Sentamu warns don't legalise gay marriage
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Dr John Sentamu, the second most senior cleric in the Church of England, tells Ministers they should not overrule the Bible and tradition by allowing same-sex marriage. The Archbishop says it is not the role of the state to redefine marriage, threatening a new row between the Church and state just days after bishops in the House of Lords led a successful rebellion over plans to cap benefits. ‘Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman,’ says Dr Sentamu. ‘I don’t think it is the role of the state to re-define what marriage is. It is set in tradition and history and you can’t just change it overnight, no matter how powerful you are.
Pray: for the Government to listen to and respect the views of the Church and other religious groups when considering this matter. (Ps.85:8)
Sexual freedom and relationship breakdown cost £100 billion
The costs of sexual freedom and relationship breakdown to the taxpayer and wider economy total some £100 billion annually; about twice as much as alcohol abuse, smoking and obesity combined. This is the astounding conclusion of the latest ‘Cambridge Paper’, ‘Free sex: Who pays? Moral hazard and sexual ethics’ by Guy Brandon. Rather than addressing moral issues Brandon employs a utilitarian approach and attempts to quantify its financial impact. He argues that sexual freedom ‘represents an enormous moral hazard and, as a result, unsustainable and unjust public expenditure’. Furthermore, these costs are imposed on society as a whole, rather than borne solely by the individuals most directly responsible. Brandon concludes that the moral hazard that arises from our society’s uncritical endorsement of sexual freedom results in massive public costs. He suggests the Christian sexual ethic of faithfulness and stability offers a pragmatic answer to a failing culture that generally views Christian standards as hopelessly out of date.
Pray: that this paper will add to the rising tide of evidence that abandoning God’s rules for living can only lead to the breakdown of society. (Ro.13:13)
More: http://pjsaunders.blogspot.com/2012/01/sexual-freedom-and-relationship.html
Nine-year-old British girls forced to marry under sharia law
Girls as young as nine are being forced to marry in mosques in Islington, according to the findings of a leading women’s rights group. The Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation (IKWRO) has reported that at least 30 forced marriages took place in the borough in 2010, involving at least three 11-year-old and two 9-year-old girls. Similarly, the Ministry of Justice revealed details of over 30 applications for Forced Marriage Protection Orders in 2011, of which ‘five or fewer’ were made to protect children aged 9 to 11. IKWRO has warned that child marriages in Britain could be on the increase. Ms Nammi said that the girls are married off to family friends or family members to stop them from losing their virginity to anyone not chosen by their father. The marriages are conducted by Imams under sharia law, rendering them illegal and void under British law.
Pray: that our justice system and authorities will be able to get to grips with this problem. (Pr.18:5)
Atheists clash over plans to build ‘temple’ in London
Two of the country’s most prominent atheists have clashed over plans to build a £1 million ‘temple for atheists’ in the City of London. Alain de Botton, a philosopher and writer, wants to build a 46-metre tower to celebrate atheism as a positive force. He says the structure would celebrate ‘new atheism’ and act as an antidote to the ‘aggressive’ atheism of the likes of Richard Dawkins. But Professor Dawkins, the author of the God Delusion, says the project is a waste of money and a contradiction in terms. He said: ‘Atheists don’t need temples. I think there are better things to spend this kind of money on.’ David Robertson, director of Christian group Solas, said: ‘For once I find myself partially agreeing with Richard Dawkins. Given that we are continually told that atheists believe nothing, it does seem somewhat silly and ridiculous to erect a temple to non-belief.’
Pray: that Paul’s message in Acts 17 would reach those who seek to worship an unknown God. (Ac.17:23)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/atheists-clash-over-plans-to-build-%E2%80%98temple-in-london/
Victory in Europe: ‘Euthanasia must always be prohibited’
On January 25, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a non-binding resolution stating: ‘Euthanasia, in the sense of the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit, must always be prohibited.’ The purpose of the resolution, entitled ‘Protecting human rights and dignity by taking into account previously expressed wishes of patients,’ defines the principles that should govern the practice of ‘living wills’ or ‘advance directives’ in the 47 States of the Council of Europe. The European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) welcomed the adoption of the PACE resolution. ‘This Resolution is a major victory for the protection of life and dignity,’ said ECLJ Director Grégor Puppinck. Puppinck noted that because ‘living wills’ or ‘advance directives’ are open to abuses, and are a ‘backdoor’ for introducing euthanasia or assisted suicide into legislation, PACE's resolution was necessary.
Pray: that this resolution will be adopted across Europe. (Pr.13:14)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=9780
Victory in Europe: ‘Euthanasia must always be prohibited’
On January 25, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a non-binding resolution stating: ‘Euthanasia, in the sense of the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit, must always be prohibited.’ The purpose of the resolution, entitled ‘Protecting human rights and dignity by taking into account previously expressed wishes of patients,’ defines the principles that should govern the practice of ‘living wills’ or ‘advance directives’ in the 47 States of the Council of Europe. The European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) welcomed the adoption of the PACE resolution. ‘This Resolution is a major victory for the protection of life and dignity,’ said ECLJ Director Grégor Puppinck. Puppinck noted that because ‘living wills’ or ‘advance directives’ are open to abuses, and are a ‘backdoor’ for introducing euthanasia or assisted suicide into legislation, PACE's resolution was necessary.
Pray: that this resolution will be adopted across Europe. (Pr.13:14)
More: http://www.breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=9780
France: Christian chaplaincy tensions
The Protestant Federation of France General Assembly on 21 and 22 January in Paris examined the issues chaplains face in hospitals, prisons, and the military and urged member churches to take steps to support chaplains' work. A key concern was the tensions in some sectors between Protestant chaplains and those from the Catholic Church, as the number of practicing Catholics is declining andtheir Church is losing its traditionally dominant position in the area of chaplaincy. 64 percent of French people identify themselves as Catholics, but less that 10 percent practice their religion. three percent identify as Protestants. Protestant Hospital Chaplains visit patients, counsel the dying and contribute to ethics policies as they work alongside representatives of the Catholic, Jewish and Muslim faiths. They are hoping for greater teamwork. ‘Spirituality is a great part of health-care, and we want to put in place meetings between the national chaplaincy services’ said a spokesperson for the Assembly.
Pray: for God’s blessings to be poured over the hospitals, prisons, the military and wherever people are in stress, pain and trauma, that they might turn and focus on the living God. (Ps.3:8)
France: Christian chaplaincy tensions
The Protestant Federation of France General Assembly on 21 and 22 January in Paris examined the issues chaplains face in hospitals, prisons, and the military and urged member churches to take steps to support chaplains' work. A key concern was the tensions in some sectors between Protestant chaplains and those from the Catholic Church, as the number of practicing Catholics is declining andtheir Church is losing its traditionally dominant position in the area of chaplaincy. 64 percent of French people identify themselves as Catholics, but less that 10 percent practice their religion. three percent identify as Protestants. Protestant Hospital Chaplains visit patients, counsel the dying and contribute to ethics policies as they work alongside representatives of the Catholic, Jewish and Muslim faiths. They are hoping for greater teamwork. ‘Spirituality is a great part of health-care, and we want to put in place meetings between the national chaplaincy services’ said a spokesperson for the Assembly.
Pray: for God’s blessings to be poured over the hospitals, prisons, the military and wherever people are in stress, pain and trauma, that they might turn and focus on the living God. (Ps.3:8)
China: Five priests ‘taken away’
Five ‘underground’ priests from Suiyuan diocese in Inner Mongolia were ‘taken away’ by police on Monday from Erenhot city (near the border with Mongolia). The sources said the priests have no affiliation with the government-sanctioned ‘open’ Church. They were Father Joseph Gao, - diocesan administrator, Fr Joseph Ban, - seminary rector and three parish priests surnamed Ding, Wang and Zhao. They were holding a meeting at a layperson’s home discussing the transfer of parish priests when about 30 policemen and government officials stormed the house and took them away. The officials did not give any explanation for the arrests and other priests and lay leaders have called for prayers for their safe return. The underground community in Suiyuan has led a peaceful existence in recent years with about 30 priests usually living in laypeople’s homes and doing pastoral work secretly. The underground community refers to itself as Suiyuan diocese, covering central and south-western part of Inner Mongolia.
Pray: God’s protection on China’s underground church and for the safe return of the priests. (Ps.5:11)
More: http://www.ucanews.com/2012/01/31/officials-arrest-underground-priests/
Syria: Risking it all to report the uprising
As foreign journalists weigh the risks of reporting on the unrest in Syria, many nameless locals are putting themselves in greater danger for fewer rewards covering an uprising in a tightly controlled police state that often literally shoots the messenger. We are witnessing the birth of citizen journalism, and Razzan Ghaxxawi, a popular blogger said, ‘Syrian journalists are targeted now, that's why we witnessed the birth of citizen journalists who are doing excellent work. Syria’s citizen journalists have learned to employ a variety of creative means to evade the radar of the vigilant authorities. When carrying out their daily work of media coverage they rely heavily on internet proxies, satellite phones, modems, hidden cameras often placed in buttons, pens and wristwatches. However some have learned that the sneakier they are the greater the punishment. The Smart Phone is more dangerous to the government than Israel now. (See also North Korea story below)
Pray: and thank God for the way technology is being used positively asking Him to protect those who communicate events truthfully. (Is.21:6)