Magna Carta Putney Debates

Full project title: Magna Carta and the Putney Debates: Faith Perspectives on good Government.

A series of 3 lectures each devoted to the perspective of one of the great world faiths on government and the shaping of democracy for the future of this nation.

In 1215 at Runnymede the King put his seal on Magna Carta promising government by the Rule of Law. Centuries later, in 1647, during another pivotal confrontation between monarch and subject, the idea of democracy was debated for the first time in England in the church of St Mary Putney.

Now, more centuries later, how should we be governed in our multi-cultural, 21st century society?

Since women’s voices were excluded from Magna Carta and the Putney Debates and since the voice of religious faith is no longer exclusively Christian in this country, 3 eminent women theologians will give an account of what modern good government might look like from the perspective of their faith.

The free lectures all start at 8 pm in St Mary’s church and will be followed by a discussion chaired by the broadcaster, Roger Bolton. Refreshments available from 7.15. The evening will finish about 9.15. The building is fully accessible.

Thursday 1st October: Judaism. Rabbi Baroness Neuberger DBE, Senior Rabbi West London Synagogue
Thursday 8th October: Christianity. The Very Revd June Osborne, Dean of Salisbury
Thursday 26th November: Islam. Ms Sughra Ahmed.

Visit www.parishofputney.co.uk for more information

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