Thank you. To someone who's wandered in the desert quite a bit recently, this piece was really refreshing, free from rancour, acknowledging the good in others, reminding me of the reality of which the Church's year is a reflection and of the joy that lies before us. I'm encouraged to press on!

What a great idea! I hope you might come out to the provinces (like Oxford-way) sometime....

This is the most cogent and persuasive argument I've read on the subject. Thank you for publishing it. One thing I'd add. 

It's also about changing the meaning of language - which has never hitherto been the province of government. 

I don't like negative articles, and I'd almost decided not to read this. But now I'm glad I did. Thank you, Ian, for pointing up the flaws in what seems to be a modern sacred cow. Your point about the perspective it gives of Africa reminds me of the Africa for Norway video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=oJLqyuxm96k) which makes the same point. And you're right about tokenism - "Give us £10 but don't change your lifestyle" - is powerful, and perhaps might be extended to our, Christians, own attitude to charity. I certainly am guilty of that.