Features

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".

Liberation theology is still alive and well

Walter Altmann — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:16:28 +0000

Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, twenty years ago, many critics have been quick to sign liberation theology's death certificate, says Walter Altmann. But its biblical concern with justice still continues to resonate.

The Charter for Compassion

staff writers — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:09:19 +0000

The Charter for Compassion seeks to bring people together across the varieties of global faith and belief, in recognition of the fact that "in separateness lies the world’s great misery, in compassion lies the world’s true strength."

The Berlin Wall and the call to overcome violence

Konrad Raiser — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:03:52 +0000

The churches contributed to the peaceful revolution in central and eastern Europe as well as to the ending of the apartheid regime in southern Africa, says Konrad Raider. Now the ecumenical movement has accepted the challenge to overcome violence as its special vocation.

Simplicity is about appropriate living

Jill Segger — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:01:42 +0000

Simplicity is perhaps best understood as appropriate living, says Jill Segger. It is about owning and using only what is necessary and not being seduced by that which is dangled before us by advertisers and arbiters of style.

Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq: new thinking needed

Paul Rogers — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:43:00 +0000

The United States faces mounting problems in the three leading conflict zones of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, says Paul Rogers. The escape-route lies not in military escalation but in a change of thinking.

The Berlin Wall fell in many places

Stephen Brown — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:14:28 +0000

The political and social shock waves caused by weeks of pro-democracy protests in East Germany followed by the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989, were felt around the world, says Stephen Brown. They still resonate today, and have important theological implications.

Anglicanism's Ugandan moment of truth

Colin Coward — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:58:57 +0000

The Anglican Communion must oppose legislation which dehumanises, fails to protect, and makes pastoral care impossible for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, says Colin Coward. This is a moment of truth.

The BNP, migration and the misuse of Christianity

Vaughan Jones — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:29:30 +0000

The BNP Question Time saga has raised important issues about negative 'mainstream' views on immigration and damaging ideas about 'Christian Britiain', says Vaughan Jones. Christians are challenged to expose these lies by living and speaking differently.

Death and democracy in the Philippines

Shay Cullen — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:17:27 +0100

The formal democracy of the Philippines disguises a welter of corruption, human rights abuse and extrajudicial killings, says Shay Cullen. The world needs to recognise and respond to what is happening.

How equality can help reshape society

Jill Segger — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:58:09 +0100

To follow in the way of Jesus should make rank and status irrelevant, says Jill Segger, in the second of a series on Quaker values. Our equal value and dignity before God can re-shape our relationships with each other.

Women's dignity and the church's tainted love

Fran Porter — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:45:22 +0100

Discrimination, segregation, stereotyping – all factor in to women’s lives, says Fran Porter. By its words and actions, the church is part of the conversation. The question is, what is it saying?

Looking at what truly makes for a just peace

Timothy Seidel — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:06:57 +0100

Peace in its deepest, thickest, most holistic and most biblical form always challenges the status quo which maintains the structures of violence that benefit the powerful and privileged, says Timothy Seidel.

What kind of unity is possible for the churches?

Theodore Gill — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:49:59 +0100

Is there real potential for visible unity among today's churches, or are cultural and dogmatic differences too great to be overcome? Theodore Gill takes the temperature at a major global gathering looking at these concerns.

Cultivating the discipline of peace

Jill Segger — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:09:28 +0100

It has been well said that peace is not the absence of noise, trouble or hard work – rather it is to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart, says Jill Segger in the first of a series on the Quaker Testimonies.