‘Sinister’ Scottish law puts State in place of parents
The Scottish NHS has written to parents saying that all future correspondence and medical reports about their children will be shared, without their consent, with a ‘Named Person’ appointed by the State to oversee their children’s interests, reports Christian Concern for our Nation. The Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill has been described as ‘sinister’ for introducing a 'Named Person' scheme to take effect in 2016, which it is claimed will potentially criminalise good parents and undermines the family. The Archbishop Cranmer blog makes the accusation and says SMPs have ‘effectively passed a bill which nullifies parental rights and endows the state with higher baby-sitting authority’ than parents.'
Forced marriages outlawed in UK
The UK has today brought into effect a law which marks forced marriage as a criminal offence. New legislation means that anyone found guilty of forcing another person into marriage in England and Wales faces a prison sentence of up to seven years, and the law also applies to British nationals forced into marriages without their consent abroad. A proposed change in law was first announced in 2012, when Prime Minister David Cameron declared: ‘Forced marriage is abhorrent and little more than slavery. To force anyone into marriage against their will is simply wrong.’ He continued: ‘I want to send a clear and strong message: forced marriage is wrong, illegal and will not be tolerated’. Home Secretary Theresa May, who has condemned forced marriage as ‘a tragedy for each and every victim’, has now welcomed the new legislation, saying the UK is at the forefront of the campaign to end the practice, which is particularly prevalent in South Asian cultures.
Delays in cancer tests may put lives at risk
Cancer patients' chances of survival could be put at risk by growing delays in the NHS carrying out tests that can diagnose the disease, experts have warned. The number of patients in England waiting longer than the recommended six weeks for investigations such as MRI and CT scans has doubled in a year. In April, the figure reached 16,981 - or 2.2% of all the patients waiting for such tests. Macmillan Cancer Support called the delays ‘worrying’ and said each hospital has a responsibility to meet the targets. But, it added, ‘this Government and the next one also need to take responsibility’. The charity's chief executive Ciaran Devane said: ‘It is extremely worrying that the proportion of people who face delays in receiving vital tests which can diagnose cancer has doubled since this time last year. Only two weeks ago we heard that more people are waiting longer to start treatment and now more people are waiting longer just to get diagnosed.’
Controversial GM babies plan – not a straightforward issue
A scientific panel has said that controversial techniques to create three- and four-parent babies are not ‘unsafe’, but further tests need to be completed. Professor Andy Greenfield, who chaired the panel, said safety was ‘not a straightforward issue’. If Westminster approves the techniques, the UK will become the only country in the world to legalise the creation of three- or four-parent embryos. Fiona Bruce MP said: “The international community is wholly against these techniques. The UK would be setting a very dangerous precedent in adopting them and isolating itself from the rest of the world. Lord Alton of Liverpool said: ‘Given the safety concerns which have been raised, the unresolved ethical questions, and a practice which runs contrary to international consensus, it would be prudent for the UK to wait at least until these issues have been resolved before being stampeded into a decision which has such far-reaching consequences.’
Over 8 million abortions since 1967 Act
The number of abortions has risen to more than 8 million in Great Britain since the practice was legalised, according to the latest Department of Health statistics for 2013. MPs have criticised the way abortion is increasingly used as a form of ‘contraception’, as the new figures also show more than a third, 37 per cent, of abortions for resident women were repeat abortions. In total, there were 190,800 abortions in England and Wales last year. In 2012, 33 women were found to have had at least their ninth abortion, compared to 49 last year. Responding to the statistics, Labour MP Jim Dobbin said: ‘Why, in a country which apparently abhors abortion being used as a method of contraception, do the figures for repeat abortions keep rising? The UK is a rogue state when it comes to abortion. Our abortion time limit is double that of nearly every other member of the EU.’
Exploring the Family Ministry Landscape: Major UK research project
A major research project will reveal the scope of families work in the majority of UK Churches. Exploring the Family Ministry Landscape is thought to be the first project of its kind in the UK and will look at what churches are doing to support families, as well as the range of training and resources that are already available. ‘Families come in all shapes and sizes, and society's understanding of what 'family' means has changed over the years,’ said Gail Adcock, Families Ministries Development Officer. ‘Family matters,’ added the Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, ‘whether it's a single parent family, blended families, immigrant families or everything in between. The Church has a duty to support people in their relationships and in the challenges they face. We haven't got it all figured out just yet - and I hope this project will help us learn and grow as a community of faith for whom family matters.’
'Revenge evictions' rising, says housing charity
New figures from the helpline of the housing and homelessness charity Shelter show a massive rise in calls from renters at risk of losing their homes. Shelter have called for better protection for renters as the research shows that these calls have more than doubled in the past two years. Campbell Robb, Shelter’s chief executive, said that the figures were ‘yet more evidence of the shocking reality that renters across the country are facing every day’. With recent research showing that more than 213,000 people have faced eviction in the past year after asking their private landlord for repairs, he says it is time to act. 'Calls to our helpline from renters are soaring and revenge evictions are becoming all too common. Private renting is close to crisis point: this can’t go on. The government has to protect England’s nine million renters from unfair evictions’, he said.
With sirens screaming and lights flashing, a motorcade of AK-47 armed soldiers and government officials drove our team at high speed into the city of Baghdad from the airport. It was the beginning of a four-day prayer initiative with about 150 Iraqi believers who had gathered to pray for their city and nation. Many of these dear brothers and sisters in Christ felt hopeless as a small minority in a land torn apart in ongoing sectarian violence between Shiite and Sunni Muslims. The first day we arrived, seven car bombs went off, killing 24 people who were taking part in a massive Shiite religious festival. This heinous crime was undoubtedly the work of Sunni extremists.
Two of us who were Americans confessed as private citizens the tragic mistake and sin of our nation in invading and occupying Iraq, asking their forgiveness. A number of the locals came forward and cried because they had lost precious relatives because of the U.S. military's attack. They told us that the two wars with the USA (and probably including the Iran-Iraq war) had left 1.5 million widows and 4.5 million orphans. We were astonished and grieved to hear their reports.
Our team was also interviewed for two satellite TV channels that carried the message of the prayer initiative to others across the nation. May the Lord be glorified and may Iraqis be drawn to Him, the Healer of the Nations!
We had hoped to get to Babylon, the ancient fount of worldwide idolatry, but did not succeed in going due to the massive Shiite festival that blocked the roads.
To the glory of the Lord who answered many prayers, the local organizer of the initiative described the impact of this special time in Baghdad:
"What a blessed time, time of a divine visitation, strongholds came down, walls destructed, chains dropped, families reconciled, souls saved, hearts refreshed, lips shouted out loud for the first time that Jesus is The Lord. What a week in a divine appointed timing, even national roads were closed, yet the Almighty drew and set a new season of refreshing and awakening that people has never before experienced...
I have very positive feedback from many where all were uplifted and have experienced a huge breakthrough in their life. Many reflect on Saturday's (spiritual) warfare with a tremendous joy and as we say, that thing which you enjoy created a desire for much more. People already are on fire and commenced prayers and look forward for more of breaking down of strongholds that have kept them down for ages."
After leaving Baghdad, with some Syrian and Lebanese believers, we were able to hold a day of prayer for Syriain the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon close to the Syrian border. There were only 10 of us who took part, but it was a special and moving time since two Syrian prayer leaders came across the border from Damascus to share their hearts with us.
Please pray with us for the following:
1) The bottom line is that both Iraq and Syria will have their prayer movements strengthened and that the Lord will raise up mighty prayer warriors, who like Gideon of old will multiply many more intercessors. That, we believe, is the key thing that will bring the end of the awful violence and appalling destruction as well as the restoration of prosperity as more and more turn in desperation to the Lord their Maker and Deliverer.
2) Pray with us that the oppressed atmosphere in both nations will give way to the light and freedom of the Holy Spirit as the Iraqis increasingly utilize His authority in united prayer.
3) God's protection and encouragement of the 150 or so who took part in the Iraq initiative. Several prayer groups were formed and all were encouraged to adopt prayer partners. Pray that they as well as prayer coordinators in various cities will continue strongly, persevering until more breakthroughs occur. Also, that the spirit of violence, death and destruction will be bound throughout the nation and that the terrorist networks will be broken up and unable to continue destabilizing the nation.
4) We praise the Lord for answering prayer from the last initiative in Lebanon for the formation of a new government. Also, the army was successful in apprehending up to 100 terrorists. Pray for the right person to become Lebanese president, the most powerful position in the government. It should be a person who cares for his people and land, who is of high character and who also has the gifts and support to lead effectively.
5) For Syria, pray with us in the spirit of 2 Chronicles 7:14 for the healing of this embattled, war-weary land that there will be a ceasefire and peace agreement that will end the war. Over 160,000 have already been killed and many millions are now refugees. Psalm 46 tell us that it is the Lord who "makes wars cease to the ends of the earth." It is therefore imperative that His people come together to pray to Him. Thanks so much for your prayer support, John Robb, IPC Chairman
Mr. Narendra Modi, the Hindu nationalist leader, as he claimed has been elected Prime Minister of India after. Dr. Man Mohan Singh. He is known as the hardcore leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (Indian People's Party). Bharatiya Janata Party has emerged as the largest political party in the 2014 Indian Parliamentary Election with 282 seats out of 543. The ruling Congress Party suffered a great set back and humbling defeat and reduced to 44 seats only. It is assumed that BJP has come back to power with its polarization vote bank as they took advantage of corruption, scams, price rise, policy paralysis etc., during Indian National Congress rule in the last 10 years.
Mr. Narendra Modi who was at the Chief Minister of Gujarat State for fourth term, claims that Gujarat is the most developed State in India. It is in this context during election campaign he promised development, good governance, employment, 24 hours electricity, water, good roads and what not. It is also to be noted that BJP manifesto highlights the construction of Ram Temple which has been a controversial issue for years. Time will reveal what Modi will do in the next five years for India to fulfil the aspiration of voters.
What is the matter of concern is that Bhatiya Janata Party is the Political Wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (National Volunteer Organisation), a nationalist Hindu organisation established in early nineteen century, with the sole objective to make India a Hindu Nation. RSS has grown bigger and stronger over the years and strongly implementing their agendas across the country. Modi is a product of RSS and worked for years as RSS pracharak (preacher) since he was a young man and had very humble beginning. However, it was the RSS leadership who proposed Narendra Modi as Prime Ministerial candidate.
Now, the Modi Government will be working, hand in glove with RSS and it is apprehended that all major decisions will be taken in consultation with RSS top brass. As of now they are meeting and discussing for formation of the new govt., which is in the public domain. Therefore it is a matter of concern for the minorities like Muslims and Christians in India.
At this juncture we seek prayer for the Modi Government that his policies and actions should not harm the minorities in India and more over Religious Freedom should continue since India is a democratic country as per its provision in Indian Constitution.
Rev. Dr. P. R. Parichha,DD,
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The big news in North Korea these days is the collapse of a large,new, 23 story apartment building housing many families of the elite and the leadership. It is feared that hundreds have died. Kim Jong Un was caught off guard and shown in the official press to be enjoying himself at a football match a couple days later but the coverage quickly changed to portray him as deeply distraught over the tragedy spending sleepless nights in grief. It is highly unusual that North Korea would acknowledge such a disaster but the high profile of those affected and strong protests that were made required some sort of official response. The North quickly sought out scape-goats to sacrifice and executed several officials blaming them for the catastrophe. However, this is exactly what many have feared as Kim Jong Un has been pushing for more construction at increased speed drafting students and soldiers to do the work. Personally, I was not surprised being aware of the strong emphasis on external appearance with little regard for what is under the facade. When I was working in the North there were buildings that I was afraid to enter knowing how they had been built.
North Korea continues to crack down on anything that exposes its citizens to outside influence recently adding a number of clauses to the criminal code requiring harsh punishment including execution for such things as viewing South Korean videos, calling people in the South by cell phone and other similar activities. This article lists the new laws and some of the punishments mandated. A man was recently executed as an example and some 100 Pyongyang citizens have been sent into internal exile. At the same time the State Security Department has shifted tactics from belligerence to sweet talk to get people to come back from China who have overstayed their permitted time but not many people are believing it.
On the international front, while Russia seems to be reassessing their relationship to NK in a positive light, NK's staunchest ally, China, is expressing anger and seems to be putting some distance between themselves and the North over the nuclear issue. In relation to South Korea, there has been an exchange of artillery fire at sea and scathing comments in the press--a not uncommon occurrence. Even so, the North has just announced that they plan to send a team to the Asian Games coming up in Inchon, South Korea in September. We hope that this will be an opportunity to tone down the rhetoric and re-open avenues of peaceful communication.
We have a bit of hopeful news concerning Ken Bae for whom we continue to pray. A group of Asian American leaders meeting in Washington in May were able to make an appeal to the White House for the US Government to get more fully involved in seeking the release of this US Citizen who has been held in prison in North Korea for 18 months now--by far the longest period of time for any American since the Korean War. His sister was with the group and reported that while they have grave concerns for his health, especially under the sentence of hard labor, he is allowed to have his Bible. He has read it 9 times so far during his incarceration.
Ben Torrey <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>