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Research


Below is a list of research papers, reports and other publications from Ekklesia dating back to 2004. Click on the title for more information on each publication, and a link through to the item itself where available. You might also like to sign up for our award winning weekly research bulletin which will ensure you are kept up-to-date with the very latest research from Ekklesia.

 

  • 25 Nov 2013
    Church views on sexuality: recovering the middle ground

    It is clear that Christians hold a spectrum of views on sexuality and marriage. However, the popular idea that there are two warring blocks that may be labelled ‘traditionalists’ and ‘revisionists’ is simplistic and can be misleading as well as unhelpful. Current tensions could be reduced and reframed significantly if more church leaders acknowledged the extent of common ground in the middle of this continuum, allowed limited flexibility of practice, and enabled their communities to develop practices of discernment oriented towards the “grace and truth” (John 1.13-15) that lies at the heart of the Christian message. In this paper, Ekklesia associate Savitri Hensman identifies seven widely held positions on sexuality. She suggests that those with supposedly diametrically opposing views often have more in common than they may at first think. Equally, she argues, in Christian terms, that coexistence among those sharing a 'middle ground' is not about weak compromise, but instead reflects an approach both deeply rooted in Bible and tradition and open to change as a living community led by the Spirit.

  • 29 Oct 2013
    Non-party campaigning ahead of elections

    This is a report of the independent Commission on Civil Society and Democratic Engagement, which was set up following concerns that Part 2 of the Transparency in Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning, and Trade Union Administration Bill would have a ‘chilling effect’ on non-party campaigning. It is intended to give voice to stakeholders not consulted ahead of the Bill’s publication and to inform the actions of UK Government and Parliamentarians in their deliberations about the legislation. Ekklesia is a supporter of the work of the Commission and shares the serious concerns expressed in this report and elsewhere about Part 2 of the Bill, and also about Part 3 concerning the regulation of trade unions.

  • 05 Aug 2013
    Submission to DWP consultation on PIP mobility criteria

    The UK government's Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has published a consultation on the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) between 2013 and 2018. The consultation asks: “What are your views on the 'moving around' activity within the current PIP assessment criteria?” What follows is Ekklesia's response, based on the views and research of disabled people themselves, and upon the principles of inclusion, participation and equality of opportunity.

  • 06 Jun 2013
    Fair school admissions: research and rationale

    In this paper, adapted and expanded by Ekklesia from a briefing by the Fair Admissions Campaign, of which we are founding members, the rationale for the initiative's core objectives is set out, along with summaries of some recent research on the correlation between religious selection and segregation/discrimination on racial, socio-economic and religious grounds. Ten core reasons for opposing schools excluding or including pupils on the basis of religion or belief are also adumbrated.

  • 20 Mar 2013
    Consultation on the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill

    The Scottish Government’s consultation on the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill ended on 20 March 2013. In its submission, Ekklesia backed the proposal to to introduce same sex marriage and religious and belief registration of civil partnership - while emphasising that our overall preference would be to distinguish legal marriage as a civil provision from religious or belief blessings and recognition.