A peaceful bank holiday in Blackpool? Not if the EDL have their way

Next Saturday will be far from peaceful in Blackpool. The traditional bank holiday weekend at the seaside suddenly seems a good deal less appealing. http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/local/edl_protests_blue_line_gets_wider_1_3415226 The reason for this unfortunate change is the planned demonstration by those bastions of British justice, the far right ‘English Defence League’. After all this is the group of violent [...]

Handfasting, commitment and the value of symbolism

Take marriage for example. It may be a religious experience for some but for me it’s far more important than that.

Believers after the rapture

Earlier today I gave a brief interview for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) programme ‘The Current’. The topic was cognitive dissonance and the way that believers manage to maintain their beliefs in the face of absolute proof that they are wrong. You can listen to the programme here: http://t.co/1hNb5ac The specific theme was Harold Camping’s [...]

Rapture, the cult of death & the murder of the innocents

St. Paul and the early Christians expected the world to end within their lifetimes. Nobody could possibly be so silly in the 21st century – or could they?

Rapture update

Just an update. It’s now over 7 hours since Harold Camping’s predicted earthquake should have hit Australia. Still no mention of it on the news or via tweets from Australians on Twitter. Any thoughts on what is holding up God’s schedule, Mr. Camping?

The Rapture: cognitive dissonance in action

Harold Camping is a fundamentalist Christian & media evangelist who claims to have predicted the date of the ‘Rapture’. In other words he believes he has predicted the date when the faithful elite will be lifted up to Heaven whilst sinners will remain behind to face the coming apocalypse. Those who are left, according to [...]

Tommy (EDL) Robinson found guilty

Yaxley Lennon (AKA Tommy Robinson) appeared in court in Hammersmith today where he was found guilty of public order offences. Given his responsibility for founding a movement dedicated to racist disorder this is hardly surprising.

Law Commission recommendations for adult social care

It’s been 3 years in preparation but the Law Commission has finally completed its review of social care law in England & Wales. The report, along with recommendations, was published today at 11:30am.