Theos research finds only half the ‘non-religious’ don’t believe in God
The Guardian unveils a forthcoming report from the Theos think tank which investigates the attitudes of non-religious people. In ‘The Religion of ‘Nones’, Theos found that only 51 per cent of those who identify as non-religious do not believe in God, 20 per cent believe in life after death and 17 per cent believe in the power of prayer. Nick Spencer, senior fellow at Theos, said there are three types of ‘nones’: hostile to religion, spiritual and less atheistic and tolerant more accepting of religion. The Guardian article quotes Professor Linda Woodhead addressing the recent Religion Media Centre annual lecture, when she said this year’s census results are expected to show a rise in the non-religious and decline in those identifying as Christian.
One fifth of secondary schools ignore law to provide Religious Education to Year 11
Government statistics show that around one fifth of secondary schools in England offer no hours of Religious Education in Year 11, in breach of their statutory responsibilities. The National Association for the Teaching of RE says this proportion is about the same as the previous year and accuses the Department for Education of doing nothing to remedy the situation. NATRE has published this statistic after analysing the DfE school census completed in November 2021. It says schools neglect their legal obligations “by combining the subject with PSHE and or Citizenship into a single lesson per week which usually does a disservice to the subject content of all of these subjects”. A national plan for Religious Education is urgently needed, it says, to stop pupils emerging from school with non-existent or weak knowledge and understanding of religious and non-religious worldviews.
Protests in London over death of Mahsa Amini in Iran
At least five police officers were seriously injured and 12 people were arrested in protests in London, following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody in Iran after being arrested for breaking the country’s hijab laws. Her death has provoked widespread protests in Iran and the unrest has spread to London and Paris. Large crowds gathered outside the Iranian embassy at Princes Gate in Kensington, moved to Marble Arch and then outside the Islamic Centre of England in Maida Vale, where riot officers were called in to quell the violence. Protesters shouted “Death to the Islamic Republic”, while rocks are reported to have been thrown at police.
Prayers for peace at Hindu temple in Leicester
Eastern Eye reports that more than 200 people gathered at a Hindu temple in Leicester to pray for peace, following recent disturbances in the city. A four-hour devotional hymn was recited followed by traditional food, ‘prasad’. The Shree Hanuman Temple secretary, Raj Patel, is quoted saying: “We have been as shocked as everyone about recent events in Leicester and condemn all acts of intimidation and violence. For many years all the diverse communities in the city have lived peacefully together and we wanted to hold a special service to recognise this”. The community was joined by local councillors and police to offer prayers to the Hindu god, Lord Hanumanji, to help bring about peace.
GP who admitted praying with patients told to go on a course
A NHS tribunal case considering a Christian GP who admitted praying with patients, has been called off after a settlement was reached. Dr Richard Scott, who works at the Bethesda Medical Centre in Margate, was investigated after complaints were received when he gave an interview for a BBC Radio 4 programme in which he admitted using prayer. The Kent Messenger reports that he said he offered spiritual care to around one in 40 patients, and around 80 per cent took up the offer. The General Medical Council had twice ruled that he had not breached its guidelines, when NHS England took up the case. Under the terms of the settlement, he will take part in a one-day training course relating to “professional boundaries”.
Edward Colston windows replaced by design of Jesus in a migrant boat
Stained glass window panels in a Bristol church dedicated to the slave owner Edward Colston, are to be replaced with a design showing Jesus in a boat of migrants. St Mary Redcliffe ran a competition for the design which had to illustrate the question ‘Who is My Neighbour’ and the winner was Ealish Swift, a junior doctor in the city. Her design shows Jesus as a baby among refugee migrants fleeing in a boat. The church decided to replace the original panels after a statue of Colston was hurled into the river by Black Lives Matter protesters in June 2020.
Local mosque helps neighbouring church raise money for repairs
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association is organising a charity race to help raise thousands of pounds to save a village church in Surrey. All Saints Church in Tilford is trying to raise £110,000 to restore the ceiling, which fell down in October 2021. The Association is part of the Mubarak mosque, which is within the international headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Tilford. Hundreds of people are expected to take part including imams, church members, villagers and school children. Sabah Ahmedi, 28, one of Britain’s youngest Imams, said initiatives like this help to build bridges between different faith groups and it was a fundamental obligation on all Muslims to help their neighbours, regardless of their background.
