In 2010 Theos put on its first God and Government Conference exploring what Christian thought has to say about the role of government in Britain today. On Saturday 15th March we will be running a second conference, covering welfare, religious freedom, multiculturalism, and education among others.

Saturday 15th March | St Matthew's Westminster | 9:30-16:00

“The Church of England should drop religion and take up politics”

That at least was the advice of Prospect magazine in December 2013, after it conducted a poll that showed that in spite of a decline in Christian belief, affiliation and attendance, the number of people who think that “religious leaders such as the Archbishop of Canterbury [should]… express their views on politics” has steadily increased over the years.

But how? How should Christians ‘do politics’? What has God to do with Government?

Theos has been researching and analysing Christianity and politics in Britain and beyond since it was founded in 2006, and this conference, following on from the popular God and Government conference of 2008, will explore the shape and future and Christian political engagement.

The conference will cover issues such as voting and values in UK politics, how to ‘talk God’ in politics, education and the faith schools debate, practical Christian politics on the ground, how to think about religious freedom, how to make multiculturalism work and the rights and wrongs of human rights. It will also have seminars on Christianity and the Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat parties.

The aim of the conference is not to tell Christians what the Christian position is on these issues, but to equip Christians with first rate research and theological resources in order to engage more faithfully and more fruitfully in public life.

Click here for a full agenda for the conference, including seminar and workshop options.  Click here for a map to the venue: St Matthews Church, Westminster. 

Image from flickr.com