Often it is those most affected by a decision who get the least say in it. Think about the London Mayoral election. The Mayor has been able to impose a congestion charge and also has powers over how the London Underground functions but who is most affected by those decisions? Well arguably it is the… Continue reading The election that affects us all
Tag: Public Theology
John Piper is right -the US Presidential Election is about character and pride first
John Piper has been raising eyebrows this week. In an article, he argued that pride in a presidential candidate is as dangerous and likely to cause death as having a president with a liberal attitude to abortion laws. The surprising thing is that this in effect puts him at odds with his generation and his… Continue reading John Piper is right -the US Presidential Election is about character and pride first
Free School Meals – The Elephant in the Room
In the summer, Marcus Rashford launched a successful campaign to get free school meal provision extended into the summer holidays. At the time, I wrote that whilst he should be congratulated, this was not in fact a long term solution to childhood food poverty. My argument at the time was that we should be asking… Continue reading Free School Meals – The Elephant in the Room
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?
Praying for Donald Trump and Boris Johnson -when it is okay to qualify and prefix
In my article about praying for Donald Trump (and other politicians), as well as dealing with why we shouldn’t wish others dead, I also warned against the temptation to preface our prayers and best wishes with words along the lines of “although I disagree with..” Steve Kneale makes a similar point here and in an… Continue reading Praying for Donald Trump and Boris Johnson -when it is okay to qualify and prefix
On wishing politicians dead
On wishing someone else dead “We should rejoice that this dictator is dead” said the preacher, to audible gasps from the congregation. “My daughter prayed that he would die at our family prayer time yesterday, and it has happened.” He then went on to explain his reasoning. The dictator could either die to himself and… Continue reading On wishing politicians dead
What is driving my views – political ideology or theology?
It became rather apparent during lockdown that once again, our country was being divided down fairly familiar lines. I’m not saying that there was an exact like for like, true in every case. However, generally speaking, it seemed possible to divide people into two camps. The first camp was those who were concerned about Global… Continue reading What is driving my views – political ideology or theology?
Faithroots 