Israel: Upsurge of attacks against Jews
09 Oct 2015
On Monday, two Palestinian youths were killed during clashes in the West Bank. One of them was thirteen and had been shot by mistake. Two days earlier, a Palestinian stabbed two Israelis to death in Jerusalem. Another stabbed and wounded an Israeli teenager. Police killed both attackers. On Tuesday a Palestinian woman stabbed an Israeli man in the back in Jerusalem’s Old City, he then drew a gun and shot her. On Wednesday an Israeli woman driving to Jerusalem was attacked by a mob of rock-throwing Palestinians. The attack occurred on a route used by thousands of Jewish and Palestinian motorists daily. The mob beat her and tried to drag her out of her car but she escaped and was taken to hospital. These incidents follow a surge in violence in Jerusalem and the West Bank as Palestinians wage a war of terror, targeting Israel Defence Force soldiers and Israeli civilians. See also http://unitedwithisrael.org/
Mary McAleese has refuted claims by Archbishop Charles Chaput that the Catholic Church never said homosexuals were disordered. The Archbishop accused Mrs McAleese, who has a doctorate in canon law, that she had ‘a very narrow point of view that’s trying to control something she shouldn’t try to control, that is the faith of the Catholic Church. They say that the tendency to same-sex attraction is a disorder of our sexual appetite,’ Archbishop Chaput continued. ‘A lot of people have disorders. Wearing glasses, not being able to hear well are all disorders that a person may have but it doesn’t destroy their dignity. It just means they have an issue to deal with. So I think that language is being used by politicians in order to stir up one side against the other and that’s inappropriate for politicians to do.’
Being a Christian in the entertainment world
09 Oct 2015
Frank Skinner is a British comedian whose career has spanned three decades and endured despite changing tastes; he's reinvented himself several times - as a sitcom star, national lead football fan and latterly talk show host. Perhaps most surprisingly of all, however, Skinner is a committed and practicing Catholic, profoundly interested in developing his faith and always ready to talk about it. He manages to squeeze a reference to his faith into almost every edition of his now-established comedy panel show 'Room 101', and this openness is consistent with his approach to interviews. Unlike other well-known believers, the comic doesn't simply resort to a well-rehearsed line about how his private, personal faith is a great source of comfort – he positively engages with the subject as a fundamental part of his life. In conversation he is uncompromising, evangelistic and even controversial.
Children in care need homes
09 Oct 2015
Every day 50+ children are taken into care in the UK. They are removed from chaotic, traumatic, abusive, neglectful or desperate situations. Some need a home in an emergency. Some need a temporary home until they can return to their families. Some need a home to give their families a break. Some need a permanent home with a new family. The Church is uniquely placed to help to meet this need in terms of finding families to foster or adopt, and providing an excellent community of support to wrap around those in need. A new charity that was birthed last year, called Home for Good, aims to make adoption and fostering a significant part of the life and ministry of the Church in the UK. Working with Care for the Family and the Child Protection Advisory Service they are equipping and co-ordinating churches and individuals to provide homes for children in care in a welcoming church community.
A Christian family in Yorkshire who converted from Islam has said it has ‘given up on the Church of England’, after claiming it failed to provide them with support following ongoing persecution. Since their conversion, they claim they have suffered regular persecution from Muslim neighbours who view them as ‘apostates.’ Their victimisation included having their car windscreens smashed seven times in the last year, eggs thrown at their windows and verbal and physical confrontations. One prosecution was made and the father of the family, 49-year-old Nissar Hussain, has himself received a police caution. Nissar was forced to quit his job as a nurse, after being diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic-stress disorder, and the family have already moved house once. Mr Hussain has criticised both the police's and the Church of England's responses to their situation and has filed a complaint with the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
The personal cost of Christian freedoms
09 Oct 2015
The Christian Concern organisation have a number of important legal cases to be heard in the courts over the next few months. These cases include a personal cost for those involved. It’s a spiritual battle and the courts can often be hostile towards the Christian faith, so please pray for these courageous men and women and their legal teams fighting for the freedom to share the gospel, freedom to bring up children according to the Christian faith and the protection of vulnerable lives. To read a brief outline of each of the legal cases click the ‘More’ link.
Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference David Cameron announced plans to force all religious schools to register and be inspected. ‘If an institution is teaching children intensively then, whatever its religion, we will, like any other school, make it register so that it can be inspected - and, be in no doubt, if you're teaching intolerance, we will shut you down.’ he said. He promised the country that it was his duty to keep Britain safe and that it was time to ‘really confront extremism’. David Landrum, director of advocacy at the Evangelical Alliance, said, ‘It is right that we actively rebuild Britain as an even greater country and take stringent measures to eradicate extremist ideology. However, it is vital that committed Christians are not labelled as extremists by those who may disagree with aspects of their faith.’
Watchman Intercessors – a word in season
09 Oct 2015
Steve Botham, Director at the World Prayer Centre writes, ‘This is a time of many warnings - of danger from terrorists, of severe economic collapse, of God’s judgement on nations and situations. We can become very concerned, but all watchmen are subject to God - He is the ultimate watchman. Psalm 121 tells us ‘He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep’. God has called forth watchmen at this time – but ultimately it is up to all of us to weigh up the warnings and ask - is this God’s voice to us at this time? He warns us for a serious purpose - to lead to repentance, prayer, practical action.’ Watchmen and intercessors serve out of love for their community and church. God is looking for a servant attitude.