Young Christians inspired to speak of Jesus in public life
Christian Concern's fourth Wilberforce Academy brought together students and young graduates at Trinity College, Oxford last week. The academy is held annually by the advocacy group to equip the next generation of Christian leaders in public life. The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey opened the three-day gathering with a call to "maintain a public witness and stand just as much as Wilberforce was called upon to do in his day". "You are like shock troops who are called to lead in the battle… You are here to take the fight wherever it leads," he said. Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali expanded on the themes of his new book, Triple Jeopardy for the West, in which he warns of the challenges posed by aggressive secularism, radical Islamism and multiculturalism. Roger Trigg, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Warwick, highlighted the importance of religious freedom as a cornerstone for other vital freedoms.
Pray: for tall those who attended this event that they will respond to the call to leadership to 'fight the good fight'. (Eph.6:14-15)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/young.christians.inspired.to.speak.of.jesus.in.public.life/32040.htm
Christian printer faces being sued by gay magazine
The Christian owner of a printing firm in Northern Ireland faces being hauled to court over his refusal to print a gay magazine. Nick Williamson, who is being advised by The Christian Institute, says printing the material would go against his religious beliefs. But the editor of MyGayZine, Danny Toner, has approached a solicitor and referred the matter to the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland. Mr Williamson was asked to provide a cost estimate for printing the magazine, timed to coincide with a gay rights march in Belfast. But in an email to Mr Toner, Mr Williamson said he did “not feel comfortable” taking the job on because it “would be in contradiction to my own faith”. Mr Williamson had initially explained: “Unfortunately due to the nature of the magazine we are unable to give a quote.” But Mr Toner said “If we can take the printer to court, we will”.
Pray: for understanding and respect of each others views that will resolve this matter without litigation. (Ro.8:7)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-printer-faces-being-sued-by-gay-magazine/
UK can lead G8 on global poverty, say religious leaders
Religious leaders from across the G8 countries have called on heads of government to follow the UK in fulfilling existing commitments to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on aid. Over 70 religious leaders emphasised in a letter to the Financial Times that from April 5, only 1,000 days remain to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the 2015 deadline. With a focus on tax, trade and transparency, the religious leaders argue, the UK Presidency of the G8 has the potential to advance the MDG agenda in ways that will strike at the underlying causes of poverty, in particular by ensuring the wealth created by developing countries is not lost through unfair tax practices, a lack of transparency or a failure to secure the benefits of trade for developing countries. Meeting the remaining targets, while challenging, is possible - but only if governments do not waver from the moral and political commitments made over a decade ago," the letter stresses.
Pray: for a positive response and continued commitment to the MDG by the G* leaders. (1Jn.3:17)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18284
Sharia courts putting women at risk, CPS warns
Sharia courts are putting women at risk of violence from abusive husbands, the Crown Prosecution Service has warned. The courts, which issue rulings according to Islamic law, have been found to be giving Muslim women advice which experts warned may place them in danger. Undercover filming in some of the 85 councils operating in mosques and houses across the country has revealed that the courts, which are run by sharia councils, are ruling in favour of men meeting estranged wives or having access to children when they have found to have been abusive. Sharia law has no formal place in any of Britain’s legal systems. However, the investigation found courts in London which follow it were making rulings on domestic and marital issues according to Islamic law which appeared at odds with English family law. It is suggested that sharia courts may act contrary to English courts in matrimonial and child care issues.
Pray: for sharia courts to operate within British law and to ensure that the safety of women and children is of the highest priority . (Ac.10:43)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9976822/Sharia-courts-putting-women-at-risk-CPS-warns.html
Benefit cuts are 'unjust', say Churches
Churches say the benefit cuts which came into place April 1 are ‘unjust’ and hit the poorest hardest. The changes include the introduction of the so-called 'Bedroom Tax', which will mean cuts to housing benefit for some social housing tenants with a spare room. Around a third of families in social housing will be affected by the change. The up-rating of working-age benefits and tax credits at around a third of the rate of inflation will mean a real-term cut in payments, affecting especiallythose on the minimum wage and people out of work. The Government hopes to make savings of 20% by replacing the Disability Living Allowance with the Personal Independence Payment. The warning has come from the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church and the Church of Scotland, who say that the most vulnerable are paying a ‘disproportionate price’ in the Government's austerity measures.
Pray: that the Government will consider those that are most vulnerable and make allowances and be prepared to listen. (Is.10:1)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/benefit.cuts.are.unjust.say.churches/32004.htm
David Cameron 'feeds fears of Christian persecution'
Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has attacked David Cameron for doing more than any other recent political leader to feed Christian anxieties that they are part of a persecuted minority. In an article for the Daily Mail he wrote: 'I like David Cameron and believe he is genuinely sincere in his desire to make Britain a generous nation where we care for one another and where people of faith may exercise their beliefs fully. But it was a bit rich to hear that the Prime Minister has told religious leaders that they should 'stand up and oppose aggressive secularisation' when it seems that his Government is aiding and abetting this aggression every step of the way.’ He added ‘many Christians’ doubted the sincerity of Mr Cameron's pledge to support their rights, with a recent poll showing two-thirds believed they are now part of a ‘persecuted minority’.
Pray: for our PM and other politicians that they will stand against Christian persecution. (2Cor.2:17)
Religious Education standards ‘unacceptable’, MPs warn
A new report by a group of MPs has found that almost half of those teaching Religious Education (RE) in secondary schools have no qualifications in the subject. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Religious Education also revealed that one in four primary school children were being taught by a teaching assistant. ‘This is unacceptable and in many cases has a detrimental impact on the quality of RE’, the report concluded. About half of RE teachers lack confidence in teaching the subject, whilst 40 per cent have ‘inadequate access to continuing professional development.’ Stephen Lloyd, the Liberal Democrat chair of the committee, said that a number of Government policies, including the decision to exclude RE from the English Baccalaureate, had ‘served to lower’ the status of the subject. He added: ‘It is illogical to think that we can dilute the professionalism and expertise needed to teach RE well.’
Pray: that the teaching of our faith to the young will not be neglected. (Pr.6:23)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/religious-education-standards-unacceptable-mps-warn
Scottish Minister condemns £1.6 million grant to homosexual group
A Scottish pastor has criticised the Scottish Government’s decision to give £1.6 million to a homosexual organization’s school campaign. Rev David Robertson, minister of St Peter’s Free Church in Dundee and director of the Solas Centre for Public Christianity, warned that the decision to give so much taxpayers’ money to Equality Network will further undermine Christianity and do little to stop bullying. He commented: The Equality Network have a definition of homophobia which means that anyone who disagrees with their position is homophobic. For example, I am not homophobic but am opposed to the redefinition of marriage. The Equality Network has now been given money, not to combat homophobic bullying, but to promote their own views and to suppress any other view. Ironically this is more likely to increase bullying than to decrease it.’ The Scottish Government is not giving money to combat other kinds of bullying.
Pray: that the funding allocated to this group will be withdrawn as it promotes homosexuality alone to the detriment of Christianity.
Christian satellite TV affected by Cyprus banking crisis
SAT-7 says its financial difficulties have been ‘aggravated’ by the banking crisis affecting Cyprus. The Christian satellite channel's international office is based in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, where the banks are only just reopening after nearly two weeks of forced closure. The organisation admitted to supporters at its Network 2013 conference last week that it is exploring new strategies for income generation as a result of increasing financial challenges. Dr Terence Ascott, SAT-7's Chief Executive, says ‘For four years we've operated with a flat budget which has been very challenging. Now if we don't significantly increase our support we will be unable to sustain our programmes at their current levels.’ Despite the financial struggles, supporters heard how the channel is being used to promote reconciliation and strengthen the faith of suffering Christians at a time of unprecedented upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa.
Pray: for a speedy resolution to this financial crisis and that alternative funding will be found for SAT-7 (Ps.119:153)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.satellite.tv.hit.by.cyprus.banking.crisis/31992.htm
Christian satellite TV affected by Cyprus banking crisis
SAT-7 says its financial difficulties have been ‘aggravated’ by the banking crisis affecting Cyprus. The Christian satellite channel's international office is based in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, where the banks are only just reopening after nearly two weeks of forced closure. The organisation admitted to supporters at its Network 2013 conference last week that it is exploring new strategies for income generation as a result of increasing financial challenges. Dr Terence Ascott, SAT-7's Chief Executive, says ‘For four years we've operated with a flat budget which has been very challenging. Now if we don't significantly increase our support we will be unable to sustain our programmes at their current levels.’ Despite the financial struggles, supporters heard how the channel is being used to promote reconciliation and strengthen the faith of suffering Christians at a time of unprecedented upheaval in the Middle East and North Africa.
Pray: for a speedy resolution to this financial crisis and that alternative funding will be found for SAT-7 (Ps.119:153)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.satellite.tv.hit.by.cyprus.banking.crisis/31992.htm