Religion poses difficult questions and, where beliefs are deeply held, feelings often run high. This section offers you the chance to untangle the arguments and have your say.
Should religious courts be recognised as part of the British legal system?
Down the ages religious authorities of all types have argued that the laws which they believe to be divine should be incorporated into the secular legal system, and now the Archbishop of Canterbury has joined in the fray.
What are the issues?
Previous talking points
The War on Britain's Jews?
The Jews have traditionally been under attack from the fascist right but Richard Littlejohn believes that antisemitism is alive and well in other sections of society today. Is hostility to Jews on the rise? And if so, who is perpetrating it and why?
Profits, pornography and The Passion?
Some critics condemned Mel Gibson's film, The Passion of the Christ, for its violence and alleged 'antisemitic overtones'. Others welcomed it as bringing the Gospels to the people. The controversy undoubtedly boosted its profits.
Was Jesus Divine?
In the past atheists were often persecuted in God-fearing societies. Today they pose an open challenge to religious philosophies. Is a society without God a society without a moral code? Or do human beings create their own system of ethics?
Atheism
Many people believe that Jesus had an extended family that survived some 300 years after his death. If so, why have they been airbrushed from history?
Arms and religion
Throughout history, generals on all sides of military conflicts have claimed divine backing for their cause. They couldn't all have been right but were any of them justified in fighting for their faith?
Free Speech
Should religion be protected from criticism? Or should writers, artists, playwrights and filmmakers be free to express controversial views even if that means offending deeply held beliefs?
Faith Schools
The Government is encouraging religious organisations to take over schools but is this what parents and students want?
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