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Category Archives: Society
Punishment by gnashing of teeth
The lectionary readings for this Sunday include one of Matthew’s six (!) references to ‘a weeping and gnashing of teeth’. All over the world churchgoers will be hearing about gnashings. Unlike the other gospel writers, Matthew loves a good punishment. … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, Ethics, Society, Theology
Tagged deterrence, freedom, gnashing of teeth, Linda Zagzebski, Matthew, penal theory, punishment, reform, retribution
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Are interest rates immoral?
Interest rates are such a central part of our economic life that it seems difficult to imagine what life would be like without them. Yet for most of its history, Christianity was fiercely opposed to them. Why? How was its … Continue reading
Planet versus agenda
Heatwaves. Wildfires. Massive destruction in one country after another, caused, as even the fossil fuel companies now have to admit, by human industrial actions warming the planet up. So what are the most powerful people in the world doing about … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Ethics, Society
Tagged anthropocentrism, Black Death, British Government, design, evolution, fossil fuels, gas, Heatwaves, oil, Rishi Sunak, science and technology, wildfires
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Early Christian marriage
This is another post on marriage. A recent post used the story of Isaac and Rebecca to illustrate how marriage in biblical times was very different from today. This one describes marriage in the early Roman empire. One thing that … Continue reading
Posted in Ethics, Marriage & sexuality, Society
Tagged age of marriage, Christianity, marriage, oppression, patriarchy, Roman Empire
6 Comments
Fancy identifying as a cat?
Not that anybody did, but the idea has done the rounds of the mass media. I am following Nesrine Malik. At a Year 8 class in a school in Rye, it seems, a heated debate took place between some schoolgirls … Continue reading
Posted in Ethics, Society, Theology
Tagged cats, God, identity, mass media, meaning, Rye, schoolgirls
4 Comments
What should governments value?
This is a British question. For the best part of another two years, Britain is stuck with a government that seems not to know what it is supposed to be doing. Lots of people are on strike, mainly people providing … Continue reading
Posted in Economics, Environment, Ethics, Society
Tagged avarice, Britain, commerce, economic growth, exploitation, feudalism, government, land, medieval society, property rights, purpose of life, strikes
1 Comment
Why does it take an archbishop to crown a king?
There is a reason. It’s rooted in religious sensibilities since prehistoric times. But it’s a reason that only works with some religious traditions, not others. This post describes why: why we can’t escape the religious significance of coronations, but also … Continue reading
National Conservatism and cuckoo religion
‘National conservatism could set us on a path to post-brexit prosperity’, write David Frost and Jacob Rees-Mogg in the Daily Telegraph, as they advertise the forthcoming National Conservatism conference the week after next. The movement trumpets its commitment to God, … Continue reading
Posted in God, Politics, Society, Theology
Tagged David Frost, Edmund Burke Society, Jacob Rees-Mogg, nation state, National conservatism, religion, Victor Orbán
3 Comments
Britain’s spiritual leader: a football commentator
The British Government’s ‘Small Boats Bill’ – technically the Illegal Migration Bill – has been condemned for breaking eight fundamental rights – including the home secretary’s duty to protect people from being killed and to prevent inhumane and degrading treatment. … Continue reading
Posted in Ethics, Society
Tagged cruelty, Gary Lineker, Illegal Immigration Bill, small boats, Suella Braverman
2 Comments
Earthquake and the finger of blame
‘An act of God caused the earthquake in Turkey – murderous corruption caused so many deaths’ writes Constanze Letsch in the Guardian. Good point. Without the corruption, the earthquakes wouldn’t have killed people. But our culture prefers to blame ‘acts … Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Ethics, Society
Tagged Act of God, Earthquake, Francis Bacon, nature, progress, Syria, the Fall, Turkey
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