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Lee Marsden

@leemarsden.bsky.social
466 followers 321 following 252 posts

Academic and activist. Emeritus Professor Faith & Global Politics, University of East Anglia. Faith, peace, and justice. Pacifist, Christian Socialist. Believing for a better world.

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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
leemarsden.substack.com/p/boycott-is... Reflections on Israel v Ireland Uefa European Nations
leemarsden.substack.com
Boycott Israel vs Raising Awareness
Gavin Bazunu and standing up for something bigger
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
leemarsden.substack.com/p/from-each-...
leemarsden.substack.com
From each according to their abilities to each according to their need
Parable of the vineyard workers
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I just signed a @theactionnetwork.bsky.social petition: People not Nukes. Sign here: actionnetwork.org/petitions/pe...
actionnetwork.org
People not Nukes
Our public services are at breaking point. Another cost-of-living crisis is looming. Meanwhile climate breakdown is destroying our planet. We need urgent action to end these crises: support CND's camp...
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
substack.com/@leemarsden/... The inspirational story behind this forthcoming publication is available in the link.
substack.com
This is not a book review
The story behind a book
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
leemarsden.substack.com/p/i-am-now-a...
leemarsden.substack.com
I am now a pacifist. I do not think a Christian can take part in any work of killing, or do anything he cannot believe that Christ would have done.
Remembering Dick Sheppard 1880 - 1937
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Reposted by Lee Marsden
Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd... Latest article on virtue signalling.
open.substack.com
Virtue Signalling or Signalling Virtue?
Virtue Signalling or Signalling Virtue?
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
leemarsden.substack.com/p/goodbye-do... Goodbye, Dolly.
leemarsden.substack.com
Goodbye Dolly
Dolly Parton 1946 – 2026
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Reposted by Lee Marsden
Dr Bamo Nouri @bamonouri.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Just out today for @theconversation.com : Latest sanctions on Iran risk strengthening Tehran and undermining US credibility Alongside the legendary Prof @usempire.bsky.social theconversation.com/latest-sanct...
theconversation.com
Latest sanctions on Iran risk strengthening Tehran and undermining US credibility
Washington has promised to unleash “economic D-Day” on Tehran and its allies. But Iran has lived through US sanctions for nearly 50 years.
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
leemarsden.substack.com/p/words-matt... Thoughts on plagiarism and the power and importance of what we say.
leemarsden.substack.com
Words Matter
Life and Death are in the Power of the Tongue
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd...
open.substack.com
Kingdom of Heaven
Reflections on Matthew 13: 31-33, 42-52
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd... Latest article on virtue signalling.
open.substack.com
Virtue Signalling or Signalling Virtue?
Virtue Signalling or Signalling Virtue?
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Reposted by Lee Marsden
Inderjeet Parmar @usempire.bsky.social · 11/07/2026
thewire.in/world/andy-b... - energy.Advertisement Critically, however, this embeds Manchesterism within the national security state and Atlanticist priorities. Increased defence investment risks subordinating social investment to militarised Keynesianism
thewire.in
From Peterloo to Post-Neoliberalism: Andy Burnham’s Manchesterism or Managed Reform?
Manchesterism may humanise and localise British capitalism; whether it can fundamentally transform it remains the open, critical question.
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd... What the church can learn about community from a people's theatre group.
open.substack.com
The Common Lot
Church, Community, Communion.
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
substack.com/@leemarsden/...
substack.com
Burnham’s Poisoned Chalice
Reflections on increasing military expenditure
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd...
open.substack.com
Good news in bad times
Thoughts on Matthew 9:35- 10:8
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
substack.com/@leemarsden/... reflections on being and foing as a follower of The Way.
substack.com
Do Be Do Christianity
Reflections on John 15: 1-17
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd... The Use and Abuse of Political Language: a Glossary from Imperialism to Nonviolence.
open.substack.com
Use and Abuse of Political Language: Glossary
Imperialism to Nonviolence
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
substack.com/@leemarsden/...
substack.com
The Use and Abuse of Political Language: A glossary
A to C
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
substack.com/@leemarsden/... in this sustack post I make a case for using terms to explain and understand rather than as weapons to demonise our opponents.
substack.com
The Use and Abuse of Political Language
Antisemitism
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
substack.com/@leemarsden/... Reflections on John 17: 1-11. Jedus' prayer, unity, faithfulness, and some inspiring Irish trade unionists.
substack.com
A Prayer, Unity, faithfulness and Grapefruit Ladies
Reflections on John 17:1-11
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd... My short piece on the UN, inspired by a talk by Jane Kinninmont (picture), chief executive officer of United Nations Association - UK.
open.substack.com
To save succeeding generations from the scourge of war
United Nations at 80
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd... Short bio on Lanza del Vasto, a servant of peace.
open.substack.com
Remembering Lanza del Vasto, servant of peace.
Liberation Christians
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd... My post on Trump and nuclear weapons.
open.substack.com
MAD or NUTS
Trump and Nuclear Weapons
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
substack.com/@leemarsden/... My post on Why old people are leading the way for peace and justice.
substack.com
Old People are Revolting
for a better world
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd... On the anniversary of Corrie ten Boom's birth, I have been reflecting on finding rest in a time of war.
open.substack.com
Finding rest in distressing times
Rest in distressing times
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
substack.com/@leemarsden/...
substack.com
I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires. (Susan Anthony)
Liberation Christians
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
substack.com/@leemarsden/...
substack.com
As Christians, we were accustomed only to looking down at the soil, but from time to time, we should also look up to see whose shoe is pressing on the back of our necks (Rutilio Grande)
Liberation Christians
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd...
open.substack.com
Now, I am not going to speak ill of Communism. I cannot hold the title of Communist to be in itself a term of reproach. The early Christians, who had “ all things common,” were Communists.
Liberation Christians
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Reposted by Lee Marsden
Declassified UK @declassifieduk.org · 06/03/2026
The government confirms (again) that it has long known its occupation of the Chagos Islands is illegal, and that it seeks to end it to avoid a “legally binding ruling”. #DCUKparliament
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Reposted by Lee Marsden
Liberation Theology @liberationtheology.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
U.S. Evangelicals are intentionally spreading false information online about Iranian Christians in order to promote more war and bloodshed.
O...
There are over 1 million native, Apostolic Christians in Iran (Armenians, Assyrians, Chaldeans), not Evangelicals. U.S. Evangelicals are falsely claiming these native Apostolic Christians, who do not want war, "are converts begging for war."
U.S. Evangelicals pushed for the Iraq War that destroyed 1.5 million native Chaldean and Assyrian Christians in Iraq.
U.S. Evangelicals pushed for the Syria War that destroyed 2.5 million native ancient Syrian Christian communities, even siding with and advocating for more funding for the AlQaeda/ISIS terrorists that were literally crucifying Syrian Christians.
U.S. Evangelicals do not speak for Middle East Christians. Middle East Christians do not want more war in the region.
-- Iraqi Christian Foundation via Twitter/X, March 2, 2026
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
substack.com/@leemarsden/...
substack.com
Stand fast in the faith, and love one another, all of you, and be not offended at my sufferings. (Perpetua)
Liberation Christians
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
substack.com/@leemarsden/...
substack.com
I have been beaten, I have been thrown in jail, I have lost my job for gay liberation. You all treat me this way? What the hell’s wrong with you all? (Marsha P Johnson)
Liberation Christians
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
substack.com/@leemarsden/... Thoughts on use of British bases for US attacks on Iran.
substack.com
No Keir Starmer, the ends do not justify the means
Britain and the War Against Iran
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd...
open.substack.com
I never doubted that equal rights was the right direction. Most reforms, most problems are complicated. But to me there is nothing complicated about ordinary equality. (Alice Paul)
Liberation Christians
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
substack.com/@leemarsden/...
substack.com
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists
Cognitive Dissonance Today
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd...
open.substack.com
Francis of Assisi
Liberation Christian
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd...
open.substack.com
W. E. B. Du Bois
Liberation Christians
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
Any attack on Iran would be a violation of international law, the law permanent members of the UN Security Council are supposed to uphold. UK must not let its bases be used in such an attack, which will result in more suffering for the Iranian people and damage UK national interests.
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd...
open.substack.com
George Lansbury
Liberation Christians 22 February 2026
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd...
open.substack.com
Frederick Douglass (1818 – 1895)
If there is no struggle, there is no progress … Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. (Frederick Douglass)
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd...
open.substack.com
Sarah Blackborow (17th Century Quaker)
19th February
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
open.substack.com/pub/leemarsd...
open.substack.com
Liberation Christians
Faith, peace and justice
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
"Dream of peace. Peace is rational and reasonable. War is irrational in this age, and unwinnable. " (Jesse Jackson).
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Starmer's militarisation agenda is receiving vast, uncritical coverage by the mainstream media. The steady drip drip of a war narrative is designed to boost UK arms sales, increase warfare expenditure at the expense of welfare, overseas assistance, and peacebuilding initiatives. It must be resisted.
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Reposted by Lee Marsden
Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
A £240m defence contract without tender. Their fingerprints all over our health care data. A meeting in the USA but without any minutes. Everything around Palantir stinks. www.thenational.scot/news/2584192...
thenational.scot
Zack Polanski pressures Wes Streeting over Palantir after Mandelson texts released
ZACK Polanski has piled fresh pressure on Wes Streeting over Palantir’s NHS contracts after the Health Secretary’s newly-released text messages…
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Starmer, Morgan McSweeny, and the whole New Labour project Mark 2 need to go now.
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
A great day for justice. Given these verdicts, we need to question why they were held in prison for 18 months whilst presenting no threat to the general public. Now is the time to end the proscription of direct action groups or individuals challenging the war machine.
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
I support @DeclassifiedUK.org, and so should you! Please help fund their fearless public service journalism with a donation today - we need it now more than ever! secure.declassifieduk.org/page/167716/...
secure.declassifieduk.org
Fund Fearless Investigative Journalism
I support Declassified UK, and you should too!
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Lee Marsden @leemarsden.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
New Labour Mark 2 or Green Party. Tough call.
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Reposted by Lee Marsden
Declassified UK @declassifieduk.org · 02/02/2026
Three F-35 jets were delivered from Britain to Nevatim airbase in Israel despite a ban on exporting the aircraft's parts directly to Israel. Is it legal? www.declassifieduk.org/campaigners-...
declassifieduk.org
Legality of fighter jet transfer from UK to Israel questioned
Three F-35 jets were delivered from Britain to Nevatim airbase despite a ban on exporting the aircraft's parts directly to Israel
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