Features

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.

Transforming guns into tools of hope

Juan Michel — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:45:32 +0100

Seventeen years after the war ended in Mozambique, churches are still collecting and destroying weapons and cleaning up areas of unexploded ordnance so the land can be farmed, says Juan Michel. It shows how hope can be built out of destruction.

Necessary wisdom from The Elders

Martin E. Marty — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:25:41 +0100

The Elders initiative is seeking to bring wisdom and perspective to global issues, says Martin Marty. What they have to take on are not just secular assumptions but ones deeply rooted in mistaken religious ideologies.

How not to let politicians off the hook

Niall Cooper — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:12:04 +0100

Faith and civic groups are engaged in a whole series of campaigns for people and planet, says Niall Cooper. But if politicians are to be held accountable up to and beyond the election, common action is needed in place of competing cacophony.

Churches back nuclear-free Africa

Jonathan Frerichs — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:06:02 +0100

Following recent action by Africa, a majority of the world's countries have now banned nuclear weapons from their national territory for the first time, says Jonathan Frerichs. The churches have played an important role in this.

Restoring the earth to the people

Christopher Rowland — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:39:32 +0100

Gerrard Winstanley was a ‘true leveller’ in the C17th and a significant theologian, says biblical scholar Chris Rowland. We do well to remember his words and example.