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/
Proposal for an English Baccalaureate and RE
Senior religious-education (RE) professionals are warning that their subject could disappear from the curriculum in community schools if the subject is not included among the humanities that qualify for the planned English Baccalaureate. The new qualification, which is to be introduced to ensure that pupils receive a more rounded education requires good passes in English, maths, science, a foreign language, and either history or geography. Religious studies (RS), currently a popular examination choice, is not included as a humanities option. Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, which represents secondaryschool heads, says that his members believe that the proposed Baccalaureate is too narrow: ‘Religious studies, in particular, is glaringly absent. In the light of the global political situation, surely the objective study of religious issues should be encouraged,’ he said. A recent poll among 18 to 25-year-olds revealed that RE lessons were remembered as valuable for several years after leaving school.
Pray: that Christian teaching remains as a required element of schools’ curricula. (Ro.16:17)
Progress on Northern Ireland 'must not be squandered'
Amnesty International has warned that the opportunity to deal with the past in Northern Ireland must not be squandered following a lack of agreement at the end of multi-party negotiations, chaired by Dr Richard Haass. Northern Ireland’s five main political parties failed to agree to a new approach to dealing with the legacy of three decades of human rights violations and abuses, among other issues. Amnesty is calling for the publication of draft proposals from the inter-party talks and for negotiations to recommence in the New Year. The human rights group’s Northern Ireland Director Patrick Corrigan said: “We are disappointed the parties failed to reach an agreement on dealing with the past, but determined to continue to press for truth and justice for all victims in Northern Ireland. “What progress has been achieved by the parties and the Haass team towards agreeing a new approach to the past must not be squandered or obscured by disagreement on other issues.
Problems of Forces personnel switching to civilian life
The shock of leaving the Armed Forces took its toll with alcohol and mental health problems, unemployment and family break-ups according to the Forces in Mind Trust. Veterans’ alcohol problems had the biggest effect, costing an estimated £35 million in 2012, followed by mental health problems costing £26 million. The costs are predicted to rise this year because of the loss of thousands of jobs in recent months in defence cuts. The trust, which campaigns to make it easier for veterans to settle back into civilian life, said the great majority made the jump successfully, but it was still surprised by the scale of the costs. The report found the culture shock for those leaving the forces has been underestimated. Andrew Curry, author of the report, said: “Even those who have gone through a good transition said they found their experience of civilian life and the workplace to be a shock.”
Pray: for members of the armed forces as they make the transition to civilian life and that they will receive appropriate support. (Ps.55:22)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/ben-farmer/10243464/Problems-of-Forces-personnel-switching-to-civilian-life-cost-114m.html
Problems continue for St Paul’s as protesters stay put
Problems continue for St Paul’s as protesters stay put. Anti-capitalist protesters forced the cathedral to close its doors to the public for the first time in 72 years. St Paul’s Cathedral is considering taking out an injunction to remove hundreds of anti-capitalist protesters occupying the churchyard. The cathedral has been in talks about legal action with the City of London Corporation. Around 300 protesters have gathered outside the cathedral in the last 10 days since the Occupy Wall Street demonstration went global. They continue to defy requests by St Paul’s to leave voluntarily, despite their presence forcing the cathedral to close its doors to the public for the first time since World War II. The cathedral, situated in London's financial district, is estimated to be losing around £16,000 every day in lost tourism income – revenue that is vital to the upkeep of the building. The cathedral reportedly turned away worshippers from services on Sunday. Only a scheduled wedding has taken place. The canon chancellor of St Paul's Dr Giles Fraser who has been sympathetic to the protest camp outside which has led to the cathedral's closure has resigned from his post.
Pray: that a just solution to these protests would be found. Pray that the Church would take this opportunity to witness to the protesters. (Mic.1:2)
Pro footballer: Faith is 24/7
Darren Moore, who has played for clubs such as Portsmouth, West Brom and Derby during an impressive career, revealed he converted to Christianity after Bradford City assistant boss Wayne Jacobs invited him to a Christians in Sport meeting back in 1999. ‘Even though I had become a professional footballer, I had doubts that I wasn’t good enough. But after I attended that meeting I became a Christian and I realised that God loved me, it was an amazing experience. He said: ‘This is a 24-7 thing for me. Just as you build a relationship with your partner or your wife, you have to build one with the Lord. He wants to be with you through the good and the bad times.’ In his spare time, as well as being a regular at church, he also is active in Christian charity Faith in Football along with fellow stars Linvoy Primus and Lomana Lua-Lua.
Pray: for Darren and that his witness will encourage others to seek the Lord. (1Ch.16:10)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/pro.footballer.faith.is.247/28463.htm