election time...
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Things have been very quite on this blog front recently, but I'm breaking the silence (!) to post this interesting interview with the three main Political Party leaders concerning their attitude towards the church. It's well worth a watch...
Of course, this isn't the only, or maybe even the most important, issue that should concern us as Christian voters. The people at the 'Robin Hood Tax' have made it easy to canvass our politicians views on that issue, which could well expose their attitudes towards poverty and wealth more generally. I only sent the email yesterday and have already received an extensive reply from our local Green Party candidate. Click 'here' to send it to your candidates.
Finally, in the wake of the controversy surrounding Gordon Brown's inadvertent cock-up yesterday, Kester Brewin has written a great parable with tongue only slightly in cheek. Find it on his blog 'here', but it's worth reproducing in full...
Of course, this isn't the only, or maybe even the most important, issue that should concern us as Christian voters. The people at the 'Robin Hood Tax' have made it easy to canvass our politicians views on that issue, which could well expose their attitudes towards poverty and wealth more generally. I only sent the email yesterday and have already received an extensive reply from our local Green Party candidate. Click 'here' to send it to your candidates.
Finally, in the wake of the controversy surrounding Gordon Brown's inadvertent cock-up yesterday, Kester Brewin has written a great parable with tongue only slightly in cheek. Find it on his blog 'here', but it's worth reproducing in full...
Now the Electorate was out in Middle England, and Sky News and other members of the Media brought Gordon Brown to them. They made him stand before the group and said to the Electorate, "Voters, this man was caught in the act of speaking rashly in private. He left his microphone on, and it caught him accusing a woman of being bigoted." They were using this question as a trap, in order for having a basis for people not voting for him.
But the Electorate bent down and started to write something on their Twitter accounts. When the Media kept questioning them they straightened up, and said to the them. "If any of you - journalists and or other party leaders – if any of you has never spoken rashly in private, let us cast our votes for you."
At this, those who had heard began to go back to their campaign buses and leave, one at a time, the older ones first, until only the Electorate was left, with Brown still standing there. The Electorate straightened up and asked him, "Prime Minister, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"
"No one Sirs." he said.
"Then neither do we condemn you." the Electorate declared. "Go now and DON’T BE SUCH A BLOODY IDIOT AGAIN OR WE’LL CERTAINLY NOT CAST OUR VOTE FOR YOU."
With thanks to John 8: 1 – 11
the robin hood tax...
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
it's a simple, relatively pain-free (unless the bankers are really greedy!) but revolutionary idea that could raise hundreds of billions each year to boost the NHS, UK schools, the fight against domestic child poverty, as well as tackling poverty and climate change around the world! Oh yes, it's also being supported by, amongst others, Christian Aid, Cafod, and our own Prime Minister!Watch the Bill Nighy video below, and then go sign up your support.
cadbury goes fairtrade...
Saturday, March 07, 2009
open letter to mark brewer...
Monday, October 13, 2008
This morning the following letter was emailed to Mark Brewer on behalf of the members of the 'We support Dave Walker' Facebook group. It seems like a fair letter to me, so come on Mr Brewer... please make your response. If you're not aware of Dave Walker's case, Matt Wardman has blogged a useful introductory guide 'here'.
Dear Mr. Brewer
We are writing on behalf of 498 supporters of cartoonist and blogger Dave Walker, a group which includes bishops, national journalists in the UK and US, lawyers, clergy, and concerned members of the public.
We would like to ask you please to contact Dave Walker and withdraw the demands made in the 'Cease and Desist' letter which you sent him in July. Your letter, as far as we know, instructed Dave to remove all his posts about the recent history of SPCK bookshops or face action for libel. With the pressures of the impending Lambeth conference, and a very short deadline given by yourself, Dave complied. He commented at the time: “I have therefore removed all of the SPCK/SSG posts on this blog, as, although I believe I have not done anything wrong I do not have the money to face a legal battle. The removal of these posts is in no way an admission of guilt.”
Many of us have read the posts concerned, and are surprised, to say the least, that they could be called libelous. Indeed, the first three posts make no mention at all of yourself, the Society of St. Stephen the Great, or anyone associated with you. The 4th post reports your takeover of the bookshops with the comment “this is splendid news.” Another post is a simple link to your SSG video on YouTube. Other items include verbatim reports of your own statements, and in the simple post on the death of Steve Jeynes, dozens of people used the comments to expressed their grief and condolences to Steve’s family.
Dave is a reasonable man, and if all critics were as fair as he is the world would be a better place. If you were able to reconsider, and point out specific statements and claims you were unhappy with, we are sure Dave would be happy to correct them where appropriate. This is the normal process of debate on the internet, and in real life, and follows the strong tradition of free speech for which our countries stand and are rightly proud.
So this is a polite request from all of us: please contact Dave Walker, advise him that your ‘cease and desist’ communication no longer stands, and let him report freely.
Yours sincerely
8 signatories representing the ‘We Support Dave Walker’ group
Dear Mr. Brewer
We are writing on behalf of 498 supporters of cartoonist and blogger Dave Walker, a group which includes bishops, national journalists in the UK and US, lawyers, clergy, and concerned members of the public.
We would like to ask you please to contact Dave Walker and withdraw the demands made in the 'Cease and Desist' letter which you sent him in July. Your letter, as far as we know, instructed Dave to remove all his posts about the recent history of SPCK bookshops or face action for libel. With the pressures of the impending Lambeth conference, and a very short deadline given by yourself, Dave complied. He commented at the time: “I have therefore removed all of the SPCK/SSG posts on this blog, as, although I believe I have not done anything wrong I do not have the money to face a legal battle. The removal of these posts is in no way an admission of guilt.”
Many of us have read the posts concerned, and are surprised, to say the least, that they could be called libelous. Indeed, the first three posts make no mention at all of yourself, the Society of St. Stephen the Great, or anyone associated with you. The 4th post reports your takeover of the bookshops with the comment “this is splendid news.” Another post is a simple link to your SSG video on YouTube. Other items include verbatim reports of your own statements, and in the simple post on the death of Steve Jeynes, dozens of people used the comments to expressed their grief and condolences to Steve’s family.
Dave is a reasonable man, and if all critics were as fair as he is the world would be a better place. If you were able to reconsider, and point out specific statements and claims you were unhappy with, we are sure Dave would be happy to correct them where appropriate. This is the normal process of debate on the internet, and in real life, and follows the strong tradition of free speech for which our countries stand and are rightly proud.
So this is a polite request from all of us: please contact Dave Walker, advise him that your ‘cease and desist’ communication no longer stands, and let him report freely.
Yours sincerely
8 signatories representing the ‘We Support Dave Walker’ group
brilliant...
Thursday, October 02, 2008
"don't change your light bulbs...
Thursday, January 24, 2008
... change your leaders."
Bono on the political challenge of global poverty and climate change
see also Bono and Al Gore at the World Economic Forum
hat tip... Andrew Jones
Bono on the political challenge of global poverty and climate change
see also Bono and Al Gore at the World Economic Forum
hat tip... Andrew Jones
complicit...
Thursday, December 13, 2007
A powerfully honest post from Kester is well worth reading, but be warned... don't bother if you're comfortable just the way you are and don't want to be challenged.
I blogged about TTIS in Liverpool 'here'
I blogged about TTIS in Liverpool 'here'
the truth isn't sexy...
Friday, November 16, 2007
Last night over 30 students and young adults took the truth isn't sexy campaign into the pubs of central Liverpool. We went into 36 pubs and bars and were knocked back by only two! We had a few saying we needed to come back when the manager was in or write to head office for permission, but the vast majority took the posters and/or beer mats and promised to display them in their bars. It was a great evening and the people who volunteered for the pub crawl enjoyed themselves so much we're already planning a 'phase 2' to hit more city centre pubs soon!It's a great campaign so if you're not familiar with it take a moment to go to the campaign website and find out more. Even better... get together a group of people to take the beer mats and posters into the pubs in your area. The wider this material is distributed, the more chance there is that it will have the desired effect of revealing hidden realities, challenging attitudes, and changing the culture that leads to so many women being trafficked and/or enslaved against their will in the 'sex industry'.
The local BBC ran a feature about it yesterday and the BBC web site has a piece 'here' (even if they did heavily edit the quotes!!)
world clock...
Friday, October 05, 2007
This world clock is amazing and disturbing all at the same time. Launch it, click the 'now' button, get on with your work (leaving it running in the background) and return to it later to see what's been happening statistically in the world during that time. In the time it took to write this short post 31 people have been infected with HIV.
You'll need the flash plugin to see it
You'll need the flash plugin to see it
act now...
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
I don't normally use this blog for petition signing and the like, but when a dire situation arises accompanied by an opportunity to do something simple and potentially effective, I think 'why not?'!Last Thursday, 23 South Korean aid workers (pictured left), most of them young women, were taken hostage by Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. The Taliban are threatening to execute them later this week, an action that could force aid agencies to pull out of Afghanistan, denying millions of Afghanis the help they need after years of war.
The situation is desperate, but there is a possible hope. The Taliban are all from the 'Pashtun' ethnic group, and observe a strict code called Pashtunwali. This code demands, above all else: "hospitality to all, especially guests and strangers". There are rumours of infighting among the Taliban over these kidnappings, because they clearly violate the code.
A global outcry for the Taliban to follow their own code would certainly be covered by media in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where the Taliban are based, creating massive local pressure on them to free their prisoners. These hostages are living under a 24 hour death sentence and so avaaz.org have arranged a global online petition to try to generate this kind of publicity and pressure. It's simple to sign - only taking a minute of your time - but it could make a huge difference. Go 'here' to sign the petition and try to pass word on to others who may sign. It would be great if you left a comment here too...
see the Guardian's coverage of the crisis 'here'
sign the petition 'here'
preach it Bono!...
Friday, June 22, 2007
If you're not a fan of U2's music, then stick with this anyway (or skip ahead to 4:44) to hear Bono's inspirational words...
... the address that these words are taken from is posted in full 'here' - I know it's a bit old now, but it's still one of the most powerful, most biblical addresses on poverty and justice I've ever heard, so it's well worth watching again.
Also, if you've got an hour to spare (I haven't!) YouTube also has an interview of Bono by Bill Hybels which was aired at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit last summer. It's been posted in several parts beginning 'here' with Bill Hybels' introduction about Bono. It also features the video posted above. I haven't yet had the chance to watch it in its entirety, so can't comment on it, but thought it was worth posting the link anyway!
hat tip... Beth at 'U2 Sermons' blog
... the address that these words are taken from is posted in full 'here' - I know it's a bit old now, but it's still one of the most powerful, most biblical addresses on poverty and justice I've ever heard, so it's well worth watching again.
Also, if you've got an hour to spare (I haven't!) YouTube also has an interview of Bono by Bill Hybels which was aired at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit last summer. It's been posted in several parts beginning 'here' with Bill Hybels' introduction about Bono. It also features the video posted above. I haven't yet had the chance to watch it in its entirety, so can't comment on it, but thought it was worth posting the link anyway!
hat tip... Beth at 'U2 Sermons' blog
Labels: justice, politics, popular culture, spirituality
if you're in liverpool next week #2...
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Press Release...The Truth Isn’t Sexy
Liverpool Guild of Students Fair Trade Fashion Show
Date: Tuesday 1st May
Time: 7.00- 10.00
Location: Mountford Hall, Liverpool Guild of Students
Liverpool Guild of Students, in partnership with the University of Liverpool’s Faith Express, is to host a Fair Trade fashion show to raise awareness on the consequences of unjust international trading systems and the growing problem of human trafficking
The injustices that exist within the international textile manufacturing industry amount to a form of modern day slavery, which can lead people to seeking ‘better futures’ in other countries only to find themselves victims of human trafficking and, in many cases involving young girls and women, forced prostitution.
Friday 23rd March saw the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery here in Britain, yet according to the government 4,000 women and children were trafficked into prostitution in the UK in 2003. Many come from Eastern Europe or Africa on the promise of good jobs or education. They end up sold into the hands of sex gangs.
From children sold by debt-ridden parents to the boom in human trafficking in a world without borders, the United Nations estimates that in the 21st century 12m people are trapped in slavery.
The event will showcase Fair Trade garments that are becoming increasingly available on the high street and through internet retailers. All proceeds from the event are being donated to The Truth Isn’t Sexy campaign, which has been devised to expose the truth of human trafficking and prostitution through an extensive awareness campaign directed at the demand side of the sex industry. A key component of this is the distribution of beer mats in local pubs, and the hope is that money raised through this event will enable this to happen across Liverpool city centre.
The Truth Isn’t Sexy had its own Parliamentary launch last month supported by a number of Ministers, MP’s and peers including Liverpool Riverside MP, Louise Ellman, who has shown her support for the event saying...
"It has been 200 years since the abolition of slavery in this country yet there is still a significant human trafficking industry. This is a very worrying reality. It is however, encouraging to see students being proactive in campaigning to raise awareness of these issues."
For more information see
www.thetruthisntsexy.com
remember...
Sunday, March 25, 2007
...and act25 March 1807 - 25 March 2007
information...
government site
merseyside maritime museum
set all free
news...
bbc
church of england
action...
anti-slavery
stop the traffik
the truth isn't sexy
information...
government site
merseyside maritime museum
set all free
news...
bbc
church of england
action...
anti-slavery
stop the traffik
the truth isn't sexy
archbishops podcast about slavery...
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Rowan Williams makes his first YouTube broadcast, appearing alongside John Sentamu (the Archbishop of York), to reflect on slavery past and present. Watch it 'here' or click on the frame below...
home delivery...
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
fairtrade fortnight...
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Tomorrow is the first day of the UK's fairtrade fortnight (26 February – 11 March). The theme for this year's fortnight is: "CHANGE TODAY. CHOOSE FAIRTRADE. (Munch it! Wear It! Taste it! Choose it!)" The website blurb describes the aim of the fortnight in this way..."Change Today. Choose Fairtrade, is an urgent call to people in the UK to engage with the Fairtrade Foundation’s vision of an even bigger movement for positive change on unfair trade, including making the switch to buying Fairtrade."
Find out more about national events 'here', or about the campaign in general 'here'.
Labels: justice, politics, spirituality
the truth isn't sexy...
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
The observant will note that I've added a new banner to my sidebar which links to an excellent campaign that protest4 have launched raising awareness about the link between prostitution and human trafficking. The core of the campaign is to distribute around pubs beer mats looking like the calling cards you might see in phone boxes (one is pictured to the left); on the back of these cards is some text that explains the link with human trafficking. For example...Ellen was abducted from Albania and sold to a brothel in London's west end where she was forced to have sex with up to forty men a day. She was beaten, raped and threatened with death if she tried to refuse. Ellen was 15. The truth isn't sexy.
Check out the campaign site 'here', and sign up with protest4 'here'.
I remember Si talking about campaigning on the human trafficking issue at Greenbelt two years ago - it's good to see how this is gaining momentum, and that other groups are adding their voice to Stop the Traffik. This is a particularly apt (and sobering) post considering today (23rd August) has been designated 'International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition' - if only it was truly over.
I'm Malcolm Chamberlain
from Liverpool, United Kingdom
. I'm married with two young children and, in addition to Liverpool, have lived in Leicester (for the first 18 years of my life), York, Peshawar (Pakistan), Oxford and Walsall. I've been actively involved in the emerging church since 2001, as a founding member of Dream in Liverpool City, and coordinator of the Dream network. I'm currently engaged in research into emerging missional communities, and work as a parish priest and pioneer minister.
