Displaying items by tag: Europe

Britain’s national newspapers are full of opinions, reports and analysis. The Daily Mail has an air of menace, the Sun and Telegraph proclaim Tory triumph, the Times and Guardian see bids for political strength. Some fear another general election will create instability in the country. Many voters already have ‘election fatigue’. Sources say Theresa May's manifesto will draw on inspiration from Thatcher's in 1979 - it will be short and 'tell a story'; Jeremy Corbyn said he will not play by the election rules, Nigel Farage is considering another bid to become an MP, and 750,000 people who turned 18 since the last election are now able to vote. Much prayer is needed for all who are canvassing to be men and women of wisdom and truth, for the voting public to hear the voices of wisdom above the clamour of half-truths and for the outcome on 8 June to be in line with God’s will for a United Kingdom.

A neurodegenerative disease causes the cells of the brain and spinal cord to be lost. The functions of these cells include decision-making and control of movements. Damaged and lost cells are not easily regenerated, so the effects of diseases are devastating for the sufferers of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis and Huntington's. Sufferers pay the price of both emotional and physical pain. Caring for a relative with a neurodegenerative disease can be challenging and difficult, draining emotions and causing stress. However, scientists now believe they have found a drug to stop certain neurodegenerative brain diseases. In 2013 they stopped brain cells dying in an animal for the first time, but it was unsuitable for people. Now two similar drugs have been found which should have the same effect on people’s brains. Clinical trials are expected to start soon, and within two or three years we will know if they are effective and safe.

The Evangelical Alliance (EA) has called on Christians to 'fully engage' in the general election and speak hopefully with vision for the future. They will release resources to help churches discuss the opportunities and challenges facing society, structured around the themes of love, freedom, justice and truth. Steve Clifford, EA’s general director, said that this election provides a chance for Christians to take part in debating the future of our society. ‘It’s a chance for us to speak hope into a society that is so often searching for meaning. Between now and 8 June we can consider what the political parties are proposing, and the vision they are offering for our society. We can have a society that is more loving than it is now, we can live in greater freedom than we currently know, we can see justice as a lifestyle and not a soundbite, and rediscover the power of truth as the basis of a society working for the common good.’

The Church of England's representative in Parliament has suggested Brexit could resolve 'inconsistencies' in the recent ruling on religious symbols. Last month the European Court said that the banning of any political, philosophical or religious sign in the workplace does not constitute direct discrimination (the test case regarded the wearing of a Muslim veil in Belgium). Caroline Spelman, Conservative MP for Meriden, said the CofE was very concerned by this decision. She said, ‘The ban conflicts with the pre-existing rulings of the Court of Human Rights. Presumably by leaving the European Union, we stand some chance of resolving these inconsistencies.’ Last month, PM Theresa May also questioned the European Court's ruling.

A convincing win would strengthen the Government’s negotiating hand in the minds of European leaders who determine the terms offered post Brexit. Theresa May will expect another five years in power despite challenges on economic and social policies, fighting the election on a Brexit platform. Labour will say Conservatives are wrecking Britain with austerity measures and will campaign on NHS, social care and schools. Liberal Democrats want the softest Brexit and Scottish Nationalists want a majority as grounds for a second independence referendum. What part does ‘loving our neighbours’ play in UK government and politics? We can pray for more evidence of Godly values in the election campaign and its outcome, and for local candidates to be quizzed more on where they stand on moral and spiritual issues.

Ireland’s health minister said he is determined to shut down a pro-life crisis pregnancy centre run by Human Life International (HLI) after an undercover video sting by The Times of Ireland found pro-life counsellors linking abortion to trauma, breast cancer, and long-term regret. ‘I have been very clear that I want to see these agencies shut down. It makes me sick to the pit of my stomach. It’s not even false or misleading, it’s just wrong and disgusting so-called information being presented to women in extremely vulnerable situations.’ he told reporters. Another group, the Catholic Support Service (which is not connected to HLI), was also featured in the video. The outrage expressed by The Times and the health minister is interesting given that the majority of the claims made by the counsellors are true. Common sexually transmitted diseases that cause death if left untreated include AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis. Three different pro-life centres, each run by different organisations, are now in the government's crosshairs.

If elected, Marine Le Pen will suspend all legal immigration to France. Polls suggest she is neck and neck with Emmanuel Macron, ahead of Sunday's first round of voting. However, in a world of alternative facts shared by the Russian-state-funded news operation Sputnik, François Fillon is leading in the polls. A very loud voice comes from farmers protesting about the difficulties of the agricultural industry. 600 committed suicide last year, but little has been done to address French farming’s deepest crisis since World War II. The hidden tragedy is European, and across Europe farmers have been protesting on the streets at ever-increasing intervals to highlight poor market returns for their produce. A fortnight ago members of the agriculture committee of the European Parliament held a minute's silence for those farmers who had committed suicide as a result of the ongoing crisis in agricultural markets. French farmers will be voting for Marine Le Pen. See

For the first time ever, all the UK’s biggest supermarkets have stocked a religious-themed Easter egg. Out of 80 million eggs on sale in the UK, The Real Easter Egg is the first and only one to explain the real story of Easter. Morrisons, Sainsbury, Coop, Waitrose and Tesco have it on their shelves, though stock levels will vary. This egg is backed by church leaders, including the Archbishop of York. At first, all the supermarkets turned down the idea, but the Meaningful Chocolate Company, which manufactures the egg, sold over 250,000 through mail order. This year’s supermarket turn-around is a milestone. The manufacturers donate profits to Tradecraft Exchange, it is a Fairtrade egg, and it appeals to children and adults with its Easter story activity pack in the box.

London buses are featuring Bible verses this Easter as part of the ‘Quote Jesus’ bus campaign. Revelation TV is spearheading the campaign. Scriptures including ‘Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die,’ ‘In my Father's house there are many mansions,’ and ‘I am the way, the truth and the life,’ will be displayed on 75 London Routemaster buses. The campaign will run for two weeks. Promoters said, 'In the wake of Westminster’s attacks the lack of hope is becoming an issue in this generation. We think the Bible has a lot to say about hope, and our vision is to influence the hearts, minds and perceptions of people, offering them hope and faith for a better future.’ Revelation TV want the campaign to draw people to Scripture, and to find hope amid a world filled with chaos, violence, and hopelessness.

Recently the BBC has received much criticism for its Christian content, but it has announced a range of new and returning religious programmes for Easter. The line-up of innovative documentaries, music, reflection and worship to mark this cornerstone of Christian faith include an emotional and personal journey to the Holy Land by Fern Britton, Franciscan Friars in Bradford, live worship from Hereford Cathedral, Revd Kate Bottley and the London Community Gospel Choir, and a Good Friday meditation with Revd Lucy Winkett. Such a wide range of programming across television and radio reflects the sanctity of Eastertide and the celebration of the resurrection.