Methodist church has “misogynistic and toxic attitude” towards women
The Times reports a Methodist Church internal review into safeguarding practices, which says the church is not seen as a safe place. It includes criticism that there is a “misogynistic and toxic” attitude towards women and many have reported inappropriate touching, lewd remarks and bullying. Reporter Kaya Burgess says that the review criticises senior leaders’ failure to respond to allegations of abusive or discriminatory behaviour. The review was compiled by Meg Munn, a former Labour MP who is now interim chair of the Church of England’s Independent Safeguarding Board. The BBC reports that the church has confirmed a review into safeguarding practices was commissioned.
Christian maths teacher banned from teaching over misgendering a pupil
Joshua Sutcliffe, a 33 year old former maths teacher at The Cherwell School in Oxford, has been banned from the profession for “misgendering” a pupil. The Telegraph carries a report, retweeted by Mr Sutcliffe, saying that the Teaching Regulation Authority has found that in 2017, he failed to treat a pupil with “dignity and respect” when he said “well done girls”, though one pupil was transgender. Mr Sutcliffe, a committed Christian, said that this was not intentional and that he apologised immediately. The parent complained, Mr Sutcliffe was the subject of a disciplinary hearing at the school, he appeared on This Morning on ITV and was later suspended and dismissed. The Telegraph reports that Mr Sutcliffe was also found guilty of “misconduct for expressing his views against gay marriage when questioned by a pupil, and for failing to consider the potential impact on his pupils, particularly those who may be from the LGBT+ community, of a statement that being gay was wrong”. Mr Sutcliffe said he is devastated by the ruling and plans to appeal. His case is supported by the Christian Legal Centre.
British Hindus need stronger voice to counter distorted narrative
More than 2,000 Hindus attended a Celebration of British Hindu Contributions at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden. Community leaders gathered to hear speakers describe the development of British Hindus, who now number one million, in wider society. The contribution of volunteers and charities was outlined, based on the principle of sewa, or service. Successful businesses and careers were also reported, with the statistic that 8.6 per cent of doctors in the NHS are Hindu. Lord Jitesh Gadhia said that knowledge about Hinduism in Britain was surprisingly shallow despite it being the third largest religion and Hindus require a stronger voice to counter an increasingly distorted narrative. The High Commissioner of India to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, echoed this, saying India is a nation of diversity, which is its strength, and the 5,000 year Hindu tradition is at its heart inclusive. He challenged the audience to make more visible the “golden thread that binds us all”. Watch the three hour ceremony here.
The Kerala Story Bollywood film causes protests in Birmingham
The Bollywood film “The Kerala Story”, about Hindu and Christian women lured to join the Islamic State in the southern Indian state of Kerala, has outraged Muslim protesters who stormed Cineworld in Birmingham and briefly stopped the showing. India’s PM Narendra Modi has tweeted his support of the film saying it exposes terrorism, but Muslims say it is propaganda, Islamophobic and destroys religious harmony. In India, the state of West Bengal has banned it and there are calls for it to be banned in Kerala. There have been violent clashes elsewhere resulting in one death.
Pope says communicators must speak the truth with a pure heart
Pope Francis has stressed the need to listen and speak the truth with a pure heart at a time when disinformation falsifies and exploits the truth. In a message for Communications Day celebrated last Sunday, he says that speaking with the heart challenges indifference and indignation. Seeing beyond appearances helps discern and understand the complicated world in which we live.
Christian broadcasters in California say hate speech law is weapon against their faith
National Religious Broadcasters, an association of Christian media outlets, is seeking to block a California law requiring social media companies to publish their policies on removing hate speech from their platforms. The state governor Gavin Newsom says: “California will not stand by as social media is weaponised to spread hate and disinformation that threaten our communities and foundational values as a country.” The Religion News Service report quotes NRB president Troy Miller, saying religious viewpoints are considered controversial and the law is a weapon against Christian communicators. It will repress free speech of its members. Faith-based and culturally conservative groups have also objected to the law.
Head of Christian Aid Scotland is new moderator
Sally Foster-Fulton, head of Christian Aid in Scotland since 2016, has been elected as the next Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. She takes over from Dr Iain Greenshields in a role which involves representing the church at home and abroad.
Paul Simon’s Seven Psalms which take him home
Paul Simon, at the age of 82, has released a 33 minute work of Seven Psalms, a suite of interlinked movements, which came to him in a dream. In a promotional film, he describes how the words and music arrived often in the early hours. The music starts in his trademark style with voice and acoustic guitar, adding instruments and vocal harmony as the work progresses. He says: “This whole piece is really an argument I’m having with myself about belief, or not”. It starts with “The Lord” moves through “Forgiveness” and ends with a hint at immortality in “Wait”. “Heaven is beautiful, it’s almost like home. Children get ready, time to come home. Amen”
