An orphanage in India has been taken over by local authorities, after a court ruled that the young women who live there have been brainwashed. Christian Today reports that the Moses Ministries orphanage in Tiruchy, Madras, is run by the Christian Initiative for India, initially founded in Germany by the Rev Gideon Jacob who was born in India. The court ruled that Jacob and the orphanage had not obtained sufficient documentation before admitting some of its children, and, after taking them in, had brainwashed them. Jacob said the girls were brought to the orphanage by parents who did not want them, and this is why the orphanage does not have records such as date of birth and parents’ names. ‘When you bring a baby to give her away you are committing a crime for which you can be imprisoned,’ Jacob said. ‘If you give away your child you aren't going to give your telephone number.’
Fight to protect life continues
11 Dec 2015
Last week we reported a lost legal challenge against two doctors performing abortions based on the sex of unborn baby girls. This week Christian Concern reports that even though the High Court refused a judicial review, Aisling Hubert and Merv and Nikki Kenward will appeal the rulings and continue to challenge the failure by the Director of Public Prosecutions to protect life from its beginning to its natural end. Explaining her decision to appeal, Aisling said, ‘Every human being is made in God's image. God delights in justice and demands that we practise it. He cares for the vulnerable. We must continue to challenge injustice and seek to uphold protections for unborn children, who cannot defend themselves. We continually see those responsible for pursuing justice turning a blind eye, perhaps hoping that the horrors of abortion will be swept under the carpet and the problems go away.’
Merseyside Youth Association service in Liverpool helps 16- to 25-year-olds who have been hit by benefit sanctions and are going hungry but feel uneasy about visiting foodbanks. They might go to their nan’s or to their friend’s and say ‘Can I borrow a few tins of beans?’ Each client is helped to complete a form asking why they are attending, and a counsellor is available for emotional support. Although the service is only in its second week, organisers say 36 young people have already used it, with debt and benefit sanctions the most common reasons. These young people are constantly worried about whether or not they’re going to be able to afford to feed themselves, as whatever money they do get has to go on rent. Research has shown that young people are disproportionately affected by benefit sanctions.
An inquiry into the place of religion in modern society, chaired by senior judge Baroness Butler-Sloss, has concluded that ‘Britain is no longer a Christian country and should stop acting as if it is.’ The report calls for British public life to be systematically de-Christianised, pointing to a decline in churchgoing and the rise of Islam and other faiths. It states that a ‘new settlement’ is needed for religion, giving more official influence to non-religious voices and those of non-Christian faiths. Thankfully Cabinet ministers called it ‘seriously misguided’ and the Church of England said it has been ‘hijacked’ by humanists. But the Church needs to stand and pray against some of the report’s suggestions such as abolishing the compulsory daily act of worship in school assemblies, cutting the number of Christian bishops in the Lords to give places to imams, rabbis and others, rethinking anti-terror policy, and ensuring students can voice radical views on campus without fear of being reported.
British lorry drivers in Calais in danger
11 Dec 2015
It is being claimed that the migrant crisis is putting the lives of British lorry drivers at risk in Calais - and the government is being accused of not doing enough to protect them. Lorry driver Stephen Paul Morecroft has been describing his fear as he does his job to a BBC reporter, ‘They've got gas and knives and ammunition now. I don't know where it is going to end.’ Last month the boss of a British haulage firm claimed that the migrant crisis in Calais has descended into lawlessness and warned that it won't be long before someone is killed. One female driver said they attempted to open the doors to her vehicle and attacked the vehicle, leaving her very shaken. They are saying the situation is completely unacceptable and hauliers need someone they can go to in order to sort out this situation. To watch Mr Morecroft’s interview, go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-35047731
Whatever we feel about the Government's decision for military action in Syria, we must pray! Christians cannot underestimate the spiritual warfare we are now in - not demonising peoples or communities, but prayerfully intercepting the powers of darkness seeking to steal, kill and destroy. Dr Jonathan Oloyede is calling us to stand in the gap and pray protection, blessing and intervention over our streets, communities, towns and cities now that Great Britain is at war. As the Church, we are under the authority of our Lord to blow the trumpet and sound the alarm! We must ask for God to thwart the plans of those who are planning acts of terrorism within the UK and abroad, praying protection over those in our armed forces engaged in airstrikes and praying for our intelligence services, police and ancillary departments directly or indirectly involved in the safety of all peoples in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
RAF continue to bomb IS targets
11 Dec 2015
Royal Air Force aircraft have continued airstrikes against the IS terrorist network inside Syria and Iraq. RAF Tornados and Reaper drones have now been reinforced by a detachment of Typhoon fighters, which carry the same Paveway IV precision guided bombs as the Tornadoes. The deployment of the Typhoons and an extra two Tornados offers a significant increase in strike capacity to both the RAF component and the wider coalition air campaign. Pray for wisdom and accurate intelligence for those conducting these airstrikes and for protection of the innocent; for protection for the RAF pilots carrying out these raids; for the families of RAF personnel stationed in Akrotiri, Cyprus, and particularly for the families of the 300+ RAF personnel deployed at short notice, who remain at home in the UK.
Flood defences
11 Dec 2015
It is going to be a grim Christmas for many in Cumbria as they clean up after the floods. Those who were also affected by the 2009 floods might not be inclined to believe the ‘once in a lifetime’ mantra which accompanied last weekend’s weather. The Met Office’s chief scientist suggested that all the evidence points to a link between climate change and our record-breaking winter rainfall, and new methods of prevention and cure must be found and funded. As a nation of islanders we may have to rediscover a lost resilience in our relationship with water. Many are now saying that councils should utilise the skills of those who know the countryside best - and pay farmers appropriately to take natural flood management seriously. Pray for wise land management of the large swathes of north-west England, southern Scotland and Northern Ireland that are vulnerable to flooding.