Academics say Britain is entering its first ‘atheist age‘
Britain is entering its first atheist age and now has more atheists than theists, according to the academics behind a global study on lack of belief in God. And they say that the common notion that atheists, unlike believers, lack a sense of meaning in life and are without values and morality is incorrect. The conclusions are from the “Exploring Atheism” study funded by the John Templeton Foundation. Academics carried out surveys to find out what was behind lack of belief in God and found it starts in childhood where religion is absent in education or in family life. Recent British Social Attitudes statistics shared at the launch showed 42.9 per cent don’t believe in God. Researchers explained that many people who are atheist do not admit to it in surveys, and the academic team had taken that into consideration when making their claim regarding the first atheist age. Read Catherine Pepinster’s report here
UK faith-based charities mobilise to help people in Lebanon
UK based charities are mobilising to help people caught up in the war in Lebanon, where more than 1,000 have died, more than 6,000 injured and families now homeless are adding to the estimated one million people displaced. Islamic Relief, which has been working in the country since 2006, says it has helped almost 30,000 people affected by the crisis with food parcels, hygiene kits, blankets and mattresses, and has provided thousands of items of medical supplies for hospitals and primary healthcare clinics. This latest escalation is likely to force many more families from their homes. Muslim Hands offers similar help and says the attacks are adding to people suffering from a fragile economy with soaring inflation, hitting the poorest hardest. Lebanon is 30 per cent Christian and the Catholic aid charity Caritas, established there in 1976, is working with displaced families in 790 shelters, offering medical aid, and basic essentials like the others. Youth volunteers are working round the clock to help the staff.
Chief Rabbi explains Zionism and Jewish attachment to Israel
The Chief Rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, has written an article for the New Statesman says that Zionism is central to Jewish identity. He says it is not political: “It is quite simply a manifestation of the unbroken attachment of the Jewish People to and presence in the Land of Israel.” He traces the history of Israel in the Hebrew Bible, with the story of the Kingdom of Judah or Judea. Zionism, he says, “does not entail an endorsement of the policies of a particular Israeli government, nor is it mutually exclusive with advocating for the welfare or rights of Palestinians.” He explains that the Land of Israel, and Jerusalem in particular, always remains at the heart of the Jewish people’s everyday worship and to understand Zionism, “one must first understand Judaism”. Jewish Chronicle report here.
Synod of world Catholic leaders starts in Rome
The second session of the Catholic gathering of leaders, the “Synod on Synodality”, has begun in Rome. It is the culmination of a process where all church members, clergy and laity, share concerns and contribute to decisions on issues such as the role of women, worship, the abuse of power, migration and climate change. 368 people will be part of the synod which will last four weeks. At the end, they will vote on a final document, but contentious issues have already been shunted to next year with the promise of more research by study groups. At a mass opening the meeting, Pope Francis said the process was a continuous journey. Commentators suggest the process will become “the signature of this Pope”.
Court of Appeal hears case of Christian school assistant sacked after LGBT+ facebook posts
A Christian school assistant sacked five years ago after sharing Facebook posts criticising lessons about LGBT+ relationships, has taken her case to the Court of Appeal. Kristie Higgs says she was fired due to her Christian beliefs and alleges unlawful discrimination. Farmor’s School in Fairford, Gloucestershire, said Mrs Higgs was sacked because of the language used in the posts, not because of her religious beliefs. Her lawyers told the court that nothing in the posts amounted to an expression of homophobia or transphobia “in the sense of animus to people because of protected characteristics”. The case has already gone on for years in different tribunals and the Appeals Court hearing is expected to end today, with judgment delivered later. Daily Mail report here
Archbishop issues statement about fake statement on Hezbollah leader
The Archbishop of Canterbury has taken the unusual step of issuing a statement about a fake statement circulating on social media, claiming to be a comment from him about the assassination of the Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah. He said: “Such misinformation is deeply concerning, as it has the potential to sow division between different communities, both locally and globally. It risks fuelling tension and misunderstanding, particularly at a time when we should be striving for greater unity and co-operation”. He urges everyone to report content like this and “remain committed to peace, fostering understanding and mutual respect between all communities, regardless of their background or beliefs”.
Evangelicals in church of Wales clarify views on conversion therapy
The Evangelical Fellowship of the Church in Wales has issued a statement rebutting implications that it endorses conversion therapy. It says it does not, and never has, promoted coercive or abusive practices. Nor does it promote or encourage practices in which pressure is brought upon vulnerable LGBTQIA people to convert their sexuality. But it says it “upholds the authority of Scripture” and is concerned that “reducing the role of the Church to one simply of welcome, acceptance and friendship without the opportunity to discuss the whole Canon of Scripture, or its application to daily life, would undermine the holistic pastoral care and discipleship journeys of those in our congregations”. It would also wish to have protections allowing prayer to take place in a way that a “person would know God’s guidance and blessing, without a defined outcome”. It says the statement has been issued after a church meeting when the Bishop of St Asaph made reference to the organisation and previous correspondence.
Vatican bank sacks newlywed couple who ignored ban on marriage between employees
The Vatican bank has sacked a couple of newlyweds, because they flouted a ban on marriage between employees. The Guardian reports that the young couple, nicknamed Romeo and Juliet by the Italian media, were married in August and were given 30 days for one to resign, but they didn’t and so both lost their jobs. The rule was imposed to prevent nepotism and “avoid the possible emergence of situations of conflicts of interest in the institute’s operations, in order to protect its integrity and service to its clients”.
