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
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
Manchester: ‘The Spirit of Life’ event
Further to our report in last week’s Prayer Alert that Manchester Cathedral was to host a new age festival, it has come to light that the reports were not accurate and had been sensationalised by much of the media including our source. The Spirit of Life is a Christian festival offering a balanced programme of different spiritual traditions including Taize, choral evensong and contemporary spiritualities. There will be workshops that will provide Christian perspectives and offerings on how ancient spirituality meets contemporary culture at this unique event. The event offers a clear Christian alternative to the usual Mind, Body Spirit events with performances, meditations, stalls and workshops throughout the day. There will be no tarot card reading or fortune telling at the event. All contributors are Christians, many of them by ordained clergy, nuns, Catholics or evangelicals and all have undergone a rigorous application process by the organisers. Pray: that the truth will out and all who attend will find that truth by the revelation of God’s Holy Spirit. (Gal.1:11) More: http://www.manchestercathedral.org/events/73/the-spirit-of-life
Red tape casting doubts over Good Friday procession
Churches in north-west London say their plans for a Good Friday procession are being scuppered by the local council’s refusal to grant them permission to march on the roads. The New Testament Church of God, St Andrew’s Church of England, St Mary Magdalen and Willesden Green Baptist Church were granted permission to hold a procession but were told by Brent Council that they would only be allowed to march on the pavements. With hundreds of people from their congregations expected to participate, the churches say that keeping to the pavements is ‘unrealistic’ and likely to disrupt pedestrians. They fear that unless the local council grants permission for the procession to take place on the roads they may be forced to call off the annual celebration out of concern for the health and safety of marchers and pedestrians. In previous years, the churches have held the procession on the roads using their own officers to control the traffic. Pray: for Brent Council to reconsider and to give permission for this event to use the roads. (Job.6:29) More:http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/red.tape.casting.doubts.over.london.churches.good.friday.procession/27803.htm