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A rally in London following a march demanding the release of the Israeli hostages was disrupted when the co-heads of Progressive Judaism, Rabbis Charley Baginsky and Josh Levy, were told to leave the stage by organisers. They had been booed and shouted down during a speech where they said the Palestinians had the right to self-determination. Film of event here and transcript here. The Board of Deputies deplored the way they had been removed as “disrespectful and self-defeating”. Story here.
Thousands lined the streets of Ealing to watch the Hindu Rath Yatra festival, with a procession led by floats/chariots, with images of three deities – Lord Jagannath, his brother Lord Balabhadra and younger sister Devi Subhadra. Chariots covered in flowers joined dancers, drummers, women carrying pots of milk, and bare-chested men rolling on the ground to signify their worship of the gods. Read Catherine Pepinster’s report here.
Carmelite priest, Fr John McGowan and Baptist minister Rev Dr Sally Mann were arrested at the Palestine Action protest in London. Both knew they could face prison, but Fr McGowan said he had no regrets and Rev Sally Mann said it was on the right side of history. Story here.
The BBC apologised after Krish Kandiah’s “Thought for the Day” on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, described Robert Jenrick’s comment on asylum seekers as “xenophobia”. The recording on BBC Sounds edited out the offending words. The BBC said the language went beyond the segment’s scope. Dr Kandiah later posted a recording of his Thought for the Day on Twitter / X, saying “Take a listen and let me know what I am wrong about factually?”. Story here.
The number of students taking Religious Studies at A level in England and Wales has fallen slightly by 1.3 per cent, to 15,005. The RE Council and NATRE say some of the decline is down to a lack of specialist teachers despite a growing interest among young people. As the A-level results came out, the Theos think tank published an open letter highlighting the importance of religious education in higher education, and warned universities of the danger in abolishing departments and reducing staffing levels. Story here.
On Tuesday 19 August at 1200 we will hold a zoom media briefing on the threat to Theology and Religious Studies at British universities, as departments close or merge and staff are made redundant. Panel includes Theos think tank speaker, with Dr Tim Hutchings (Nottingham and TRS-UK), and Dr Matthew Guest (Durham). To get the Zoom link, email: [email protected]
More headlines ..
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- War in Gaza must be ended not increased, says Cardinal Nichols
- Civil Society Covenant backlash
- Midnight snooping exposed as curate cleared of affair
- Archbishop speaks out against ‘escalating violence’ on Indian people in Ireland
- Christian resilience in Iraq as 1000 children are baptised
- 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 bicycle pilgrimage to all 42 English Anglican cathedrals
- Toy shop owner hands company to staff as a witness to his Christian faith
- Peace deal revives dispute over Azerbaijan’s treatment of Christians
- ‘Japanese Moonies’ member locked in his flat for 12 years for de-programming
- 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
- Orthodox church in Ukraine part of any ceasefire deal
- Rabbi loses employment tribunal case against dismissal
- Billy Graham Evangelistic Association sets up fund to help ‘persecuted Christians in Europe’
- Arkansas judge blocks move to display Ten Commandments in schools
- Priest in Nigeria calls for government action after another deadly attack on Christians
- China suspends ties with Czech president over his visit to the Dalai Lama
- Bishop raises £35k after charity run on the Pennine Way
- Pope Leo hoping Trump and Putin agree a ceasefire
- University spaces available for the study of Theology and Religious Studies
- Faith leaders oppose national guard takeover of Washington DC saying ‘fear is not a strategy’
- John Henry Newman’s ‘remarkable’ Catholic honour
- Marcus Walker reports a mood shift in the CofE and hope for the future
- Long standing safeguarding campaigner resigns from general synod
- Ely Cathedral providing second hand school uniform store
- Madonna appeals to the Pope to visit Gaza
- Aid agencies accuse Israel of ‘weaponising aid’ to Gaza
- Greek Orthodox bank accounts in Jerusalem frozen in tax dispute
- Bishop calls for urgent action to address environmental crisis
- US Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth’s links to Christian nationalist church
- Methodists make time for a chat on a sofa at the Edinburgh Fringe
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