Posts under ‘News’

I have been horrified to read this morning of calls for the execution of Christnas (Muslim converts) made from the floor of the Afghan Parliament. The initial horror is in no way diminished by the fact that this is precisely what we should expect from an Islamic government. The Afghan constitution, based on Islamic [...]

It is somehow strangely fitting that on Easter Sunday I should hear of the death of Mark Ashton (yesterday). Mark was the minister of the church I attended when I first became a Christian at university, and so like many others I owe him a huge debt of thanks for his ministry and example.
How [...]

The death of Michael Foot this week definitely marks the end of an era in British politics. As I watched clips of his speeches from the 60-80s I was struck by the sense that here was a man who believed in something and was not ashamed to stand up for those things – even [...]

I am pleased to see that the Commons have backed down and accepted the ‘free speech’ defence in the new laws on homophobic hatred. But I am also sad that in the current climate words continue to be evacuated of meaning and the looming spectre of ‘intolerance’ is being banded around again.
There is a [...]

And I didn’t realise He had gone!
Two interesting articles in The Times in the last few days.
On Saturday we heard that Ned Flanders and his evangelical buddies have ‘won the evangelical crusade.’ Whilst I wouldn’t agree with everything in the article, it is encouraging that there is the recognition that the myth of modernity [...]

He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!

I’ve recently got news of an exciting new Christian conference called Bible by the Beach.
It will be happening in Eastbourne (on the South Coast) on May 1-4th 2009 and would be a great opportunity to have a little weekend away, maybe with friends or as a church.
The cost is £50, £1 for kids [...]

The New Year traditionally provides an opportunity to look back and to look forward and to reflect on the lessons and possibilities of both directions. Traditionally (well, last year anyway) TheVirtualWord uses this post to highlight a more positive recent news story which reflects positively on the role of Christian faith.
We were therefore delighted [...]

There are various reasons why I am disappointed that MPs have approved hybrid embryo research, have rejected the ’saviour sibling’ ban, have rejected the consideration of the need for a father in consideration of IVF treatment and have rejected the bid to lower the upper limit for abortions.
However, the ethical questions aside, as so often [...]

An intriguing article appeared on the BBC yesterday reporting that theologians in Turkey have been commissioned by the government to revise the Hadith – an important text for Muslims interpreting the Koran (and an important source for Sharia law).
This may well be a very positive thing – particularly in relation to the rights and [...]