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
Tag: asylum
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”
Good news for the unsettled, uprooted and home sick
The strapline of Faithroots is “What we believe affects how we live.” This is because Faithroots is first of all, a theological website. One of my aims is to introduce readers to good, solid, rich and challenging theology. But Faithroots is also meant to be a practical, pastoral site and I don’t think those two… Continue reading Good news for the unsettled, uprooted and home sick
Exiles and strangers
When Peter opens his first letter with the words, “o those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.”[1] It could be seen as just a literal and physical description of those Jewish believers who had been dispersed and scattered from their homeland. However, when you get to 1 Peter… Continue reading Exiles and strangers
Ministry nuts and bolts: What the pastor needs to know about asylum and immigration
This will vary depending on context but if you are serving in an urban context, then the issue of immigration is likely to play a significant part in your ministry. What are the kinds of things you need to be aware of and thinking about? First of all, I think it will help you to… Continue reading Ministry nuts and bolts: What the pastor needs to know about asylum and immigration
Aren’t most asylum claims fake?
I’ve been writing a little this week about asylum, responding particularly to arguments about the UK’s policy of removing asylum seekers arriving across the channel to Rwanda for processing. One of the assumptions I frequently hear is that the vast majority of claimants are not genuine that they are really economic migrants using the asylum… Continue reading Aren’t most asylum claims fake?
Do we need to control immigration to protect our culture?
I promised the other day, that I would deal with one specific argument for why we need to tightly control immigration. It is stated here: The argument is that mass immigration will distort and destroy our culture. We therefore need to restrict immigration at a level which enables newcomers to assimilate into the host culture. … Continue reading Do we need to control immigration to protect our culture?
Why I consider the Rwanda policy immoral
Yesterday, I wrote responding to the criticism that opponents of the Government’s “Rwanda policy” haven’t come up with any proposals of their own. Well, it seems that having stated what some of those proposals are, the criticism switched back to “but in your article, you didn’t offer a critique of the Government’s policy.” It seems… Continue reading Why I consider the Rwanda policy immoral
Is there really no alternative to the Rwanda policy for refugees?
It seems increasingly rare to hear supporters of the Government’s policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing defend the policy. Instead what you tend to get are comments along these lines: And … Now, first of all, a couple of preliminary responses. You will notice that the presumption is that anyone who opposes… Continue reading Is there really no alternative to the Rwanda policy for refugees?
What the Archbishop didn’t say
Last weekend, before we got back to things like parties in Downing Street and whether the Prime Minister tells the truth, the media and social media were full of reports and debate about what the Archbishop of Canterbury had said in his Easter Day sermon. Reports focused on some statements critical of the UK’s Rwanda… Continue reading What the Archbishop didn’t say
Faithroots 