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  • 16 Mar 2012
    Wedding blessings: friendship across boundaries

    Families and communities may be made up of single people, couples and smaller sub-groups or networks, differing in sexual orientation, gender identity and many other ways, says Savi Hensman. In the Christian vision, and especially in the community of Christ, all may make a unique contribution, and grow in unique ways while drawing closer to the One whose love sustains the universe, brings abundant blessings and satisfies the deepest thirst.

  • 2 Mar 2012
    Is making staff work on Sundays discriminatory?

    In February 2012, an employment tribunal in England ruled that it was acceptable for a Christian worker to lose her job for refusing to work on Sundays. Savi Hensman explores the complex issues behind this case.

  • 18 Feb 2012
    Gujarat massacre: the law must apply to all

    Almost ten years ago, one of the survivors of a horrific massacre set about trying to win justice for her murdered husband and scores of others, writes Savi Hensman. This brought her up against some of the most powerful – and ruthless – people in the state of Gujarat in India. But she persisted.

  • 8 Feb 2012
    Welfare politics and changing the power landscape

    The coalition can force its welfare changes through using procedural measures, minor concessions and ‘financial privilege’ to do so. But the long-term political fall-out from all of this could be immense, says Simon Barrow. The warfare over welfare has shown just how powerful citizens’ action and web-based crowd sourcing can be.

  • 8 Feb 2012
    We need a system that puts human wellbeing first

    The competitive nature of the top-down, corporate capitalist system means we can never truly be 'all in this together', says Jonathan Bartley. All we do is sacrifice the most vulnerable for the sake of maintaining an unjust order. Economic alternatives are essential, and go well beyond statism.

  • 7 Feb 2012
    Welfare Reform Bill reveals a dysfunctional political culture

    The astonishing failure of humanity and empathy apparent in the content of the Welfare Reform Bill and in the conduct of much of the parliamentary debate around it, reflects poorly on our politicians, says Jill Segger. She suggests that our adversarial and excessively partisan politics creates a culture in which MPs thrive by denying their better selves.

  • 2 Feb 2012
    Women bishops and the church’s core purpose

    The Church of England’s decisions about women bishops are likely to have a major impact on its mission as well as its ministry, says Savi Hensman. If the church appears to be reluctant to accept and fully use women’s gifts, attempts to attract and involve more people across a wide age-range may be undermined.

  • 30 Jan 2012
    Slashing welfare benefits: scolding and false sympathy

    Successive UK governments, and their media allies, have been vigorous in smearing benefit claimants. To achieve this, politicians and their propagandists have played on popular stereotypes, stoking up prejudice against ‘scroungers’ while lavishly rewarding members of their own class at taxpayers’ expense. Savi Hensman looks at the reality behind the rhetoric, especially in relation to assessment.

  • 23 Jan 2012
    A government declaring war on welfare?

    The Welfare Reform Bill debate has now given way to open warfare, says Simon Barrow. These latest battles are as much about the soul (or lack of it) of the coalition project as they are about money or the demographics of power. The government can command majorities in both Houses. But it is losing the argument, losing good will and storing up massive costs - financial and political - for the future.

  • 21 Jan 2012
    Behind the weak rhetoric of 'responsible capitalism'

    While David Cameron and Ed Miliband continue to support relentless growth and minor amendments to the economic system, the inequalities inherent in that system will prosper, says Jonathan Bartley. A more thoroughgoing critique and real alternatives are needed.