Let’s be absolutely clear: Nicolas Anelka’s “quenelle” gesture was an anti-semetic act. The gesture is the equivalent of a Nazi salute and if you or I made it in our workplaces, we should be deservedly be fired. La quenelle consists of pointing towards the ground with a flattened hand while folding the other arm across… Continue reading Anelka’s gesture deserves more than just a 5 match ban – by Alan Bolchover
Category: Social commentary
A Facebook Fast: an advent of virtual liberation
Last Lent I took a break from facebook, twitter and blogging. It did me good. I like to think that I am not addicted to social media but there is no doubt that checking updates, posting comments and engaging in discussions takes up time and mental space. My son’s comment to me a few months ago… Continue reading A Facebook Fast: an advent of virtual liberation
A Hull of a culture…
It was great to see Hull being awarded the 2017 City of Culture today. People who have never been to Hull may struggle to appreciate its qualities, but like many who have lived there I still have a genuine affection for the city. I spent three years in Hull studying social work and an extra… Continue reading A Hull of a culture…
The day they died: JFK, Aldous Huxley and CS Lewis on life, liberty & sainthood
JFK, Aldous Huxley and CS Lewis have all had a significant impact on my life and all died on the same day 50 years ago next week- 22 November 1963. Coincidentally, it's also St. Cecilia's day - the patron saint of music. Brave New World I read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley in my… Continue reading The day they died: JFK, Aldous Huxley and CS Lewis on life, liberty & sainthood
Why we need a new National Anthem – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 10)
This morning, like many other people, I went to a Remembrance service with my Scout group. At the end, they played the National Anthem. “God save our gracious Queen Long live our noble Queen God save the Queen Send her victorious Happy and glorious Long to reign over us God save the Queen” Listening to… Continue reading Why we need a new National Anthem – by Danny Kuhrt (aged 10)
10 Reasons why partnership working doesn’t happen
Everyone in government and charitable agencies is quick to say how committed to partnership working they are. Everyone agrees on the need to join up, work together and be smarter, but so often it doesn’t happen. Here’s my top ten reasons why: 1. We don’t do the arguing at the start Us British are not… Continue reading 10 Reasons why partnership working doesn’t happen
‘Madwomen in the Twittersphere’ A Christian Response to Caroline Criado-Perez? – by Hannah Martin
Caroline Criado-Perez has left twitter. For those who don’t know, Criado-Perez is a campaigner and writer who led the campaign to reinstate a woman on the English bank-note. Following the success of this campaign she has been subject to hundreds of graphic rape and death threats from ‘trolls,’ mostly online via twitter and other social… Continue reading ‘Madwomen in the Twittersphere’ A Christian Response to Caroline Criado-Perez? – by Hannah Martin
Power, corruption and lies
This week has seen two public institutions facing serious accusations of corruption. Firstly there were the claims by former undercover Police Officer Peter Francis that he was ordered to dig up ‘dirt’ on the family of the murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence. The allegations that Police were deployed secretly in an attempt to smear the victims… Continue reading Power, corruption and lies
We can all learn from the Mosque that invited the EDL to tea – by Roidh Andrasan
In the city of York, in North Yorkshire, England, a demonstration was planned by members of the far-right English Defence League (EDL) against a small local mosque in response to the brutal murder of Lee Rigby in London. But the EDL protestors were met with a rather different response than what they expected. The mosque… Continue reading We can all learn from the Mosque that invited the EDL to tea – by Roidh Andrasan
‘Will we be extremists for hate or for love?’
The brutal killing of the soldier yesterday in Woolwich is a shocking example of religious extremism leading to hatred and violence. In a bid to defend the vast majority of peaceful Muslims who completely condemn this kind of violence, I have read many comments which say that 'this has nothing to do with Islam'. Understandable as… Continue reading ‘Will we be extremists for hate or for love?’
Grace + Truth 