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In a world of instant hot takes and online takedowns, it's never been easier for pastors to get engaged in polemics.
Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Faithful shepherds not only feed the flock, they also fend off wolves. If a pastor is never willing to enter the fray on anything—never willing to get his hands dirty, never willing to risk his reputation, never willing to make a few enemies—I doubt he's fulfilling his calling to guard the good deposit (2 Tim. 1:14)
The independent pharmacists' regulator has approved new standards governing the role of religion in pharmacy services, in a move welcomed by the National Secular Society.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) launched a consultation on "religion, personal values and beliefs" late last year with new guidance that placed more emphasis on the rights of patients, rather than the religious beliefs of pharmacy workers.
The NSS responded to the consultation, calling the proposals "forward-thinking and robust".
The Church of Scotland is set to issue a formal apology to gay people for its 'history of discrimination' in a landmark report that also opens the door for ministers to conduct same-sex weddings.
Proposals to be put to the Kirk's General Assembly when it meets next month include addressing the legal implications of gay marriage while allowing for 'conscientious refusal' from conservatives.
If passed a legal panel would then examine the issue of permitting ministers to marry gay couples while protecting those who refused before reporting back in 2018.
A network apparently using WhatsApp to distribute images of child sexual exploitation has been disrupted by dozens of arrests, according to police.
A total of 39 suspects were apprehended in Europe and South America, following action by the Spanish National Police, Europol and Interpol.
Spanish investigators discovered dark web sites directing users to private WhatsApp groups last year.
"This Easter season is a time of great celebration. Jesus is risen! Let's take a few moments to think again about the amazing events which happened on that first Easter day".
Chris the vicar had spent a lot of time preparing for this sermon with prayer and study. Taking a deep breath he continued:
"Towards the end of the story of the road to Emmaus, as Jesus taught his disciples, like all great communicators he summarized his mission and his message in one sentence. Now before we look at it, just think for a moment: if you were to ask your neighbour or friend who doesn't come to church, what was the most important thing Jesus did, and what was his message, how do you think they would respond? Perhaps 'he healed people?' or 'He said people should be kind to each other?'"
Theresa May has announced an early general election will take place on June 8.
Here is the Prime Minister's statement in full.
"I have just chaired a meeting of the Cabinet, where we agreed that the Government should call a general election, to be held on June 8."
Despite a new wave of contemporary church buzzwords like relational, relevant, and intentional, people who show up on Sundays are looking for the same thing that has long anchored most services: preaching centered on the Bible.
"Sermons that teach about Scripture" are the No. 1 reason Americans go to church, according to a new Gallup poll.
Researchers found that 82 percent of Protestants and 76 percent of all regular worshipers consider sermons' biblical lessons as a major factor that draws them to services.
A visiting lecturer at the Catholic University of Louvain (UCL) in Belgium has been sacked after he described abortion as 'the murder of an innocent person'. Stéphane Mercier, who was lecturing to a first-year philosophy class, also argued that abortion could be 'worse than rape'. Mercier's comments attracted the outrage of a campus feminist group, which complained that he was presenting his personal views to the class.
The sacking of Mercier reflects the absurd, chilling nature of campus censorship. Mercier was teaching philosophy. Philosophy students are (or should be) taught that the key to understanding philosophical theory is the free exchange, and conflict, of ideas. It is through debating conflicting points of view – including the personal views of academics and students – that you come to learn more about an issue.
A number of Christian Conservative MP's have backed their leader after she called for a snap election on June 8.
Theresa May insists it's the only way to secure stability before the UK leaves the European Union.
The Prime Minister says she came to the decision both "recently" and "reluctantly".
Gay marriages may soon be able to take place in the Church of Scotland.
A report to be debated at the Kirk's General Assembly in May said ministers should be permitted to perform same-sex ceremonies.
It also said the Kirk should apologise for failing to recognise the Christian vocation of gay people.