Back in March, we welcomed Revd Dr Helen Paynter to the Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds to question just how Jesus would ‘Unite The Kingdom’, a reference to the rallies held in London by Far Right figurehead Tommy Robinson, the second of which took place just this weekend.

In this talk she explores the ways that groups are fusing Christianity with nationalism, ethnic identity, and anti-immigration rhetoric in ways that threaten liberal democracy and distort the message of Jesus. She then points to some ways that Christians can engage with these groups from across the political divide without resorting to the same hostility and power-driven politics.

About Helen:

Helen is the Director of the Centre for the Study of the Bible and Violence in Bristol, has written and edited several books on Christianity and extremism, and has recently edited a volume titled ‘The Church, the Far Right and the Claim to Christianity’.

Coming up

Our next live Café Theologique event is taking place on Thursday 4 June and features Professor Thomas Jay Oord on the topic of ‘What’s left of God after deconstruction?’. Space is limited and tickets are going fast so if you’d like to join us, book your place asap.

About A God We Could Believe In:

A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We’re examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you’ve never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

Stay in touch

Email: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Instagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Content warning: This series covers issues of sexual relationships, abuse, gender and identity, so listener discretion is advised. In particular, this episode includes discussion of sexual assault, rape and drugging in the context of the recent ‘online rape academy’ story. That section lasts from 6.20 until 19.30. As always, please look after yourselves.

We’re picking up your questions in response to our final episode, Towards a Different Sexual Ethic. How does asexuality fit into the picture? What about gay hookup culture? Will gender equality and lgbtq+ affirmation ever be mainstream, and what do we do until then?

Coming up

We’re taking a break to plan and record our next series, but there’ll be ad hoc episodes popping every now and then.

In the meantime, we’d love to hear from you. You can message us via our Substack, Facebook or Instagram and you can also email us at agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.com.

About A God We Could Believe In:

A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We’re examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you’ve never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

New episodes are released every other Monday.

Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

Stay in touch

Email: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Instagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Content warning: This series covers issues of sexual relationships, abuse, gender and identity, so listener discretion is advised. Please look after yourselves.

In our last full episode of the series. we’re taking stock of all our conversations from the last 8 months and exploring what a positive and inclusive Christian sexual ethic might look like today.

Coming up

Next up is our final Q&A which will land on Monday 27 April. If you’ve got a question in response to today’s episode, make sure you send it over by this Friday 17 April to feature. You can message us via our Substack, Facebook or Instagram and you can also email us at agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.com.

After that we’ll be taking a break to plan and record our next series, but there’ll be ad hoc episodes popping every now and then.

About A God We Could Believe In:

A frank and honest look at Christianity as we find it today. We’re examining the things the church says and does that are embarrassing, confusing or even downright offensive. In other religious contexts, your questions might be forbidden but not here. So whether you’re a lifelong churchgoer with the scars to prove it, or you’ve never entered a church and are just interested in the debate, this is a safe space for you.

New episodes are released every other Monday.

Support the project by sharing it widely and join our Substack community for bonus episodes and reflections at agodwecouldbelievein.substack.com

Stay in touch

Email: agodwecouldbelievein@gmail.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/agodwecouldbelievein

Instagram: www.instagram.com/agodwecouldbelievein