Search results for John Coleby
Losing our words and finding our voice
From imagining a “special place in Hell” for Brexiteers to celebrating a great Brexodus, great biblical themes of salvation and deliverance are being mined for slogans. Even the words of our Lord Jesus, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do”, have been used as a political rallying cry. Our…
John Coleby
Two steps forward, one step back? Asylum and religious freedom
Following the Home Office’s refusal of asylum to an Iranian Christian convert, our country’s response to those fleeing persecution for their faith is again under scrutiny. As the discussion continues, we look at the progress we’ve made on this in the past, and how we can still improve. According to…
John Coleby
Breaking down barriers
But, what if someone cannot access courts or advice and the protection they may offer? In this case, access to justice becomes as much an issue as the laws themselves. Bearing this in mind, how have Christians, children of a just God, approached this issue of access to justice and the problems…
John Coleby
The Queen’s Speech: What’s there, what’s not and why it matters
A major focus for the speech was the criminal justice system. Legislation was promised that will lengthen prison sentences and introduce measures to improve conditions in prisons and support ex-offenders. As many churches commemorate Prisons Week, it will be important for Christian organisations…
John Coleby
Missing God at Christmas
For example, nativity plays generally don’t depict all the denizens of Bethlehem who go to sleep, wake up and go about their business, completely ignoring the nativity taking place three doors down. And yet, surely part of the story is those who missed it: “He was in the world, and the world came…
John Coleby
Is muscular liberalism on steroids?
‘Muscular liberalism’ is a phrase which has prompted some discussion in recent weeks. Framed as the opposite of weak and passive multiculturalism, the term rose to prominence under David Cameron, who said in a 2011 speech: “Frankly, we need a lot less of the passive tolerance of recent years and a…
John Coleby
Civil society and the church: have your say
Civil society is a broad term, and is described in the consultation as ‘all those outside of the public sector, who share the mission of building a stronger society and improving lives.’ In the UK, the Christian church is right at the heart of this mission. Tracey Crouch, the minister for civil…
John Coleby
Heavenly citizenship and earthly justice
The Prime Minister and Home Secretary have both faced difficult questions from MPs, as it has been revealed that migrants from the Caribbean who have lived in the UK for decades have been asked to prove their right to be here. Some have lost the benefits they need to live on, others have been…
John Coleby
Evangelical Alliance champions one public voice
What’s the worst thing that an MP could do? You can tell a lot about a profession or a vocation from asking what its worst crime is. For each one there’s often an act of wrongdoing that goes against that profession in a fundamental way. For doctors, it’s to do harm rather than to heal. For a…
John Coleby
Religious freedom: enforcing, empowering or reclaiming?
We’ve noted a few times now that 2018 is the 70th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). So far there’s been a fair amount of reflection about where we are with human rights in this country and what still needs to be done. Here I take a look at three different…
John Coleby
Autism Hour: for the sake of others
This week, the National Autistic Society (NAS) has been encouraging businesses to participate in their Autism Hour initiative. In the course of this hour, shops turn down any music and lights, avoid any sudden announcements, and distribute information about autism to employees and customers.…
John Coleby
Religious freedom: Asia Bibi and the Home Office
The past few weeks have seen the UK’s asylum system come under scrutiny in how it promotes global religious liberty. Two very different situations present a mixed picture: that of Asia Bibi in Pakistan and training for Home Office officials on asylum claims on grounds of religious persecution. With…
John Coleby
Human rights and the advent of hope
Last Monday marked International Human Rights Day, on which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is celebrated by countries around the world. This year was a particularly significant celebration, as 2018 is the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration in 1948. Among the…
John Coleby
Rescue and set free
There was a sense of awe in the room, both by the amount of work still to do in this area and by what these various organisations manage to achieve. Perhaps the most powerful part of the conference was the testimony of two men whose lives had been transformed by the work of Lighthouse Yorkshire.…
John Coleby
Praying for our leaders
Join with us as we pray for our political leaders and civil servants as they navigate the course to our future relationship with the EU. "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may…
John Coleby
