@alastairmci
Human ecologist and Quaker, I share on social justice, environment, land reform, nonviolence and spirituality. Books include Soil and Soul, Poacher's Pilgrimage & Riders on the Storm. Honorary prof Glasgow Uni. Hebrides and Govan. www.AlastairMcIntosh.com
It is not enough for @JohnSwinney to consider banning US military aircraft from Prestwick Airport if confirmed they are being used for the attacks on Iran. No way they'll confirm that! Any use should only be allowed if confirmed it's not for warmongering.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
U.S. Evangelicals are intentionally spreading false information online about Iranian Christians in order to promote more war and bloodshed. O... There are over 1 million native, Apostolic Christians in Iran (Armenians, Assyrians, Chaldeans), not Evangelicals. U.S. Evangelicals are falsely claiming these native Apostolic Christians, who do not want war, "are converts begging for war." U.S. Evangelicals pushed for the Iraq War that destroyed 1.5 million native Chaldean and Assyrian Christians in Iraq. U.S. Evangelicals pushed for the Syria War that destroyed 2.5 million native ancient Syrian Christian communities, even siding with and advocating for more funding for the AlQaeda/ISIS terrorists that were literally crucifying Syrian Christians. U.S. Evangelicals do not speak for Middle East Christians. Middle East Christians do not want more war in the region. -- Iraqi Christian Foundation via Twitter/X, March 2, 2026
We shouldn’t call them “evangelical Christians”. They’re people with unresolved parental authoritarian complexes that they project out into the world (thus the violence & baby talk of such faith). The depths of what it means to be “born again” is a discovery that yet awaits. But also, a trajectory?
Let’s save them taxpayer’s money. Let’s all declare ourselves.
“The blessed”, because in the tradition, the Celtic Church (Continuing), sainthood is recognised by “popular acclamation”.
Papal Preacher: “Peace is not only born from political agreements or diplomatic or military strategies, but from men and women who find the courage to be small.” www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-c...
On which point, echoing the widow’s mite - here’s the faith reflection on the day’s news that went out on BBC Radio Scotland yesterday:
Text below, MP3 audio (3 mins) here: www.alastairmcintosh.com/general/reso...
And from Glasgow too! Followed.
In 1953, at Churchill's instigation, and with his assistance, the CIA launched two coups against the democratically elected government of Mohammad Mosaddegh, the 2nd of which succeeded. Why? Because he rightly sought to nationalise Iran's oil supplies, which the UK was taking: seizing Iran's wealth.
Interesting, we miss them now they’re gone. Anchorage in both the community and something beyond ego … when at their best.
To “pray” differs from to hope, wish or intend. It means to hold something or somebody in consciousness awareness at a level of being that’s deeper than our individuality, that touches on the bedrock of interconnection from which new possibilities can be born, metamorphosis arises, and acceptance.
I remember in the 1990s going to the old Scottish Office for a meeting with civil servants and a colleague, the late energy economist Prof Michael Slesser; and somebody remarked that up until then you could often be quietly confident a HOD was likely a kirk elder. True? Don’t know.
I asked AI to unpack that one for me. Even after reading him for 50 years I can still find Jung difficult, or to restate that from the position of the Self rather than the ego, he’s still teaching.
“… his cavalier treatment of Portobello” and a “naughty milkmaid”. Referral to the Session, I’d say.
It’s not about the me, it’s not even about the we, it’s about paying heed to deeper calling that enfolds them both, and more.
Beware of right-on hustlers: “The Brewdog story [is] about hustle culture and founder myth … which saw a broad anti-establishment current sweep across the UK. Watt and Dickie marketed themselves as loud, juvenile “punks” out to change a stale system …”
www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/2591...
Last call, web version of today’s radio reflection on Iran, Trump’s ICE and where we might start to find agency - text and audio link.
alastairmcintosh.com/articles/200...
Text of today’s BBC Radio Scotland Thought for the Day - on Iran, ICE, Minnesota and agency in community when we get around the table especially with those we might not normally entertain - “in the presence of my foes”.
My Thought for the Day today on BBC Radio Scotland - on what it means to not have “agency” in America’s actions, and how in Minnesota people are reclaiming it through solidarity with vulnerable neighbours and getting round the table with their foes. Press play to hear, text below.
Mary Trump is a literary woman.
Wait till you see the text of Radio Scotland Thought for the Day that I’ll put out tomorrow. Theologians speak of “the upside-down kingdom”. God’s freedom, strength and might is very different than that of the kind of American general, or admiral, who coldly sinks a ship with near enough all hands.
I’ll be on BBC Radio Scotland’s “Thought for the Day” tomorrow (Thu), around 0720 (about 1:20 into the programme). I’ll post the text after delivery.
On agency, it’s lack, and the humble ways that folks might find it, in facing Donald Trump’s America.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
In Poacher’s pilgrimage I write about the theological backdrop to America’s grandiose sense of “manifest destiny”, but I stopped short of Armageddon - such rapture theology has long been around, but so much on the fringes that I didn’t want to risk overstating my case.
Fronted by Cameron, Miliband and Clegg but with Brown a guiding hand, to give extensive new devolved powers under Devolution if Scotland voted No to independence.
These reflections are great re-minders (hyphen intended) 🙏🏼
I was struck this week in reading an African theologian Emmanuel Katongle on the lines in the 23rd: “My table thou has furnish’ed / in the presence of my foes”.
I’d always assumed it was humiliation. But an alternative reading, is that the foes were not destroyed, and maybe even: “love your enemy”.
A venerable tradition in a broad kirk.
Oh how … interesting.
Just tweeted GB. Here’s the article FYI.
I was disappointed by his Unionism and “the Vow”, but there’s no denying depth and goodness in that “son of the manse” and former PM, Gordon Brown. Profile here in … wait for it … Church Times.
Els, a heads up, I’ve got a group coming from St Stephen’s (Mennonite) University🇨🇦 to the GalGael here in Govan 2.30 pm Thu 20th August … if you happen to be up this way and trolling a sea trout behind! They’re really good people, last year about 2 dozen staff & students on community & spirituality.
