I am an Australian, from Melbourne. I studied and worked in ministry in England from 1972–1982, and have visited many times since then to do ministry here in England.
What has amazed and disturbed me on my visit in 2026, is the widespread occurrence of mutual criticism and condemnation in the media, both print and online, among Evangelicals. I am aware of many external pressures on Evangelical, Biblical Christianity. But here is a destructive and sinful weakening from within.
One of the saddest features in contemporary life and community is the avalanche of vicious negativity on social media. Young people are so easily terrorised and traumatised by being attacked by contemporaries, known and unknown. The trivial details of their appearance or clothes, or their activities or opinions, are used maliciously to attack them, cancel them, and destroy them publicly. No wonder vulnerable children and young people are driven to anxiety, depression, disorders or suicide. It is such a tragedy when wonderful human inventions, created for attractive, good and useful purposes, are so quickly perverted to destructive ends.
