The whole point of the Children Society’s latest project was to hear what children were saying and to give them a voice, says Jonathan Bartley. But the world of adult decision-making does not really want to know.

Teachers have a tough job trying to balance the needs of pupils from diverse backgrounds, says Simon Barrow. Trying to do so is not ‘political correctness’. It’s humanly decent, educationally necessary - and Christianly desirable, too.

Following Obama's advent, there has been debate about whether Britain might one day get a black Prime Minister, says Jonathan Bartley. A better question is whether we will ever be able to make our political system truly representative

My experience of being a Christian is that of a surprising, continual and contested process of reformation and rediscovery, says Simon Barrow. It's far removed from the caricature of faith that many zealous believers and non-believers seem attached to.

In the grey zone, we are all both victims and perpetrators, says Giles Fraser, who has visited one of the major sites of the slave trade. In the grey zone, morality is no longer simple. We need honesty, wisdom and divine mercy to face the facts hopefully.

If the Obama presidency is going to make good on its promise of hope, says Giles Fraser, it will have to do so in places like the unloved west side of Baltimore.

There is something genuine about Barack Obama's desire to bring governance and people closer together, says Simon Barrow. This is an approach we need to emulate in Britain, where cynicism is eroding social hope.

Debt isn't just a political and economic issue, it's a human tragedy, says Giles Fraser. And it raises the most profound spiritual, ethical and pastoral questions for us all.

Former presenter of Thought for the Day Jonathan Bartley lifts the lid on the politics behind Radio 4's prime time slot

The Christian response to the atheist bus campaign makes faith into a commodity says Jonathan Bartley

These days we are often encouraged to 'get real'. But what does this mean, in the world at large and in the church in particular, asks Giles Fraser. It means returning to practicalities in a new way.

What we see in Gaza is the abyss of violence, says Simon Barrow. Limiting retribution is important, but in the longer run only active, nonviolent love can challenge the destructive politics of vengeance.

Confusing divine greatness with human notions of power and grandeur can end up justifying human rights abuses, says Savi Hensman. The Christmas story is a radical corrective.

The Christmas message is one of deliveerance from fear, says Giles Fraser. But the approach the Pope has taken to 'human ecology' heads perilously in the other direction.

Those who 'crusade for Christmas' will end up losing the very festival they would defend, says Jonathan Bartley, because they miss its true meaning.