Amy Orr-Ewing

What’s wrong with sex before marriage?

18 April 2012

How on earth can you answer this question? It is the 21st century after all; surely God doesn’t hate you enough to make you say something so ridiculous and old-fashioned that you will lose all your friends! In the gospels, Jesus was asked many difficult questions and he frequently responded with a question before answering [...]

Read the full article →

Aren’t religions all the same?

14 October 2011

We live in a context of spiritual longing. Many people are searching for that which will satisfy an inner craving for meaning and significance. The artist Damian Hirst recently said this: “Why do I feel so important when I’m not? Nothing is important and everything is important. I do not know why I am here [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Grayling’s Secular ‘Bible’ – A Good Book?

Grayling’s Secular ‘Bible’ – A Good Book?

28 June 2011

In publishing his godless Bible for those with no faith, A. C. Grayling may have expected a mixed reception. The ‘religious Bible’ (as he calls the Christian original) often sparks controversy, so one might have assumed that his would prompt a powerful reaction.

But although there have been eyebrows raised, support given, and criticism levelled, I can’t help feeling that there is something a little flat about it all. Perhaps it is because we are in the midst of celebrating the 400-year anniversary of the King James translation of the Bible with its majestic impact on the English language, that one struggles to muster any strong reaction to this book. One of the repeated observations made about Grayling’s moral guide for atheists is that it just doesn’t seem to be as good or interesting as the original.

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for One Way

One Way

1 June 2011

Have you ever met someone and sensed that they are very suspicious of you? When my boys began their first year at school last term I made lots of new friends as I got to know the other parents. One mother seemed to take an immediate dislike to me and although I tried to be friendly, I struggled to make conversation.

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for God are you there?

God are you there?

5 April 2011

I found myself watching the Channel 4 programme One Born Every Minute this week. Over the course of an hour I laughed cried and winced as we watched an incredibly diverse selection of women giving birth to their babies in NHS hospitals. While the church in China sees someone become a Christian every 30 seconds and the hospitals in our own country see a baby born every minute I started to wonder how often new birth is occurring here in Britain.

Read the full article →