Christian doctor goes to EU Court of Justice
Sheila Matthews, a paediatrician of 18 years, sat on an adoption panel and asked to abstain from voting on whether children should be placed with homosexual couples, due to her Christian beliefs. This resulted in her being dismissed as a medical adviser by Northamptonshire County Council. After a campaign led by Christian Concern she was reinstated in her job yet she was no longer allowed to continue as a full member of the adoption panel.This meant that she lost the opportunity to put vulnerable children in loving homes and her career was restricted. Sheila resigned this March because she felt that she could no longer work somewhere where she was denied the opportunity to fully use her skills. She has effectively been excluded from practising her vocation due to her Christian views. On Wednesday Shelia applied to be heard at the European Court of Justice mounting the legal challenge to determine whether professional medical advice regarding the child’s ‘best interests’ is ‘negated’ by ‘homosexual rights.’ Her case was heard before an Employment Tribunal in Leicester Tuesday. Pray: for the British Isles to adopt the best possible Christian options and practice for children and for religious and professional freedom for Christians in the workplace. (Job 6:29) More: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/nov/10111603.html
Royal Engagement
Clarence House announced plans for a 2011 Royal wedding on Tuesday, to the delight of the couple's parents, politicians and well-wishers. Prince William asked for Miss Middleton's hand in marriage while they were on holiday in Kenya last month, and the wedding will be held in the spring or summer next year. She will then move in with her husband in Wales. The Prince proposed with the blue sapphire and diamond ring that his father, the Prince of Wales, gave to Diana, Princess of Wales in February 1981. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are said to be 'absolutely delighted' by news of the engagement, while the Prince of Wales said he was 'thrilled'. Speaking at his Poundbury model village in Dorset, Prince Charles made reference to the length of their eight-year relationship, joking, 'They have been practising long enough.' The parents of Kate Middleton said they were 'absolutely delighted' and 'thrilled' at the announcement. Pray: for Harry and Kate as they prepare for marriage and cope with the media barrage they now face. (Pr.18:22) More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/theroyalfamily/8137887/Royal-wedding-Prince-William-to-marry-Kate-Middleton-after-proposing-with-Dianas-ring.html
Outrage after Amazon sells paedophile guide
An e-book which billed itself as a guide for paedophiles has been withdrawn from sale by prominent online retailer Amazon.com after horrified customers called for a boycott of the site. The book, entitled The Paedophile’s Guide to Love and Pleasure: A Child-Lover’s Code of Conduct, had been available for the retailer’s electronic reading device since October. The e-book claims that paedophiles are misunderstood, and offers advice about how to avoid falling foul of the law. Though Amazon.com has now withdrawn the contentious publication, other highly controversial books can still be bought through the online retailer. Amazon initially appeared to be reluctant to withdraw the book, saying in a statement, ‘Amazon believes it is censorship not to sell certain books simply because we or others believe their message is objectionable. Amazon does not support or promote hatred or criminal acts, however, we do support the right of every individual to make their own purchasing decisions.’ Pray: for Amazon to review their decision and to ban texts that support illegal activities. (Dt.7:12) More: More http://www.christian.org.uk/news/outrage-after-amazon-sells-paedophile-guide-online/
Derry priest in Mass attack
On Sunday Fr Dermott Harkin of at St Brigid's Church, Londonderry used Mass to attack republican gunmen believed to be responsible for shooting one of his parishioners. The victim, a convicted sex offender, was beaten and then shot in the legs. Fr Harkin said the attack was ‘not to be tolerated, and doesn't reflect the feelings of the vast majority of people in this area. He said that no-one has the right to take the law into their own hands, that all violence is wrong that all forms of abuse and cruelty meted out to any human being is against God's law and an insult to a good and decent community of people. The priest said he got a very positive reaction from his parishioners. Pray: that people would continue to move away from vigilante type activity and for peace to reign in North and South Ireland. (Ps.133:1) More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11755636
Religion needs a new image
Former Met chief Lord Ian Blair speaking at the annual lecture of theology think tank Theos warned that violence, infighting and abuse are obscuring much of the good that people of faith are doing today. The former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police warned that people were not always aware of the achievements brought about by religion because of some of the crimes committed by people of faith as well as internal conflicts, for example within his own Anglican Church. Lord Blair, a practising Anglican, went on to say that Islam had been ‘demonised’ by the acts committed by extremists and that to most people, faith appeared ‘irrelevant, clannish, prejudiced, old-fashioned and violent’. He believed religion was still principally a force for good and the acts of charity and love by people of faith should be and remain the glue that permits modern society to exist. Pray: for Lord Blair and other ‘high profile’ Christians to continue to speak out for truth humility and justice in our society. (Ps.45:4) More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/religion.needs.a.new.image.says.former.met.chief/27093.htm
Scotland’s End Of Life Assistance Bill
Margo MacDonald's ‘End of Life Assistance (Scotland)’ Bill is due to have its first reading on 24 November (the debate may take place earlier). It is vital the Bill is stopped at the first reading. If it progresses to the next stage then some form of euthanasia is likely to be legalised in Scotland. We are asked to pray and/or write to MSP’s to encourage them to vote against the bill. In February the Scottish Parliament established the End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill Committee, to consider the general principles of Margo MacDonald's Bill and report on them to the Scottish Parliament. In March the Committee launched a public call for evidence, inviting individuals and organisations to make written submissions with their views on the Bill. The consultation is now closed. Of the 601 people and organisations who gave written evidence to the consultation on the Bill, only 6.5 per cent (39) were in favour of it. Pray: for God inspired decisions regarding this bill, and for the precious gift of life to be protected. (Mt.10:30,31)
Hindus welcome inclusion of Paganism in UK's schools
Hindus have welcomed the reports of Lincolnshire County Council allowing its schools to teach Paganism to students. Prominent Hindu statesman Rajan Zed living in Nevada said that all religions were different ways to relate to the Divine. Debbie Barnes, Assistant Director of Children's Services for Lincolnshire County Council, said individual schools can decide whether or not to teach Paganism. See http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1328080/Schools-ahead-teach-Paganism-alongside-major-religions.html?ito=feeds-newsxml Currently Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism are part of the religious education. Recently Britain officially recognised Druidry as a religion and the rise of paganism in 21st century Britain has led to police officers advised on how to approach witches, and jailed druids allowed official pagan days of worship off prison work. Pray that Christians will stand against this growing acceptance of primitive beliefs so that new faiths will not undermines our social values. Pray: that Britain will fill her spiritual void with Jesus Christ and stop reaching out to ancient divinities. (Ac.19:18-20)
China: 80 million Bibles printed - and counting
The only authorised Bible-printing company in China marked the printing of its eighty-millionth Bible on Monday, the government’s official press agency announced. Amity Printing Co, located in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing, says it now prints one million copies a month. Since its founding in 1988, the printing company has grown to be one of the largest Bible publishers in the world. ‘The production of 80 million Bible copies can be attributed to the world of China’s Christians, and, more importantly, the country’s reform and opening-up policy,’ said Zhonghui Qiu, chairman of the board of Amity Printing Co. Similarly, David Thorne, the Asia secretary of the United Bible Societies – which is Amity’s partner in Bible printing – credited the Chinese government’s support for the high volume of Bibles being published in the country. About a quarter of the Bibles printed in the world today are made in China. Praise: God that His Word is spreading so amazingly. More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/80.million.bibles.printed.in.china.and.counting/27047.htm
North/South Korea: Reconciliation and food aid
As winter approaches, floods and frosty relations between Seoul and Pyongyang are putting the lives of millions of North Koreans at risk because of local food shortages. Representatives of the Catholic Apostolate Council of Korea met at the Fifth Forum for Intra-Korean Reconciliation in Seoul to discuss ways to end the North-South row to help their fellow Koreans in the North. The archbishop of Seoul asked lay Catholics to help their northern brothers and sisters despite the worsening relations between the two governments; and a deputy director of the Rural Economic Institute said ‘In addition to providing food aid, we can help local researchers develop better farming methods to boost local production. We can also plant trees to lessen the impact of flooding.’ Auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Seoul said, ‘If we ignore our brothers and sisters in the North, we must ask ourselves whether we are true Christians or not.’ Praise: God for opening avenues of Christian outreach to North Korea and ask Him to empower the dialogue towards reconciliation. (2Cor.5:18) More: http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Reconciliation-and-food-aid-for-North-Koreans-19946.html
Iraq: Christian areas targeted
A series of bombings and mortar attacks targeting six districts with strong Christian majorities in Baghdad injured at least 24 people. The attacks come days after more than 40 people died when Islamist militants seized a Catholic cathedral. (See also last weeks Prayer Alert and INSIGHT article on Christian Minorities in Iraq.) The violence came before the talks to resolve the country's political crisis ended yesterday with Iraq's main parties agreeing to form a government. Christian communities are agonising over whether to stay in Iraq or to try to leave. Since 2003 the Christian population has dwindled to roughly half following a number of bomb attacks on churches and abductions or killings of priests and other Christians. Pray: for God to give more protection to Iraqi Christians so that migration ends and refugees return. (Ge.28:15)