2020 01 19 Christian News Bulletin

ATHEISM AND CHRISTIANITY
In a recent debate on science and religion, Professor Alister McGrath said that atheism was "hopelessly simplistic", while Christianity offered a more compelling framework within which to explore science. "I felt [atheism] was hopelessly simplistic, or at least the forms I knew. And I think what really drew me to Christianity was this deep sense that it offered me a bigger picture of things," he said. According to Christian Today, Professor McGrath argued that Christianity did not merely serve as a "useful function" in society but that it was the existence of God that gave sense to concepts of right and wrong.

SALISBURY CATHEDRAL LIGHTS UP
This year marks the 800th anniversary of Salisbury Cathedral’s move from Old Sarum and the development of the city itself. A year long celebration, Salisbury 2020 City on the move, will begin in February with a series of light and sound spectaculars created for Salisbury Cathedral by artistic collaboration Luxmuralis. Premier Christian News reports that the facade of Salisbury Cathedral and its interior will be transformed by large-scale projections exploring the story of the Cathedral since its foundation in 1220.

POLICE FORCE NEEDS CATHOLICS
Crux reports that a prominent Catholic priest in Northern Ireland has urged Catholics to join the province’s police force, saying it is an important way to push back against growing militant violence. Father Martin Magill told the Belfast Telegraph: “The key reason for me encouraging Catholics to join is that we have a police service that is as representative as possible of the local community.”