About stewculbard
I am a retired secondary school teacher of Humanities, having spent a major portion of my working life as a Minister of Religion with the Baptist denomination. I would now describe myself as a secular humanist and a socialist. I am married to Vicky and we have three children - two sons and a married daughter - all of whom are in their thirties. Formerly of Melbourne, Australia, we are all now living in England. My academic studies have been undertaken in Australia, the UK and the USA. I have a doctorate in religious studies from the San Francisco Theological Seminary.
In retirement I enjoy reading, listening to classical music and writing. I am a member of Republic, Sea of Faith, Dignity in Dying Campaign and the National Secular Society. As well, I have a subscription to a number of cultural and political associations, including Amnesty International and, as a committed European, The Federal Trust.
Readers of this blog will probably have realized that my personal beliefs (philosophy), as well as those associations of which I am a member/supporter because of actions emanating from these beliefs (ethics), are very much in line with the ideas … Continue reading →
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Tagged epistemology, ethics, human culture, legitimate subject, National Secular Society, philosophy, religious bias, secular law, secularism, social cohesion, social discourse
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The impression was immediate. The music was a reflection of the Scottish mountains through which I was driving – big, bold, imposing and unforgettable. It confronted my hearing in the grand manner of the Scandinavian symphonies of Anton Bruckner and … Continue reading →
In the previous article (see: A right-royal carve-up…) I referred to the plethora of television programmes that rehearsed the lives of the British monarch in particular and the royal lineage in general. I made the comment that an outcome of … Continue reading →
An appearance on Desert Island Discs is a sure sign that a personality has indeed arrived at the forefront of public perception. Earlier this year, a former pupil of the Northampton School for Boys, Matt Smith, made such an appearance … Continue reading →
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Tagged actor, anachronisms, celebrity, Desert Island Discs, disguises, false consciousness, fantasy world, Matt Smith, modernity, self-mirror, virtual reality
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Professor Stephen Haseler died in July, 2017 (see this blog’s tribute to him: The man defined his work, 18 August, 2017). Dr Haseler was a prolific author, writing on issues of law, politics and political parties, international relations, democracy, economics … Continue reading →
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Tagged author, Brexit, British elitism, broken capitalism, global role, globalization, imperialism, lecturer, market consensus, market extremism, neo-liberalism, pro-European, republican, social conflict, social democracy, social democrat, Stephen Haseler, the great financial crash
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The breaking news headline stated that, “A spokesperson for Kensington Palace says the christening of Prince Louis of Cambridge by the Archbishop of Canterbury will take place on Monday, July 9, at the Chapel Royal of St. James’s Palace in … Continue reading →
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Tagged ancien regime, christening, citizen's rights, elites, established church, inheritance, Privy Council, propaganda, republicanism, royal palaces, royal prerogative powers
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The well-known English secular philosopher and educator, Professor A.C. Grayling, considers that religious education has a legitimate place in the curriculum of a state-sponsored education system. He further considers that religious education must not be taught with a sectarian, confessional … Continue reading →
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Tagged A.C.Grayling, collective worship, confessionalism, equal opportunities, evangelism, faith schools, freedom of expression, fundamentalism, gender equality, history of ideas, human rights, inclusivity, liberty, myth-busting, opting-out, philosophy and ethics, proselytism, sectarian, segregation, state education, Voluntary Aided schools
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