Dismissing those who want to reform faith schools as 'useful idiots' for a 'secularist conspiracy' misrepresents the facts, feeds absolutism and undermines sensible debate, say Simon Barrow & Jonathan Bartley. It also shows how weak the anti-reform case really is.

The Church of England has at last set out what is means by a "Christian ethos" in schooling, says Jonathan Bartley. Its espoused values are very positive. So now is the time to end discrimination in schools run by the church but funded by the general taxpayer.

The Church of England is planning rapid expansion of publicly-funded schools in its control, but it faces a challenge from parents, teachers, unions, academics, clergy and many others who want to end discrimination in admissions and employment.

A celestial atlas by Scottish amateur astronomer Alexander Jamieson, dating back to 1822, is a star item at this year's Christian Aid charity book sale in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is one of the largest sales of its kind in the world.

To mark World Press Freedom Day (3 May 2009) the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) has issued a global statement affirming freedom of the press and condemning censorship and harassment of reporters

Conformity and concern about image are the enemies of truth, says Jill Segger. Yet they are everywhere in our testosterone-driven culture. Purity of heart enables us to respond to the unconventional or unexpected with integrity, as well as feeding clear-sighted conscience.

Imagine a world of soundbite politics where the machinery of power is operated by vacillating professional politicians, out of their depth, jumping to the whims of ruthless, feral spin doctors. That, says Alan Wilson, is the film satire In The Loop

The debate about faith schools is often polarised into a simple pro- and anti- issues, says Rabbi Jonathan Romain. The Accord Coalition is seeking to break fresh ground on practical reform and unite people across the supposed religious-secular divide.

Calls for the BBC's new head of religion and ethics to be a Christian as if by right or necessity are wrong, says Sunny Hundal. Public broadcasting should be open to all and not beholden to narrow lobbies.

The inclusive schools coalition Accord has responded to research presented at the Royal Economic Society today showing that faith schools increase social segregation and fail improve local results overall.

A report by two academic institutions, to be published later this week, argues that faith schools fail to improve standards and create "social sorting" of children along lines of class, ability and religion.

How many assumptions do we make about other people, on a daily basis, for no other reason than experience, bigotry and lack of imagination? Hannah Kowzsun has her presets challenged by Susan Boyle.

Theologian Janet Soskice has written a fascinating book about the discovery of one of the most ancient Gospel manuscripts. It reminds us that to understand the search for meaning in the present we have to value the past properly, says Simon Barrow.

The journey to Jerusalem is one that unites Christians past and present, says Harry Hagopian. What holds it together in the quest for peace with justice is the presence of Christ, crucified and risen.