Tags: Big Society
Churches, charity and the conferring of privilege
Posted: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 by Alistair McBay
There are many ways to do good, including campaigning for human rights and equality over discrimination and prejudice, but charitable work is not a bargaining chip for special privileges, argues Alistair McBay.
Recently some Christian leaders in Scotland angered... Read More »
Cameron's courting of Christianity: divisive, inappropriate, cynical and shallow
Posted: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 by Elizabeth O'Casey
Following David Cameron's call in recent statements for British Christians to be more evangelical, Elizabeth O'Casey questions the appropriateness of his comments and reiterates the need for a secular state.
Hearing David Cameron's recent collection of 'Easter... Read More »
The Big Society – to be run by churches - is Mr Cameron’s pipe dream
Posted: Thu, 10 Apr 2014 by Terry Sanderson
First the Communities Minister and now the Prime Minister have declared Britain to be a "Christian nation".
In a speech to "faith leaders" gathered at Downing Street Mr Cameron said that his Government intended to see that religious groups play a much bigger... Read More »
At last – churches recognise The Big Society for the Big Con that it was
Posted: Mon, 29 Apr 2013 by Terry Sanderson
By Terry Sanderson
It seems The Big Society is back – if only for the last nail to be driven into its coffin.
First we have a right-wing Catholic think tank, the Von Hügel Institute, publishing a report describing what was once Mr Cameron's flagship... Read More »
Will the new Archbishop’s evangelical fervour aid destruction of the welfare state?
Posted: Wed, 06 Feb 2013 by Terry Sanderson
By Terry Sanderson
Justin Welby, the new Archbishop of Canterbury is a self-confessed "evangelical". We can, therefore, of course, expect a lot more evangelising from him than from his predecessor, who seemed more interested in abstruse theological meandering... Read More »
Faith-based welfare – the push goes on
Posted: Tue, 22 Jan 2013 by Terry Sanderson
David Cameron's big society initiative could result in religion taking control of welfare provision, just as it did in Victorian times. Terry Sanderson warns against this and explains why the role of 'faith communities' should be limited and modest.
While sitting... Read More »
The Church of England should act now if it wants to save its hospital chaplaincy service
Posted: Tue, 06 Nov 2012 by Terry Sanderson
The following message appeared recently on the social networking site Gransnet:
"Went with a friend for her Chemo session. A chap who was a spiritual healer, wearing a chaplaincy badge, was approaching, one by one, everyone who was having chemo treatment, asking... Read More »
Faith based welfare looms as local authorities ask 'Big Society' to deliver crisis aid to the vulnerable
Posted: Wed, 29 Aug 2012 by Admin
As the UK economy stagnates, charity-run food banks are booming. But as most are run by churches and faith groups, secularists should be concerned about reports that local authorities are considering funding such initiatives.
Cuts next year to the social fund... Read More »
Faith based welfare looms as local authorities ask 'Big Society' to feed the poor
Posted: Wed, 29 Aug 2012 by Stephen Evans
As the UK economy stagnates, charity-run food banks are booming. But as most are run by churches and faith groups, secularists should be concerned about reports that local authorities are considering funding such initiatives.
Cuts next year to the social fund... Read More »
Prime Minister’s dissembling, hypocritical and disingenuous speech to religious leaders
Posted: Tue, 03 Apr 2012 by Terry Sanderson
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, gave an Easter reception for Christian leaders at Downing Street this week at which he delivered an unctuous speech of such disingenuousness and hypocrisy that it almost takes the breath away.
He starts by saying he welcomes... Read More »
A New Year when secularism must stand up for itself or be overwhelmed by religious power-seeking
Posted: Tue, 03 Jan 2012 by Terry Sanderson
The signs have been there for some considerable time – religion around the world is reviving, and it is not the benign, let's-be-good-to-each-other kind of religion that the propagandists would have us believe.
It is the old-time, ambitious, politicised,... Read More »
Will the Citizens Advice Bureau be compromised by its partnership with the churches?
Posted: Fri, 30 Sep 2011 by Terry Sanderson
The Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) is increasingly "partnering" with churches up and down the country as it seeks to cut costs and to reach more isolated communities.
