The results - prompted discussions about what place Christianity, and religious faith in general, deserve in our society today. "Is belief in God an outmoded belief in the 21st century, and if so, is that a good thing?" That was the closing question of this week's BBC Question Time.
There is a common assumption that the absence of faith is neutral, rational and tolerant, and that having faith is an eccentricity. Faith is seen as a private hobby that people indulge because it makes them feel good, but which can and should be set aside if it will have a bearing on their politics or public actions. But whether you're a Christian, an atheist, a humanist or a Jedi, you are following something. We all have a worldview.
This story is from the December 05, 2022 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 05, 2022 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
More waffle than Wolf Hall
The adaptation of CJ Sansom’s Tudor-set Shardlake’ novels barely balances the scales between history and mystery, writes Nick Hilton, but features a progressive protagonist
Why is security high when flying back from Turkey?
The year 2017 began with a dreadful terrorist massacre at a nightclub in Istanbul, in which 39 people died.
Super fast or super slow? A tale of three UK airports
Heathrow shows a surprising ability to cope with a Border Force strike, while Birmingham and Stansted face queue driven delays. But Simon Calder says passengers can help too
ROYAL RUMBA
According to a Strictly’ star, Princess Anne is keen to get her dancing shoes on for the BBC show. It seems unlikely but the PR potential is enticing for The Firm, says Katie Rosseinsky
I took Mum to Dignitas and the police made my life hell
When Mandy Appleyard’s mother had a severe stroke at 81, it robbed her of dignity and purpose. But her decision to end her life in a Swiss clinic sparked a two-year nightmare for her daughters as their act of love was investigated as a crime
Ukraine woman, 98, walks 10km to flee Russian attacks
A 98-year-old Ukrainian woman said she walked 10km under shelling, supporting herself with sticks and sleeping on the ground, leaving an area of the country now occupied by Russia to try to reach territory controlled by Kyiv.
Netanyahu pledges Rafah raid 'with or without' deal
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to launch an incursion into the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are sheltering from the war.
Trump fined and threatened with jail as gag order broken
The judge presiding over Donald Trump’s hush money trial has threatened to throw him in jail if he continues to break the gag order in the case, after hitting him with a 9,000 fine for nine separate violations.
Trial becomes fuel to fire Trump's presidential bid
Court used as campaign HQ as he rails against persecution’
King reassures public 'I'm well' after return to duties
The King has reassured the public I’m well” as he met with fellow cancer sufferers in his return to public-facing duties for the first time since he announced his diagnosis.