India: Orissa group hauled into court for turning to Christ
Six recently baptised Christians were arrested in northern Orissa State after Hindu activists accused them of converting to Christianity 'illegally'. The six ethnic minority Christians, who had recently joined Good Shepherd Ministries in Mayurbhanj district, appeared in court but were released on bail, according to Release partner All India Christian Council (AICC). Their pastor, Mannuel Mahapatra, was also arrested and accused of forcible conversion. Hindu extremists frequently level accusations of forcible conversion at pastors – but allegations against those who are converted are less common. The state of Orissa has implemented anti-conversion legislation and its Freedom of Religion Act bans religious conversions without the prior permission of local police and a district magistrate. In Karnataka state, nine members of the New India Church of God in Mysore were arrested last Sunday after Hindu extremists stormed the church. Attacks on individual Christians in Karnataka also continue. Four Christians were beaten and charged with 'outraging religious feelings' after distributing pamphlets.
Pray: for the Church in Orissa and the new believers that God will empower them and protect them from the hand of the enemy. (Pr.2:8)
Nigeria: Riots break out in the north following election
Riots erupted across northern Nigeria on Monday as President Goodluck Jonathan secured a decisive win in the country's presidential poll, which observers have described as the fairest in decades. Deadly rioting erupted across Nigeria's largely Muslim north on Monday as youths torched churches and homes in anger at President Goodluck Jonathan's election victory. Observers have called the poll the fairest in decades in Africa's most populous nation. But supporters of the defeated Mr Buhari accuse the ruling party of rigging and rejected the results. The results show how polarised the country is, with Buhari sweeping the north and Jonathan winning the largely Christian south. Jonathan had nearly 23 million votes to just over 12 million for Buhari. The Nigerian Red Cross said churches, mosques and homes had been burned in rioting across the north and many people had been killed, but it was impossible to give a toll for now. Pray: against this violence in the north and pray that the peoples and religious groups will find ways of living together in peace. (Nu.6:26) More: http://www.france24.com/en/20110418-north-riots-over-goodluck-jonathan-election-victory-nigeria
God is not done with Britain yet
There may be chaos in our lives and in the nation too, but Christians serve a God who can bring order out of that chaos and use what little we give to bring about big changes. That was the message from Gavin Calver to thousands of Christians at Spring Harvest last Friday. Calver spoke honestly about the challenges of leading a ministry when so many people in Britain are turning away from Christianity. ‘But we as a church need to start hoping, believing and praying for more because I am not prepared to accept the recent state. I read that in two generations time the church will be considered in the past tense in this nation. That is not going to happen. God is not done with this island yet. He can breathe life into nothing.’ Calver suggested that the church start really believing that the Christian faith is all about life, rather than accepting decline as inevitable.
Pray: for the Church to respond by confidently proclaiming the Gospel and working for revival. (Phl.1:14)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/gavin.calver.god.is.not.done.with.britain.yet/27835-2.htm
Weak censors mean kids now watch x-rated movies
‘Cynical directors and weak censors mean our children can now go to films that would have been x-rated ten years ago’, a film critic has warned. Chris Tookey’s comments came in response to the release of Sucker Punch, a 12A-rated film that teaches our children that ‘abusive sex and extreme violence aren’t really so bad’ – a rating which allows children in as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Mr Tookey, writing in the Daily Mail, hit out at the 12A certificate given to some movies and warned that current ground rules on sex and violence ‘have been relaxed to the point where not only morality but also common sense have flown out of the window’. Mr Tookey said there was plenty of evidence to suggest that ‘the 12A certificate is increasingly being used with despicable cynicism to expose children to material that is highly inappropriate and potentially damaging’. Pray: for a review of the ‘boundaries’ of censoring that will affirm the protection of our children and young people from the excesses of the film industry. (Ps.141:9) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/weak-film-censors-mean-kids-now-watch-x-rated-movies/
Girls go top of the class for cyber-bullying
Teachers will today call for an investigation into rising levels of poor behaviour among girls in the classroom. The girls, they argue, are more likely to resort to cyber-bullying – the form of bullying utilising the internet and mobile phones that is worrying school leaders. A survey by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) reveals that half the teachers believed girls' behaviour had got worse during the past two years. One in five thought it was now more challenging than boys. Teachers interviewed for the survey accused girls of being ‘sneakier’ than boys in the way they misbehaved. They were also more adept at using modern social media such as Facebook to bully their fellow pupils. ‘Girls spread rumours and fallouts last a long time,’ a 34-year-old teacher from Reading told researchers. ‘Boys tend to sort it out fairly quickly.’ Pray: for our young people that they will take a stand against such bullying. (Ps.94:16)
Electrician faces sack for displaying cross in his van
An electrician faces the sack for displaying a palm cross in the window of his company van. Colin Atkinson, 64, from Wakefield, has been called to a disciplinary hearing at the housing association where he has worked for 15 years. His bosses at the publicly funded Wakefield and District Housing (WDH) have demanded he remove the eight inch long cross made from woven palm leaves that sits on his dashboard. The organisation claims the cross may cause offence but says it strongly promotes ‘inclusive’ policies and allows employees to wear religious symbols at work. It has provided stalls at gay pride events, held ‘diversity days’ for travellers, and has allowed other staff to display photographs of Che Guevara, the revolutionary leader, in their office. Mr Atkinson, who is a regular worshipper at church, said: ‘I have worked in the coal mines and served in the Army in Northern Ireland and I have never suffered such stress'. Pray: for Mr Atkinson and for WDH to withdraw their discriminatory action. (Ps.40:10)
The collapse of family life
The astonishing speed at which traditional family life has collapsed is laid bare in a recent report. Shocking figures reveal that births outside marriage are at their highest level in two centuries and nearly half of children can expect their parents to separate by the time they turn 16. Nine out of ten couples now live together before -or instead of – marriage, earlier it was considered shameful to have a child outside of wedlock, now it has become the norm. Some 46 per cent of children are born to unmarried mothers, according to research by the Centre for Social Justice. The think-tank said a child growing up in a one-parent family is 75 per cent more likely to fail at school, 70 per cent more likely to become a drug addict, 50 per cent more likely to have an alcohol problem and 35 per cent more likely to be unemployed as an adult. Pray: for the Church to respond and support those adversely affected and to promote strong, loving stable marriage. (Heb.13:4 )
Kate Middleton's confirmed belief
There was no pressure for Kate Middleton to get confirmed - she did it because she wanted to. Confirmation is a public declaration of a Christian faith, so for once it is possible to talk about something Kate Middleton has done without having to rely on ‘friends’ and ‘palace insiders’. The latest generation of royals seem openly less religious than their parents. But this is evidence that Kate's confirmation really means something to her, rather than the contrary. She didn't have to do it, and seems quite capable of resisting any pressure to conform/confirm from those around her. It's not a big story - young woman indicates that she believes in God - but intensely irritating to those who tend to lump all their authority hate-figures together, especially if Kate continues to develop into a role model. Pray: for Kate as she declares her faith, enters into marriage and starts what will be a demanding public life. (1Co.16:3 ) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2011/apr/14/kate-middleton-confirmed
Euthanasia video for pupils features Dr Death
School children are being taught about euthanasia using a video that includes demonstrations by a notorious assisted suicide campaigner nicknamed Dr Death. Pupils as young as 14 are being shown the 20-minute film which features Dr Philip Nitschke showing the machine that is used to deliver lethal injections. There is also footage of him giving workshops on assisted suicide methods. Psychologists have warned that the film could encourage vulnerable teenagers to end their lives. Earlier this week the BBC was accused of being a ‘cheerleader for assisted suicide’ after filming a documentary that showed a man killing himself at a Dignitas clinic in Switzerland. See link Dr Nitschke, the founder of the pro-euthanasia group Exit International, caused controversy two years ago as he arrived to give his first UK suicide workshops. In them he demonstrates devices people can use to end their lives - including an ‘exit bag’, drugs from Mexico, and ‘peaceful pills.’ Pray: that the showing of this video and other material to school children will be blocked. (Job.3:20-23)
Netherlands: Town forbids evangelism campaign
A Dutch town known for its traditional churches and fishing community has forbidden an evangelism tent campaign, a move Christian Democrats say further threatens freedom of religion in the Netherlands. The local government of Urk said on Wednesday, April 13, it refused permission ‘because these activities must be organized by local churches.’ Additionally, licenses for evangelism can only be given in ‘summer holidays,’ it added. The decision comes as a major setback for the organizers of the evangelical 'Netherlands Bible Study Centre' (NBC), a foundation focusing on spreading Bible knowledge. NBC has been holding annual evangelism meetings in a circus tent in Urk, 85 kilometres north east of Amsterdam, as part of a tour through the Netherlands. A member of Urk's Municipality Council, Mr Foppen, said he would protest the evangelism ban at an upcoming council meeting on April 28. Willem Foppen, who represents the Dutch Christian Democratic Appeal party (CDA), said it was also strange that evangelism in Urk is apparently only allowed during summer holidays. Pray: that the meeting of the Council next week will lead to a licence being granted. (Lk.4:43) More: http://www.worthynews.com/10173-netherlands-town-urk-forbids-evangelism-campaign