Tax collectors had a pretty bad name in New Testament times. And perhaps rightly so. At the time, taxation represented subordination and injustice – collected by a Roman regime stripping wealth from the territories they occupied to fund the machinery of their empire. Religious leaders of the day debated whether it was morally right to pay… Continue reading False Profits: why all companies should pay the tax they owe – by Laura Taylor
Category: Politics
‘All Christians are political’ – putting our faith in the mixer
Photo by Stan Platt-Jones on Pexels.com 'All Christians are political, whether they realise it or not. But especially when they don't realise it' Kenneth Leech In football terminology, putting the ball ‘in the mixer’ means getting it into the penalty area right in front of the goal. It’s where there is often some jostling and controversy and where… Continue reading ‘All Christians are political’ – putting our faith in the mixer
The Market is King – by Keith Hebden
This is the text of a sermon given by Rev. Keith Hebden at St Paul's Cathedral on Sunday 30th November, 2014 Photo by Yoss Traore on Pexels.com I travelled around 140 miles to get here from a town called Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. Mansfield is a warm-hearted and friendly town but one where thousands will struggle… Continue reading The Market is King – by Keith Hebden
Would Jesus bomb IS? – by Claire Mathys
Photo by Torben Bu00fchl on Pexels.com Since the UK decided to join other Western countries in airstrikes against the so-called Islamic State (IS), many Christians have been wrestling with whether this decision was the right one. One question is whether bombing is morally justifiable. Another is whether it is strategically wise. Both sit against a… Continue reading Would Jesus bomb IS? – by Claire Mathys
Jonah and Islamic State – by Matt Valler
The extremist Muslim terrorist organisation Islamic State (formerly ISIS) recently captured Nineveh in northern Iraq. The atrocities they have since committed there led me to revisit this ancient story... The word of Yahweh came to Jonah the Jew. "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it because the stench of its wickedness… Continue reading Jonah and Islamic State – by Matt Valler
Why I support the strikers – by Jonathan Chilvers
Today I have been out supporting the Public Sector strikers in Warwickshire. Some passers-by came up to the picket line to show their support. However, listening on the radio, a number of people have been hostile towards strikers. There have been three points people have made against the strikes: 1) "There’s no money" The 'cuts' mantra has been… Continue reading Why I support the strikers – by Jonathan Chilvers
‘The Bible is a blueprint for Marxism’: the theology of Jeremy Clarkson
Photo by John-Mark Smith on Pexels.com It has been an important week for issues of faith and social justice. On Tuesday, the Christians on the Left Summit debated how the church’s social action, such as Foodbanks and homeless shelters, connects to campaigning for social justice. To use Desmond Tutu’s phrase, as well as pulling people out… Continue reading ‘The Bible is a blueprint for Marxism’: the theology of Jeremy Clarkson
Democracy in action…or not
Warwickshire County Council has just gone through a 6 month process to slash 26% from a budget over 4 years that had already been cut by a similar amount since 2010. Up and down the UK the picture is the same: older peoples' care, firefighters, road maintenance and libraries all under threat. As we approached… Continue reading Democracy in action…or not
On trial tomorrow: Christian activists who blocked an arms fair displaying torture equipment
Last September, a group of Christians knelt in prayer to block the entrance to the London arms fair - known as Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEi). The protestors sang hymns, prayed together and prevented arms dealers from entering the fair for nearly an hour.On that same day as the protest, two companies were thrown… Continue reading On trial tomorrow: Christian activists who blocked an arms fair displaying torture equipment
The Summit of faith, social action and politics – by Andy Flannagan
Regular readers of R&R may already know about the re-launch of Christians on the Left. I wanted to grab a few moments of your time to tell you about a great event we are hosting for everyone interested in faith, social action and politics. I believe this is a hugely significant time both for… Continue reading The Summit of faith, social action and politics – by Andy Flannagan
