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  • 12 Apr 2013
    Claiming back Scottish football for the people

    There are many important issues in public life right now, but for a large number of people in Scotland the future of football, the national game, is no small matter, says Simon Barrow. It is not just about sport, it is also about people, communities, hopes and dreams, culture and values. Put bluntly, who does (and who should) own a sport loved by hundreds of thousands? Whose interests are being served by the way it is presently being run?

  • 22 Aug 2012
    Cultural politics: bread. circuses, sport or festivals?

    As government becomes more technocratic and anonymous, and as recession and financial chaos makes people angry and suspicious towards the political class, the need to be seen to be “where people are” and to shape public mood through cultural activity large and small is here to stay, says Simon Barrow.

  • 17 Apr 2012
    Methodist Church marks 100 day Olympic Games countdown

    The Methodist Church in Britain is encouraging people to take part in the Olympic and Paralympic celebrations as the 100 day countdown begins.

  • 8 Nov 2011
    Kirk backs new sport in Scotland

    'Where there's a wall there's a way' is the catchphrase for a brand new racquet-based sport in Scotland, which the Kirk has been helping to pilot there.

  • 26 May 2011
    Sport, politics and religion

    Sport is part of a cultural and economic system, but it does not have to be repressive, even though sometimes - not least from a gender perspective - it is, writes Colette Gilhooley. There are also interesting links to be made and observed between the discourses and practices of sport and religion.

  • 20 May 2011
    Sports and empowerment bring 'rebirth' for Jamaican youth

    Both Whole Life Sports and Women’s Centre are efforts to bring peace to the family and community and to collaborate with churches in healing social and societal wounds in Jamaica. Mark Beach reports from the International Ecumenical Peace Convocation (IEPC) in the capital, Kingston.

  • 18 Jul 2010
    American Idolatry: The King James Version

    The curious case of "King James" LeBron, US basketball player, has produced not just manufactured outrage over disloyalty, but a veritable religious marketplace of allegiances connecting fans, idols and saviours, says M. Cooper Harriss. It can be seen as a peculiarly modern American version of idolatry.

  • 24 Jul 2009
    Living without a goal?

    If watching football is a waste of time with redeeming moments, much the same could be said about prayer, says Simon Barrow. In a world over-attached to achievement, we lose sight of the fact that what is really 'worth it' is often not conventionally 'productive'.

  • 26 May 2009
    Sports charity gifts – give the gift of play

    Few recognise how important play can be – particularly a team sport such as football. This has all changed since the major charities set up charity gift schemes.

  • 13 Sep 2007
    British university department explores links between sport and spirituality

    A British university department dedicated to exploring the relationship between sport and spirituality has launched itself internationally by staging an inaugural conference for sports coaches, chaplains and administrators, as well as professional athletes and academics.