Theos

Analysis: What do flags mean? It depends. . . They do not signify a single set of values, writes Nick Spencer

"Flags do not signify a single, objective given set of values and commitments. They are porous, protean, permeable, absorbing the words and behaviour of the individuals and communities that wave, hang, and wrap them."

@nickebs.bsky.social for the Church Times:
www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...

New Archbishop of Canterbury will face old evils She may have shattered a stained glass ceiling but she will experience the same challenges as other female leaders

"As if the role of Archbishop of Canterbury won’t be challenging enough, Mullally will face an extra layer of challenge precisely because she is a woman."

@chinemcdonald.bsky.social on the challenges and opportunities facing Dame Sarah Mullally.

www.ft.com/content/5e4a...

I know my MP, but who is my local vicar? Theos and YouGov survey reveals that many voters are disconnected from media and local communities. 01/10/2025

You can find the full breakdown of the results here
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/in-the-news/...

The research was conducted in preparation for the annual Theos Annual Lecture. In this year’s lecture, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham will discuss the importance of faith–based and other community organisations in fostering hope, health and human connection.

What do you think of these results? How can we build more trust in our local communities?

📊36% of people say that local faith communities make a positive contribution to the life of their local community

📊 18-24-year-olds are more likely to say that faith groups make a positive contribution to the life of their local communities than any other age group.

📊Just over half of us (51%) trust national radio stations to provide information about their local area

📊 Less than quarter of us (21%) know the name of their local faith leader

How well do you know your local community?

New @yougov.co.uk survey commissioned by Theos reveals how well we really know key people, services, and organisations in our local regions 🧵

Theos Annual Lecture 2025 with Andy Burnham Join us for what promises to be an inspiring evening with Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester.

The man of the hour, Andy Burnham, will be delivering this year's @theosthinktank.bsky.social annual lecture on: 'Faith in Devolution'.

We're nearly sold out of tickets, so if you want to be there, then book your space today: www.theosthinktank.co.uk/events/2025/...

We're excited to announce our upcoming project 'Beyond the Classroom' by @hannahmerich.bsky.social with
@culhamstgabriel.bsky.social set to release in November.

The report will explore the spaces where religious education is happening outside of RE classes in schools.

Find out more below 👇

Church leaders' condemn Tommy Robinson march 'co-opting and corrupting' crosses Dozens of bishops and Christian leaders wrote: "Jesus calls us to love both our neighbours and our enemies and to welcome the stranger. Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude ot...

"Jesus calls us to love both our neighbours and our enemies and to welcome the stranger. Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith to exclude others is unacceptable"

@chinemcdonald.bsky.social signs open letter condemning the misuse of Christian symbols at Far-right rally.
bit.ly/4mrQWB4

In case you missed it 👇🏿

Thought for the Day - Chine McDonald - BBC Sounds 17 SEPT 2025

Have you ever considered that you might be… wrong?

On BBC Radio 4's Thought for the Day, @chinemcdonald.bsky.social explores how owning up to our errors in judgment may not be such a bad thing.

🎙️ Tune in here
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Our Annual Lecture is just 1 month away!

Don't miss Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, speaking on 'Faith in Devolution' at Central Hall, Manchester.

Find more details below 👇
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theos-annu...

Safeguarding Theology & Religious Studies in higher education: an open letter As students receive their A–Level results today, Theos have put together this open letter highlighting the importance of religious education in higher education. 14/08/2025

An excellent open letter from @theosthinktank.bsky.social highlighting the contribution and importance of Theology and Religious Studies in UK Higher Education. www.theosthinktank.co.uk/in-the-news/...

We've got some really exciting projects lined up that this person would be able to get stuck into, so do apply if you're interested - or share it with someone who would be. But be quick, applications close next week!

Theos Think Tank - Understanding faith. Enriching society. Theos stimulates the debate about the place of religion in society, challenging and changing ideas through research, commentary and events.

We're hiring! 📢

Join our team as a religion and society researcher. We're looking for someone who has knowledge and skills in mixed–methods research to work on a number of upcoming projects.

Find out more and apply below 👇

www.theosthinktank.co.uk/about/work-w...

(Re)Capture the flag Across the nation, we’re seeing rising numbers of St George’s flags. Is it nationalism? Xenophobia? Or can our flags mean something better 02/09/2025

"Wave the flag by all means but do so in a way that redirects its meaning towards humanising solidarity and hospitality"

@nickebs.bsky.social calls for the English flag to mean more than hostility in his latest blog.

🔗 Read it here: www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...

(Re)Capture the flag Across the nation, we’re seeing rising numbers of St George’s flags. Is it nationalism? Xenophobia? Or can our flags mean something better 02/09/2025

'Wave the flag by all means but do so in a way that redirects its meaning towards humanising solidarity and hospitality... Wave a flag by all means, but don’t cocoon yourself in it.' -excellent from v wise @theosthinktank.bsky.social colleague Nick Spencer:

Had a brilliant day at the Faith Museum in Bishop Auckland yesterday, as part of our upcoming @theosthinktank.bsky.social @culhamstgabriel.bsky.social report on where religious education happens beyond the classroom. I especially enjoyed this display of teetotal propaganda...

Theos Annual Lecture 2025 Join us for what promises to be a thought-provoking and inspiring evening with guest speaker Mayor Andy Burnham of Greater Manchester

Tickets out NOW!

Make sure to get your tickets to our 2025 Annual Lecture where we’ll hear from Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.

🗓️ 9 October, 19:00 - 21:30
📍Methodist Central Hall, Manchester

More info and tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/theos-annu...

Is this the end of Theology in Higher Education? Chine McDonald unpacks our latest open letter calling for Theology and Religious Studies to be safeguarded in Higher Education. 22/08/2025

Is this the end of Theology in Higher Education?

@chinemcdonald.bsky.social unpacks our latest open letter which calls for Theology & RE to be protected in Higher Education.
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...

The Empire Wars Recent years have seen ferocious battles about ‘empire’: statues toppled, books cancelled, scholars infuriated, insults hurled. What is going on and, more importantly, why? What is it about our cultur...

"The empire history wars that have flared up so viciously of late, are about the future as much as the past" 💬

In his latest longread, @nickebs.bsky.social takes a deep dive into imperial history and today’s "empire wars."

🔗 Read it here
www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2025...

British universities are closing Theology & Religious Studies departments — only 21 remain.
📉 Falling student demand
💷 Financial pressures
📢 @theosthinktank.bsky.social warns of consequences for society

Our panel explored what can be done. Watch the full briefing: ow.ly/tYuC50WIQ3u

There's still plenty of time to apply for this role 👇

Our media briefing today discussed the open letter published by @theosthinktank.bsky.social, highlighting the importance of religious education in higher education, and warning universities of the danger of abolishing Theology and Religious Studies departments or reducing staff.

Theos Think Tank - Understanding faith. Enriching society. Theos stimulates the debate about the place of religion in society, challenging and changing ideas through research, commentary and events.

🚨 We’re Hiring – Executive Assistant
💼 Salary: £28k–£33k + benefits
📍 Location: London (2–3 days)
📅 Apply by: 31 Aug 2025

We are looking for an organised, proactive, and people-focused Executive Assistant to support our Director and dynamic team.

www.theosthinktank.co.uk/about/work-w...

Safeguarding Theology & Religious Studies in higher education: an open letter As students receive their A–Level results today, Theos have put together this open letter highlighting the importance of religious education in higher education. 14/08/2025

📢 This #ALevelResultsDay, we’re calling for Theology & Religious Studies to be protected in higher education.

🔗 Read more in our open letter signed by 75 signatories - including James Norton and Dr Rowan Williams - here: www.theosthinktank.co.uk/in-the-news/...

🗓️ Save the date!

We’re delighted to announce that the 2025 Theos Annual Lecture will be delivered by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham. This year, it will take place in Manchester on 9 October at Methodist Central Hall.

More details to follow...

#Events #Manchester