Trump’s Saudi Islam speech will not bind Islamic State’s progenitors
Donald Trump goes to Saudi Arabia and the world awaits his much-trailed Islam speech. And what a mighty fine speech it was. The President of the United States boldly reiterated…
Extremism
England has defeated religious fanatics in the past, and will do so again
When in 1587 Pope Sixtus V began conspiring with King Philip II of Spain in 'The Enterprise of England', it was the world's most powerful religious leader giving his blessing to the world's most powerful military empire, the union of…
Julia Hartley-Brewer: it’s “bloody stupid beliefs” like prayer which help create acts of terrorism
Even as Tobias Ellwood MP was trying to get the blood to flow once again through PC Keith Palmer's heart, tweets of blame and judgment were flying about like a…
Integration tsar Dame Louise Casey has a problem with ‘religious conservatism’
In 2013 Dame Louise Casey was named by BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour as one of the Top 100 most powerful women in the UK. She was duly appointed by…
Will Theresa May restore religious liberty by adopting reasonable accommodation?
Theresa May is an Anglican, and her faith appears to be sound and secure (ie, it doesn't fade in and out like Magic FM in the Chilterns). A few articles…
Calls for Jewish Labour Movement to be expelled from Labour Party
Where is Baroness Chakrabarti? Anybody seen or heard from her since she took the ermine? If you bump into her anywhere, could you please tell her that she urgently needs…
Corbyn’s mission is Christian socialism – but the country will never vote for it
"So enthused by @JeremyCorbyn4PM win today," tweeted the Rev'd Dr Giles Fraser, on hearing of the victorious re-election of Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party. "The world is…
Judo Olympic bigotry: Egyptian Muslim refuses to shakes hand with Israeli Jew
In judo it is customary to bow to one's opponent before a bout, and to shake hands afterwards. The first is a Japanese sign of respect and mandatory; the…
Ukip's "positive vision" for British Islam: ban all Muslim schools
Ukip has a Muslim problem, which is fine if they're not particularly concerned about courting the Muslim vote, but not fine if it leads to the formulation of policies…
London stabbing: Met and BBC say mental health a "significant factor", but what's the whole truth?
Appalling stabbing incident in Russell Square, London. A woman in her 60s has been murdered; five others are being treated for knife wounds. According to the BBC: "A 19-year-old…
Fireman Sam slips on the Qur'an, and all Sharia breaks loose
Firstly, it wasn't Fireman Sam who apparently slipped on a page of the Qur'an; it was Elvis. But the headline 'Elvis slips on the Qur'an' would probably cause problems…
The assassination of Jo Cox, the attribution of blame and the politicisation of horror
By all accounts, Jo Cox was a wonderful, gifted human being: a beautiful wife, a loving mother, a dedicated humanitarian and a talented politician. She was clearly destined for…
Welby defends the right to offend – kind of
During a House of Lords debate on the question of 'Islam: Extremism', the Archbishop of Canterbury interjected in defence of the right to offend. He said: My Lords, it…
Donald Trump is an ignorant chump, but banning him from Britain would be an offence against freedom
Say what you will, write as you want, think what you like, but Donald Trump is on the demotic ascendant and is currently in pole position to win the…
Parliament's vote to bomb Syria has already won the moral victory against ISIL
As I began writing this within an hour of the Commons vote, 4 RAF Tornadoes were already on their way to bomb Syria. This is it; the UK is now…
Time to forgive Guy Fawkes?
"Guy Fawkes should be forgiven because he has become a ‘global brand’, says headmaster of Catholic plotter's old school." That's a summary of an inept piece in the Telegraph…
The Investigatory Powers Bill will tell the police you read this blog
The mainstream media is full of stories of checks and balances, U-turns and climbdowns. The so-called Snooper's Charter (aka Investigatory Powers Bill) will target only terrorists and extremists, we…
Helen Mirren: "I love Israel – I think it's a great, great country"
In 1967, shortly after the Six-Day War, Helen Mirren worked on a the HaOn kibbutz on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. She hitch-hiked throughout Israel, and slept…
Murmur in Manchester Cathedral: Corbyn counters Conservative Party Conference
The Bishop of Manchester is neither a member nor a supporter of the Labour Party. We know this because he tweeted it. He lauds the Guardian for its superior…
Labour Friends of Palestine host Holocaust denier at Party Conference
Politics endangers the soul. Where there was once principle and conviction, there is compromise and obfuscation. Doctrine adapts and morality is murky. Truth is abstracted, or swallowed in bitterness.…