Features

Violence, ethnicity, religion and ancient symbols

Savi Hensman — Mon, 12 May 2008 10:23:50 +0100

A closer look at the Sri Lankan experience may throw some light on other situations where struggles supposedly based on ethnicity or religion turn out to be more complex – and where human rights are of critical importance, says Savi Hensman.

Religious polemics migrate to cyberspace

Adam Darlage — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:44:52 +0100

New technology has always played a part in religious polemics and in the sense of identity generated through the heated exchange of opinion, says Adam Darlage. Consider Luther and the Catholics, and also what we see happening in cyberspace today.

Why Christians are troublemakers

Glynn Cardy — Tue, 06 May 2008 23:34:41 +0100

Within Christianity there is a long history of trouble making, says Glynn Cardy. And rightly so if it is about building the vision and reality of a different kind of world in which all may flourish.

Iraqi refugees need Christian solidarity

Annegret Kapp — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:27:21 +0100

A recent meeting of Iraqi Christian refugees and church representatives from around the world has head heart-rending stories of suffering, says Annegret Kapp. Now it is time to back words with action.

Palestinians and Israelis need a just peace

Ben White — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:33:34 +0100

As Israel marks its 60th anniversary this May, for Israelis and Palestinians the conflict and the suffering continues, says Ben White. He believes that this landmark is an important opportunity for Christian leaders around the world to add their voices to a special call for a justice-based peace.

Developing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Savi Hensman — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:20:55 +0100

Does the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represent a triumph of the Enlightenment over superstition? Or has it sidelined religion and sought to impose monolithic norms on diverse communities and cultures? Savi Hensman says the reality is more complex than these popular antitheses suggest.

Learning the many faces of humanism

Mark Vernon — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:48:58 +0100

Humanism is a philosophy and approach to life that has Christian, atheist, deist and theist roots, says Mark Vernon. So when it is taught in schools, what kind of approach will be adopted?

Tackling the 'credit crunch' justly

Patrick Hynes — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:28:31 +0000

Everyone is talking about the 'credit crunch'. Patrick Hynes, from Oikocredit, reflects on how access to fair finance continues to be a problem for people who are poor, and proposes a simple solution.

The church and the deadly sin business

Glynn Cardy — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 23:16:18 +0000

The Seven Deadly Sins have been given a makeover. Yet before the makeover artists get to work maybe all Christians should pause and consider the sin business, says Glynn Cardy.

Barack Obama the evangelical?

Justin Thacker — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 22:56:04 +0000

There have been all kinds of speculations about the religious convictions and background of US presidential candidate Barack Obama. Justin Thacker looks at his Christian outlook and asks what his relation is to evangelicalism.

Being on the side of the crucified

Savi Hensman — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:25:47 +0000

In a reflection on faith and human rights for Easter, Savi Hensman argues that issues of life and death and the question about whether Christians are on the side of the powerful or the powerless go to the heart of the Gospel story.

A transatlantic view on Williams and Sharia

Martin E. Marty — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 13:41:57 +0000

Doyen US religion commentator Martin Marty gives an American perspective on the argument about civil and religious law sparked by Rowan Williams.

Beyond rich-poor stereotypes

Paul Mukerji — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:22:25 +0000

In a world where we are used to generalizing, it is inevitable that we will continue to use expressions like “the rich” and “the poor”, says Paul Mukerji. But his time in Colombia led him to question the way this division is formulated.

Healing the psychological wounds of war

Andrew J. Weaver — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:59:43 +0000

War is hellish and so are its consequences, says Andrew Weaver. As the next anniversary of the Iraq war looms, the pastoral and psychological needs of veterans must not be forgotten.

Evangelical bishops differ on sexuality

Mark Vernon — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:54:56 +0000

Two evangelical Anglican bishops have come out with contrasting statements on homosexuality recently, points out Mark Vernon. One recognises that the issue is about love, the other sees only rules, it seems.