Introduction I guess not many people have, but I’ve read a book about paedophilia. Recently, while researching for a debate on prostitution, I read quite a few books about sex work. When people saw such books on my desk or in my hand, a joke or two was usually followed by interested questions. But reading…
Rights are now often seen as a substitute for religion-based morality, a touchstone of moral objectivity in a pluralistic society and world. A rights culture is being vigorously promoted in schools and beyond. Children’s novels feature Human Rights Campaigners as the heroes, children of all ages are supplied by the government with glossy leaflets outlining…
Hijack by the right Nigel Farage invokes Christian values; wooden crosses decorate Tommy Robinson rallies; Trump is hailed as a ‘Christian leader’. Christianity is suddenly at the forefront of right-wing politics. Time for a reality check. Farage, Robinson and Trump are not Christians. Their language, lifestyles and values do not show genuine Christian commitment, and…
Buffer zones and breaking unjust laws.A Christian Perspective It got me thinking. A Christian politician cited the children’s song “Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to stand alone” as a personal favourite, then voted with 118 other MSPs for abortion clinic buffer zones in Scotland. One MSP voted against the bill. Surely he is the…
Helen is autistic. One evening when she was 9 years old, she was upset. Parents enquired what was bothering her. She answered that she was worried that she might be a lesbian or bisexual. She had been taught about these concepts at school and told that there was a significant chance that she was. Parents…
A response to Logos Scotland’s report,“Shake the Dust” As Christians, we should explore God’s revelation and seek to apply its teaching to every aspect of life. So, a Biblical look at immigration, refugees, borders and nationhood is welcome. There are several steps between Biblical text and policy application, from effective exegesis, through elucidating principles, to…
“I’ve got a right to play!” That was the angry reply given by a 7 year old when his mum said it was time to tidy up his toys and get ready to go out. “I’ve got a right to an education!” That was the aggressive retort from a misbehaving boy to his teacher who…
Context We live in a sentimental age. Approaches to dealing with children reflect this. Indulgent parenting is rife. Parents who can’t say “no” to their children are bowing to their every demand and permitting routine disobedience and unhealthy and mind-numbing lifestyles. These parents are part of a generation who ‘learned’ that their personal foibles, faults…
Ever heard of Sexual Rights? Very possibly not. But don’t be embarrassed by your apparentignorance. They don’t actually exist! “Sexual Rights” get talked about and talked about, repeated ad infinitum, implied by theWHO, the UN and countless campaigning groups, including Amnesty International, whohave a special webpage on them 1 , but they don’t define what…
You heard it here first. The smacking ban was just the start.