On with my Thought for the Day on BBC Radio 4 Today programme just after 7.45am. My producer Rosie Dawson's final words to me yesterday as the script was signed off: try to do it "without crying if you can!" 😬🙈
Chine McDonald
@chinemcdonald.bsky.social
Writer, broadcaster, author, on faith, race, motherhood, and gender. Director of the Westminster-based religion and society think tank Theos. Vice chair Greenbelt festival, trustee Christian Aid, Canon Theologian at Chester Cathedral
AI can generate images, music and stories. But can it ever be human? It's not too late to join Rowan Williams, Marcus du Sautoy, Ayla Lepine, Nathan Mladin and @chinemcdonald.bsky.social for a fascinating conversation at the National Gallery. www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/theos...
Theos at 20: Being human in the age of AI | Events | National Gallery, London
Christian think tank Theos and guests explore how acts of creativity shape our shared human experience. Friday, 10 July 2026, 6.30 - 8 pm. Tickets from £8.
nationalgallery.org.uk
We're delighted to announce that tickets for the second of our 20th anniversary events are on sale now. 📍The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square 🗓️ Friday 10 July Follow along to get tickets and see our speakers 👇🧵
Really enjoyed this reflective piece on the Steven Bartlett self-optimisation debate from @chinemcdonald.bsky.social @theosthinktank.bsky.social: www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2026... #DiaryofaCEO #StevenBartlett
Steven Bartlett and the myth of relentless self–optimisation
Chine McDonald explores the recent backlash against our cultural obsession with self–optimisation. Can we resist the pull of productivity? 04/06/2026
theosthinktank.co.uk
...And people are interested. 📊 77% of English adults have visited a cathedral in the last 3 years — comparable to museums, galleries and live sporting events. 📊 37% visited more than once in the last year.
Cathedrals are more than just big churches. They’re first and foremost places of worship, but also civic anchors, community hubs, arts venues, and sanctuaries of stillness open to everyone.
Cathedrals have been making headlines for some unexpected reasons lately... But what’s the story behind them? What are people finding so controversial?
📢 Cathedrals are in crisis. Financial pressures are threatening one of our oldest institutions. Can we ensure that our cathedrals are still here for generations to come? Our new report Living Stones with @englishcathedrals.co.uk is out now: bit.ly/43g3Wmg Follow along to find out more👇🧵
Living Stones: English Cathedrals as Sacred Spaces in Changing Times
A report by George Lapshynov and Nathan Mladin exploring the role of cathedrals in modern life.
bit.ly
It'll be an interesting morning to be in the BBC Radio 4 Today programme studio tomorrow. Catch me live around 7.45am sharing my Thought for the Day 👀
"Beyond the 'vibe shift', however, statistics showing rising Bible sales, young people coming to faith across Europe, and increases in adult baptisms point to something." @chinemcdonald.bsky.social considers renewed interest in spirituality among the young
Analysis: More than merely a ‘vibe shift’?
IN MARCH 1966, John Lennon declared that The Beatles were “more popular than Jesus now”. Instead of claiming that the Fab Four were god-like, he was reflecting on a culture in which young people had turned away from the religion that had formed th...
churchtimes.co.uk
Of course a website full of humanities graduates has loads of people who have a favourite verse from the most influential work of literature ever published, come on.
Steven Seggie@stevenhseggie.bsky.social · 4mo agoI don’t believe you all have some obscure favorite Bible verse
Is renewed interest in spirituality amongst young people more than just a "vibe shift"? @chinemcdonald.bsky.social analyses the evidence for the Church Times. www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/202...
Analysis: More than merely a ‘vibe shift’?
Chine McDonald considers renewed interest in spirituality among the young
churchtimes.co.uk
I'll be delivering Thought for the Day this morning - a Holy Saturday reflection on the Easter story, Project Hail Mary, bravery, space missions and sacrificing oneself for the sake of humanity. Around 7.45am on BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
From the Virgin Mary to #TradWives, society’s interpretations of the Bible have always distorted how women are seen. @bethallisonbarr.bsky.social and @chinemcdonald.bsky.social got together at Greenbelt to tell a more hopeful and surprising story.
"Since the death of civil rights campaigner Jesse Jackson, he has been called a 'titan', and an 'icon'. But to many, one of the most distinctive things about him was that he was called: 'Rev'. @chinemcdonald.bsky.social reflects on life of Jesse Jackson: www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2026...
Jesse Jackson: a life of faith and activism
Chine McDonald reflects on the life and legacy of civil rights activist Jesse Jackson, who died this week. 18/02/2026
theosthinktank.co.uk
There’s been much outrage about this recent incident, and I think it's got a lot to do with theology... In God Is Not a White Man, I wrote about how in 1900 Christian author Charles Carroll wrote a book called The Negro a Beast or in the Image of God. Yes, really. www.instagram.com/p/DUdxnR7keX...
"As that belief in progress has wavered during the past decade, this is perhaps the moment for faith to step in again" Christian thinkers offer a resource as the world navigates geopolitical tensions, says @chinemcdonald.bsky.social #UN #multilateralism #Theos
Analysis: Multilateral cause needs theology
Christian thinkers offer a resource as the world navigates geopolitical tensions, says Chine McDonald
churchtimes.co.uk
UEFA and European FAs deeply concerned about Greenland crisis. Informal talks held this week about what a response could look like if things escalate in fast-moving situation. Military aggression likely red line for serious World Cup boycott talk. Story: www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Concerned European football chiefs discuss response to Trump over Greenland
European football’s leaders are increasingly concerned about Donald Trump’s wish to annex Greenland and have held initial discussions about how the sport could respond
theguardian.com
In today’s devotion I mention @chinemcdonald.bsky.social’s relatable experience and look at one thing you might try when you experience shame. www.odbm.org/en-GB/devoti...
A Surprising Cure For Shame
Chine felt like she was going mad. It was 3 a.m., and her baby had been crying for...
odbm.org
Migrants are at the heart of our art, our music, our whole history. That’s what the right won’t admit to you | Rowan Williams
Migrants are at the heart of our art, our music, our whole history. That’s what the right won’t admit to you | Rowan Williams
From Britain’s medieval buildings to western pop and contemporary art, these creations showcase our interwoven stories, says former archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams
theguardian.com
“The world now appears to be at the mercy of a 79-year-old egomaniac…there is no doctrine, no philosophy, no sense to what America will do next. “Foreign policy relies on predictability and stability, and Trump is allergic to both—and with no-one around him either able or willing to rein him in.”
Trump promised Maga the US wouldn't police the world - now it's running Venezuela
The world now watches on with astonishment, fear and horror - what's next?
inews.co.uk
Alumni on the airwaves: 🎧 @chinemcdonald.bsky.social (2002, Theology & Rel Studies) on Today programme: bbc.co.uk/sounds/pla... 🎧 @atjcagan.bsky.social (2006, Archy & Anth) on #CuriousCases: bbc.co.uk/sounds/pla... 🎧 @elliechan.bsky.social (2009, English) on BBC Radio 3: bbc.co.uk/programmes...
I've written some pretty heavy policy stuff recently, so it was a real treat to get to indulge in this @theosthinktank.bsky.social piece about female mystics, complicated women and the beauty of Rosalía's new album 'Lux'.
Spirituality and song: What Rosalía’s ‘Lux’ says about sainthood
Hannah Rich unpacks the religious imagery and themes in ‘Lux’ – the new album by Rosalía. 25/11/2025
theosthinktank.co.uk
New net migration figures at 930am. Net migration fell half a million to 344,000 in 2024 from 848k in 2023 56% of people think it went up last year 17% think stayed the same 14% think it went down 2025 figure to be lower again 16% expect that 38% think it will be up 31% about the same
Greenbelt trustee @chinemcdonald.bsky.social's Thought For The Day from this morning "Human fragility and commonality pierce through political polarisation..." www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Thought for the Day - Chine McDonald - BBC Sounds
03 NOV 2025
bbc.co.uk
I'm on the Thought for the Day rota again the morning after a national tragedy; and yet again guided by producer extraordinaire Rosie Dawson. You can listen on BBC Radio 4 Today programme just after 7.45am. Prayers for all those affected by the horrific train attack. Awful.
