Category - st george

St George... not who you think he is

Simon Barrow — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:44:14 +0100

Today is St George's day. It is spun out of myth, but the myth is important. The day has 'traditionally' been seen as affirming Empire and an exclusive English identity. But that is a gross misrepresentation, when you examine the story.

Why Sentamu's proposals around St George aren't a good idea, BBC Radio 4 Sunday Programme

Press Office — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 08:11:37 +0100

Jonathan Bartley debates with Edward Stourton, Bishop of Leeds Jim Packer and Dr Salman Saeed a Muslim academic, the merits of the Archbishop of York's proposals surrounding St George's Day.

England and St George?

Press Office — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 01:17:14 +0100

Responding to a recent speech by the Anglican Archbishop of York, Ekklesia’s co-director Jonathan Bartley welcomed the his call for a greater recognition of St George’s Day, but warned that he

Archbishop of York joins calls for greater recognition of St George

staff writers — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:58:40 +0100

The Archbishop of York has floated the idea that St George’s Day should become a national holiday, echoing calls made by amongst others the religious think-tank Ekklesia.

St George is no crusader

Press Office — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:53:42 +0100

The religion and society think-tank Ekklesia has welcomed a new painting of St George, the patron saint of England, which portrays him as a man of compassion and challenges the myth of 'the crusade

Is 'Christian nation' rhetoric aiding the far right?

Jonathan Bartley — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:52:28 +0100

The uncomfortable fact is that the church's Christendom ('Christian country') assumptions put it into the position of arguing the same political point about national identity as the BNP. A different way forward is needed.

'Bullying for England' by Dave Hill, Guardian's Comment is Free, 24 April 2007

Press Office — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 11:40:55 +0100

Dave Hill responds to the criticism levelled at Ekklesia over its proposals for rebranding St George

BBC debate on England's day

Simon Barrow — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:58:57 +0100

The BBC website has featured Ekklesia's call that "the English should celebrate their role as global citizens and not as 'narrow nationalists' on the patron saint's day."

'Should St George's Day be a holiday?' BBC Online, Saturday 22nd April 2007

Jonathan Bartley — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 07:26:37 +0100

The BBC news website hosts an online debate about Ekklesia's proposals to rebrand St George and have a national holiday, a 'Day of Dissent', on St George's Day - and receives a staggering 2,000 commen

When the Saints go marching out

Jonathan Bartley — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 11:05:38 +0100

Jonathan Bartley reflects on the legend of St George, his subversive story, and how he has been co-opted by the powerful