Opinion

Why, as a disabled woman, I wanted face masks and social distancing to stay
Why, as a disabled woman, I wanted face masks and social distancing to stay

When we hear people voicing their concerns, it would be wiser to listen to those concerns, and include them in future decisions surrounding worship and pastoral care.

In need of some peace? Try a walk in your local cemetery
In need of some peace? Try a walk in your local cemetery

If you're one of those looking for a quiet oasis away from the increasing bustle and busyness of post-restriction life, there's an often-overlooked place where nature, heritage and the life histories of hundreds of local people are on peaceful display.

A tribute to my friend, Joel Edwards
A tribute to my friend, Joel Edwards

R David Muir remembers his friend and colleague Joel Edwards as an 'Ambassador of Christ' with a ministry and gift for reconciliation.

Redefining marriage: a step too far
Redefining marriage: a step too far

In climbing onto the LGBTI+ bandwagon, the Methodist Church has displayed not just its abandonment, but its essential contempt, for the tenets of Christian belief, as taught by Christ and enshrined in the Bible from page one.

Lessons from the past for the Christians of today
Lessons from the past for the Christians of today

Today the UK is arguably not a Christian nation in any truly meaningful sense. What to do about that? Panic? Bemoan modern society? Demand the government defend our Christian culture? The world of Sutton Hoo offers us both a challenge and a warning.

The double standards of the pro-abortion movement
The double standards of the pro-abortion movement

For a movement whose primary argument is that a humane society shouldn't throw women in jail for brave and difficult decisions, the abortion lobby really does prescribe a lot of jail time for women making brave and difficult decisions.

Redemption: a gift of G-d or man?
Redemption: a gift of G-d or man?

The idolatry that has grown up around football since 1966 is an indictment of our age, in which our religious leaders no longer lead, and football has simply filled in the gap.

As we celebrate NHS Day, what does it mean to care?
As we celebrate NHS Day, what does it mean to care?

Reflections on the pandemic and beyond from a Christian care home.

People who are grieving need the Holy Spirit, not spiritualism
People who are grieving need the Holy Spirit, not spiritualism

Most spiritualists are simply misguided individuals struggling to cope with unresolved grief, believing that they can once again speak with their loved ones.

Methodism? Dead. Anglicanism? Not yet
Methodism? Dead. Anglicanism? Not yet

Anglican evangelical leaders should take heed from the example of the Methodist mess.

Should the Bishops of Manchester and Liverpool resign?
Should the Bishops of Manchester and Liverpool resign?

The Bishop of Manchester's comments on Matt Hancock's affair are troubling but I feel rather more concerned by the Bishop of Liverpool.

When even secular commentators can see the moral imperative, why can't the bishop?
When even secular commentators can see the moral imperative, why can't the bishop?

Matt Hancock's hypocrisy was certainly wrong, but it wasn't the biggest wrong of the whole debacle. Committing adultery on your wife must surely rank higher.

Is Islamophobia rampant in Scotland?
Is Islamophobia rampant in Scotland?

We have the opportunity to speak the truth in love to our Muslim neighbours. Let us pray that our politicians don't make this a hate crime.

Bringing light to the children hidden by the pandemic
Bringing light to the children hidden by the pandemic

It's been easy for families to hide behind closed home doors, for parents to paint on a pixilated smile on a Zoom call in the face of domestic violence, empty food cupboards or mounting debt. In these situations, it is often the needs of vulnerable children that go unmet, because they are so much harder to identify.

Chinese Communism at 100: alive and well, but could Christianity be its ultimate undoing?
Chinese Communism at 100: alive and well, but could Christianity be its ultimate undoing?

This week, China celebrates 100 years of the Chinese Communist Party. But do not be fooled by the skyscrapers and consumer goods. A hundred years on, China is still a communist nation. And its leaders still hate Christians who refuse to bow to their ideology, writes Dr David Landrum.

The benefits of radical amazement
The benefits of radical amazement

What is needed is a combination of the childlike (but not naïve) approach to the beauty of life.