Reports
Multiculturalism
Jonathan Chaplin argues that multiculturalism still has indispensable contribution to realising a just society.
Media Monitoring
A multifaith Songs of Praise? Not on my watch says BBC religion chief
Songs of Praise is to remain Christian despite calls for it to be turned it into a multifaith programme, the BBC’s first Muslim head of religion has pledged. Aaqil Ahmed said that it was vital that religious programming promoted “diversity” but insisted that Songs of Praise would always remain Christian.
The Politics of Christmas
1st December 2011
Christmas is about spending time with family and friends... at least that is what the vast majority of us think.
Yet, this safe, domestic Christmas was largely an invention of the Victorians. The Christmas stories themselves as told in Matthew's and Luke's gospels are far less peaceful and far more unsettling.
Economic exploitation, imperial opression, social stigma, petty tyranny: are all in the sights of a story in which God himself is born into a poor, vulnerable and somewhat unorthodox family unit.
While Christmas must undoubtedly be a time for family and generosity, Stephen Holmes argues, it should also be a moment when we hear and attend to the Bible's message of justice and freedom for all.
The Politics of Christmas is written by Stephen Holmes, Senior Lecturer in Theology at the University of St Andrews.