Generation ex-christian
Research and surveys show that many atheists, agnostics, and spiritual-seekers are former Christians. There was no research-based book that explained in depth why people were leaving, until Generation Ex-Christian. This recently released book by Drew Dyck, editorial manager of the ministry team at Christianity Today International, breaks down ‘leavers’ into six categories: postmodern leavers, recoilers, modern leavers, neo-pagans, rebels, and drifters. These categories were formed after Dyck interviewed nearly 100 people while researching the book. ‘I’m not a sociologist or statistician, but I knew as a journalist I could bring something to this issue by introducing people to some of the faces and the stories behind the statistics’, Dyck said, ‘and by providing profiles of these, what I call ‘leavers’, these 20-somethings and early-30s that have walked away from the faith’. He continued ‘then provide some kind of tips on how to engage them in meaningful conversations about God that will ultimately lead them back’.
Pray: that this work will assist the success of the mission of God's church. (Rev. 2:7)
Rome: Pope urges governments to protect Christians
Pope Benedict XVI appealed to governments on Monday to protect Christians against violence and discrimination. He also called on Pakistan to reverse its blasphemy laws, saying they were a pretext for ‘acts of injustice and violence’ against religious minorities. He was addressing not only Muslim majority countries, including Egypt, Iraq and Nigeria, but also Europe and the West where religion is being marginalised. But most of the concerns he expressed surrounded the recent spate of attacks that have left dozens of Christians dead. Coptic Christians in Egypt were the latest victims of a New Year's Eve bombing. Just weeks before that, Nigeria's Christian population was targeted during Christmas and the Christian minority in Iraq continues to suffer in the months following the church siege in October that left 58 people dead as bombs explode near homes and businesses. ICC president Jeff King lamented that the rate of Christian persecution has accelerated around the globe.
Pray: that the Pope’s message will be well received by the leaders of the nations. (Ps.32:7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pope.urges.governments.to.protect.christians/27343.htm
Rome: Pope urges governments to protect Christians
Pope Benedict XVI appealed to governments on Monday to protect Christians against violence and discrimination. He also called on Pakistan to reverse its blasphemy laws, saying they were a pretext for ‘acts of injustice and violence’ against religious minorities. He was addressing not only Muslim majority countries, including Egypt, Iraq and Nigeria, but also Europe and the West where religion is being marginalised. But most of the concerns he expressed surrounded the recent spate of attacks that have left dozens of Christians dead. Coptic Christians in Egypt were the latest victims of a New Year's Eve bombing. Just weeks before that, Nigeria's Christian population was targeted during Christmas and the Christian minority in Iraq continues to suffer in the months following the church siege in October that left 58 people dead as bombs explode near homes and businesses. ICC president Jeff King lamented that the rate of Christian persecution has accelerated around the globe.
Pray: that the Pope’s message will be well received by the leaders of the nations. (Ps.32:7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/pope.urges.governments.to.protect.christians/27343.htm
Denmark: Summit on Iraq sectarian violence opens
Some of Iraq's top religious leaders gathered in Copenhagen on Wednesday for a three-day closed-door meeting to try to end the recent violence against the country's Christian community. The emergency summit at a heavily guarded Copenhagen hotel comes on the heels of a string of attacks on Christians in Iraq, as well as in neighbouring countries. Eight of Iraq's ‘most influential’ Muslim and Christian religious leaders were taking part, according to the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East a British NGO that co-organised the meeting with the Danish foreign ministry. The participants' identities have been kept secret for their own safety. Danish Foreign Minister Lene Espersen meanwhile stressed last week she had taken the initiative for the conference in a bid ‘to promote dialogue between religious groups in Iraq,’ following recent attacks on the Christian minority there.
Pray: that there will be a meeting of minds that will lead to peace and reconciliation. (Job.22:21)
More: http://www.france24.com/en/20110112-summit-iraq-sectarian-violence-opens-denmark
Denmark: Summit on Iraq sectarian violence opens
Some of Iraq's top religious leaders gathered in Copenhagen on Wednesday for a three-day closed-door meeting to try to end the recent violence against the country's Christian community. The emergency summit at a heavily guarded Copenhagen hotel comes on the heels of a string of attacks on Christians in Iraq, as well as in neighbouring countries. Eight of Iraq's ‘most influential’ Muslim and Christian religious leaders were taking part, according to the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East a British NGO that co-organised the meeting with the Danish foreign ministry. The participants' identities have been kept secret for their own safety. Danish Foreign Minister Lene Espersen meanwhile stressed last week she had taken the initiative for the conference in a bid ‘to promote dialogue between religious groups in Iraq,’ following recent attacks on the Christian minority there.
Pray: that there will be a meeting of minds that will lead to peace and reconciliation. (Job.22:21)
More: http://www.france24.com/en/20110112-summit-iraq-sectarian-violence-opens-denmark
Protecting Christian beliefs
The legal system may have gone ‘too far’ in restricting the right of Christians to live out their faith, Britain’s former top judge has cautioned. (See Prayer Alert 5310.) Lord Woolf’s comments came after the Bishop of Winchester warned that the demise of ‘religious literacy’ had created an imbalance in the way Christians are treated by the courts. Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, has urged the Prime Minister to review legislation which has been used to penalise Christians. Lord Woolf acknowledged that the Bishop of Winchester’s concerns had ‘a grounding in the facts’, saying ‘The law must be above any sectional interest even if it is an interest of a faith but at the same time it must be aware of the proper concerns of that faith. The law should be developed in ways that, wherever practicable, it allows that faith to be preserved and protected.’
Pray: for fairness in the law towards Christians acting out their belief. (Ps.136:16)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/ex-top-judge-warns-against-penalising-christian-beliefs/
Children have never had it harder
Children are being put under too much pressure from exams, the Internet and celebrity culture, parents have warned. An investigation into children's welfare in 21st century Britain has found high levels of concern that their development is being damaged. Research by Mumsnet, the parenting website, found that adults believe it has never before been harder to be a child growing up. The study found that nearly nine out of ten parents feel their offspring are suffering from pressure to look like unrealistic images used in the media. Almost two thirds of those polled said that there was too much testing in schools, while three quarters admitted they struggled to spend enough time with their children because of their long working hours. More than half said the rise of the Internet had added to young people's problems, while 78 per cent said children do not play out enough on their own.
Pray: for young people and for secure, strong families who can support children faced with increasing life-pressures. (3Jn:4)
Islamification of Britain?
British Muslims have faced more scrutiny, criticism and analysis than any other religious community. Despite this, thousands of Britons are converting every year. To put this into perspective, independent studies estimate that the total Muslim population of Britain is 4%. A new study by Faith Matters suggests the real figure of conversions could be as high as 100,000, with as many as 5,000 new conversions nationwide each year. Fiyaz Mughal, director of Faith Matters said ‘I think there is definitely a relationship between conversions being on the increase and the prominence of Islam in the public domain. People are interested in finding out what Islam is all about and when they do that they go in different directions.’ See also comments on this item at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1343954/100-000-Islam-converts-living-UK-White-women-keen-embrace-Muslim-faith.html
Pray: that those seeking spiritual faith will find the Christian church reaching out to them with the Gospel message.(1Ch.16:10)
Towards church response to domestic abuse
The church today is not equipped to address domestic abuse, but one organisation is hoping to change this. A new resource to raise awareness of domestic abuse happening both within the church and outside has been announced by Peter Grant, co-director of Restored. He says that a lot of churches are getting on board, recognising that domestic abuse is happening in their midst. The resource pack is simple. It includes a charter that churches can display on their notice board stating that violence against women is always wrong. It also provides guidance about how best to respond to a woman who seeks help. ‘A lot of the messages around violence against women are aimed at women but we feel there also needs to be a campaign aimed at men saying ‘please stop’,’ says Peter who believes that the attitudes and actions of men must change if violence against women is to be ended.
Pray: for a positive response to this issue in all church groups and communities. (Col.3:19)
Govt: We’re not ashamed of Christmas cheer
A Labour MP’s attempt to criticise a Government department for presumed excessive festive spending backfired spectacularly earlier his week. Robert Neill, a minister in the Communities Department, highlighted the Government’s commitment to a Christian Christmas. He was responding to Caroline Flint, Labour’s Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary. She asked ‘how many Christmas parties and drinks receptions his Department plans to host in December 2010’. Robert Neill, MP for Bromley and Chislehurst, responded on behalf of the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles. He said: ‘As the Secretary of State indicated in his departmental press notice of 29 November 2010, the new Administration is committed to celebrating Christmas, including its Christian heritage. Ministers recognise that we live in frugal times due to the need to pay off the significant public deficit and national debt. But there is no need to play Scrooge. We should not allow politically correct Grinches to marginalise the importance of the birth of Christ.’
Pray: that the UK Government continues to ensure that Christianity is not marginalised. (Jn.1:17)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/govt-tells-labour-were-not-ashamed-of-christmas-cheer/