The issues that affect
us all -
Multifaith society, Politics, Relationships, Science, Education
30th
September to 1st October 2004
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Speakers
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Bishop of Southwark
(Multifaith society)
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Simon Hughes MP
(Politics)
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Bishop of Kingston
(Science)
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Penny
Mansfield (Relationships)
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Canon John
Hall (Education)
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Read summaries published in
St Mary's parish magazine
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Did Talking Points make
an impact? asks Krysia Williams
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How did Talking Points come
about?
The underlying thinking in
mounting the series stems from a recent report – that
England is, of all countries, the least religious, barring Russia. The
implication of the report seem to be that religion in England is a lost
cause – and that those who consider that addressing matters of belief is
important are deluding themselves. We at St. Mary's are less than impressed
by this point of view. At our PCC Awayday last autumn we explored what
response we should be making.
The outcome is that we have
felt the need to provide a forum focusing on subjects of current concern,
seen from the viewpoint of Christian faith.
Our subjects were:
The reality of
a multifaith society
How can Christianity contribute to a
genuinely multi-faith society? Are religious differences inevitably going
to fuel conflicts between nations?
Relationships
Marriage v partnerships, single sex relationships, fidelity, religious
convictions within the family – we could spend the whole week on
relationships alone!
Science
Is belief compatible with science? How
can people of faith influence the development of science? Should we even
attempt to do so?
Politics
Have faith and belief any relevance to
politics? What does it mean to have a Prime Minister who is a practising
Christian? What are going to be the key issues with a political
religious dimension over the next few years?
Education
What influence do religious bodies have on
the National Curriculum?
Do religious beliefs about
right behaviour have any relevance to the way schools in
Britain
organise themselves?
Why are so many parents who are
not active members of the church so keen on church schools for their
children?
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