Teachers to ask 11-year-olds if they are gay
A report commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) recommends that children should be asked if they are homosexual from the age of 11 and that records should be kept of those unsure about or ‘questioning’ their sexuality. The report was conducted in an effort to encourage teachers, nurses and youth workers to start monitoring the development of young people’s sexual identity. The aim of the monitoring would be to ‘shed light on the complexities of young people’s developing sexual orientation and how this may disadvantage them.’ The report suggested that it is both ‘practically and ethically’ possible to interview children as young as 11 about their sexual orientation, if necessary without parental consent. The report has prompted concern in some quarters. Pray: for the authorities and there seeming obsession with sexuality especially with the young. (1Cor.6:12&6:18) More:http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/sexual-orientation/equality-commission-wants-teachers-to-ask-children-if-they-are-homos
‘Pop porn’ is harming young children
Sexually charged pop lyrics and videos are damaging young children but the industry does not care as long as it makes money, a national newspaper columnist has said. Sandra Parsons highlighted popstar Rihanna’s song S&M which includes sexually explicit lyrics, as well as a music video by rapper Skepta and a song by the artist Jessie J. The columnist is worried about the effect on children, but was sceptical about whether the industry would care ‘about the emotional stability of the children who make them ever richer. What children see, hear and do before adulthood can have far-reaching consequences’ she writes. ‘Can we honestly say that the boys listening to all these mainstream songs that glorify aggressive sex will not be remotely affected later on? Teenagers are an easy target for a cynical music industry that continues to pump out ever more pornographic images and lyrics to sell records.’ Pray: for public and political opinion to censure the music industry and force them to curtail their unchecked push of pornographic material. (Eze.16:58) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/pop-porn-is-harming-young-children-columnist-warns/
Training in community outreach ahead of 2012 Games
Churches are to be trained in running community festivals as part of their outreach during the 2012 London Olympic Games. Thirteen training events are to take place over the coming months to show churches how they can put on simple events that build community spirit and demonstrate the Gospel. Organisers are hoping churches will work together to run a festival in their community in the run-up to or during the Games. The training events are being coordinated by More than Gold, the charity overseeing church outreach during the 2012 Olympic Games, and being run by Fusion and Share Jesus International, which offer two alternative models of festival. Venues include London, Newcastle, Oxford, Reading, Preston, Croydon, Liverpool and Aylesbury. David Willson, chief executive of More than Gold, said: ‘it is time for churches to be making their own plans. This tour gives them the help they need.’
Pray: for a huge response by church and other Christian groups to support the outreach during the Olympics. (Mk.16:15)
Britain is no longer a free society
Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has warned that Britain is no longer a free society where conscience is respected. Speaking at the Christian Broadcasting Council’s annual conference, the bishop warned that ‘encroaching totalitarianism’ was threatening respect for conscience. ‘What we are facing is not a free society, but an ideology that is seeking to impose its views on us,’ he said. The bishop said that the secular worldview was undermining absolute respect for human life and amounted to an attack on the unborn child, the ill, the disabled, the elderly and the family. He said that respect for the unborn child had been eroded by the ‘demands of science’ and ‘huge commercial interests’, as well as a ‘relativistic’ worldview that cannot explain the dignity of the human person. ‘If you can dispense with a person at the earliest stage of life why not do it at the later stages. Or in between?’ he said. Pray: that the secular worldview and its ideology would not be imposed upon our society. (Job.27:6) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/britain.is.no.longer.a.free.society.says.bishop.nazirali/27732.htm
Launch of equalities and conscience petition
The recent judgment in the case of Owen and Eunice Johns provoked huge national interest and wide scale media coverage. The Judgment highlighted once again the difficulties that Christians can encounter when attempting to participate in some parts of public life without compromising their beliefs. The Johns, along with Christian Concern, have launched a major new petition, calling on the Prime Minister to respect Christian conscience and take urgent action to address the problems created by equalities legislation. You can read and sign the petition here. You can download the petition forms here. Please forward the petition to your friends and colleagues, and download the forms to gather signatures locally. Pray:that this petition and other submissions to the Government will encourage them to review and amend recent legislation. (Isa.10:1) More:http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/social/launch-of-equalities-and-conscience-petition
Survey claims RE boosts faith tolerance
Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of the British public believe if a child is taught Religious Education (RE) at school, then they are more likely to be tolerant towards other faiths and cultures as an adult. The ComRes poll of 2,000 adults also found that 72 per cent agree that RE is an important means through which children learn about other people's faiths and ways of life, and 73 per cent believe it is important for young people to learn about a range of religious beliefs other than their own while at school. Chief executive, Baptist minister the Revd Peter Kerridge, said 'This poll clearly reveals that British public are overwhelming in favour of religious education in schools, and understand the benefits the subject can for young people growing up in today's modern, multicultural Britain. 'What is so surprising is the unity across all faiths on this issue. Pray: for the Government to recognise the place of R.E. in the school curriculum. (Ex.18:20)
One in four pupils admit swapping porn images
A disturbing number of children - some as young as 11 - are taking pornographic images of themselves and swapping them with friends via text messages or the internet, experts warn. A survey reveals that 40 per cent of 11- to 14-year-olds have used their mobile phones or computer to send pictures of themselves or receive naked or topless images of friends. And more than half of youngsters who sent these images - a trend known as ‘sexting’ - did so knowing the pictures would be passed on to a number of recipients. And four in ten of the 11,000 children surveyed thought it was ‘appropriate’ to circulate pictures of topless girls in their school. Experts said the findings showed a significant shift from children viewing internet pornography - to creating it themselves. The shocking trend has been blamed on the volume of internet pornography seen by boys who, as a result, expect girlfriends to be promiscuous and flaunt their bodies. Pray: against this trend of ‘sexting’ amongst the young and pray that ways would be found to control this and other forms of pornography. (Tit.2:1)
Norway: Statistics show members go to church once a year
The average Church of Norway member went to church once a year in 2010, Statistics Norway reported in the annual statistical report it sends to the church. Although church attendance has remained the same since 2000, other indicators show dwindling participation in the Lutheran state church in the past decade. A main reason why church attendance remains rather stable is the large number of people attending child baptisms. While these numbers are growing, the number of regular church-goers is dwindling. Of Norway's five million inhabitants, 78 per cent were members of the Church of Norway in 2010, as opposed to 86.3 per cent in 2000. Out of total newborns, 66.3 percent were baptised in the Church of Norway last year, down from 81.4 per cent in 2000. The percentage of 15-year-olds being confirmed edged lower to 64.9 from 68.3. The percentage of funerals performed in church continued to be very high at 91.1, but that was down slightly from 92.5 per cent. Pray: that God would send revival to the church in Norway freeing it from stagnation to life. (Ps.85:6)
Norway: Statistics show members go to church once a year
The average Church of Norway member went to church once a year in 2010, Statistics Norway reported in the annual statistical report it sends to the church. Although church attendance has remained the same since 2000, other indicators show dwindling participation in the Lutheran state church in the past decade. A main reason why church attendance remains rather stable is the large number of people attending child baptisms. While these numbers are growing, the number of regular church-goers is dwindling. Of Norway's five million inhabitants, 78 per cent were members of the Church of Norway in 2010, as opposed to 86.3 per cent in 2000. Out of total newborns, 66.3 percent were baptised in the Church of Norway last year, down from 81.4 per cent in 2000. The percentage of 15-year-olds being confirmed edged lower to 64.9 from 68.3. The percentage of funerals performed in church continued to be very high at 91.1, but that was down slightly from 92.5 per cent. Pray: that God would send revival to the church in Norway freeing it from stagnation to life. (Ps.85:6)
Germany: Parents jailed over sex education row
A Christian father spent another day in a German prison Saturday, March 26, after refusing to pay a fine for not allowing his children to attend government-run ‘sexual education’ classes, his lawyers said. Eduard Wiens is now serving a 40-day sentence that will end April 23. Eduard Wiens is one of several Christian parents being prosecuted by German authorities over the controversial sex-classes, adding that it asked the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to quickly review appeals filed last year on their behalf. Eduard and Rita Wiens, chose to keep their children from attending obligatory ‘sexual education’ in the town of Salzkotten that they believed taught students ‘an unbiblical view of sexuality.’ They were subsequently fined and sentenced to prison after they refused to pay. Eduard Wiens served five days last year and is now serving a 40-day sentence. Pray: for these Christian parents who are standing up for their conscience and rights. (Mt.10:22) More:http://www.bosnewslife.com/16249-germany-jails-christian-parents-over-sex-education-row