Tag: Christianity
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‘Why austere Advent beats cheesy Christmas’
Is Advent better than Christmas? The season of Advent has officially begun and will continue until midnight on Christmas Eve. Some say the anticipation is better than Christmas Day itself.
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Isis says it was behind Easter Day massacre
Islamic State admitted responsibility yesterday for the Easter Day bombings of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka that killed at least 321 people, including 45 children and eight Britons.
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‘God wanted Trump to be president’
That is the incredible claim made by Donald Trump’s press secretary, Sarah Sanders. Whether divine intervention is at play or not, Trump is extremely popular among America’s evangelicals.
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UK turns against turkey (but eats it anyway)
Is it time to dump the turkey at Christmas dinner? Around three quarters of families in the UK will serve it on December 25 — but only half of Britons actually want it. So why do we eat it?
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Surging demand for modern Christmas carols
Are modern carols better than the classics? This year, hundreds of new carols will be sung in concerts alongside old favourites — some using the Christmas story to tackle grave world issues.
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School tries (and fails) to ban Christmas
Has the meaning of Christmas been lost? Lady Lumley’s School reversed its decision to ban festivities after more than 500 pupils wrote letters arguing that the holiday is still valuable.
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We believe in miracles say 72% of young people
Are miracles possible? According to a new survey, three in five British people think miracles can happen. If so, it could explain the remarkable survival story of baby Lily Groesbeck.
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‘Beauty or brains… I was blessed with both!’
Is self-esteem overrated? The Apprentice returns next week, and the candidates have been unveiled. As usual, they ooze extreme self-confidence: a...
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Ireland abortion vote ignites global debate
Should abortion be illegal? Today, Ireland holds a historic referendum on that issue. The vote, which looks set to be close, tackles what is arguably the world’s defining moral controversy.
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The royal wedding preacher who stole the show
Can love change the world? Poverty, war and injustice could all be made history if we embrace the power of love. So declared Bishop Michael Curry in a show-stealing royal wedding sermon.
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Fear of the devil prompts exorcist shortage
Can people really be “possessed”? The Catholic Church has announced a new training course to remedy a global shortage of exorcists amid rising demand. Their practice is highly controversial.
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Turkey, panettone, salmon: Christmas is back!
Do we need more feast days? Easter is now becoming a second Christmas, complete with the trimmings. And why not? We work harder than ever. Surely we need more time when the world switches off?
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The brave French policeman who ‘died a hero’
Should you give your own life to save someone else? The world is mourning Arnaud Beltrame, a French policeman who died after saving a complete stranger during a terrorist attack on Friday.
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Faith, mass marketing and ‘God’s machine gun’
Is faith a public or private matter? For Billy Graham, it was certainly the former. He rose from humble origins to become the world’s most influential evangelist. Did he set a good example?
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Church and chutney: Christmas fit for a Queen
Should we be more like the Queen at Christmas? Despite her opulent palace and extravagant decorations, the Queen’s Christmas Day is modest and traditional with no place for expensive gifts.