Church criticises government's alcohol 'responsibility deal'
The Methodist Church has criticised the Government's ‘responsibility deal’ to tackle alcohol abuse, saying that it prioritises the drinks industry over the vulnerable. Rachel Lampard, Public Issues Team Leader for the Methodist Church, said:’ We are totally unconvinced that the Government’s proposed ‘responsibility deal’ on alcohol regulation will be effective in reducing the problem of harmful drinking.’ The deal covers voluntary agreements with the drinks industry on matters such as promotions and labelling. Six medical organisations, including the BMA and Alcohol Concern, have walked away from this deal on the grounds that it favours the drinks industry, and places no limits on pricing or advertising. ‘We have an opportunity to reverse the devastating effects of years of under-regulation of the drinks market. If the Government means to keep its promises around harm reduction, alcohol policy should be informed strongly by medical evidence and not sidelined by the pressures of the industry.’ Pray: that the needs of the consumer, especially the vulnerable will take priority over commercial profit. (Lk.21:34) More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=494
Christians if allowed will build the 'big society'
Worshippers do more voluntary work than non-believers. Yet the government is doing little to support them in their faith. The success of the ‘big society’ initiative will not just require the help of faith organisations; it will need actively to promote them. So concludes a fresh report, The Big Society in Context: A means to what end? published by the Christian social reform charity Jubilee Centre. Recent research by Evangelical Alliance and Christian Research showed that 81% of evangelical Christians do some kind of voluntary work at least once a month. This compares with a much lower figure of 26% for the population at large. David Cameron said: ‘The big society is about a huge culture change where people feel both free and powerful enough to help themselves and their own communities.’ Yet it seems he is still not taking the action necessary to guarantee Christians their freedoms. (See Prayer Alert 08-2011) Pray:for the Government to recognise and embrace the potential that Christian and other faith groups can offer the nation. (1Th.5:11) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2011/mar/17/christians-big-society-voluntary-work
Uzbekistan: ‘Anti-terror’ raid on old people's home
Six Baptists who led Sunday worship in an old people's home near Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent face criminal and administrative charges after an ‘anti-terror operation’ against their service, Baptists told Forum 18 News Service. Asked why the authorities halted the service and harassed participants, deputy police chief Major Sofar Fayziyev – who took part in the raid – told Forum 18: ‘They could not produce any proof that they had authorisation for their activity.’ Elsewhere, three Baptists were fined after police raided a Sunday morning church service. As happens frequently, the court verdict ordered the destruction of Bibles and other confiscated Christian literature. Judge Abdumumin Rahimov who handed a massive fine to a young resident of Navoi for transporting literature insists that ‘the main purpose of the punishment is not revenge against the offender, but teaching him to respect the law’. Pray: for the believers in Uzbekistan that the authorities will cease to block God’s Word and His message. (Ps.1:6)
Uzbekistan: ‘Anti-terror’ raid on old people's home
Six Baptists who led Sunday worship in an old people's home near Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent face criminal and administrative charges after an ‘anti-terror operation’ against their service, Baptists told Forum 18 News Service. Asked why the authorities halted the service and harassed participants, deputy police chief Major Sofar Fayziyev – who took part in the raid – told Forum 18: ‘They could not produce any proof that they had authorisation for their activity.’ Elsewhere, three Baptists were fined after police raided a Sunday morning church service. As happens frequently, the court verdict ordered the destruction of Bibles and other confiscated Christian literature. Judge Abdumumin Rahimov who handed a massive fine to a young resident of Navoi for transporting literature insists that ‘the main purpose of the punishment is not revenge against the offender, but teaching him to respect the law’. Pray: for the believers in Uzbekistan that the authorities will cease to block God’s Word and His message. (Ps.1:6)
Kazakhstan: Harsh new religion law coming?
Human rights groups in Kazakhstan are expressing concern over a document from the ruling parliamentary party that attacks ‘non-traditional faiths’ in the country. The groups believe the document is setting the stage for another attempt by the Kazakh parliament to change the existing law on religion. The document accuses several religious groups - including some Protestant Christian churches - of ‘being financed by Western countries.’ The document adds that tens of thousands of Kazakh citizens are members of such groups and ‘need help.’ A spokesman for the ruling Nur Otan party claims that the document was stopped before issuance, and that the researcher responsible for the religion section had ‘been sacked.’ These reports show yet again that the religious freedom so hard-won in former Soviet lands is tenuous at best, and that the opponents of evangelical churches are not giving up in their efforts to suppress the Gospel. Pray: regularly for Kazakh churches, asking the Lord to protect and sustain them in the midst of determined opposition. (Rev.3:8).
Kazakhstan: Harsh new religion law coming?
Human rights groups in Kazakhstan are expressing concern over a document from the ruling parliamentary party that attacks ‘non-traditional faiths’ in the country. The groups believe the document is setting the stage for another attempt by the Kazakh parliament to change the existing law on religion. The document accuses several religious groups - including some Protestant Christian churches - of ‘being financed by Western countries.’ The document adds that tens of thousands of Kazakh citizens are members of such groups and ‘need help.’ A spokesman for the ruling Nur Otan party claims that the document was stopped before issuance, and that the researcher responsible for the religion section had ‘been sacked.’ These reports show yet again that the religious freedom so hard-won in former Soviet lands is tenuous at best, and that the opponents of evangelical churches are not giving up in their efforts to suppress the Gospel. Pray: regularly for Kazakh churches, asking the Lord to protect and sustain them in the midst of determined opposition. (Rev.3:8).
British courts are 'set against religious freedom for Christians'
Parliament must rectify the ‘bad laws’ restricting the freedom of Christians to live according to their beliefs, says a Christian barrister Paul Diamond. Mr Diamond said there was much to be commended in the Equality Act and the Sexual Orientation Regulations and that sexual orientation or faith should not be a reason to discriminate against others. However, he said the laws were ‘poorly drafted’ and ‘leaving too much discretion to the Courts’. He added that they were being used to eradicate Judeo Christian morality and usher in secular values. The ‘countless’ cases where accommodation of conscience was being denied to Christians amounted to a ‘liberal tyranny’. Campaign group Christian Concern warns that recent legislation and its interpretation in the courts has led to several Christians being barred from different areas of public life and is ‘creating a serious obstacle to the Christian community’s full and active involvement in the Big Society initiative’. Pray: for a review leading to clarification and protection of Christian morality. (Gal.5:1)
Church minister condemns trafficking
The Rev Ian Galloway, the Convenor of the Church of Scotland's Church and Society Council, said it was ‘repugnant’ that children were being used as sex slaves in Scotland. His comments follow the publication of a report from the Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People. The report says that at least 80 children may have been trafficked into Scotland for sexual or other exploitation without anyone being convicted for the crimes. Some of the victims have come from thousands of miles away, trafficked from the likes of China, Vietnam or the Democratic Republic of Congo. Writing in his Blog, the Rev Ian Galloway said: ‘The fact that dozens of children are being used as sex slaves in our cities, towns and neighbourhoods is utterly repugnant. This should be a call to action for everyone in Scotland. How can we let this happen?’ Pray: that the report and Convenor’s comment will be noted by the authorities and lead to positive action. (Mk.7:21-22)
Explicit sex education materials for children
A report issued in the UK earlier this week, called ‘Too Much, Too Young,’ unmasks the extremely explicit nature of sex education material that public groups are pushing on school children as young as five-year-olds. Among other things, the controversial resources teach youngsters about oral and anal sex, as well as prostitution, masturbation, and ‘straight and gay,’ and include explicit depictions and descriptions of sexual intercourse, as well as real footage of full-frontal adult nudity. The issue of sex education has been a topic of much controversy in Britain with the recent debate of a compulsory sex education Bill in the House of Commons. While the coalition government has said sex education would not be mandatory in primary schools, the coalition is meanwhile reviewing the education guidelines and material. Even without a change in law, family groups are concerned over what guidelines the coalition may put in place. Pray: that this controversal material would be withdrawn. (1Th.4:3-4)
New petition over equalities legislation
Christian Concern have launched a petition over last week’s judgment in the case of Owen and Eunice Johns which provoked huge national interest and wide scale media coverage. The Judgment highlighted once again the difficulties that Christians can encounter when attempting to participate in some parts of public life without compromising their beliefs. On Monday this week, the Johns, along with Christian Concern, have launched a major new petition, calling on the Prime Minister to respect Christian conscience and take urgent action to address the problems created by equalities legislation. You can read and sign the petition here. http://christianconcern.com/equalities-and-conscience Pray: that this petition would receive wide support and lead to a change in the equality legislation. (2Th.2:13)