Every summer my family are part of a youth camp where 160 young people (plus a few middle-agers) live in tents by the sea in Devon. We have been involved for 11 years and, though tiring, it is the best week of the year for all of us. It is a Christian camp run by… Continue reading The good, the bad & the beautiful: an alternative evaluation of ‘Love Island’
Category: Social commentary
Taking the blog out of my own eye: giving up negativity for Lent
This week, my friend and former colleague Adam Bonner left the charity Livability after 12 years of great work. At Adam’s leaving do what struck me was the impact that his positivity and hopefulness has had on so many people. He has a great gift for seeing the good in people and the opportunities that… Continue reading Taking the blog out of my own eye: giving up negativity for Lent
Head over heart: the case against emotional empathy
In the mid-1990s, I worked in a large hostel for 140 homeless people. One resident (lets call him Brian) had incredibly strong body odour. His lack of personal hygiene and reluctance to wash his clothes became a real issue. It led to snide comments from other residents and frustrations grew among those who shared the… Continue reading Head over heart: the case against emotional empathy
Lives on a knife-edge
Photo by Lum3n on Pexels.com This week I was in my local park with my youth football club. One of the kids found something left next to a tree and called me over. He had found a weapon. It was a jagged knife blade which had been bound with gaffer tape to a foot-long handle.… Continue reading Lives on a knife-edge
The nonsense surrounding weddings undermine marriage
Photo by Asad Photo Maldives on Pexels.com A royal wedding is simply the über example of the extravagance, hype and nonsense that has overtaken the contemporary concept of getting married. This culture is fuelled by an industry dedicated to ramping up costs. It knows how much money people are willing to waste for ‘the perfect… Continue reading The nonsense surrounding weddings undermine marriage
I’m not surprised at The President’s Club scandal – it’s just like my University Rugby Club
Photo by Julius Holstein on Pexels.com The waves created by the Harvey Weinstein eruptions in Hollywood are being felt all over the world. But you can imagine the organisers of The President's Club, an all-male, exclusive fundraising event, felt pretty safe. After all, they had been running it for 30 years, high rollers from major City… Continue reading I’m not surprised at The President’s Club scandal – it’s just like my University Rugby Club
Why Remembrance Day makes me uneasy – by Jeremy O’Hare
Photo by Elina Sazonova on Pexels.com When Remembrance Day comes around every year, I feel uneasy. There’s something about this national ritual that doesn’t sit well with me. How we commemorate wars and the fallen can be misused. Especially when my Christian faith leads me to question why we go to war at all. Because… Continue reading Why Remembrance Day makes me uneasy – by Jeremy O’Hare
Guns in America: religion is part of the problem but faith will be part of the answer
Photo by Connor McManus on Pexels.com As a Christian, I think its vital that we are honest about the way religion can often uphold and underpin injustice. Whilst its good to be inspired by the great faith-inspired social movements - like the battles against the slave trade, the civil rights movement or the fight against apartheid… Continue reading Guns in America: religion is part of the problem but faith will be part of the answer
How society and government policy facilitate sexual abuse – by Ruth Woodcraft
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com Newcastle joined an infamous list of UK cities in August with the conviction of 17 men and one woman for rape, supplying drugs and conspiracy to incite prostitution. The media dissected events and the conclusions were critical of Northumbria Police. Early opportunities were missed to investigate the abuse, and thousands… Continue reading How society and government policy facilitate sexual abuse – by Ruth Woodcraft
‘I Didn’t Meme to Hurt You’: disagreeing better online
I am facebook friends with people with a very wide range of views: rabid right-wingers and loony lefties and everything in-between. Raving charismatics, fluffy liberals and hard-bitten atheists. Millie Tants, Chardonnay Socialists and Gary Lagers. Our on-line followers represent to some extent the worlds we move in. And for many of us, these worlds vary greatly.… Continue reading ‘I Didn’t Meme to Hurt You’: disagreeing better online
Grace + Truth 