Other Religions in the 2021 England and Wales Census

This morning (29/11/22) the data set about religion and belief in England and Wales was released. The headlines focussed on the changes in the numbers of the ‘big six’ (see Holt, 2019) as well as an increase in the numbers of those answering ‘no religion’. The headlines form the Office for National Statistics (ONS) outlined: For … More Other Religions in the 2021 England and Wales Census

Spiritual momentum- running the wrong way up an elevator

There are many analogies used to describe the straight and narrow path. One that really helps me understand the need to keep moving, to keep putting one foot in front of another is to picture it as running up an escalator the wrong way. It requires effort, and if we stop for a moment we … More Spiritual momentum- running the wrong way up an elevator

I can’t dance

I was recently speaking to a friend who expressed concern for another of our friends. Her concern was for the disconnect between this person’s beliefs and behaviour. As I think about my membership of the Church over the last thirty or so years I have met many people for whom this description would fit, and … More I can’t dance

Guru Hargobind (Nanak 6) and the Freedom of Religion and Belief

Today, Sikhs around the world are celebrating Diwali or more correctly Bandi Chhor Divas (Day of Liberation). The events celebrated by Sikhs revolve around Guru Hargobind. There are many events in the life of Guru Hargobind that are worthy of remembrance, not least the adoption of the two swords symbolising miri-piri when he became Guru. … More Guru Hargobind (Nanak 6) and the Freedom of Religion and Belief

In the world

One of the sayings that I heard a lot when I joined the Church was that as Latter-day Saints we are called ‘to be in the world, but not of the world’. It established an identity for us as disciples of Christ that suggested that we are different, as Peter describes us, we are a … More In the world

Teaching to transform: bell hooks and her influence for our classrooms

A presentation given at the Learning and Teaching Conference of the University of Chester, 30/6/21. Grateful thanks for Luke Jones and Gordon Baillie for comments on early drafts of this paper. Let me begin this paper with an admission and challenge. I have to admit that I don’t know what your classroom is like and … More Teaching to transform: bell hooks and her influence for our classrooms