Christian pastor’s trial: moments of theology, ideology and comedy
The three-day trial of Pastor James McConnell had moments of theology, ideology and comedy. At first people in the public gallery were struggling to hear the defence barrister, so the judge asked him to speak up, saying, ‘Pretend you're a preacher.’ There were 120 supporters of the 78-year-old pastor filling the public gallery. He was on trial for words he used about Islam in a sermon to his congregation that was later published online. Although he described Islam as satanic, heathen and spawned in hell, the prosecution focused on his words, ‘People say there are good Muslims in Britain. That may be so - but I don't trust them’, which were considered a breach of the Communications Act. The judge will decide whether the sermon broke the law or not and deliver his verdict on 5 January.
Vulnerable young people homeless
Three months ago the Guardian reported, ‘Homeless young people are being given bus tickets to allow them to sleep on London’s night buses as the number of young people sleeping rough in the capital soars.’ Young and Homeless research into the situation in 2015 says the problem is growing across the UK. This week police launched an appeal to find three runaway London schoolgirls, 13-year-old Fardowsa Hassan, and sisters Abir Salah, 16, and Ahlam Salah, 15. It is thought that the trio have not left the country:, but are sleeping on buses or elsewhere on the transport network. Young people make up nearly half of those accessing homeless accommodation services. They are one of the most vulnerable groups in society. Without the right support homelessness can have a serious impact on a young person’s life. See http://www.homeless.org.uk/sites/default/files/site-attachments/201512%20-%20Young%20and%20Homeless%20-%20Full%20Report.pdf
‘Stop the Traffik’ on Christmas chocolates
This month, people will be feasting on Christmas chocolates and buying sweet treats for friends and family. Christmas is a time of year when chocolate sales soar and it means big business for chocolate companies! But for the many children trafficked and made to harvest cocoa beans, December is just another month of back-breaking, dangerous forced labour. Consumers have the power to make a difference and Stop the Traffik are urging us all to join their Christmas in campaigning to protect vulnerable people by buying chocolate that is traffic-free.
A call to pray for the United Kingdom
The World Prayer Centre has made an urgent call for God’s people to stand in prayer for the UK. The nation has entered a new phase of conflict with IS, and is particularly vulnerable to terrorist attacks and fear around Christmas and New Year when people gather in large numbers. WPC believes we are in a wider time of shaking for our nations. ‘God is challenging His Church. It is time for all God’s people to pray, to be alert, to protect, guard and bless our communities and nation.’ WPC have prepared a helpful guide for use in prayer groups, churches and personally, asking for God’s mercy for our communities and for the UK to turn to Jesus - the Prince of peace. Many people gathered to pray between 12 and 14 December, and we are being encouraged to continue to intercede over Christmas and beyond. To download the prayer guide, click the ‘more’ button.
Europe: trends which are opening doors for Christian witness
Operation World (OW) reports on socio-cultural trends that are opening doors for Christian witness. There is disillusionment with the emptiness of enforced secularism and hyper-modernity, leading to a new interest in spirituality and the supernatural. OW believes that, presented rightly, Jesus is of great appeal to such seekers. Due to the upheaval and uncertainty in economics and politics, civic disintegration, crime and violence, many are asking questions about morals and meaning. In some parts of Europe, militant atheism with strong anti-Christian, anti-religious rhetoric is strident and ugly enough to cause people to reconsider questions of faith and God. Christian immigration has brought the presence of dynamic and lively congregations into nearly every part of Europe. Alongside this, the influx of non-Christian religions raises the issue of the religious identity of Europe, both in history and for the future.
Kosovo: opposition has unsettled parliament since October
Opposition MPs disrupted the Kosovo parliament again on Monday by setting off tear gas in chambers - the latest in a series of violent incidents against the government and politicians. Over last weekend several government-owned cars were set on fire by protesters. Such incidents began after the 25 August agreement between Pristina and Belgrade to establish Serb-majority municipalities in Kosovo to champion minority Serbs’ interests. The three opposition parties in Kosovo’s parliament strongly oppose it, claiming Serbs will have too much power. The opposition parties also reject a border agreement reached with neighbouring Montenegro in Vienna in August, through which it says Kosovo is losing territory. (Kosovo’s population is predominantly ethnic Albanian. It declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Belgrade rejected the move and still considers the breakaway territory as its southern province.)
Christians in politics developing their faith
In recent months a Bible study group for all parliamentary staff has started on Monday lunchtimes, meeting for 45 minutes in Portcullis House. Christians in Parliament have also started a new political theology reading group which meets once a month to help develop a deeper understanding of the interaction between theology and politics. Additionally, a series of videos of MPs and peers sharing what being a Christian means to them and how it impacts Parliamentary work has been prepared for distribution. In Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus calls on his disciples to be 'salt' and 'light' in the world. We can praise God that our current Christian politicians are working towards bringing out the flavours and colours of God in our politics, giving a voice to the voiceless and helping those in need.
Former Miss Ireland unashamed that she was healed by God
A former Miss Ireland has spoken of her divine healing after being angered by the treatment of schoolboy Joshua Martin who spoke publicly about his faith that God was going to heal him. Rachelle Liggett told the Belfast Telegraph how she had been diagnosed with an acute form of leukemia at the age of ten. ‘I was then sent to the haematology ward of the Children's Hospital in Belfast, where I was to live for the next few months. However, during prayer, when the hand of a Christian was laid on my head, I could feel my fingertips and legs and toes tingle with pins and needles. I believe this was the cancer exiting my body. After this, everything in my life changed. My appetite returned and I started to put on weight. The doctors never again found a cancerous cell in my body.’
Global: social media, the new megaphone for violent perpetrators
Tashfeen Malik, the woman involved in California’s mass shooting, is the latest in a growing number of extremists using social media to publicise their crimes. Facebook said she used an alias to praise IS online shortly before, or during, the attack. Malik's posting echoes similar bids for attention by violent perpetrators; for example, a disgruntled Virginia TV broadcaster recorded himself shooting two co-workers and then posted the video online, and a Florida man killed his wife and shared a photo of her body on social media. Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and other social media companies do their best to block or remove posts that glorify violence, but experts say it's an uphill battle. The advent of new services enabling people to stream live video from events makes the task more challenging. Online services use automated software to help detect posts depicting or encouraging violence; however, all the policies in the world won't help unless companies devote staff and resources to enforcing them.
Australia: trafficking women for sex
In a country that promotes gender equality, it’s a sad fact that women are being trafficked to Australia and sold for sex. The problem is bigger than most people realise. The UN and the USA have identified Australia as a destination country for trafficked persons. Research shows that there is a clear link between legalising prostitution and human trafficking. Women are trafficked into Australia and into brothels. Prostitution is a trap for the exploitation of women. The Australian Christian Lobby believes that the solution would be for public policy to tackle the demand for prostitution and criminalise the purchase of sex. This would lead to a drop in the number of prostitutes, and fewer people being trafficked into the country.