This page is to support new ideas to be raised in the community meeting - to allow them to be thought through and commented on here

1. Developing the Podcasts

Hi everyone,

Aaron Kenedy here, and its my first time actually using the wiki (to my horrible shame), so bear with me if I get it wrong.

This document is about my desire to develop Moot’s podcasting service. So far, it has been used as a means of enabling those who cannot attend services to access the content of the homilies. I would like to widen that focus to include a monthly discussion about some aspect of what it means to be people of faith in the context of wider society. The discussion would take the form of an interview of someone with something interesting to say. See a list of potential interviewees below. There would be an exchange between the subject, their area of interest/expertise, and the values and concerns of the Moot community. It will be the resposibility of the interviewer to represent the interests of the community.

Mission:
To serve the Moot community through the exploration of relevant issues regarding faith in relation to society, politics, justice, and culture.

Possible interviewees:
Ian Mobsby
Jonathan Bartley
Jonathon Aitken
Michael Warner (St. Paul’s)
Bishop of London
Archbishop of Canterbury
Bishop of Chicago
Pete Rollins
Sally Alsford
Heythrop Staff?
Local MP
Ed Hussein (tj@uksbd.co.uk)
Mike Radcliffe, Sarah DeNordwall, Peter

Rationale for interview topics:
These will reflect the general interests of the Moot Community, the interviewer and the interviewee. They will relate with current affairs, ask theological questions and confront theological difficulties. Importantly, they will seek to affirm faith at its most basic level, albeit in a way that doesn’t flinch from difficult questions or disarming possibilities. They will require the exercise of a common sense, sceptical approach to all propositions of faith.

Possible questions/topics: (Obviously all questions asked will reflect the particular interests of the interviewee and current affairs.)

1. The role of faith groups/the Church in protesting civil rights abuses. E.g. China in Tibet, Darfur and Burma. Is it appropriate to use the Olympics as a platform for protest? What are the under-pinning theological concerns that should guide our actions?

2. Advancements in embryology. Ethical considerations with regard to hybrid embryos. Issues surrounding the sanctity of human genetics; are we made in God’s image?

BBC NEWS WEBSITE
The Bishop of Lichfield, the Rt. Revd Jonathan Gledhill, said: "It's a very important part of our society and a very important part of the Christian faith that you should have respect for human embryos.

"If you stop obeying God you start to limit the rights of human beings and this is a case in point."

3. Homosexuality in the Church: Issues surrounding biblical inerrancy and interpretation.

4. Foundations of faith:
In these days of increasing scepticism regarding faith in Western countries, what is it about traditional expressions that don’t inspire confidence?

Biblical Errancy
Rejection of homosexuals
Cultural Irrelevance
Political Irrelevance
The ivory tower: separateness of church authorities.
Authority: individualism, the turn to the self; advent of the Internet and the accessibility of information.


5. The culture of consumption:
Is the church engaging to little or too much with this approach?
Ecumenism
Commercialisation
Too hip? Not hip enough?
Ancient:Future Approaches?

6. The emerging church:
A response to uncertainty:
Crisis of faith in religion and church authorities
Security crisis – fear and uncertainty about our safety as a society; our unassailability – faith questions are raised.
Critical rationalism

7. Activism: embodying our faith

8. Community: the role it plays in finding faith


All comments are welcome, and the topic will be under discussion at the next community meeting.

Aaron