Charlie Kirk’s Christian faith and influence
The Christian beliefs, influences and ideas of Charlie Kirk are being pored over in the wake of his murder at a university event in Utah on Wednesday. He had a phenomenal following of more than five million people on each of his many social media platforms and was not only a powerful force promoting MAGA and Trump, but also an influencer advocating conservative Christianity among students and young people. A detailed and comprehensive analysis by Mara Richards Bim in Baptist News Global, charts Charlie Kirk’s journey from setting up the secular Turning Point USA in 2012 with an ambition to convert students to the virtues of capitalism, to the pursuit of Christian nationalism with a multimillion dollar nationwide organisation and a place by the side of Donald Trump. She charts the landmark moments in this shift, including partnerships with pastors in the “Seven Mountain Mandate” calling for Christian dominion in the world, the setting up of TPUSA Faith to eradicate wokeism from the church, and his pivotal role in the election of Donald Trump. More detail and links to further reading on our website here
Assisted Dying Bill debated in the House of Lords today
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill will be debated by the Lords in Parliament today, at the second reading stage. Around 180 Lords have indicated they want to speak, so the debate is scheduled over two days – Friday 12 and Friday 19 September. The private members bill began in the Commons, where the majority in favour reduced from 55 to 23, amid fears that the safeguarding measures against coercion and to protect vulnerable people, were inadequate. If enacted, the law would allow individuals diagnosed with fewer than six months to live, to choose an assisted death, provided the decision is approved by two doctors and reviewed by an independent panel comprising a social worker, a senior legal authority, and a psychiatrist. However, concerns remain that these safeguards may not be sufficiently robust. The Lords, including the bishops, have voted consistently against similar bills in the past and it is suggested that a number of amendments will be put forward, especially over safeguards, which may cause the bill to run out of time. The government maintains a neutral stance, allowing both MPs and Lords a free vote on the issue. However, because the current proposal is a Private Member’s Bill, its future is uncertain. If the House of Lords votes it down, the bill would fall, and there is no guarantee it would be reintroduced or progress further in this parliamentary session. Hansard has produced guidance on the procedure here.
Bishop says CofE must talk about national identity amid fear over immigration
The Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, says there is a “grain of truth” in Nigel Farage’s recent comment that bishops criticising Reform UK’s immigration policies are “out of touch” with their congregations. In a comment in the Daily Telegraph, the bishop said Christians are called to affirm the dignity of all people, but he acknowledged that there are “faithful Christians sitting in our pews who support tighter border controls not out of hatred but out of sincere concern for social cohesion, pressure on public services and the pace of cultural change in their communities. Dismissing those concerns outright risks pushing these people further from the church they love”. He sees his role in the diverse diocese of Leicester as building bridges between city and county, whose council is now run by Reform, and reflects that “although there is a degree of fear and suspicion, there are also plenty of examples of good listening and increased understanding”. His article is here
Israeli president tells British Jews ‘I’ve got your back’
The Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who was in London this week for talks with Keir Starmer, has told the UK’s Jewish Community: “I’ve got your back”. In an interview with Jewish News, he acknowledged the concerns of British Jews, including deepening unease over the Gaza war, a UK freeze on certain arms to Israel, plans to recognise Palestinian statehood and mounting tensions over Israel’s strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar. He said: “Your voice must be heard. World Jewry is being attacked and harassed, which poses many questions for Israel in these dire and complicated times”. He had a message for the rest of the UK: “Never forget that Israel is a democracy. Israel was attacked on 7 October and has been through hell ever since. If only Hamas would release our hostages, the whole region would look different.” Jewish News report is here
Churches urged to partner with government on family & health Initiatives
The ChurchWorks Commission, which brings together faith groups to collaborate with government on social action, has highlighted major opportunities for churches to partner with local authorities, the NHS and schools in the rollout of 600 “Family Hubs” over the next six months. The hubs will support parents on issues such as food, mental health, housing and special educational needs, with numbers set to rise from 75 to 1,000 by 2028. In a Faith Partnership Week webinar, ChurchWorks outlined details of a resource package to help churches, or other faith groups, engage with local authorities, including guidance on addressing concerns about proselytising or inclusivity. The webinar also encouraged churches to contribute to the NHS Neighbourhood Health Scheme through “social prescribing” activities such as coffee mornings, lunch clubs and mother-and-baby groups. While many churches already run such programmes, speakers noted that their impact often goes unrecognised. One Bradford example saw NHS prescribers “gobsmacked” and impressed at what was available on their doorstep. Resources here
Quakers blocked from challenging Palestine Action ban
Quakers in Britain have been refused permission to give evidence in a legal challenge to the government’s proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist group. Their case was that the ban seriously violates their right to freedom of religion, but a High Court judge, acknowledging Quakers’ concerns were “seriously held”, said freedom of religion was formally outside the scope of the permission given for the original judicial review and he did not consider that the concerns added to the overall case. Quakers say that dozens of their members, some elderly and disabled, have been arrested under terrorism laws “just for sitting peacefully in protest”. Palestine Action won the case to hold a judicial review, but this is being appealed by the government, scheduled to be heard on 25 September.
World’s oldest religious leader celebrates 101st birthday
The world’s oldest religious leader, Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, has celebrated his 101st birthday. He took on the job at the age of 93 and in his first two years travelled over 115,000 miles, visiting 35 nations. An article highlighting moments in most of the places he has visited, explains that he can speak 11 languages, and on some of the trips, he was able to speak to people in their own tongue. His message pointed to the importance of faith, family that can be perpetuated for ever, the encouragement of church growth and that: “The best is yet to come, my dear brothers and sisters, because the Savior is coming again!”
Cathedral visitor numbers soar to see the Magna Carta
Durham Cathedral saw double the number of visitors over the summer holidays, 15,650 people, drawn to the museum to see three rare issues of the Magna Cartas. They are the 1216 edition, the only surviving copy issued after King John’s death and during the minority of Henry III; the edition from 1225, issued by Henry III and considered the most definitive medieval version; and the 1300 final reissue under Edward I, which reaffirmed the charter’s principles. These are accompanied by three Forest Charters, which regulated royal forest law and land access, key documents in the broader story of medieval rights and justice. The documents are then brought to life through contemporary artworks and interactive installations throughout the cathedral. More details here
