Two paths to choose from in a forest in the Peak District, England.

The paths of peace

The better angels of our nature by Stephen Pinker. Review by Stephen Cox This is a big book, addressing an enormous set of questions.  Is war and violence inevitable?  Is there a human nature and if there is, are we trapped by it?  Has the bloody twentieth century shown that progress is a mirage? Pinker…

A man's silhouette, reading a book, inside intense light.

The God Dilemma

by Stephen Cox An elder gives ministry, saying that in their opinion, a Quaker cannot be an atheist. A recent enquirer says in notices that they are an atheist and are they welcome? Established attenders suggest not using the words God or prayer in an outreach leaflet, because they will be misunderstood. What is my…