These articles were first published in our May edition of the newspaper, click here for more.
The Church of England is to send its trainee clergy on science courses to ensure they understand the modern world properly, it was reported in March.
The Church launched a three-year £700,000 Durham University project to improve its relationship with the world of science. The biologist Richard Dawkins is among the many leading contemporary scientists who have led the charge against faith as not credible and even delusional.
Hospitals may have to provide atheist chaplains, according to NHS guidelines published in early March.
The guidance uses the term ‘chaplain’ to refer to ‘non-religious pastoral and spiritual care providers’, and claims that patients’ experiences are ‘enhanced by ensuring either religious or non-religious pastoral support is available’. The guidance takes into account the Equality Act 2010, which says ‘religion includes a reference to a lack of religion’.
Education Secretary Nicky Morgan has become president of Conservative think-tank Bright Blue, it was reported in March.
The group, which describes itself as a ‘pressure group for liberal conservatism’, was vocal in its support for same sex marriage. Once she was a trustee of the Conservative Christian Fellowship.
Trans World Radio (TWR) launched on Freeview HD on 1 April.
The launch of TWR-UK on Freeview HD coincides with a set of new programmes in the weekend schedule across all broadcast platforms, including NewsDesk, TWR’s flagship news and current affairs programme.
Couples who marry before having children are more likely to stay together, showed a survey published in early March.
The survey carried out by the Marriage Foundation showed that 76% of mothers who were married before giving birth stayed with the child’s father, compared with 44% of those who married later.
An online election resource, ‘Where do they stand?’, that empowers voters to find out where key candidates stand on such issues as assisted dying and abortion has been made available.
At www.wheredotheystand.org.uk the typing in of a postcode produces either the current MP’s voting record, or an automatically generated form ready to email through the site to the other candidates for that constituency. The process takes around 20 seconds and is very simple to use.
The Liberal Democrats plan to include in their election manifesto proposals that would give power to British embassies around the world to perform same sex marriages.
This is part of a broader attempt to put gay equality at the heart of the Lib Dem campaign. The Foreign Office would also be told to push for the decriminalisation of homosexuality in countries where it is illegal.
Graduates are being offered bursaries in an attempt to recruit more RE teachers, it was reported in March.
The subject has grown in popularity in recent years, at both GCSE and A-level. 800 teacher training places will be available from September and the Religious Education Council is offering training bursaries of up to £9,000.
Premier Christian Radio announced on 19 March that they have secured their future as a UK national digital broadcaster until 2028.
They are currently seeking funding to meet the costs involved.