This week a Church of England report was published called 'Talking Jesus'. One finding of this report, highlighted by The Guardian, is that when Christians talk to others about Jesus, it is more likely to turn them off than attract them. So how can Christians share their faith in ways that are relevant and do not make people squirm with embarrassment?… Continue reading A step for social justice and equality that EVERYONE could take
Tag: Foodbanks
Holy rows: why disputes between Church and Government will increase
This weekend saw another avalanche of media coverage about a row between the Church and the government. This time it relates to the refugee crisis. The Bishops have accused the government of dragging its feet and not responding adequately to their offers to help mobilise the churches. Stephen Cotterill, Bishop of Chelmsford, said: “The mean-spirited response of the government… Continue reading Holy rows: why disputes between Church and Government will increase
David Cameron’s Easter Message: wrong on so many levels
David Cameron has written an Easter message to Christians. It has been published by Premier Christianity as 'an exclusive' which they summarise as 'Prime Minister David Cameron speaks up on the significance of the Christian faith.' Danny Webster, a moderate and sensible commentator on faith in public life, is savage in his critique: David Cameron’s Easter message… Continue reading David Cameron’s Easter Message: wrong on so many levels
‘Back street theology’ and stories from the frontline
During 2014, the growing use of food banks across the country has been a major political story. A key reason is because the Trussell Trust, who coordinate the majority of the food banks in partnership with many churches, have been persistent and determined in communicating the crisis they see unfolding across the UK. They have told the stories from… Continue reading ‘Back street theology’ and stories from the frontline
Victims of injustice or just bad cooks? Whose responsibility is food poverty?
On Monday I attended the launch of the report of the All Party Parliamentary Inquiry into Food Poverty in the UK. Over the last week, the whole issue has had an incredible amount of coverage in the media. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, opened the event and said that hunger is Britain is an… Continue reading Victims of injustice or just bad cooks? Whose responsibility is food poverty?
Food bank Britain and the three faces of poverty
A major report 'Emergency Use Only' was published yesterday by the Church of England, Oxfam and the Trussell Trust. It outlines the reality of Food bank Britain: Those receiving emergency food from food banks rose from 128,697 in 2011-12 to 913,138 in 2013-14. Many food bank users faced multiple challenges, including ill-health, relationship breakdown, mental health problems or substantial… Continue reading Food bank Britain and the three faces of poverty
Make a stand this Wednesday against food poverty: join the End Hunger Fast Vigil, 6.00 – 8.00pm, Westminster
"Any religion that professes to be concerned about the souls of men and is not concerned with the slums that damn them, the economic conditions which strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them is a dry-as-dust religion. Such a religion is the kind the Marxists like to see - an opiate of the… Continue reading Make a stand this Wednesday against food poverty: join the End Hunger Fast Vigil, 6.00 – 8.00pm, Westminster
‘The Bible is a blueprint for Marxism’: the theology of Jeremy Clarkson
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 of the river, how could we… Continue reading ‘The Bible is a blueprint for Marxism’: the theology of Jeremy Clarkson
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
Foodbank politics: faith, community action and social justice
The Labour government of the late 1970s will always be associated with economic failure, public sector strikes and the ‘winter of discontent’ when (as legend has it) the rubbish went uncollected and the dead unburied. When we see documentaries about the 1970s, they often include scenes of refuse piled up and picket lines accompanied by background… Continue reading Foodbank politics: faith, community action and social justice
Grace + Truth 