Perspectives on religion & politics
It’s been awhile since we’ve heard the Rev. Ian Paisley rail publicly against the pope, identifying him as an ‘anti-Christ.’ But in an interview with the BBC World Service, Paisley reverted to ‘anti-Christ’ mode as he voiced his opposition to the pope’s state visit to the UK in September.
On his blog, BBC religion correspondent William Crawley says that Paisley’s comments,
Continue reading ‘Ian Paisley and the Pope: The Return of Dr No?’
Why are the Irish Catholic bishops complaining about the Civil Partnerships Bill, which is being debated this week in the Dáil?
The bishops’ criticisms have not been welcomed by government ministers, who say they have taken great pains to make sure it does not undermine marriage or the Irish constitution.
Continue reading ‘The Irish Catholic Church & the Civil Partnerships Bill: What’s ‘Morally Wrong?’’
In the latter sessions of a conference held last week at Trinity College Dublin, ‘From World Mission to Interreligious Witness: Visioning Ecumenics in the 21st Century,’ the theologians and others gathered there began to get around to some crucial questions not only about the importance of interreligious dialogue, but of moving beyond that to ‘witness.’
In the closing session of the conference, which was hosted by the Irish School of Ecumenics at TCD and the academic journal Concilium, a participant from the floor asked:
Continue reading ‘From World Mission to Interreligious Witness: Why Dialogue?’
If you have ever contributed to charities working in developing countries, you’ve probably wondered just how far your money is going. First, there’s the worry that your money may be going to admin costs rather than the people ‘on the ground.’ Apart from that, you may have been plagued by the nagging suspicion that throwing money at poverty isn’t really going to change anything.
That’s why I’m heartened by Christian Aid’s latest campaign, which draws attention to the way that company tax policies hurt poor countries. Christian Aid is in favour of,
Continue reading ‘Christian Aid Tax Campaign: Reform, not Charity …’
Back in March, I noted the intensity of the debate that had been provoked by Brian McLaren’s latest book, A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions that are Transforming the Faith.
Now that I’ve had a chance to read the book, I’m struck by how so many of the book reviews that I read before I delved in to the book have missed his point.
Continue reading ‘Brian McLaren Book Review: What Else is New about A New Kind of Christianity?’
Earlier this week, the NGO Social Justice Ireland (SJI) published ‘An Agenda for a New Ireland,’ a 250-page socio-economic review of what went wrong in Ireland, what hasn’t changed, and what state and citizens might do to improve living on this island. The entire text of the document is available on-line.
The Irish Times’ Jamie Smyth summed up SJI’s recommendations this way,
Continue reading ‘Social Justice Ireland & ‘An Agenda for a New Ireland’’
For many people on this side of the Atlantic, I suspect their impressions of Fox News’ Glenn Beck are mediated through the spoofs of Daily Show comedian Jon Stewart, whose programme is aired on Channel 4.
Beck identifies himself with Christian America, and is a self-proclaimed guardian of what he perceives to be America’s Christian values. Last month, it was revealed that Beck’s staff is now ‘funding opposition research and internet attack campaigns’ against Christian pastors who disagree with his vision of America.
Continue reading ‘Fox News on Witch Hunt for Christian Pastors?’
‘There’s probably more theology in that film clip than in the book of Romans.’
Rev. Steve Stockman, the minister of Fitzroy Presbyterian Church in Belfast, said words to that effect to those who had gathered there yesterday evening for what was billed as ‘The Man in Black – a Service Built around the worship songs, life and testimony of Johnny Cash.’
Continue reading ‘Johnny Cash for Holy Week: An Evening at Fitzroy Presbyterian’
Yesterday the New York Times made the case that Pope Benedict knew more, and did more to cover-up the actions of paedophile priests, than has previously been supposed. This has prompted another offensive from the Vatican, accusing the media of smear campaign against the Pope.
As reported in today’s Irish Times,
Continue reading ‘Smearing the Pope? Vatican’s Defence is not Endearing’
Cardinal Sean Brady, and the Irish Catholic Church, have claimed that it is ‘not fair to judge him by the child protection standards of today.’
Amid the cries that Brady should resign, the Irish Catholic Church has issued a statement ‘clarifying’ his role in the sex abuse case in which he was involved in asking two young boys to sign oaths of secrecy.
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