Christian charities support Archbishop over payday loans
The Archbishop of Canterbury is warning the payday lender Wonga he plans to force it out of business. He says the Church of England will compete against it, by putting credit unions on its sites. Payday lenders give short-term loans but they come with high interest rates, and are often blamed for leading people into more debt. The Archbishop's comments have received widespread support from within the Christian community. Matthew Reed, Chief Executive of The Children's Society, said: "The Archbishop of Canterbury should be applauded for taking such a bold stance to tackle the scourge of high cost payday loan companies. "Many charge eye-watering rates of interest and drag people into a vicious spiral of debt and despair." John Kirkby the founder of Christians Against Poverty. He told Premier's Marcus Jones on the News Hour it's great to see the Archbishop speaking out.
Pray: for all measures that will bring an end to usery style loans to break the vicious circle of debt. (Ez.22.12)
More: http://www.premier.org.uk/news/current/Christian%20charities%20support%20Archbishop%20over%20payday%20loans.aspx
Christian campaigners still in danger from Lobbying Bill
Fears about restrictions for Christian campaigning have not been eased by Government changes to the controversial Lobbying Bill, critics have warned. The Electoral Commission, the body that will have to enforce the new rules, said that a key Government amendment ‘does not materially reduce the scope of what is covered by the Bill’. Ros Baston, a solicitor specialising in election law, said the Bill still catches issues-based campaigning and some of the amendments actually result in ‘new uncertainties’. Several faith groups, including the Evangelical Alliance, World Jewish Relief, Muslim Council of Britain and others, have raised fears that the Bill could have 'unintended consequences'. An open letter to David Cameron and Nick Clegg warns that the Bill will ‘curtail’ legitimate campaigns. It said: ‘We are concerned that this Bill does not adequately safeguard the activities of religious organisations and that there is a very real risk that non-biased political activity will be captured by the resultant Act.'
Pray: that the concerns shared following the changes to the Bill will be listened to and safeguards accepted. (Pr.12:15)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-campaigners-still-in-danger-from-lobbying-bill/
Christian campaigners hit out at tax evasion
A Christian movement to end poverty has spoken out against tax evasion by wealthy people.The group Micah Challenge is calling upon church leaders to hold the super-rich to account after a report by the Tax Justice Network suggested that up to $20trillion was being siphoned off by the world's wealthiest people into tax havens. The movement says that Jesus would have hit out at such excessive greed, especially at a time when millions remain in extreme poverty and without access to basic health care. The campaigners are urging churches the world over to raise their concerns with politicians. ‘Once again
the poor are paying the price of the greed of the wealthiest,’ said Head of Campaigns Amanda Jackson. ‘The money being siphoned off to tax havens is more than the American and Japanese GDPs put together. Yet millions of the world's poorest are suffering. It is so wrong.’
Pray: that greed will not govern the hearts of men and for the poor to be treated fairly. (LK.12:15)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.campaigners.hit.out.tax.evasion/30336.htm
Christian B&B owner faces legal action from same-sex couple
Susanne Wilkinson told the two men that it went against her religious convictions to let them share a double room at the guest house where she lives with her family. She was reported to police but no charges were brought. However, she has now been told that Michael Black and John Morgan plan to sue her for discrimination. A letter before action sent by Liberty’s legal director this week claims: ‘Your unlawful treatment of my clients resulted in considerable embarrassment and humiliation to them both and they seek compensation from you for the injury to their feelings.’ Simon Calvert of the Christian Institute said ‘It does seem extraordinary that Liberty is invoking the power of the state to try to force this couple to act against their conscience in their own home.’ Mrs Wilkinson is likely to invoke the Human Rights Act in her defence, on the grounds that Christians should be allowed to hold the traditional belief that sex outside marriage is wrong.
Pray: for Susanne and others like her who seek to defend their right to follow Biblical teaching. (Ep.3:16)
Christian Aid Week raises money to tackle global poverty
The annual fundraising event Christian Aid Week has got off to a ‘tremendous start’, say supporters in churches and communities across the country. Christian Aid is a UK-based churches' international relief, development and advocacy agency. It acts on behalf of over 40 denominations and church bodies - but its ethos is to carry out anti-poverty work alongside partners of all faiths and none, in many parts of the world. Its emphasis is on ground-up solutions. In 2011, Christian Aid Week is aiming to raise more than £13 million for poor communities across the globe. Around 200,000 people are expected to take part all over Britain, going door-to-door collecting, joining in with sponsored events, holding novel fundraisers or simply donating online. Many Christian Aid supporters also try to raise awareness as well as funds - though in an economically constrained environment, bringing money to the cause obviously remains vital. For information and resources follow link: See Pray: that people would be generous in proportion to their resources. (Pro.22:9)
Christian Aid Week 'bites back at hunger'
Christian Aid Week (12-18 May 2013) Britain’s longest running door-to-door fundraising week, will this year be urging the British public to "bite back at hunger" and ask why, in a world where there is a enough food for everyone, one in eight people go to bed hungry every night. Hunger is the world’s biggest health risk. It kills more people every year than AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. In developing countries, a third of all child deaths are linked to hunger. But tackling hunger with sustainable solutions has long-term benefits. Paul Langley, Head of Inspiring Participation at Christian Aid, said: ‘With one in eight people in the world going to bed hungry every night, Christian Aid Week offers the British public the opportunity to bite back at hunger. The money raised will help poor communities around the world grow more food by adapting to climate change and securing land rights, so they can meet their immediate food needs.
Pray: for all those working for Christian Aid week and for a massive public response to the appeal. (Pr.14:31)
More: http: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18355