Lord Patten attacks 'intolerant' secularists
Lord Patten the new chairman of the BBC waded into the growing row over secularism, saying atheists are ‘intolerant’ of religion. Lord Patten a former Cabinet minister and practising Catholic said that he felt he was regarded as ’peculiar’ over his faith. His comments come amid a deepening battle over the freedom of religious belief in the British Isles. He will take control of the BBC Trust next month. He is the highest-profile political figure to enter the debate over what is seen as a creeping attempt to remove Christianity from public life. His comments angered secularists who expressed concern that his faith could affect his ability to remain objective in making decisions. Speaking last week at Our Lady of Grace and St Edward in Chiswick on the theme, ‘Faith and Public Service - Christian witness in the wider world’, he said he was dismayed by the attitude of secularists to the Pope's visit last year. Pray: that God would use Lord Patten in his role at the BBC and many other Christians in the media to be His vessels of hope in the face of secular values. (Ps.33:8) More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8469734/Lord-Patten-attacks-intolerant-secularists.htmll
Atheists should drop anti-religion campaigns
Martin Rees, the astronomer royal, has called on anti-religion campaigners to abandon their tactics and strive for ‘peaceful coexistence’ with mainstream religious groups. Rees, one of the country's most senior scientists, criticised those who pit science against religion and urged atheists to embrace the moderate strands of faith in opposing fundamentalism. Rees was among the first generation of scientists to contemplate the big bang. In subsequent work he has asked how large is physical reality. Rees, who does not believe in God, described himself as an ‘accommodationist’ and ‘tribal Christian’ who was happy to attend church services. ‘Campaigning against religion can be socially counter-productive. If teachers take the uncompromising line that God and Darwinism are irreconcilable, many young people raised in a faith-based culture will stick with their religion and be lost to science. Moreover, we need all the allies we can muster against fundamentalism – a palpable, perhaps growing concern,’ he wrote.
Pray: for a wider recognition that, as many scientists affirm, belief in God and the study of science are fully compatible. (Je.31:35)
More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/apr/24/martin-rees-atheists-drop-campaigns
Scottish Cardinal condemns ‘aggressive secularism’
In his Easter Sunday homily, delivered in St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, Cardinal Keith O’Brien stressed the ‘common ancestry’ of all Christians as he paid tribute to friends in the Church of Scotland and reiterated the Catholic Church’s commitment to finding full unity. ‘Together in the face of aggressive secularism to maintain our Christian heritage and culture in our great country,’ he said. Pope Benedict XVI warned of aggressive secularism during his visit to Britain last September, when he told Catholics that they must recognise the challenges that confront them on the path of Christian unity as well as in their task of proclaiming Christ today. Cardinal O’Brien said he had been contacted recently by a Presbyterian minister in the Church of Scotland who had contrasted the British Government’s promise to act against the persecution of Christians in other countries while apparently ignoring the increasing marginalisation of Christians in the UK. Pray: that the Church denominations would continue to work together in promoting the Gospel . (Ps.133) More:http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/scottish.cardinal.condemns.aggressive.secularism/27878.htm
Church planting increases
Church planting is back on the Baptist agenda - but though more congregations are being started it's harder to reach people, as fewer know the Christian story. The results of a survey about new Baptist congregations from 2005 and the denomination's latest work were posted on the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) website last week. The information shows the number of new churches is rising with more on their way, while a renewed focus on the subject at national level is seeking to recapture the Baptist heritage of 'radical mission, risky pioneering and planting', and fund and equip those who wish to do it. Nevertheless, for this activity to have a meaningful impact there needs to be a sustained commitment across the denomination. 'Church planting is harder now than 20 years ago as we increasingly encounter communities and individuals with little or no knowledge of the gospel and negative perceptions of the institutional church,'
Pray: for all new churches and those that are planned that they will be effective in delivering the Gospel message to more and more people. (Ac.16:5)
More: http://www.baptisttimes.co.uk/news1.htm
Denmark: Radical Islamic threat
On Mohammed's birthday, Denmark's Muslims marched under a banner that said ‘Islam is peace and love.’ But elements of Denmark's Muslim community have radicalized. Two years ago on the same spot as a peaceful demonstration, Muslims met a pro-Israel demonstration with Hitler salutes, shouts of ‘conquest,’ and ‘kill the Jews.’ Denmark is infected with the same multiculturalism that has been declared a failure in other European nations because it fosters Islamic radicalism. Copenhagen city government is allowing construction of a Shia mosque, which will be funded in part by Iran. Iranian refugees to Denmark who fled the Islamic radicalism now face the nightmare of that radicalism following them to Copenhagen. Iranian immigrants have been demonstrating against it. ‘It's not really a mosque. It's more like a barracks,’ said Islamic expert Lars Hedegaard, president of The International Free Press Society, headquartered in Copenhagen. Pray: for God to prevent further Islamist agendas from taking root in Denmark (and elsewhere). (Ps.24:1)
Denmark: Radical Islamic threat
On Mohammed's birthday, Denmark's Muslims marched under a banner that said ‘Islam is peace and love.’ But elements of Denmark's Muslim community have radicalized. Two years ago on the same spot as a peaceful demonstration, Muslims met a pro-Israel demonstration with Hitler salutes, shouts of ‘conquest,’ and ‘kill the Jews.’ Denmark is infected with the same multiculturalism that has been declared a failure in other European nations because it fosters Islamic radicalism. Copenhagen city government is allowing construction of a Shia mosque, which will be funded in part by Iran. Iranian refugees to Denmark who fled the Islamic radicalism now face the nightmare of that radicalism following them to Copenhagen. Iranian immigrants have been demonstrating against it. ‘It's not really a mosque. It's more like a barracks,’ said Islamic expert Lars Hedegaard, president of The International Free Press Society, headquartered in Copenhagen. Pray: for God to prevent further Islamist agendas from taking root in Denmark (and elsewhere). (Ps.24:1)
Russia: Evangelicals v Orthodox Church
For decades, the Russian Orthodox Church was persecuted under the Soviet Union's Communist Party. For eight years, Yuri Sipko ran one of the largest Baptist organizations in Russia. Now, 20 years after the fall of Communism he worries about the growing threats against the country's evangelical movement. ‘The government recently introduced religious classes based on the principals of the Orthodox Church in public schools, Then the president announced appointing Orthodox chaplains to all army units. Our constitution clearly states no religion can be the state religion.’ Sergey Ryakhovski, head of Russia's Pentecostal Union, worries that the Orthodox Church's influence is coming at the expense of religious freedom, especially for minority groups. Muscovite Human Rights advocate, Roman Lunkin, said the head of the Orthodox Church is on a mission to expand its powers and influence.
Pray: for God to strengthen, empower and renew all the Russian churches. (Mt.16:18)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/April/Russian-Evangelicals-Leery-of-Orthodox-Church-/
Russia: Evangelicals v Orthodox Church
For decades, the Russian Orthodox Church was persecuted under the Soviet Union's Communist Party. For eight years, Yuri Sipko ran one of the largest Baptist organizations in Russia. Now, 20 years after the fall of Communism he worries about the growing threats against the country's evangelical movement. ‘The government recently introduced religious classes based on the principals of the Orthodox Church in public schools, Then the president announced appointing Orthodox chaplains to all army units. Our constitution clearly states no religion can be the state religion.’ Sergey Ryakhovski, head of Russia's Pentecostal Union, worries that the Orthodox Church's influence is coming at the expense of religious freedom, especially for minority groups. Muscovite Human Rights advocate, Roman Lunkin, said the head of the Orthodox Church is on a mission to expand its powers and influence.
Pray: for God to strengthen, empower and renew all the Russian churches. (Mt.16:18)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/April/Russian-Evangelicals-Leery-of-Orthodox-Church-/
Church website welcomes two million visitors
More than two million people have turned to the web to find their local parish church in the last 12 months, according to figures released today. The Church of England's http://www.achurchnearyou.com/ website welcomed 2,084,444 visitors in the 12 months up to April 2011, an increase of more than 28 per cent on the previous 12 months. In January, the Church's location database was integrated within the new CofE website at http://www.churchofengland.org/ leading to a steady increase in visitors. A link to the Crockford's clergy database ensures contact information for the vast majority of parishes. Peter Crumpler, Director of Communications for the Archbishops' Council, said: ‘The increasing popularity of the site is one further indication of the trend for people to use the web when looking for a place for worship, to attend a wedding, funeral or baptism, or to seek a quiet place for prayer or reflection.’ Praise: God that the airwaves are open to all who are searching even for God and His Church. (Ecc.7:25)
Church website welcomes two million visitors
More than two million people have turned to the web to find their local parish church in the last 12 months, according to figures released today. The Church of England's http://www.achurchnearyou.com/ website welcomed 2,084,444 visitors in the 12 months up to April 2011, an increase of more than 28 per cent on the previous 12 months. In January, the Church's location database was integrated within the new CofE website at http://www.churchofengland.org/ leading to a steady increase in visitors. A link to the Crockford's clergy database ensures contact information for the vast majority of parishes. Peter Crumpler, Director of Communications for the Archbishops' Council, said: ‘The increasing popularity of the site is one further indication of the trend for people to use the web when looking for a place for worship, to attend a wedding, funeral or baptism, or to seek a quiet place for prayer or reflection.’ Praise: God that the airwaves are open to all who are searching even for God and His Church. (Ecc.7:25)