On 5 October a senior occupational therapist who was disciplined for giving a Christian book to a Muslim colleague was granted permission to appeal an Employment Tribunal ruling against her. The judge recognised the significance of Victoria Wasteney's case in raising points of law of public importance and said that the Employment Appeal Tribunal should consider whether the original ruling had applied the European Convention on Human Rights' strong protection of freedom of religion and expression properly. Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre which is supporting Miss Wasteney, said, ‘Victoria's case raises crucial questions about how the European Convention on Human Rights' strong protection of religious freedom applies in the UK and about the extent to which employers can censor freedom of expression.’ An appeal hearing is now expected next year.
The Archdeacon of the Gulf suggests that the British media outrage over a pensioner due to receive lashings in Saudi Arabia won't help advocacy work there. Karl Andree was sent to prison after breaking their laws and carrying homemade wine in his car. A further part of his punishment included 350 lashes. His family said he may not survive the lashes. His story hit the UK media and a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said, ‘We have provided consular assistance to Mr Andree and his family and have raised the case repeatedly with the Saudis in recent weeks.’ Then the PM wrote to the Saudis to raise the case again on the back of the action that had already been taken by the Foreign Office. Fr Bill said, ‘One of the reasons we are not successful in advocacy in Saudi Arabia is that we cannot challenge them unless we get our facts correct. If we distort the facts or don't understand them then officials can dismiss our advocacy’.
Former Archbishops criticise tax credit plans
16 Oct 2015
Two former Archbishops have criticised the Government’s plans to reduce tax credits. Lord Carey and Lord Williams have called for a re-think of the policy, which they claim will hit the low-paid the hardest.
Lord Carey said that he himself relied on Government support while bringing up his four children and knows first-hand what damage the proposed changes to tax credits could cause. He said, ‘I support the aim of the Government to make work pay and put in place a reasonable cap on welfare pay. But I urge the Government to reconsider these cuts to working tax credits that will hit many hardworking families very hard.’ Lord Williams said, ‘They are inflicting heavy damage on hard-working families.It ought to be common sense and compassion.’
The UK Government has confirmed that abortion will be devolved to the Scottish Parliament. The decision has been welcomed by one of Scotland's leading Christian charities who have called for the issue to be debated for the first time in Holyrood. CARE for Scotland said, ‘It makes plain constitutional sense for this new power to be given to Holyrood so that the Parliament here has power over start of life issues as well. The transfer of such a major new power clearly merits a full parliamentary debate and MSPs should take advantage of this opportunity as soon as possible.’ Scottish Secretary David Mundell said that people felt very strongly about the issue and the Government understood that. ‘We will bring forward an amendment to the Scotland Bill so that abortion law can be devolved to the Scottish Parliament,’ he told the Scottish Affairs Committee in Westminster.
On Monday three men were arrested in Portadown regarding a drugs’ seizure and illegal entry into the UK. One was arrested for possession of criminal property and one was arrested for being concerned in the supply of Class B controlled drugs. The third man was arrested for importation of Class B drugs and illegal entry into the UK. Northern Ireland is the UK's back door for illegal immigrants and the number of illegal immigrants intercepted at Northern Ireland ports trying to reach other parts of the UK has risen significantly in the last three years. Home Office figures show 468 people were intercepted in 2014/15, including those who crossed the border with the Irish Republic. (up 71% on the 2012/13 total). This year's figures for interceptions in Northern Ireland include 30 convicted criminals who had previously been deported from the UK. See also: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-33728450
The Lordship of Jesus over all life
16 Oct 2015
Dr Joe Boot argues that the common tendency among Christians to avoid political topics is not an act of prudence, but a failure to take seriously the work that God has given us to do in this world. ‘In much of evangelicalism today, it has become a grievous fault, even a sin, to be concerned and vocal with regard to the modern state’s redefinition of marriage, the mass murder of infants in the womb, the social engineering of the family, state-sanctioned theft and the usurpation of charity, the diminution of independent Christian education and the assault on religious freedoms and the Church. Concern is seen as ‘political’ and deemed outside the scope or priority of the gospel – as though true Christianity were a progression from the material to the spiritual, from the earthly to the heavenly, from the body to the soul. This is Neo-Platonism, not Christianity, and it has revived in recent decades, making deep inroads into the mindset of many Christians. See also the Mill Gathering. http://www.prayer-alert.net/index.php?view=download&alias=572-statement-from-the-mill-gathering-1&category_slug=insight-articles-1&option=com_docman&Itemid=216
Tackling corruption
16 Oct 2015
Transparency International is a global movement working towards a world in which government, politics, business, civil society and the daily lives of people are free of corruption. Transparency International UK (TI-UK) is the UK national chapter of this movement whose vision is a society in which the health of our institutions is enhanced, we can trust the integrity of those in authority and there is no freedom for the corrupt at home or abroad. At the beginning of this month Sir Eric Pickles gave a major scene-setting speech on corruption in his capacity as the recently-appointed Anti-Corruption Champion. Never before had any of his predecessors as Champion (Benn, Hutton, Straw, Clarke, Hancock) delivered such a speech. Characteristically frankly he said, ‘I want to see this through and there’s nothing they can do to stop me.’ Then he set out his priorities: - domestic corruption, money laundering, asset recovery, sports governance and electoral fraud.
Albania, Southeast Europe
16 Oct 2015
Not long ago, Albania was one of Europe’s poorest nations. Now the state boasts an upper-middle income economy. Under Communist rule, no religion was allowed. Now, Islam claims twice as many followers as Christianity, though most who claim Christianity are reported to be nominal. The country has no restrictions on proselytism and no persecution threatens the Church. However, neo-paganism is growing in Albania and the Church needs to be equipped to respond in a relevant way. Albania is currently the most corrupt country in Europe and we are asked to pray that Albanian leaders would repent of their ways and seek God according to 2Cor.4:2 – Renouncing underhand ways and refusing to practise cunning.