For any parent the worst feeling in the world is suddenly realising that the child who was by your side a moment ago has disappeared.  This happened several times when ... Read More

When our interpretation of religious beliefs becomes so warped that taking life is considered honouring to God, something has gone seriously wrong.  Once again this week we have seen the ... Read More

12-14 As they left Bethany the next day, he was hungry. Off in the distance he saw a fig tree in full leaf. He came up to it expecting to find ... Read More

It’s a curious thing that more antibiotics are injected into healthy animals than they are into sick humans.  One of the reasons is that for poor famers in developing countries ... Read More

In his bestselling book, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Harari argues that almost everything we believe in is a fiction, and that humans alone among the animals have ... Read More

11:1-3 When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany on Mount Olives, he sent off two of the disciples with instructions: “Go to the village across from you. As soon ... Read More

“Mine is the way of the Lord.”  In just seven words from the musical Les Mis, policeman Javert explains how religion causes conflict.  Javert’s God is one who rewards the ... Read More

It’s often said that religion is the cause of conflict and that the world would be a more peaceful place without it.  It’s a convenient stick with which to beat ... Read More

41-45 When the other ten heard of this conversation, they lost their tempers with James and John. Jesus got them together to settle things down. “You’ve observed how godless rulers throw ... Read More

I recently had my kitchen redecorated.  In order to clear the way for the decorator the room had to be emptied, and a set of large wooden shelves around the ... Read More