Ruth Peacock

Ruth is the leader of the Religion Media Centre project and oversees its work. After studying theology and teaching RE, she trained as a journalist on a local paper, freelanced in print and radio and then joined the BBC, working in many news departments, including the main newsgathering desk. She also worked on the BBC’s move into the new W1 building and studied organisational change.

Written Content

The rise of charismatics in US politics

PRRI research into the rise of charismatic influence in US politics, with key ideas of Christian nationalism, God given power and prophetic importance of US in global affairs

Religion news 18 August 2025

Ukrainian bishop: giving away land ‘would be tragic’; The dangers of the Christian “Vance Anglosphere crusade”; The rise of charismatics in US politics; YouGov poll suggests belief in God is rising in Britain

Religion news 15 August 2025

Fewer students take RE A-Level amid shortage of specialist teachers; Theos think tank urges universities not to abandon Theology and Religious Studies; Madonna appeals to the Pope to visit Gaza; US Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth’s links to a Christian nationalist church

Religion news 14 August 2025

BBC apologises after Thought for the Day comment on xenophobia; Pope Leo hoping Trump and Putin agree a ceasefire; University spaces available for the study of Theology and Religious Studies

Religion news 13 August 2025

Carmelite priest and Baptist minister arrested at Palestine Action protest; Catholic priest attacked at his last Mass before retirement; 500 Israeli mothers set up a peace camp near Gaza border; Pope’s  general audience to be held inside because of the heat

Religion news 12 August 2025

Al Jazeera journalist’s final message centred on Allah; Call for British Jews to acknolwedge divisions over Gaza and debate with respect; Fire damages Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba; Cellist ends pilgrimage on a bicycle to all 42 English Anglican cathedrals; Japanese Moonies’ member locked in his flat for 12 years for de-programming

Religion news 11 August 2025

Tensions spilling over in British Jewish community over Gaza; Civil Society Covenant backlash; Midnight snooping exposed as curate cleared of affair; Thousands watch vibrant Hindu festival in Ealing

Religion news 8 August 2025

Badenoch lost her faith after the Josef Fritzl case; Summer camps for traumatised children from the West Bank and Gaza; World faith leaders call for nuclear abolition 80 years after Nagasaki; Christianity underpins Lammy–JD Vance friendship

Religion news 7 August 2025

Pope says nuclear arms offend shared humanity; Gordon Brown wants gambling tax rise to lift children out of poverty; Cornwall plan to replace six clergy with two, across 23 churches; Call for Muslims to unite and lead development of AI

Religion news 6 August 2025

Former bishop says Danny Kruger’s ‘trumpeting’ of Christianity is counter productive; Muslim YouTuber loses defamation claim against journalist Douglas Murray; Protest to demand UK witholds recognition of Palestine until hostages are released; New Vatican Observatory director prioritises AI and climate change