BBC accused of anti- Christian bias
The BBC has been forced to defend an East Enders' storyline after outraged viewers accused the Corporation of anti-Christian bias. The complaints centre around a portrayal of a Christian Pentecostal pastor as a deranged killer whose deeds are motivated by his Christian faith. Viewers watched the pastor failing to help his ex-wife when she was dying, strangling a love rival to death and attacking his current wife. Over 100 viewers have now written to the Corporation saying that they find the storyline deeply offensive. The BBC issued a statement defending their controversial plot. Last year Don Maclean claimed that the BBC is keen on programmes which attack churches, and that there was a wider secularist campaign ‘to get rid of Christianity’. Daily Telegraph writer, Damian Thompson, said: ‘We are deep into the realms of BBC bias and ignorance here. Only a BBC drama series would, to quote the complainant, ‘transfer the practice of terrorist beheadings from Islamist radicals to a fantasised group of fundamentalist Christians’. Pray: that BBC will give a more balanced view of Christians in their future programming. (Ho.14:9) More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/bbc-accused-of-anti-christian-bias-by-viewers/
NI leaders condemn rioting
Northern Ireland's First and Deputy First Ministers have said there is no excuse and no justification for the violence of recent days. More than 80 police officers were injured in two nights of rioting by nationalist youths. Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness said there had been ‘outright thuggery and vandalism’. Mr Robinson also said comments by a senior police officer alleging poor political leadership were unhelpful. He said he and Mr McGuinness have been working, and will continue, to work for a resolution of the difficulties around parading. McGuinness said both men were ‘resolute’ in their commitment to tackle sectarianism. ‘This will require the community to stand united against all those forces seeking to bring conflict back on to our streets,’ NI Secretary of State Owen Paterson praised the police and said those ‘who use young people to attack the police and smash up their own area are cynical enemies of the whole community’. (See Prayer Alert 2810) Pray: for seekers of peace to prevail in Ulster and elsewhere. (Jas.1:21)
Swimming lessons during Ramadan
Swimming lessons in some Staffordshire schools should stop during Ramadan to ensure Muslim pupils ‘do not swallow water’ suggests Stoke-on-Trent City Council in an 11-page Ramadan Guide. It says swimming is acceptable to Muslims but poses a high risk of swallowing water that may break a fast. It also suggests re-scheduling sex education classes during the holy lunar month, as Muslim followers who have reached puberty are required to avoid sexual thoughts during this period. Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society said the guidance is out of proportion.’Surely it should be possible for Muslim pupils to be withdrawn from those elements of the school day that they don't want to participate in without imposing these restrictions on everybody, Muslim or not. Rearranging the whole school routine for a whole month to satisfy the religious needs of a few is totally. Pray: that the city council will think again even as the National Secular Society suggests.
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10596808
Churches unite to transform communities
Christians from 18 churches are set to work together this summer to engage in community projects in the north west of England. Engage 2010 is a project 12 years in the making and building on the success of a one-day event in Hoole, Chester in 1997. This one day developed into a week-long Hoolefest in 2004 and then Chesterfest in 2007. Each year it has grown to include more people and to have an even greater impact on local communities. 20 churches have partnered with local businesses and agencies to deliver a week-long youth and community programme. Young people have grown in confidence as they have understood their value and significance as well as building character, self-esteem and teamwork. 18 church congregations from across Cheshire West and Chester are working together with the support of partner organisations including Link Up, The Light Project and Chester Christian Schools Work to organise the programme. Pray: for God’s blessing on all those involved in this project as they live the Gospel message. (1Pe.3:15) More:http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/chester.churches.unite.to.transform.communities/26265.htm
Desperately difficult' to unite Church over Women bishops
The Archbishop of Canterbury admitted today that it will be ‘desperately difficult’ to keep the Church of England unified in light of its schismatic vote on women bishops. In a heartfelt appeal for unity after a particularly fraught week Dr Rowan Williams called on Anglicans to push ahead with the consecration of women bishops despite the fact that a minority of traditionalists, conservative evangelicals and Anglo-Catholics have threatened to leave the church over the issue. The beleaguered church leader suffered an ignominious defeat on Saturday evening when the General Synod rejected his personal appeal for a series of safeguards that would have provided a separate class of male-only bishops to administer to those who remain vehemently opposed to female leadership in the Church. Father David Houlding summed up the feeling of many conservative clergy members who will feel compelled to leave the Church if the ordination of women bishops goes ahead. 'There are just scraps left of the table and we are beginning to starve,' he said, his voice cracking. 'The door is being slammed in my face.' Pray: for unity in the Anglican Church as it seeks to resolve this key issue. (Jn.17:23)
Blind pursuit of profit must end
The Archbishop of York has hit out at the selfish pursuit of profit and called for a return to the pursuit of social justice and generosity as a means to building a truly wealthy nation. Addressing the Church of England’s General Synod in York, Dr John Sentamu said it was understandable that governments wanted to achieve economic recovery after two years of financial crisis, but stressed that recovery should be regarded as a means to an end rather than an end in itself. People should not just be consumers but rather live out their common citizenship in social action or ‘good work’ beyond paid employment. He argued that profit making was a ‘simple and stupid’ objective, and called for a return to the principles of honesty and generosity towards neighbours. He said that an obsession with wealth was ‘evil’ and that society should pursue economic justice rather than solely profit. Pray: for the Holy Spirit to infuse our leaders with social ethics as well as fiscal focus. (Ac.11:15) More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/blind.pursuit.of.profit.must.end.says.archbishop/26261.htm
Homosexuals and ‘religious marriage’
Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone disclosed that homosexual couples may be permitted to use ‘religious readings, music and symbols’. She said that the Government would now hold talks with those with a ‘key interest’ in the issue. Unlike in civil marriages, there is little leeway for heterosexual couples to stamp their own mark on the Church wedding vows in a Christian ceremony. Such heterosexual couples tying the knot at Church of England or Church in Wales weddings essentially make the same pledges to one another. Lord Tebbit said: ‘I wouldn’t want anything done to add to the pretence that a civil partnership is a marriage. That’s the key thing.’ Andrea Williams of Christian Concern for our Nation says: ‘It is vital to safeguard traditional marriage for future generations and for the benefit of society. When society has been described as ‘broken’, we need to restore a Christian moral framework and family values.’ Pray: that Marriage continues as a gift of God in creation through which husband and wife may know the grace of God. (Jer.29:6) More: http://www.theway.co.uk/feature.php?id=8133&this=Homosexuals_could_marry_in_religious_ceremonies
Foster mother reinstated
A Christian foster mother has won the right to be reinstated having been struck off after a Muslim girl in her care became a Christian. The foster mother, who had looked after more than 80 children in the last ten years and had an unblemished record, was removed by her local council who accused her of failing to preserve the girl’s religion and failing to prevent her from getting baptised. The Muslim girl in question was sixteen at the time and had decided by her own initiative to become a Christian. The foster mother said that she had put no pressure on the girl and had even tried to discourage her initial interest. The girl was in care as she had been threatened with an arranged marriage and faced violence from her family. Prayer-Alert Article
Praise: God for answered prayer and continue praying for His protection over those that convert from the Muslim faith. (1Tim.4:12)
Foster mother reinstated
A Christian foster mother has won the right to be reinstated having been struck off after a Muslim girl in her care became a Christian. The foster mother, who had looked after more than 80 children in the last ten years and had an unblemished record, was removed by her local council who accused her of failing to preserve the girl’s religion and failing to prevent her from getting baptised. The Muslim girl in question was sixteen at the time and had decided by her own initiative to become a Christian. The foster mother said that she had put no pressure on the girl and had even tried to discourage her initial interest. The girl was in care as she had been threatened with an arranged marriage and faced violence from her family. Prayer-Alert Article
Praise: God for answered prayer and continue praying for His protection over those that convert from the Muslim faith. (1Tim.4:12)
Dominican Republic: Largest ever Christian outreach
Nearly 70,000 people in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico placed their faith in Jesus through the ’My Hope’ Billy Graham TV project. After months of preparation, Christians across the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico`, equipped with evangelism training and filed with a passion for the Gospel, opened their homes for meetings and witnessed; culminating in over 59,000 home events, TV sermons from Billy or Franklin Graham and a personal testimony from the host. In the Dominican Republic, 55,391 people made commitments to Christ, with 13,797 doing so in Puerto Rico. Altogether more than 5,500 churches from across the evangelical spectrum were involved in the projects. Since My Hope began in 2002, such projects have been implemented in 50 countries. Praise: God for the members of the body of Christ who are stepping out in evangelism. (1T.2:3-5)