Democracy

#PastoralLetter (1): The patronising episcopal 'should'

February 20, 2015
Archbishop Cranmer
88 Comments

There are only two possible outcomes at the next General Election: either David Cameron will be Prime Minister, or Ed Miliband. Nigel Farage will not be Prime Minister; nor will Nick Clegg. It is highly likely that one (or…

"Tory fury" over Church of England letter is a confected Tory tantrum

February 18, 2015
48 Comments

Each day when Parliament is sitting, the Duty Bishop in the House of Lords prays that the House should “Lay aside all private interests, prejudices and partial affections”, so…

Ukip: The First 100 Days and Channel 4 gratuitous anti-Israelism

February 17, 2015
188 Comments

If you didn't see Channel 4's over-hyped docu-drama Ukip: The First 100 Days, don't bother dashing for C4 On Demand. It is a tedious effort, dramatic dullsville, full of…

This General Election is bringing in a new level of Christian engagement

February 8, 2015
270 Comments

There's something about the build-up to a General Election that is both fascinating and morbid at the same time, as we, the electorate, see a group of gladiators -…

If imams may not influence voters, why should priests or bishops?

February 5, 2015
410 Comments

According to Dominic Kennedy, Investigations Editor of The Times, there is an 18th-century law which prohibits the 'spiritual influence' of the electorate in the process of democracy. He writes…

What are 'fundamental British values'?

January 29, 2015
178 Comments

In a context of fractious social division and increasing religious tension, the Government is on a quest for national identity, and education is the means by which it will…

Universities to censor Zionists, Pro-Lifers and advocates of Holy Matrimony

January 28, 2015
280 Comments

Prevent Duty Home Office 17 December 2014 Protecting the UK against terrorism The Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, which is currently before Parliament, seeks to place a duty on specified…

Moral hazard: if Greece will not pay for profligacy, why should anyone?

January 26, 2015
52 Comments

The democratic lightning has struck Athens, but the thunder will reverberate throughout all of Europe. As the 'anti-austerity' Syriza party is swept to power in Greece, its leader Alexis…

What are 'Muslim values', Lady Warsi?

January 25, 2015
165 Comments

The problem is her article's timing, and that when David Cameron stretched out his hand in friendship and promoted and indulged her time and again, there was impatience, irritability…

Rochester & Strood: the Christian case for supporting Mark Reckless

November 2, 2014
177 Comments

According to the latest opinion polls on the wacky race for Rochester & Strood, the suave, educated, cultured and erudite Peter Perfect Mark Reckless is blazing ahead for Ukip,…

Palestinian statehood: the hypocrisy of Labour's three-line whip

October 13, 2014
142 Comments

We know how the argument goes. If you oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state, you are a bigoted Zionist who perpetuates suffering and injustice through illegal occupation. If…

Bishop of Willesden slams "unChristian" Tories and Ukip

October 11, 2014
87 Comments

The Clacton fallout has sent a few tremors around Westminster. So has the Heywood & Middleton spin-off. Not only have the people elected their first Ukip MP in a…

Christianity versus Communism: Hong Kong's battle for liberty and democracy

October 7, 2014
114 Comments

No matter what issues of religion and politics have occupied us over the past week, there has been a feeling that we ought to be following the umbrellas, black T-shirts…

We should judge politicians by their fruits, not their failings

September 28, 2014
93 Comments

Mark Reckless MP is a man of faith; a faith which has, on occasion, caused him to delve into contentious matters of morality and probe certain state authorities which most…

What role for the Church of England in English devolution?

September 23, 2014
71 Comments

"Sanity transcends political differences", tweeted the Bishop of Willesden when it appeared there was some cross-party agreement on the pressing need for English devolution following the Prime Minister's 'vow' of…

The Church has a unique role to play in healing Scotland's wounds

September 20, 2014
138 Comments

It feels right to say a brief 'Hello' to all of His Grace's regulars and those who have successfully made the trip over from God and Politics. This is just…

Salvation of the Union

September 19, 2014
80 Comments

Land of Hope and Glory! Rule Britannia! God Save the Queen! Scotland has spoken, and, despite the tawdry interventions of certain glitzy Scots living comfortably in the Home Counties, Manhattan…

God who made thee mighty?

September 18, 2014
121 Comments

Doe wee not remember, that this Kingdome [England] was divided into seven little Kingdomes, besides Wales? And is it not now the stronger by their Union? And hath not the…

The difficulties of dialoguing with Islam

August 26, 2014
0 Comments

"What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" asked Tertullian in his Prescription against Heretics (VII), as he sought to defend the purity of the gospel of faith from the faithless…

Archbishop of Mosul: "Your liberal and democratic principles are worth nothing here"

August 19, 2014
1 Comment

The translated words of Emil Nona, Chaldean Catholic Archbishop of Mosul, now exiled in Erbil (via Rorate Caeli): "Our sufferings today are the prelude of those you, Europeans and Western…