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Religion and Society

  • 5 May 2013
    Small circles and unarmed forces at the National Memorial Arboretum

    War memorials and Quakers do not always get on. The kind of memorialising which is strong on military ceremony and pride does not sit well with us and we tend to avoid it. But we hold it important to remember all people killed in war, civilians as well as combatants. “This is the use of memory – for liberation” TS Eliot wrote in Little Gidding. And if we are to be liberated from bitterness, hatred and the propensity to pass conflict down the generations, we must remember well.

  • 3 May 2013
    The Christian lobby group and the far-right party

    I blogged earlier this week about statements from the socially conservative lobby group Christian Concern ahead of the local elections. They encouraged people to vote for candidates opposed to same-sex marriage.

  • 1 May 2013
    Same-sex marriage and the local elections: Who thinks they're connected?

    The “Christian Right” in Britain – inasmuch as it exists – is not like the Christian Right in the US. Over there, conservatism on issues such as marriage and abortion seems to go hand in hand with right-wing views on economics and foreign policy. Over here, we have conservative Christian lobby groups with a far more narrow focus. Organisations such as the Christian Institute, Christian Concern/Christian Legal Centre and so-called Anglican Mainstream focus largely on attacking LGBT rights. They also speak out against abortion, Islam and the supposed marginalisation of Christians in Britain.

  • 28 Apr 2013
    Arctic campaign comes to Friends House

    The Arctic came to Friends House in London on 20 April as part of a global day of action as Greenpeace used 3D projection to transform the building into the pristine Arctic.

  • 26 Apr 2013
    Sudanese churches an important voice in rebuilding nation

    The World Council of Churches General Secretary has stressed the important role of Sudanese churches in rebuilding their nation after years of conflict.

  • 24 Apr 2013
    Anglicans call for action to promote peace in Korea, East Asia and Pacific

    The threat of military escalation in Korea and Japan was one of many topics discussed by the Second Worldwide Anglican Peace Conference, held in Okinawa 16-22 April.

  • 24 Apr 2013
    WCC General Secretary condemns kidnapping of Syrian church leaders

    The World Council of Churches General Secretary, Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, has condemned the abduction of two Syrian archbishops kidnapped on 22 April near Aleppo.

  • 19 Apr 2013
    WCC General Secretary offers prayers for Boston victims

    World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary Rev Dr Olav Fykse Tveit has offered prayers and support for advocacy against violence following the Boston bombing.

  • 18 Apr 2013
    Memorial to Quaker service to be inaugurated at National Arboretum

    A memorial to Quaker service will be opened at the National Arboretum at Alrewas near Lichfield on 20 April.

  • 16 Apr 2013
    Conviction of Turkish pianist sends 'chilling' warning to Twitter users

    The conviction of a renowned Turkish pianist for “denigrating Islam” on Twitter sends a “chilling” message to social media users in the country, Amnesty says.