Monthly Archives: April 2013

The meaning of marriage

Friday’s Church Times contains another excellent response to the now infamous Church of England document Men and Women in Marriage, this time by Jane Shaw. The document appeals to ‘a unique relationship between a man and a woman’ and ‘the … Continue reading

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On not going to church

The Westminster Faith Debates, backed by a YouGov poll, have produced much telling information about the real attitudes of Christians to church leaders and the things they expect us to believe. Yesterday’s Church Times carries a full-page article by Linda … Continue reading

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Thatcher divided my life

What a funeral! Thatcher has been praised to the skies and given virtually a state funeral. Meanwhile, all over the country, people have expressed outrage at the damage she did. She was indeed a divisive figure. 1979, the year she … Continue reading

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Liberal faith is stronger

A few days ago I suggested that perhaps the tide is turning and the supremacy of hardline ‘conservatives’ in the leadership of the Church of England will now start declining. The main evidence is that they have so effectively discredited … Continue reading

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Cuckoo in the nest?

This is unusual. I made the mistake of assuming that the Church of England’s latest document Men and Women in Marriage would be condemned by the usual critics and defended by the usual establishment figures, so a couple of days … Continue reading

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Marriage and diversity

This is a response to the document Men and Women in Marriage by the Church of England’s Faith and Order Commission, published on 10th April 2013, and available on the Church’s website. The accompanying press release makes clear its purpose, … Continue reading

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We don’t want the riff-raff having marriages

The Church of England’s new document Men and Women in Marriage was published on Wednesday. According to the accompanying press release the reason for publishing it is to oppose blessings of gay partnerships, and it certainly reads as such. It … Continue reading

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From what we are supposed to believe: Good Lord, deliver us

I’ve just had my rear shock absorbers replaced. I’m told I should be able to get about more comfortably now. I don’t know anything about shock absorbers and don’t want to, so long as the car works. I trust the … Continue reading

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Bless you

Not long ago I was talking to someone soon to be priested about what priesthood is. As it happens I had just recently read C W Mitchell’s book on the meaning of ‘bless’ in the Old Testament. A key text … Continue reading

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Nehemiah and the bedroom tax

Today’s the day. In the UK, the new ‘bedroom tax’ is introduced, accentuating the poverty of thousands depending on benefits; thousands lose access to legal aid, and many low-income families will pay more in Council Tax.

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