them not to go back via Jerusalem because Herod’s intentions towards the child are hostile. Joseph is also warned in a dream to flee to Egypt because Herod is about to send his henchmen to kill Jesus. The family remain in Egypt until… Continue reading Home from Home: Christmas, immigration and asylum
Tag: asylum
If you want people to show a right welcome to asylum seekers and immigrants then… (Responding to Christopher Wickland part 3)
In his sermon which we have been looking at, Christopher Wickland tells us that he wants to nuance the argument he is making. Specifically he claims to have had a prophetic dream where he saw an uprising of some, not all Muslims and the population of the UK became afraid of Muslims generally. The result… Continue reading If you want people to show a right welcome to asylum seekers and immigrants then… (Responding to Christopher Wickland part 3)
Immigrants and asylum seekers are neighbours to be loved and welcomed not invaders to fear
I recently observed to a friend that when it comes to antisemitism we seem to find ourselves compelled to defend and reason rather than simply call out the racism for what it is. However, I’ve realised that actually that isn’t so unique to antisemitism within Evsngelical Christian circles. Rather, the same pressures are there as… Continue reading Immigrants and asylum seekers are neighbours to be loved and welcomed not invaders to fear
The Bible and immigration/ asylum
I recently saw a comment from someone to the effect that the big challenge with the current migrant/small boat crisis is a lack of Biblical teaching on the subject for the church. I agree that there needs to be more careful Biblical discussion and teaching but we also need to be aware of some pitfalls… Continue reading The Bible and immigration/ asylum
The question concerning flags and marches is not about “do you like the people”?
Andrew Wilson wrote recently on Think Theology about what the flags going up around the country, represent and mean. I think this was a helpful question to start asking and highlighted the challenges of interpreting signs and symbols. I am not convinced that this follow up article by Matthew Hosier was so helpful. Steve Kneale… Continue reading The question concerning flags and marches is not about “do you like the people”?
Robert Jenrick, Krish Kandiah, Thought for the Day, Immigration and Xenophobia: Further Reflections
The other day I mentioned the Thought for the Day piece by Krish Kandiah that was pulled and then edited to exclude a reference to Xenophobia in criticism of remarks made by the shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick. To date, apart from my own piece, I’m only aware of an article on Facebook by John… Continue reading Robert Jenrick, Krish Kandiah, Thought for the Day, Immigration and Xenophobia: Further Reflections
Thought for the Day: Free Speech, Politicians and Xenophobia
Conservative/Reform politicians and the right wing media are in uproar. The BBC has engaged in a bit of censorship. They made a mistake, instead of putting up the usual liberal theologian for Thought for the Day and instead of that person testing listeners to a few harmless platitudes, they only went and got in an… Continue reading Thought for the Day: Free Speech, Politicians and Xenophobia
One step forward, two steps back: Keir Starmer’s proposals on immigration
Keir Starmer has made a significant contribution to the debate on immigration and introduced the government’s proposals for reducing net migration. He has insisted that implementing a cap on migration is unhelpful, I agree with him on that. He is quoted as warning that we risk “becoming a nation of strangers” without tighter rules and… Continue reading One step forward, two steps back: Keir Starmer’s proposals on immigration
Mythbusters: Does the government just take tax off of us to give away to foreigners
This is one of the classic grievances expressed in support of populist anti immigration agendas. I’ve seen quite a lot of these types of comments in the last few months especially since the new government made cuts to l pensioners’ winter fuel allowances and hiked taxes including expanding inheritance tax and increasing National Insurance contributions.… Continue reading Mythbusters: Does the government just take tax off of us to give away to foreigners
Talking up the threat (more reflections on responding to the riots)
I’m writing on Thursday morning. Last night there was a lot of nervousness about potential further riots and disturbances around the country. I’m encouraged that the night seems to have passed off fairly peacefully. I’m not sure though that I share the optimism of the media or Christian leaders that a far right mob was… Continue reading Talking up the threat (more reflections on responding to the riots)
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