Paul Middleton
@ProfPMiddleton
Professor of Biblical Studies. Research on Martyrdom and Violence in Early Christianity. SNP member in exile! Religion & Politics Tweet in a personal capacity.
As retiring External Examiner in Theology and Religion at Cardiff University, I unreservedly condemn this act of academic vandalism. Along with Lampeter's closure, the academic reputation of Wales is under threat. It needs and deserves better leadership. walesonline.co.uk/news/education…
.@churchscotland's report on Assisted Dying urges people to listen to what others are actually saying, and provides theological underpinning for the range of views held in the Church. Importantly, it also says we should talk more about death. #GA2025 churchofscotland.org.uk/__data/assets/…
Recent media reporting of @churchofengland abuse has been deeply problematic. Lumping victims and survivors together as if they are a homogenous blob remind us that even C4/BBC News are primarily entertainment programmes competing for viewers. #Synod churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2025/…
.@churchscotland General Assembly service @StGilesHighKirk about to get underway. Didn't even get told off for snaking this picture! #ga2025
Lady Elish Angiolini, the first Catholic to hold the post of Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of @churchscotland, addreses Assembly reflecting on the diminishing, but not extinct influence of Sectarianism in Scotland. #ga2025
It's always a relief to hear in the 'gracious letter' that the King reaffirms his Coronation Oath to uphold Presbyterian government in the @churchscotland! #ga2025
The Rt Rev Rosie Frew is Moderator of this year's @churchscotland General Assembly. #ga2025
I rejoiced when I heard them say, "Let us go to the 'Mound' of God!" (Psalm 122.1 adapted) #GA2025
It beggars belief that all the screeds of rhetoric on the Supreme Court's ruling (which strictly speaking *only* ruled on one narrow piece of legislation), trans men have been completely ignored. Are folk genuinely saying trans men should use women's toilets?
I'm the only trans person working in the MSP block as far as I know. There can't be more than a few others working in the entire building. Wow guys, you really secured women's rights here! See you in the women's toilets I guess.
Pope Leo XIV appears on the balcony, the first American Pope to be elected. His first words are of peace for the world.
Cuts to front line academic staff not only damage Universities' reputations and student experience, disciplines suffer through books and articles not written. Tragically managers making these decisions usually contribute little or nothing to the academy. walesonline.co.uk/news/education…
And the stone was moved from the tomb entrance. (John 20.1) Happy Easter! #EasterSunday
It's not often you can say Scotland was lucky in a sporting event! 😆 FT: Greece 0 Scotland 1 #GreSco #UEFANationsLeague 🏴🏴
The world order has truly shifted when an American President is too right wing for even the Daily Mail! #SlavaUkraini
Basically Balmoral is to become a diplomatic red light zone. But then what's the point in a royal family if you can't pimp them out for favours?
Trump's cosy invitation to Balmoral could be pivotal for relations with the US - here's how the royal coup unfolded 🔎 Big read by @singharj, @hugogye and @richardvaughan1 🔗 trib.al/0qvEthH
.@churchofengland announces further action against 10 clergy following Makin's report after a review of the criticisms made. This independent review has clearly sifted out many of Makin's more (let's politely call them) 'outlandish' criticisms and claims. churchofengland.org/media/press-re…
Labour have lost seats in every single Scottish Election after 1999. I'd thought 2021 was as low as was arithmetically possible, but a few polls have now suggested 2026 could be worse. Even regaining second place with these numbers would be a Pyrrhic 'achievement'. #SP2026
New poll: Labour set for worst ever Holyrood results heraldscotland.com/news/24939030.… @HannahMargBrown
American Vice-President "accused of spreading misinformation" about Scotland's abortion services buffer zones. In order to cope with the current American regime's, @BBCNews is going to have to develop new vocabulary. I suggest "totally ignorant bollocks!" bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…
And to prove the point, someone later called her defence of the proposal to ensure one lay and cleric on the Crown Nomination Committee were women akin to the apartheid regime in South Africa. Nothing "micro" about that kind of shameful aggression! #Synod
The Bishop of London was moved to tears and had to pause her speech, crying as she lamented the "micro-aggressions" still faced by women in the Church of England A striking moment at the CofE's synod today:
Cue @Channel4News!
What @churchofengland @synod did today will no doubt be misrepresented as voting against independent safeguarding, which certainly isn't the case. Both options considered (and survivors had different views), including the one chosen will provide independence. #synod