# Roundup: Religion and culture, disappearing rural churches, the Holy Land, sermon resources, same-sex marriage

> As Lent starts, the debate over secularism v cultural Christianity is raging. But just how much of British culture is inspired by religion?

23 February 2012 · News

Canonical: https://insights1.uca.org.au/articles/roundup-religion-and-culture-disappearing-rural-churches-the-holy-land-sermon-resources-same-sex-marriage/

## [How much Christianity is hidden in society?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17112688?)

As Lent starts, the debate over secularism v cultural Christianity is raging. But just how much of British culture is inspired by religion?

## [Rural churches disappearing](https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2012/02/22/446471_latest-news.html)

Church leaders of all denominations believe a third of all remaining churches in both the country and city will be lost in the next 15 years.

## [Ash Wednesday in the Holy Land](https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/ash-wednesday-in-the-holy-land/2012/02/22/gIQArV8UTR_blog.html)

Although it’s Ash Wednesday, and Jerusalem has been revered as sacred in Christianity for some 2,000 years now, you won’t see a lot of people with ash crosses on their foreheads here today. It is the Jewish state, after all.

## [‘Sermons that Work’ expands](https://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/2012/02/22/sermons-that-work-expands-with-new-offerings-ideas/)

Sermons That Work, a popular and heavily utilised offering for clergy and lay leaders, is expanding to provide additional services.

## [Religious divides in support for same-sex marriage](https://publicreligion.org/research/2012/01/research-note-beyond-secular-vs-religious-religious-divides-in-support-for-same-sex-marriage/)

In 2011, majorities of most US religious groups favoured allowing gay and lesbian couple to marry legally, illustrating that the old narrative of battle lines between secular supporters and religious opponents no longer serves as an accurate characterisation of the landscape of the same-sex marriage debate.