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. 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
Article
  1. Comment
  2. Middle East
A church gable featuring a cross, a Madonna and angel Christmas decorations.

Last Christmas in Bethlehem

Christy Anastas
With its Christmas displays cancelled, Bethlehem resident Christy Anastas writes about a bleak future for its Christian Palestinian community.
4min read
Column
  1. Comment
A grey multi-story accommodation barge floats beside a dock.

There’s more than one way to lose our humanity

George Pitcher
How we treat immigrants and how AI might treat humans weighs on the mind of George Pitcher.
4min read
Article
  1. Comment
A woman stops in her stride down a street and pensively runs her hand through her hair as she looks to the side.

For want of better words... the impact of the indescribable

Henna Cundill
Confronted with a question about belief, Henna Cundill found herself stumbling for words. She contemplates the link between our self-identity and what we can communicate.
6min read
Article
  1. Comment
  2. Nationalism
A politician in a suit stands amid a scrum of reporters holding microphones

Geert Wilders: heir apparent to an anxious nation

Wim Houtman
The election of a populist has shocked The Netherlands. Wim Houtman unpacks the result and explores anxious attitudes among electors, particularly Christians.
5min read
Article
  1. Comment
  2. Fun & play
Three teenage boys rise up from a table-top game and celebrate a victory.

Table-top philosophy: role playing games and the identities they help construct

Harry Gibbins
A once derided fantasy genre now influences creative media - from The Big Bang Theory to Stranger Things.
8min read
Column
  1. Comment
Three men walk down a path, the middle one talking and gesturing while the others listen.

From the barber’s chair: the friendships that open us up

Adrian Urquidez and Neal Presa
Adrian and Neal recall and recount tales of friendships and what made them work so well.
9min read
Article
  1. Comment
  2. Race
A diagram plan of a slave ship showing hundreds of body outlines.

How reconciliation underpins acts of reparation

Anthony Reddie
The case for reparations is criticised for looking too much to the past. Anthony Reddie argues that the ancient roots of reconciliation are vital for today’s debate.
5min read