Latest News from Ekklesia

Activists arrested while opposing NATO "hypocrisy"

staff writers — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:54:12 +0000

Six members of the nonviolent campaigning group Trident Ploughshares have been arrested after blocking the entrance to a meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly at Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

Why Humanists aren’t asking the right question

Jonathan Bartley — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:49:16 +0000

Some religious, and specifically Christian, commentators are a bit miffed that the money they have given to the Atheist bus campaign has been rolled over to support another poster drive which raises questions about the religious identity of children in the context of faith schools. It would be interesting to see whether they would support a question about how Jesus might run a school, says Jonathan Bartley.

Canadian peacemaker and ex-hostage returns to Iraq

agency reporter — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:14:25 +0000

Harmeet Singh Sooden, who came to international attention when he was held hostage with other peacemakers in 2005, has joined an international human rights delegation travelling to Iraqi Kurdistan this month.

US Christian leaders urge Obama, "build, don't destroy" in Afghanistan

staff writers — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:58:04 +0000

Over a dozen church leaders in the United States are urging a new strategy for Afghanistan on President Barack Obama, based on a "a humanitarian and development surge" rather than military might.

An open letter to Barack Obama on Afghanistan

Jim Wallis — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:37:03 +0000

America can either tolerate constant and crippling conflict, or recognise that the yearning for peace is universal, and strengthen its resolve to end conflicts around the world, say US Christian leaders, echoing President Obama's words back to him. They are calling for a new approach to Afghanistan based on "a humanitarian and development surge".

Society sees churches as both dangerous and valuable, says Methodist leader

staff writers — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:19:16 +0000

The General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Britain has urged creativity and variety in establishing both new local churches and 'fresh expressions' of church in communities up and down the country.

2.5 billion need the toilet (say campaigners)

staff writers — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:43:22 +0000

Christians sent Gordon Brown some loo seats today (19 November) to draw attention to the sanitation crisis in the developing world.

World churches push for full investigation over Gaza war crimes

agency reporter — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:29:20 +0000

The World Council of Churches has asked the UN Secretary-General to make sure that recommendations of a key report about war crimes during the conflict are properly followed up.

Right-wing evangelicals challenge Ugandan President over anti-gay bill

staff writers — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:06:26 +0000

A right-wing evangelical group that works to change the sexual orientation of lesbian and gay people has written to the President of Uganda, expressing concern over proposed legislation which would introduce the death penalty for some of them.

Evangelicals find common ground with Humanists over faith school ads

staff writers — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:26:11 +0000

Evangelicals in the UK have welcomed a message of the new advertising campaign launched yesterday by the British Humanist Association (BHA).

Politicians must focus on the most vulnerable, say churches

staff writers — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:19:33 +0000

Following the proposals set out in the Queen's Speech, three of Britain's largest denominations are urging the UK's politicians to “focus their concern on those who made little out of the good economic years".

Age of apathy is over, say Methodist youth

staff writers — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:24:35 +0000

British Methodists have declared that “the age of apathy seems to be over” after a Youth Assembly with almost twice as many participants as last year. The Assembly elected Pete Brady as Youth President, a full-time, salaried position.

Investigation exposes influence of Religious Right on homophobia in Africa

staff writers — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:39:26 +0000

Sexual minorities in Africa have become 'collateral damage' in church conflicts as US conservative evangelicals and those opposing gay priests, ministers and bishops within mainline Protestant denominations woo Africans.

Amendment to Equality Bill may bring civil partnerships to churches

staff writers — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:03:39 +0000

Campaigners are seeking to get an amendment tabled to the Equality Bill to allow religious buildings to hold civil partnership ceremonies, previously prohibited in law.

Williams under pressure as Christians condemn Ugandan anti-gay bill

staff writers — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:48:55 +0000

Opposition is growing to the “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” recently proposed in Uganda. An increasing number of Christians are condemning the Bill but the Archbishop of Canterbury is facing criticism for not speaking out on the issue.