158 – Resisting: Strategies and Ethics

Editorial - Resisting: Strategies and Ethics

David Chapman

The final edition of this year looks at the strategies and ethics of resisting. Some might argue that we live in a democracy and the only legitimate way to influence government is through debate and the ballot box, but leaving aside any questions about the efficacy of our democracy, many people feel driven to do more than just talk and vote, and want to put direct pressure on decision makers.

In The Ethics of Pressure Patti asks whether it is possible to say that some methods of pressuring people are ethical and fair and some are not. Is it possible to critique the methods separately from the message? For many people, the use of violence is never legitimate and they argue instead for nonviolent resistance, pointing to celebrated examples such Mahatma Gandhi's nonviolent resistance to the British rule of India, but Mustafa in The Violence of (White) Nonviolence argues that nonviolence is only successful in the presence of what he refers to as counterviolence. Furthermore, he challenges us to be aware of how white supremacy can be established and maintained by violence, even if that violence is structural and cultural rather than direct. Different types of violence, and the entanglement of violence and religion, are explored by Paul in his piece on Johan Galtung's study of Violence, Religion, and Peace Building.

As John discusses in Protest, the world is still on a pathway to climate catastrophe and it is not surprising that campaigners are turning to pressure tactics such as direct action. If the aim of pressure is to change people's minds, we need to understand if and how that might work, which is the theme of How Minds Change, reviewed by Digby.

Also on an environmental theme, Edwin discusses unnecessary consumption – a timely topic as we head into the season of excess and waste otherwise known as Christmas!

We read of resisting by three brave individuals. Fidele, in Hope, Activism and Ubuntu discusses his background in Rwanda and the importance he attaches to the worldview of Ubuntu, resisting the individualism of western society. Kiran, in Religion in my Life, has had to resist racism all her life, and the inner compass that comes from her adherence to Sikhi has led her to take action in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Also motivated by support for the people of Gaza a number of Sea of Faith Network members have taken part in the campaign by the organisation Defend our Juries to put pressure on the government to reverse the proscription of Palestine Action. In Defend Our Juries: Lift the Ban Caroline describes her experience of taking part and getting arrested.

In a reflective piece, Jasbir explores the nature of religion and philosophy, and in his regular Worldview Navigator column Dave wonders about the ‘obvious’. I was surprised how much I enjoyed reading a book about the life of a Christian Missionary and I tell you about it in a brief review.

There are some challenging ideas in this edition of Sofia and I need to issue the usual disclaimer: the views expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of either the editor or the Sea of Faith. But I stand by the inclusion of everything in this magazine, and even if you don't agree with everything you read (in which case write in and tell the editor!), I hope you will find it interesting and stimulating.

This is the last edition of Sofia that I will be editing and I now hand over to the very capable hands of Paul.

David Chapman
26th November 2025

Looking ahead to 2026

New editor, and an appeal for an Arts Editor

Paul Overend takes over as editor in the new year. He is seeking one or more individuals to serve as arts editor(s) for Sofia. The voluntary role will work closely with the editor in sharing in the exploration of religion and spirituality through written, creative, and performative arts and crafts. If you are potentially interested, please contact the editor for a conversation and an explanation of the aim of this section of the magazine. If you know a suitable person who is not a member (such as an English or arts student or teacher) who would value the opportunity of gaining experience working in print media, please pass this invitation on.

Copy deadline 16th January 2026

Send contributions to:

• Sofia Editor: Paul Overend — editor@sofn.uk
• Books Editor: David Lambourn — books@sofn.uk
• Letters Editor: Stephen Mitchell — letters@sofn.uk

The 2026 issues

Three of the next four issues of Sofia, in 2026, will take the themes of faith, hope and love (agape, I Corinthians 13.13).

Spring edition 2026: “Faith – in this life”.
The editor invites articles broadly relating to the title or theme of faith, hoping for a variety of approaches to the concept. Please contact the editor early at editor@sofn.uk if you have an idea you would like to explore.

Please also send short paragraph‑long recommendations of new fiction and non‑fiction books exploring religions and worldviews as human creations to book@sofn.uk, but please contact the books editor early with offers of longer page‑length reviews.

Short paragraph‑long recommendations of new fiction and non‑fiction books and films exploring religions and worldviews as human creations are also welcome, as are older books if they relate to the theme of the magazine (e.g., Martin Hägglund, This Life, 2019, for the Spring edition), but please contact the editor early with offers of longer page‑length reviews.

Email your letter to: editor@sofn.uk, or put in the post to:  2 Holywell Place, Springfield, Milton Keynes, MK6 3LP

Pass it on

A small campaign to boost Network coverage

Sam Alexander — SOFN Steering Group member

Earlier this year the SOFN Steering Committee decided to reproduce a leaflet explaining what the Network does and who it might appeal to. You should find a copy tucked inside this edition of Sofia.

Having gone to the trouble of redesigning, rewriting and reprinting 1000 leaflets we had to decide what to do with them.

Some were distributed at the summer conference; some at this year's RE Lecturers and Advisors Conference. But that still left a hefty pile sitting in a box in my study.

There are various community or religious venues where we could leave some for passers‑by, of course, but this seems rather passive. And how long before someone has a helpful “clear‑out” and dumps unwanted literature in the recycling?

Pass it on

We have decided to try a more active approach — albeit on a modest scale — and need Sofia readers’ help.

Do you know someone who might be surprised to learn that exploring and celebrating religion — maybe even worshipping — does not necessarily entail belief in the supernatural?

If so, we invite you to give that one person the enclosed SOFN leaflet.

How you do so is entirely up to you.

• Pop it in the post.
• Tell them a bit about the Network and what you get out of it.
• Or say: “I was asked to give this to one person, and thought of you”.

Zero hard sell required

The purpose of Pass It On is not actually to persuade people to sign up as members — although we would be delighted if anyone wants to — rather it’s to spread awareness.

I am a newish member of the Network, having joined in 2023, and a newish adherent to the idea that it’s possible to appreciate religion as a human‑made phenomenon. Earlier this year I was confirmed at Southwark Cathedral, where my son is a chorister.

When I talk to friends about my “faith” most of them look askance. But if, when probed, I tell them more about how I got here — via Don Cupitt videos on YouTube and the Sea of Faith Network — I often get a reply along the lines of: “Oh yeah, that makes sense” or “That’s sort of how I see things actually.”

The point is, most people — certainly most youngish people — seem genuinely surprised that such an approach even exists.

If you know someone who might be interested to learn there can be more to religion than the binary I believe / I don’t believe, please pass on this leaflet.

Oh, and if you’re wondering why we’re bothering with paper in this digital age, it’s because we feel giving someone an actual leaflet is somehow more personal. You might not agree. Technophiles will find a PDF version to pass on at https://sofn.uk/about

Let us know

1. How you get on
2. If you need any more leaflets
3. If you think this whole thing is a terrible idea

Letters to the Editor