In an article published in the Huffington Post, the Most Rev Justin Welby explained why his faith made him duty-bound to call and work for “the society that God calls us to pursue”.

“Politics and church are risky things to do at the same time. Five of my predecessors as Archbishop have died violently, three because they were involved in politics.

“You would have thought that we might have learned. Stay quiet, don’t collect taxes and keep your head down (and on).

“The trouble is that’s not what Jesus Christ did. He was never party political. No wing of politics – left or right – can claim God as being on its side.

“But Jesus was highly political. He told the rich that, unlike the poor who were blessed, they would face woes. He criticised the King as a fox. He spoke harsh words to leaders of the nations when they were uncaring of the needy.”

“He did this because God cares for those in need and expects those who claim to act in his name to do the same. That means action – and words.”

Archbishop Justin rejected claims by critics that he was shifting the Church of England politically rightwards when he urged Anglicans to vote for “stability” in the run-up to the general election.

“God is not left-wing or right-wing” says @JustinWelby as he’s asked whether he leans toward Jeremy Corbyn’s policies pic.twitter.com/pRqyz2PFbU

— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 16, 2018

In a…

The Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to the superintendent of the Indian Creek School District, stating that is was unconstitutional for the district to allow the Bible study to be offered during school hours at Indian Creek Middle School.

The group also flagged the potential dangers of Bobbyjon Bauman from the Valley Youth Network’s involvement with students aged 11-14 years-old.

 
 
“It is unconstitutional for the district to offer religious leaders access to befriend and proselytise students during the school day on school property,” FFRF wrote.

“This predatory conduct is inappropriate and should raise many red flags. The district cannot allow its schools to be used as recruiting grounds for churches during the school day.”

The Church-State separation group became aware of the voluntary Bible study after the pastor shared a Facebook post about how many students attended.

Mr Bauman shared a post saying: “I shared the gospel with them using Romans 6:23 as the touchstone verse. None of the kids in any of the four Bible study groups even knew what the word ‘gospel’ meant, so I was able to share with them the significance of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“The kids were very responsive to the message and we had 30 of them request Bibles because they didn’t own one, so next week, we will be bringing them Bibles.”

It is not known if…