Extremism

Calls for Jewish Labour Movement to be expelled from Labour Party

September 26, 2016
Archbishop Cranmer
102 Comments

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 to re-open her whitewash inquiry into anti-Semitism ("and other forms…

Corbyn’s mission is Christian socialism – but the country will never vote for it

September 25, 2016
75 Comments

"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

August 13, 2016
426 Comments

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

August 8, 2016
278 Comments

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?

August 4, 2016
189 Comments

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

July 27, 2016
156 Comments

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

June 17, 2016
357 Comments

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

February 5, 2016
328 Comments

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

December 9, 2015
396 Comments

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

December 3, 2015
187 Comments

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?

November 5, 2015
0 Comments

"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

November 4, 2015
125 Comments

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"

October 30, 2015
0 Comments

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

October 6, 2015
0 Comments

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

September 29, 2015
81 Comments

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.…

"I'm not sure I believe in God, but I'll take Pope Francis over Richard Dawkins any day"

September 28, 2015
178 Comments

Chris Deerin was a "devout Catholic, altar boy.. (who) wanted to be a priest". That's nice. Sadly (or fortunately, whichever side you're on), he is devout no more. He…

Warwick University Student Union incites hatred by banning criticism of Islam

September 27, 2015
112 Comments

The timeline: 1. Warwick Atheists, Secularists and Humanists (WASH) applies to have Maryam Namazie – a prominent, intelligent, secularist political activist – speak at the university. 2. Warwick University…

The Church must challenge the State's fuzzy 'British Values'

September 23, 2015
117 Comments

Fundamental British values have been defined by the Government as: “the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs." According…

A National Register of Faith Leaders? Government plans to vet all ministers of religion

September 16, 2015
229 Comments

There was an odd article in the Telegraph last week. Odd because the headline, photograph and content didn't quite cohere. Andrew Gilligan has apparently got hold of a leaked…