Category - post-Christendom

Churches must face facts - with hope

Press Office — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:27:22 +0100

"Arguing about the latest statistics misses the point," says Simon Barrow, co-director of the religion and society think-tank Ekklesia.

Gongs, grins and faith in politics

Simon Barrow — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 00:06:14 +0000

The annual Channel 4 Political Awards offer an entertaining entree to the world of parliamentary politics, says Simon Barrow. But an award to a controversial lobby group raises questions about how politics is conducted - not least by Christians.

What lies beyond Lambeth's Sharia humiliation?

Simon Barrow — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 02:36:28 +0000

Asking where the Church of England can go from here, Simon Barrow looks at why and how Rowan Williams got hold of the wrong end of the stick over religious communal practice and the civil legal system, why a larger 'multi-faith settlement' is unhelpful, and how post-Christendom beckons.

Rethinking religion in an open society

Simon Barrow — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:43:16 +0000

Though the role of religion in society has come back onto the agenda with a vengeance in recent years, the political, spiritual and intellectual resources at our disposal for handling the issues involved seem perilously thin on all sides in public life. This paper aims to reconstruct some key terms in the debate and to offer a positive case for a 'disestablished' form for religion within a plural social and political order. In particular it suggests that the alternative to hegemonic religion or attempts to exclude religion from public life lies in the rediscovery of an alternative form of politics rooted in practical 'goods' and 'virtues' derived from different communities and traditions, accompanied by the development of a 'civil state' framework.

Simon Barrow

Religion, state, and society

staff writers — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 17:50:15 +0000

Start: 09/01/2008 - 09:30

End: 09/01/2008 - 17:30

Religion, Discrimination and Accommodation: the Role of the State in a Multi-Faith Society

Bishop wrong on 'Christian nation', but debate is helpful

Press Office — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:35:19 +0000

Responding to comments about the rise of Islam and the demise of Britain as a 'Christian nation' by the Rt Rev Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, Simon Barrow, co-director of the Christian think-tank Ekklesia,

Australian Christians wrestle with a political Rudd slide

Doug Hynd — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 20:01:06 +0000

Kevin Rudd's own values are shaped by faith, says Doug Hynd, but there are conflicting responses from within the churches to the way in which Christians should and should not engage a plural political process.

Open secularism meets open religion

Simon Barrow — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:48:34 +0000

The debate about religion in public life is often cantankerous, says Simon Barrow. But a constructive new pamphlet on secularism from the Humanist Philosophers' Group shows us that a better standard of discussion is possible.

Understanding 'the faith agenda'

Simon Barrow — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:52:08 +0000

Among a vocal minority of those for whom religion is at best irrelevant and at worse an anathema, there is confusion about why government pays so much attention to faith groups.

Communities minister fuels debate about churches and public service provision

staff writers — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 12:23:25 +0000

Church and faith groups have a key role to play in bringing transformation to communities across the UK, according to the government minister responsible. But critics say many questions remain about the agendas of both parties.