Comment

Columnists and commentators focus a Christian lens on the news stories of the day. Comment is one of four key themes covered by Seen & Unseen.

Article
  1. Comment
  2. Football
Silouhetted by red flare smoke, celebrating footballs wave red flags.

How I came to love my new neighbours

Sam Tomlin
Moving to Liverpool, home to the team he hated, challenges football supporter Sam Tomlin’s sense of belonging.
5min read
Article
  1. Comment
  2. Virtues
An irate man holds a mobile phone to his ear while gesticulating with his other hand.

The corrosive effect of profuse profanity

Yaroslav Walker
The coarsening of speech prompts Yaroslav Walker to remember that what you say influences who you are.
5min read
Article
  1. Comment
  2. Politics
A group of people stand in a field by a fence and a railway footcrossing.

Why we need a gentle radical revolution

Danny Kruger
Our social arrangement needs to prioritise human relationships, argues MP Danny Kruger.
5min read
Explainer
  1. Comment
  2. Community
A group of protesters march behind a banner waving flags.

Untouchable: experiencing discrimination around the world

Rahil Patel
In America it’s in the headlines, while in India it continues to influence. Rahil Patel explores caste discrimination and finds out who helped craft constitutional protections for those affected.
8min read
Article
  1. Assisted dying
  2. Care
An image of a woman wearing formal clothing is overlaid by a BBC logo, a programme logo, a sound wave illustration and a caption.

What do you make of Esther?

Michael Wenham
A campaigner’s call to change an assisted dying law got family calling MND sufferer Michael Wenham. Here he shares why such legalisation will increase people’s fear of dying.
6min read
Article
  1. Ambition
  2. Comment
A starry night sky below which a signpost is silhouetted.

Hopes and fears for the year

Graeme Holdsworth
Standing on the cold threshold of a new year, Graeme Holdsworth recalls past audacity and whether his aspirations are too timid.
3min read
Article
  1. Christmas culture
  2. Comment
A quotation beside a head and shoulders picture of a bishop

Reaching out of our comfort zones

Nick Jones
At Christmas, Graham Tomlin reflects in the Financial Times on the need to break out of the social silos in which we live.
1min read
Article
  1. Christmas survival
  2. Comment
A nocturnal snow-covered scene of a tree, chapel and Christmas tree casting shadows.

Challenging OCD on Christmas Eve

Paula Duncan
A night without usual fears allows faith to be reclaimed.
4min read
Article
  1. Christmas survival
  2. Comment
A moody sky overshadows a shingle beach on which a lone empty deckchair stands. A pier with funfair is in the middle distance.

Dealing with death at Christmas

Jean Kabasomi
On the darkest December day, a grim anniversary is recalled.
7min read
Essay
  1. Comment
  2. Gaza
Two people down a table turn and listen to someone closer talk, against a wall mural.

A peacemaker’s guide to keeping hope alive

Todd Deatherage
Amid continuing despair around the Israel-Hamas war, former diplomat Todd Deatherage shares the practices of the peacemaker.
8min read
Article
  1. Comment
  2. Christmas survival
A shopping street is crowded by taxi cabs and buses while above it a Christmas illumination of an angel hangs over all.

Navigating your reality of Christmas

Lianne Howard-Dace
Recounting how Christmas changed for her, Lianne Howard-Dace re-evaluates the story and experiences of the season.
9min read
Article
  1. Comment
  2. Christmas survival
A nativity seen with wooden figures and hay, amidst which a cat sits in the manger.

How to ruin Christmas

Natalie Garrett
Actor turned vicar Natalie Garrett, recounts the perils of being a Christmas Pro.
5min read