If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
What would happen if the different faiths began automatically adding 'humanism' to their names, Islamic humanism, Buddhist, Judaic, Hindu, Christian humanism, for example - then explored what each meant. We'd probably end up with a rich dialogue based on a celebration of two great realities: our shared humanity and the richness of our different religious traditions.
Only last week, as part of my research for a new book, I became aware of the prophecies of Saint Malachy, made in 1143 AD. He fairly accurately predicted each and every pope from that time until... the end of time.
Will things ever change? Yes. My seven year-old is. Maybe the Conservative Party should talk to her.
I don't think that any of the good things which religions do are unique, and nor are they able to counterbalance all of the terrible things which they have done, which they continue to do, and which have been done in their name.
Marriage is a vital heterosexual institution because it caters to the unique consequences of heterosexual union - children. It cannot simply be extended to others without this purpose being devalued or lost.
If there's one message to take home from all the furore, it is that one should never underestimate the desire of the pious to dictate what other people do in their love lives.
As a rule, we Christians are just ridiculous about sex.
An atheist teacher has been fired from a state school because he asked not to be involved in organising religious assemblies. The school said it respected his atheist beliefs, and he was free to exercise those beliefs in his own time, but he cannot pick and chose which school activities he will get involved in.
After months of speculation and, at times, fairly heated debate, the detailed proposals for same-sex marriage in England & Wales have now arrived. The "Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill" was published by the Government on 25 January 2013, in a document running to some 50 pages. What does it say?
Should Christians be concerned with our 'image'? I've been told before that it's the Holy Spirit who does the 'work' of bringing people to Christ, not us.
Imagine if, this evening, the entire population of the United States, Canada, Australia, Britain and the rest of Europe were going to bed hungry. And not just tonight, but one week after another.
Yes, there are a variety of beliefs about marriage in society. Yes, there are people on all sides of the gay marriage debate. But should your beliefs about that issue result in you being pushed out of your job? Should your career be abruptly ended because you think marriage is only for men and women?
Very few today would welcome a return to the days when homosexuality was the 'disease' that dare not speak its name. In much of Britain today, same-sex relationships are fast-becoming a matter of shoulder-shrugging ordinariness. If secular society is moving away from discrimination on the basis of sexuality, it seems many Christians are also beginning a journey of their own in the same direction. If the Church of England insists on 'this far and no further', it might find itself cut adrift from the life of the nation, and from very many people of faith.
The difficulties and uncertainties felt by religious communities when their members form loving relationships across religious and cultural differences can weigh heavily on couples and families.
The decision on women bishops was criticised as sexist. Which it was. Previous Church rulings on homosexuality (particularly same-sex marriage) have been criticised as homophobic. Which they were. But, clearly, what the Church is really so worried about is that penises are designed and evolved, in part, for sex.
One ought always to be on one's guard about those who assert that to think in a certain way is to commit a sin. This is the immoral and bullying trick that religion plays. Couched in cosy rhetoric and increasingly vague threats is the assumption that, in dissenting, you are subjecting yourself to an eternity of howling pain and misery.
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