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Northern Ireland: Who are the good news people?
The 2021 census data for England and Wales shows that 46% of the population identify as Christian, significantly less that the 59% reported just ten years previously. The results for Northern Ireland are, however, very different, with 80% of people here still identifying as Christian. Global…
David Smyth
Conversion therapy vote could criminalise church teaching and discipleship
A private member’s bill aiming to ban conversion therapy is being debated on 1 March, and an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill proposes very similar changes to be made to the law and is likely to be debated at some point during March. Both the bill and the amendment aim to outlaw a wide range…
Danny Webster
Motherhood: The highs and lows and how God has been faithful through it all
In all that I had meticulously prepared for, swirling feelings of helplessness, exhaustion, and the constant need to prioritise another’s needs over my own left me unexpectedly oscillating between happiness and despair. Motherhood, I discovered, contained a plethora of paradoxes; it could fill your…
Elon Musk, Mars and AI: I’m intrigued by humanity’s search for a future framework
The future of connection Musk has helped launch a range of significant businesses, each of which really has changed the world. Twitter, now X, is a more recent acquisition by Musk which has brought him into the media spotlight. He launched a successful take over in 2022 – via a tweet of course.…
Peter Lynas
Both Lives: The UK parliament conducts an inquiry into birth trauma
The Inquiry: Birth trauma is a multifaceted issue encompassing the physical, emotional, and psychological distress experienced by mothers (and their partners) and babies during childbirth. It can occur due to various factors, including prolonged labour, medical interventions such as forceps or…
Lisa Barr
Parliament to vote on abortion being allowed up until birth
Firstly, I want to begin by thanking our members and supporters who took part in our last call to action and got in touch with your local MP and raised concerns on proposed amendments to decriminalise abortion. The responses we have received from parliamentarians so far show they are engaging with…
Alicia Edmund
Heart Behind the Art: an interview with Chris Poch
It was a different story as a teenager. Chris recalls ‘coasting’ through school and university: “I was probably having a bit of an identity crisis. I probably got to that age, you’re having to start figuring things out for yourself… there was a part of me that didn’t really know who I was and I…
Helen Locke
Christian politicians share how faith impacts their work
"Christians should take a lead in not taking a cynical view of politics, but be more politically informed of all the decisions in the round" – David Burrowes As onlookers to the Punch and Judy of Wednesday’s prime minister’s questions or the endless news cycles of another political failure at the…
Alicia Edmund
Spotlight: our Northern Ireland team
Meet the team We are based in Belfast and our team consists of David Smyth, head of Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland, Danielle McElhinney, our public policy officer, myself, and our newest team member Laura Coey, our church engagement co-ordinator. Dawn McAvoy, Both Lives UK lead is also…
Lisa Barr
Befriending: lending an ear
During the pandemic, I, like most of us, was moved by the many stories in the daily news cycle of the elderly and the elderly disabled, being isolated and lonely, as government restrictions were imposed across the UK. As a result, many became housebound or were stuck in care homes without visitors…
Nicola Morrison
It's amazing what can happen when we listen
Why pray for the unborn church? How? What? – it threw up so many questions. Yet as days, months, and the years passed, we obediently prayed for the unborn church. Libya was the first country for which we had produced a prayer guide, ‘Springs in the Desert’, partnering with a large mission…
Roger McKay
JK Rowling: the enigma
The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act came into effect on April Fool’s Day, but it is no joke. It consolidates existing hate crime legislation and creates a new offence of, “stirring up hatred” against those with certain protected characteristics. However, women have not been given…
Peter Lynas
Why should Christians care about the Cass Review?
The report concludes that “gender medicine for children and young people is built on shaky foundations” and is “remarkably weak” evidence on medical interventions. Dr Cass found the "toxicity" of the debate around gender meant professionals were "afraid" to openly discuss their views even as the…
Peter Lynas
Hate Crime in Scotland – what does the new legislation mean for you?
This briefing note is not legal advice. What has happened? In 2021, the Scottish Parliament passed the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill. We and our membership influenced and contributed to positive changes as it went through the legislative process, including meeting then-Cabinet…
Chris Ringland
Voter ID: fraud prevention or a hindrance at the ballot box?
The next English local elections are fast approaching. On 2 May, voters will have the opportunity to vote for local councilors and metro mayors in the last local election before the general election that will follow later in the year. Elections give us the chance to have our say in who runs our…
Zanna Meynell
