What does ‘taken into care’ mean?
30 Jul 2015
Some of the worst cases of child abuse have been uncovered in recent years, causing some social workers to put caution before common sense. Recently children are being taken from their parents on the slightest whiff of abuse, which for today’s social workers involves any sign of corporal punishment. But what happens then? The BBC website is carrying a video of an interview with Danielle, taken into care aged 11 in 1998 after marks from a belt were seen on her back. If that were punishment, it sounds excessive, but what subsequently happened to Danielle makes it seem like the ultimate in compassion. Danielle, now twenty-seven, was moved six times in six weeks, had twenty-nine moves by age sixteen, was raped three times whilst ‘in care’, and had an attempted rape aged eleven in a children’s home. She ran away aged thirteen but was brought back. The BBC report reveals shocking outcomes of many children in care.
Fear of talking about our faith to friends
30 Jul 2015
Simon Edwards, Assistant Chaplain of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, says that in Acts 24 they talked about Jesus wherever they went. When we think of evangelism, we think of sermons, crusades and events. But in Acts the gospel spread through relationships. Why is it a challenge talking to our family, friends and work colleagues about our faith? Ephesians 6 says that we are in a spiritual battle. Satan doesn't want us to share the gospel with others. In the UK, with a massive Christian heritage, why is there so much pressure not to talk about our faith? There’s social pressure in Britain to keep our faith private. There is also an inner instinct of self-preservation - the fear of being rejected, of offending, of being misunderstood, or being thought of as strange; and then there is an underlying fear that God is not going to show up.
Edinburgh Festival euthanasia machine not a joke
30 Jul 2015
Controversial assisted dying activist Dr Philip Nitschke, dubbed 'Dr Death', will perform at the Edinburgh Fringe festival using his euthanasia machine. Dr Nitschke will ask his audience - some of whom may be terminally ill - to try his 'Destiny' machine, to show them 'a peaceful and reliable means of death'. His apparatus is a version of the Deliverance machine he used in Australia, where he successfully campaigned to have a legal euthanasia law passed in the 1990s. At the time he helped four terminally-ill people end their lives. The law was overturned in 1997 by the Australian parliament. Last month police questioned Dr Nitschke amid concerns about the show's content. He was eventually cleared to perform at the Fringe throughout August. With seven days until his show opens, Scottish lawyers have been appointed to ensure he does not breach laws on advising, counselling or assisting others to commit suicide.
Soldiers’ deaths in training accidents
30 Jul 2015
Figures released under Freedom of Information laws have showed that a British serviceman dies in a training accident every six weeks, and there have been 125 deaths during armed forces exercises in the past fifteen years. Compare this to the Iraq War, when 179 British service men and women died. Troops have been shot dead in mock battles, crushed by armoured vehicles and drowned during river crossings. The death toll reflects the need to prepare for war with dangerous equipment and hostile conditions, but it also reflects the need for more care to be taken. A military injuries specialist said, ‘This is a shocking number of deaths. It is not enough to say, well, they are using guns, or we put them in hazardous situations. There are detailed guidelines which stress the fact that, if the risk factors are assessed properly and appropriately managed, nearly all injuries can be prevented.’
Barristers began striking on Monday in solidarity with defence solicitors protesting over cuts to legal aid. The legal aid system pays lawyers from public funds to provide representation for people facing legal proceedings. James Bogle, a Christian barrister, said the Government's cuts to legal aid will cause ‘huge amounts of injustice’ to people who cannot afford to be represented in court. His message for the Government is: ‘If you want to save money, this is not the way to do it. Very little money will be saved but huge amounts of injustice will be done. People’s reputation, their life and that of their family, could be on the line if they're unable to get proper representation. They may find themselves convicted, even though they are innocent. Conversely, people who have committed serious offences may get off.’ The cuts will create a two-tier system that favours the better-off. Those who cannot afford to pay for a solicitor are suffering at the hands of the Government. See also: http://news.sky.com/story/1525700/barristers-strike-over-cuts-to-legal-aid
Cyprus: United States of Cyprus?
30 Jul 2015
President Nicos Anastasiades expressed hope that there would be a solution to the Cypriot divide and the island’s name could be ‘United States of Cyprus’. In an interview with a Turkish newspaper he said that both he and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart had the same vision on solving their problems, and this was the first time there was so much hope that this could be done. For the first time in the island’s Greek/Turkish history, both leaders have the same vision. They want to reach an agreement taking into account their mutual concerns. Please continue to pray that negotiations continue to be held in a positive atmosphere over the most difficult matters of property and territory. Some matters have been agreed on while others have not.
Finland: Asylum seekers situation chaotic
30 Jul 2015
The number of asylum seekers entering Finland this year has already surpassed the average for previous years. Officials in southwest Finland had processed over 600 asylum applications by the beginning of July, compared to 400 for all of 2014. Many applications are successful, but even unsuccessful applicants remain in Finland if their security elsewhere cannot be guaranteed. So they receive subsidiary protection on humanitarian grounds. Asylum seekers entering Finland come from the conflict and destruction of Islamic State or their migration might involve family feuds or political persecution. Some Albanians say they are seeking better living conditions. More often than not there is some kind of persecution behind many of the applications. There is increasing overcrowding at reception centres. The high demand for asylum services has caused police in southwest Finland to redirect resources from other police responsibilities to help ease the bottleneck in the system.
Athletes publicly speak of their Christian faith
30 Jul 2015
Zach Johnson, winner of this year's British Open, told reporters of his Christian faith and the encouragement the Bible gave him during the tournament. ‘I’ve been reading bits of scripture to myself all week. I thank God for the talent he has given me and I take it seriously.’ On 18 July Jason Robinson, a former rugby international, told ITV News how he came to faith in Jesus Christ. He described how he considered suicide but through the life and testimony of a New Zealand player was drawn to Jesus. ‘The very reason that I became a Christian is because I'm not perfect, I need help, and I can't do it on my own.’ On 24 July Paris Saint Germain, defender and ex-Chelsea player David Luiz, was baptised in a team-mate’s swimming pool and said on Instagram that he will abstain from sex until after he is married to girlfriend Sara Madeira. He captioned his Instagram post quoting 2 Corinthians 5:17.