Covid conspiracy theories: from end times to tea-drinking ‘cures’
By Tim Maby The coronavirus pandemic has brought about a sense of an imminent apocalypse to many religious groups, a web seminar conducted by the Religion Media Centre has been told. They are asking: “Is this a sign of the last days?” Many current conspiracy theories were circulating before the pandemic. Researcher Dr David Robertson […]
Bishops allow Clergy back into Churches
By Tim Wyatt, 5 May 2020 Church of England bishops have agreed to lift restrictions which have prevented clergy from entering their churches during the coronavirus pandemic. There will be three phases as infection levels improve: An initial immediate phase allowing very limited access to church buildings for activities such as streaming of services or […]
No, say Northern Ireland churches, we won’t reopen . . . but private prayer is possible
By Tim Wyatt, 5 May 2020 Churches in Northern Ireland have rejected suggestions that they could be among the first buildings to reopen as the coronavirus lockdown is gradually eased. Last week, Edwin Poots, the province’s environment minister, floated the idea of a phased reopening of some churches alongside continued social distancing. But after an […]
Analysis: Skipping Sikh gives us a smile in the pandemic
By Minreet Kaur It all started off with a simple video of my dad skipping at the allotment one day during lockdown. I tweeted it — and by the next day it had gone viral. People were inspired — they couldn’t believe a 73-year-old man skips the way he does. His skipping and exercise videos […]
Religion news 5 May
36 Conservative MPs have signed a letter to Church of England bishops asking that clergy be allowed back in their churches to conduct funerals. They say the church should consider the pain and anguish of families unable to hold a funeral and they are concerned that the wishes of the deceased and bereaved are not […]
