This is a question I’ve seen asked a few times over the past few weeks as rail, mail and NHS strikes have started to bite. The response from those supporting/defending union action has been to argue that Unions and Strike action have played a significant role in labour reforms in the UK including better pay/conditions,… Continue reading What did the Unions ever do for us?
Tag: Public Theology
Why we don’t want to weaponise prayer
The other day, I wrote about the lady who was arrested for silently praying outside an abortion clinic. Some commentary made it sound as though a random person, simply passing by and praying had been arrested for a one off, incidental event. The reality was that their arrest followed a series of actions on their… Continue reading Why we don’t want to weaponise prayer
Organ Donation?
I sometimes am asked my opinion about organ donation. There seem to be two issues at stake. The first is that some people are worried about whether Christians may donate organs such as their heart, kidneys, corneas etc to help others with serious illness or disease. The other issue that comes up is that some… Continue reading Organ Donation?
No, the Supreme Court’s decision on a Scottish Independence referendum did not mark the death of democracy.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Scottish Parliament does not have the power to call another referendum on independence. Obviously, the SNP and their supporters are upset and disappointed by this. They have every right to campaign for independence and wanted the opportunity for a new vote. I’m not sure that they’ve got reason… Continue reading No, the Supreme Court’s decision on a Scottish Independence referendum did not mark the death of democracy.
Wrong reasons for pushing others into peace talks
Reports in the press over the past week or so have suggested that the US is pressing Ukraine to move towards peace talks with Russia. It is ironic when reports refer to the communications as private. What that means is that no politician is publicly calling for talks in public statements. However, when the world’s… Continue reading Wrong reasons for pushing others into peace talks
why care and prayer are needed as Russia lashes out
Today there have been reports of Russian missiles landing in Poland resulting in deaths. Both Poland and Hungary have called meetings of their security councils. People have also been quoting promises by President Biden that every inch of NATO territory would be defended. It is worth remembering first that NATO mutual commitments don’t prerequisite immediate… Continue reading why care and prayer are needed as Russia lashes out
The nurses strike or Matt Hancock on I’m a Celebrity? When you don’t have to choose between two ethical issues
I saw this tweet the other day. It’s a classical example of poor reasoning and poor ethical thinking. We sometimes refer to this as “Whataboutery.” A person expresses an opinion on a moral issue. They are then told that they should not be expressing views about that issue because issue x is far more egregious.… Continue reading The nurses strike or Matt Hancock on I’m a Celebrity? When you don’t have to choose between two ethical issues
House of Cards and a tragedy of mistaken heroes
Back when I was a student at University, anyone who was interested in politics and saw themselves as having a future in parliament was avidly studying the TV adaption of Michael Dodd’s House of Cards as diligently as they were paying attention to their actual subject. The protagonist in the original House of Cards is… Continue reading House of Cards and a tragedy of mistaken heroes
On boycotting the World Cup and judging others
This winter, the FIFA World Cup will happen in Qatar. The decision to host the World Cup there has proved seriously controversial. There were all the practical questions about it happening at a time of year when major national leagues are mid competition and about the implications of playing in that climate. However, those concerns… Continue reading On boycotting the World Cup and judging others
We can’t expect higher standards from politicians and then stick them on game shows
Matt Hancock, the disgraced former health secretary has been revealed as a contestant on “I’m a Celebrity, get me out of here.” He follows other politicians into reality TV prepared for ritual humiliation and hoping for a bit more name recognition and celebrity status. At the tamer end of things we’ve seen Ann Widdicombe, Ed… Continue reading We can’t expect higher standards from politicians and then stick them on game shows
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