Why am I so terrified by euthanasia?
As the bill for euthanasia legalisation enters Parliament, I find myself unsettled. Beyond concerns of coercion or manipulation, euthanasia represents a chilling hopelessness—a reliance on brutal autonomy. Enshrining individual control over life’s end misses the richness of end-of-life care's compassion, nuance, and dignity, eroding the boundary between ethical care and hastened death.
Families are more Precious than Gold
In its May 2024 report, the Centre for Social Justice presents a bold vision, advocating for family-centred policies that prioritize human relationships, community, and solidarity in UK governance. The report highlights how modern consumerism undermines these values, contributing to loneliness and isolation. It calls for stronger family structures, marriage support, and safeguarding Sundays to restore balance and strengthen community ties.
St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer on October 7
A prayer to meditate on in light of the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
Cambridge Papers: Chronic Pain
In the latest Cambridge Papers publication, Andrew Perrett and Louise Robinson share their personal story and offer biblical insights on how we can better support those in pain.
Time for Everything
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." Venezuela has awaited change for 25 years. Fraud and repression mar its elections, contrasting sharply with the smooth transitions seen in countries like the UK. The need for transparent, fair elections is critical. Please pray for the people and church of Venezuela.
A Brief History of the Jubilee Centre
The Jubilee Centre began in Kenya during the 1970s and focused on biblical law's societal blueprint. Michael Schluter founded it in Cambridge, initially campaigning against Sunday trading deregulation. It expanded to address social issues, support peace initiatives, and promote 'Relationism'. The Centre currently operates remotely, continuing its research and publications.
Lessons from Covid
Time is a strange thing. The pandemic seems both distant and unreal, partly because so much has happened since: a war in Europe and a cost-of-living crisis. The extraordinary experience of lockdown felt like a bad dream. Many now avoid discussing Covid, yet it's crucial to reflect on it to better handle future pandemics and the responses they may demand.
The Jubilee Centre’s Votewise Legacy for the UK General Election in 2024
We can easily be perplexed by how to vote in the upcoming General Election from a Christian perspective. Various Votewise books and Bible studies published by the Jubilee Centre around past elections offer valuable guidance on how to make that decision and remind us to focus on unity and prayer at a potentially divisive time.
A New Law for All People?
In "God, Justice and Society," Burnside explores bridging secular and sacred law, emphasizing a relational approach to justice. Drawing from the OT, he highlights community involvement in penal outcomes and calls for citizen accountability. Adhering to 'Jubilee Institutional Norms' could bless society, reflecting universal applicability of God's law.
Budget ‘24 - A Relational Alternative
The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's lacklustre 2024 Budget highlighted the drought of ideas from the UK's political class, hemmed in by high debt and stagnant growth. This blog outlines a radical relational alternative that promotes marriage, wealth dispersal, and poverty alleviation. Proposals include incentivising marriage and elderly care within the family, spreading legacies, and curbing debt reliance.
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Recent archaeological and natural discoveries often align with biblical teachings. Lately, medical research highlights health benefits of Christian practices like kindness and generosity, improving mood, reducing pain, and enhancing immunity. Over 23 years, generous individuals exhibited longer life expectancy. This complements Jesus' teaching, affirming that giving brings blessings, even in physical health.
Cashing Out? - Biblical Thoughts on the Future of Money
In a recent Cambridge Paper, Paul Mills delves into the transformative landscape of monetary affairs marked by the resurgence of inflation and rapid interest rate hikes in 2022. As traditional banks faced historic failures, digital payment systems evolved, prompting a global push for Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). The paper explores these shifts, emphasizing the need for Christians to engage in the debate, drawing on biblical wisdom to navigate the future of money, privacy, and state influence. The author critiques the inflationary nature of the current debt-based bank-money system and advocates for alternatives like non-inflationary cryptocurrencies or commodity-backed stablecoins, aligning with biblical principles of decentralization.
Help with How to 'Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem’
On October 7th, the author found himself in Jerusalem, facing unexpected danger as sirens wailed, forcing everyone into a bunker. Amid the chaos, our prayers were lost in the turmoil. We simply yearned for peace. This experience kept reshaping his perspective on Jerusalem's significance and led him to explore the conflict through a biblical lens.
Why I Seldom Shop on a Sunday
From a theological perspective, the essence of God, a divine community, underscores the importance of relationships. This notion extends to the rest of humanity, where time, akin to currency, fuels relationships. Sundays, significant in the Lord's eyes, grant time for both worship and familial bonds. The absence of work on this day ensures that families can unite, fortifying the fabric of society. Shopping on Sundays, unwittingly, may undermine these foundations, making it vital for individuals to take a stand, emphasizing relationships over materialism. If all Christians unite on this issue, they can shape legislation to protect this sacred day.
Debunking the De-bankers
The article delves into the impact of "de-banking," triggered by recent events like Nigel Farage's case. It highlights concerns of banking services being withheld based on non-conformity with bank values. This issue, pertinent to Christian groups, is extending to politicians and activities not aligned with bank politics. While businesses have the right to choose clients, essential services like banking demand fairness. Banks, by potentially discriminating against beliefs, conflict with legal and taxpayer-based foundations. In light of this case, Christians are warned of transaction control, necessitating access to unbiased banking.
The Church After COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic deeply impacted global faith communities, disrupting gatherings and connections. Some defied regulations in the hope of solace. Roger Abbot's "Pastoral Care for the Common Good" highlights a different perspective. The article urges unity in exploring faith-science responses, encouraging pastoral care's universal importance.
Extended Family: Family Matters More Than Ever
God cares about families - discover a thought-provoking publication, Reactivating the Extended Family, offering timeless principles rooted in a biblical perspective. Explore its insights on nurturing family ties and fostering meaningful connections for a balanced and fulfilling way of life in a changing society.
The Keeping of Every Sunday as Special
Weekends are a cherished time to celebrate with loved ones. However, it's disheartening to see friends working during these precious days, often at regular rates. Reflecting on the "Keep Sunday Special" campaign, I wonder what weekends truly mean. In Germany, Sundays hold immense value with closed shops and other restrictions. It's time to recognize the extraordinary nature of weekends and embrace their restorative power. Let's reclaim their essence, making every moment count for relaxation, connection, and spiritual practice.
It starts with a hug
The author, a new immigrant in England, discusses the differences in greetings between South America and Europe. He proposes a happiness formula of eight hugs a day and stresses the significance of fostering relationships with your loved ones. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the author emphasizes the importance of combating loneliness and relational poverty through hugs. He believes that love, kindness, and faith can counteract division, and hatred, and contribute to personal happiness.