Category: Public policy

New frontiers of interfaith work

After twenty years of involvement in interfaith work, the start of 2017 it seems a good time to reflect on some of the current challenges I’m seeing and suggestions some new issues that we might need to engage with. They are all a critique of the way I’ve worked, or events I’ve been involved in, … Continue reading “New frontiers of interfaith work”

Michael Wear is coming to the Cadbury Centre

Michael Wear was one of the youngest-ever White House staffers and has published a book about his years in the world’s most powerful office. The title of his book is Reclaiming Hope. Lessons Learned in the Obama White House about the Future of Faith in America. On 2 March 2017, Michael Wear will come to the University … Continue reading “Michael Wear is coming to the Cadbury Centre”

Obama’s Forgotten Plan to Reduce Abortions

Michael Wear, Honorary Fellow of The Edward Cadbury Centre for the Public Understanding of Religion, writes about abortion politics in the Obama White House, when he was a staffer there during President Barack Obama’s first term and director of faith outreach for his reelection campaign. Read his article on Politico.

Christianity, megachurches and the response to homelessness

The Christmas story has for centuries motivated the long history of the church’s commitment to helping society’s poor and downcast. Indeed, it was a cluster of Christian and Jewish charities which led the first serious concerted action against homelessness in the 1960s and 1970s.

A ‘British Values’ oath has worrying echoes. There are much better ways to boost integration

  For Catholics, the idea of an “oath for all holders of public office”, which the communities minister Sajid Javid proposed yesterday, has unpleasant connotations. For most of the last 500 years, Catholics were forced onto the margins of society by such measures as the oath of royal supremacy and the Test Act. Still, we … Continue reading “A ‘British Values’ oath has worrying echoes. There are much better ways to boost integration”

Professor Francis Davis discusses the impact of immigration on UK Churches on BBC Radio 4

Professor Francis Davis discussed the impact of immigration on UK Churches on the BBC Radio 4 show Beyond Belief on December 5, 2016. The topic of the show was introduced on BBC Radio 4’s website with the following words: “Churchgoing in the UK is in steep decline, but between 2005 and 2012 attendance rose by … Continue reading “Professor Francis Davis discusses the impact of immigration on UK Churches on BBC Radio 4”

Birmingham University lights up red for the persecuted

Lord Alton renewed his leadership of the national community working to mitigate abuses on the grounds of freedom and belief this week. It was wonderful to see his old friends Baroness Patricia Scotland (Commonwealth Secretary General), and Archbishop Justin Welby on board to support the initiative and significant swathes of the English North West rise … Continue reading “Birmingham University lights up red for the persecuted”

Insights from the Megachurches and Social Engagement Conference in London

The conference was held at the Royal Geographical Society in London and welcomed delegates from a variety of academic institutions and third sector organisations with an interest in research on faith and society. The day began with introductory address from Dr Andrew Davies, principal investigator on the project, followed by a keynote presentation from Professor … Continue reading “Insights from the Megachurches and Social Engagement Conference in London”