Cross Section

In this week’s episode of Cross Section, Danny Webster and Zanna Meynell are joined by Mark Gilmore, policy advisor at the Evangelical Alliance. Conversation turns to the damp squib that was the King’s Speech . It serves as a reminder that we cannot place all our hopes in politics.

The team discuss the implications of potential conversion practices legislation and the significance of that for Christians. From Andy Burnham to Keir Starmer, the team weigh in on what has happened with the Labour leadership race and the continuing chaos surrounding this political moment. As last Saturday saw another ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march, the team examine the continuing conversation around Christian nationalism in the UK. Do check out the briefing events that are coming up in June, which will help us engage in conversations around Islam and Christian nationalism.

The episode ends with a conversation about intergenerational divides following a BBC article about boomers being the luckiest generation alive.

https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/islam-challenges-questions-and-gospel-opportunities

https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/events/politics-briefing-flag-faith-and-kingdom-engaging-with-christian-nationalism

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction
0:42 Eurovision highlights
2:30 Praying with children
4:03 Britain's Got Talent golden buzzer act
5:29 The King's Speech review
10:37 UK political leadership race
13:58 Conversion therapy ban update
24:41 ‘Unite the Kingdom’ march
26:19 Intergenerational wealth gap
32:15 Falling birth rates
35:30 The church as an intergenerational family

In this week's episode of Cross Section, the team discuss the conviction of Clive Johnston after he preached John 3:16 in a buffer zone, deep dive the election results and Keir Starmer's fragility as Prime Minister. How as Christians can we respond to this chaos? What are our freedoms and where can we turn when the world feels so fractured?

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome
01:19 Abortion buffer zone case
08:05 Gospel freedom and tactics
11:26 Prayer in council meetings
16:25 Banned speakers and marches
22:02 Election results roundup
28:38 Keir Starmer's leadership crisis
36:32 Political fatigue and hope
40:15 Closing thoughts

In this week’s episode of Cross Section, Peter Lynas, Danny Webster and Alicia Edmund sit down to discuss the latest headlines. The episode begins with some light-hearted stories: Peter reviews the Devil Wears Prada 2, and the rest of the panel discuss the Met Gala outfits that caught their eye.  

Conversation turns to the sad news that broke yesterday around Sam Allberry being stepped down from leadership at Immanuel Nashville. They reference the helpful statement that Living Out have put out, encouraging us to think about this prayerfully, with compassion.  

 The main discussion focuses on the Liberal Democrats admitting they unlawfully discriminated against former BBC journalist and prospective candidate David Campanale because of his Christian beliefs. In this polarised climate, with pressures and fear of cancel-culture, it can be hard to know how to talk about faith. The panel encourage us in speaking openly about Christianity, pointing to our resources that help us do so. 

The episode concludes with a conversation on the recent attacks against the UK’s Jewish community. How can we respond as Christians to rising antisemitism, security fears, political responses and the wider impact of protests on community safety? 

 

Chapters: 

00:00 Welcome and agenda
01:21 Met Gala banter
02:54 Sam Allberry steps down
08:31 Lib Dems admit discrimination
18:21 Faith at work and moral leadership
27:12 Attacks on UK Jews
34:48 Polarisation and closing thoughts

In this week’s episode of Cross Section, the team discuss the stopped assisted suicide bill. How has this happened? Could a similar bill come into the next parliamentary session? The team discuss the likelihood of assisted suicide returning and the fact that even if it doesn't return as a political conversation, it is still a cultural one. They also reflect on the church's role in talking about the value of life.

The conversation then widens to political polarisation, governance and social cohesion. How can Christians engage and speak into our fractured, political climate?

This leads into a chat about street preaching and two cases that have hit the headlines – an abortion buffer zone case in Northern Ireland and the Bread of Life Church in Essex.

The episode ends with a news roundup including Russell Brand’s viral interview with Piers Morgan in which he struggled to find Isaiah and reflections on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump.

https://open.substack.com/pub/zannameynell/p/from-the-femosphere-to-raye-navigating?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=post%20viewer

https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/is-the-assisted-suicide-bill-finished

 

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction
01:12 Why the bill ran out of time
03:12 Democracy and drafting legislation
09:00 Will it return?
13:17 Church response and cultural impact
17:10 Polarisation and political health
21:00 Street preaching legal cases
28:48 Gospel freedom and wise witness
31:19 News roundup
35:42 Closing encouragement

In this week’s episode, the Cross Section team discuss integrity in public life. This week we have seen the Peter Mandelson vetting controversy, the sacking and parliamentary testimony of Foreign Office civil servant Olly Robbins, and questions around Starmer’s leadership. Will the prime minister survive? What are the political implications for government authority and the upcoming King’s Speech? Could the assisted suicide bill be reintroduced in the next parliamentary session?  

 

They also discuss the upcoming Scottish, Welsh and English local elections and the expected fragmentation amongst our five‑party politics. Check out our election page for more information on how to engage. 

 

Conversation then turns to the proposed smartphone restrictions in schools and wider concerns about AI chatbots, including Anthropic’s meeting with Christian leaders. They debate how churches and Christians should use AI. Where can it become dangerous and unhelpful? The episode concludes with the encouragement that amongst the global chaos, many are coming to faith. 

 

00:00 Welcome  

01:32 Mandelson scandal 

05:27 Competence versus integrity 

09:19 Will Starmer survive? 

15:16 Assisted suicide update 

16:16 Scotland, Wales and local elections 

19:02 Smartphone ban 

21:13 Can AI have a soul? 

26:41 AI in church life 

33:02 Free speech and immigration 

34:33 Apple CEO