MP warns of ‘dangerous’ ideology replacing Christianity in Britain
The Conservative MP Danny Kruger has warned of the ‘chronically precarious’ state of the country, saying Britain has moved away from its Christian roots and is at risk “economically, culturally, socially and morally”. In an adjournment debate in the Commons, on the future of the Church of England, he said the country must own its Christian heritage: “to repudiate Christianity is not only to sever ourselves from our past, but to cut off the source of all the things we value now and that we need in the future, such as freedom, tolerance, individual dignity and human rights”. He warned that abandoning one religion creates a space for others to move into and he identified two – one was Islam and the other, “a new, unnamed ideology blending paganism, heresy, and modernism”. He called the latter “deeply dangerous” and urged its removal from public life. He linked national and Church decline to moral confusion, naming the decriminalisation of abortion and assisted dying as “the greatest crime: the killing of the weak and most defenceless human beings”. He spoke to an almost empty chamber – only five other MPS were there. Replying on behalf of the government, Communities Minister Jim McMahon, affirmed Christianity’s central role in national life, praising churches’ community contributions and upholding the importance of the parish system. View the debate here. Hansard transcription is here
Consultation on Islamophobia definition closes
The initial consultation on the definition of Islamophobia, ordered by the parliamentary working group on Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred, closed last night. The task is to review the definition created in 2018, by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” This has never been fully adopted by governments amid criticism that it does not align with the Equality Act 2010, which distinguishes between race and religion. With the rise in hate crime against Muslims, the government believes a new definition is needed. Baroness Warsi has said: “You cannot genuinely tackle what you dare not define and detail.”. The process has provoked intense debate with fears that a new definition will limit free speech and criticism. The working group has to come up with a form of words to present to the government by the end of August. Read Maira Butt’s factfile here
Syria ceasefire tests historic tension between Druze and Bedouin
The Druze spiritual leadership in Syria were at the heart of a negotiated ceasefire agreement, which permits Druze civilians living in and around Suweida city, to leave on safe routes and ensures government security forces prevent Bedouin fighters from entering the area. The Druze are a community of 700,000 people, held together by ethnicity and their religion, an offshoot of Shia Islam with some elements of Hindu thought, including re-incarnation. They are a minority group which has experienced persecution, marginalisation, and suspicion because of their distinct religious identity and political independence. Israel has long historical bonds with the Druze and mounted air strikes to protect them in the border areas. Violence with Bedouins, Sunni Arab tribes who live near the Druze region, including some aligned with Islamic State, broke out a week ago and around 700 Druze and 400 Bedouin have been killed. Syria’s new government, determined to keep the country united, drew up the ceasefire agreement and pledged government security support to keep the peace. Associated Press explainer here
Netanyahu ‘deeply regrets’ strike on Holy Family Church in Gaza
The congregation at Holy Family Church in Gaza, where an Israeli strike killed three people last week, assembled as usual yesterday for Sunday Mass, led by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. The parish priest, Father Gabriele Romanelli, who was injured in the attack, was well enough to take part. Pope Leo read out the names of the people who died at the church, during the Sunday Angelus, saying “we need to immediately stop these barbaric acts of war”. Israel’s Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, said he “deeply regrets that stray ammunition” hit the Holy Family Church in Gaza, killing three people. In a statement, his office said: “Every innocent life lost is a tragedy. We share the grief of the families and the faithful”. It followed a phone call from President Trump, who demanded Israel take responsibility for what the White House later described as “a mistake”. Separately, the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, visited the Taybeh area on the West Bank, on Saturday, and condemned the attack on an ancient church, saying it was sacrilege.
Teachers seek government help to tackle antisemitism against Jewish teachers
The Teachers’ Union NASUWT has asked the Department for Education for guidance to help schools deal with antisemitism and all forms of racism. It follows a survey of Jewish teachers which found that 51 per cent of Jewish teachers have experienced antisemitism in the workplace in the past year. 44 per cent have seen swastika graffiti at their schools with increasing chants of “free Palestine” and “f— the Jews”. 39 per cent have witnessed or been subject to Nazi-related comments, with “jokes and banter”, insults and taunts. Strikingly, 79 per cent of respondents working in non-faith schools had experienced antisemitism, compared to 29 per cent of respondents working in faith schools. The NASUWT believes that misinformation on social media, “including dangerous rhetoric from far-right movements and stereotyping of Jewish people”, is fuelling the rise.
Thailand proposal to prosecute women who sleep with monks
Politicians in Thailand are proposing that women should be prosecuted for having sex with monks, following a scandal in which a woman is alleged to have slept with nine monks and then blackmailed them for money. At least nine monks have been ordered to leave their orders. The Telegraph reports that a senior Thai politician who called for the law change, accused the woman at the centre of the story of seeking to damage the reputation of Buddhism.
Tributes paid to firebrand US preacher John MacArthur
The US preacher John MacArthur, who has died aged 86, has been lauded as “a lion of the pulpit”, who built Grace Community megachurch in Los Angeles, an inter denominational Protestant church which attracts weekly congregations of more than 8,000. Through his books and the evangelical Masters University, which offers theology and Bible courses, he influenced future preachers and political leaders – Donald Trump praised him for ”taking a stand”. Described as having a “polarising impact”, he was outspoken in recent times against California governor Gavin Newsom, church lockdowns in Covid, abortion, same sex relationships, “errors” of Roman Catholicism, and the dangers of charismatic theology and the prosperity gospel. Christian Post compilation of tributes here
Community fights to save 1,000 year old church in Billingham
A community group in Billingham, near Middlesborough, is fighting to keep open its 1,000-year-old parish church, St Cuthbert’s, which the parish council decided to close last year due to rising costs and falling attendance. The BBC reports strong feelings in the village, with the Friends of St Cuthberts saying the church is an object of pride and completely closing it would run into local opposition. The Friends have produced a business plan to allow the church to continue as the heart of the town, providing services for the whole community, and have presented this to the Durham Diocese, which will announce today whether it will allow a consultation on the church’s future use.
Mass exhumation feared as Norfolk coastal graveyard nears collapse
Hundreds of human remains in the grounds of St Mary the Virgin church in Happisburgh, north Norfolk, may have to be exhumed and reburied because the churchyard is at risk of falling into the sea. Coastal erosion has seen surrounding cliffs crumble away and there is now just 80 metres between the churchyard and the sea, with a suggestion that the land could give way within 20 years. North Norfolk District Council, the Diocese of Norwich and Happisburgh Parish Council have started to consider what they might do with the remains, which include more than 100 shipwrecked sailors in a mass grave. North Norfolk News says the authorities are working with the government-backed Coastwise scheme, which prepares coastal communities threatened by erosion. It has commissioned a report on relocating bodies from sites at risk of erosion and because the threat is most imminent in Happisburgh, this is being treated as a test case. North Norfolk News story here
