Monthly Archives: January 2015

Mental health and the value of life

People with mental health problems and learning difficulties are the subject of two articles in this week’s Church Times. The two articles were printed alongside each other, and between them they told both a negative and a positive story.

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‘Burnley bishops’ will be different

Widespread horror has greeted the news of the bizarre arrangements for consecrating the new bishop of Burnley. On Wednesday I put up a post describing the arrangements agreed between the candidate, Philip North, who opposes the ordination of women, and … Continue reading

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A woman’s touch and spiritual danger

It gets more and more bizarre. Now that women can be bishops in the Church of England, opponents of women priests – who have existed for 20 years – are finding new hurdles to throw in their way. The Revd … Continue reading

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Rock or sand, economy or people

Boom! Even before it is published, the Archbishop of York John Sentamu’s new book On Rock or Sand? is causing a stir. According to the Independent it says the Christian values of solidarity and selflessness have been discarded in favour … Continue reading

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Evolution as a moral guide

Where do we get our morals from? Should we get them from evolution? Many sociobiologists believe our moral beliefs come from our genes making us maximise our fertile offspring.

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Political debate needs an alternative voice

What a turnaround – Prime Minister David Cameron supporting the Green Party! Ofcom, the broadcast regulator, has recommended that the Green Party should not qualify for ‘major party’ status. This means it should be omitted from the pre-election debates and … Continue reading

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Selfish genes and the contradictions of sociobiology

Are all our moral beliefs misleading products of evolution? Do all our judgements of right and wrong really come from genes busy making us maximise our offspring? The idea has become part of the culture that tells us we are … Continue reading

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