Philosopher warns of threat to religious freedom
02 Feb 2012Leading philosopher Roger Trigg, a Professor at Kellogg College, Oxford, has warned of an increasing tendency in UK courts to prioritise equality above religion, thereby undermining religious freedom. Professor Trigg, who is the founding President of the British Society for the Philosophy of Religion, stated that: ‘Religious freedom and the right to manifest religious belief is a central part of every charter of human rights.’ Yet he believes that the courts are now ‘limiting human freedom itself’. Professor Trigg is launching a new book, ‘Equality, Freedom and Religion’, which cites numerous cases where religious freedom has been denied by the courts. There have been many concerns that, within judicial interpretations of equality law, a hierarchy of rights has developed, with some rights now being seen as more important than others. Recent court decisions have suggested that the freedom to manifest sexual orientation now trumps the freedom to manifest one’s religious beliefs.
Pray: for an understanding that mankind can never place human laws above those of God. (Ro.7:22)
Petition to support B & B owners
17 Jan 2011Mr David Skinner is to present a petition to the Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, in support of Peter and Hazelmary Bull who run a Christian bed and breakfast business in in their home in Cornwall. They are facing a civil court claim for £5,000 and possibly the closure of their business because they refused a double bed to two gay men. It is alleged that Mr and Mrs Bull have contravened the Sexual Orientation Regulations (2007). It must be noted, however, that the Bulls have a policy that denies anyone a double bed who is not married, whether gay or straight. As will be seen, this issue is much greater than someone losing their B&B and possibly their home. Whether we are 'religious' or not the Bulls represent all of us who see that our freedom is being stolen through groups who are determined to re-engineer society. Please sign the petition here.
Pray: that this petition will be well supported and will be favourably received by Mr Cameron. (Dt.16:20)
Peter Oborne: Tax dodgers should be shamed
18 Sep 2012Telegraph journalist Peter Oborne says tax dodgers should be named and shamed. Speaking at a debate at Christ Church Spitalfields, Peter Oborne said: ‘People and companies who don’t pay tax should be shamed. ‘I believe as citizens and as political beings on the left or the right that we have a duty to shame companies that don’t pay their taxes, that don’t fulfill their civic duties.’ The debate was organised by Christian Aid and Church Action on Poverty as part of their nationwide Tax Justice Bus tour. Mr Oborne said he supported the Tax Justice campaign because there was a ‘very strong moral case’ for paying tax. ‘I absolutely believe that we belong to a community.. He continued: ‘We have an interest in the welfare of our fellow citizens. Just from a nakedly capitalist point of view, you want well trained employees that have received a good education, a good transport system and health services.’
Pray: for the Tax justice Bus tour and that it will help raise the profile of of the moral obligation to meet our tax responsibilities in full. (Ro.13:6-7 )
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/peter.oborne.tax.dodgers.should.be.shamed/30663.htm
Open Doors and Youth for Christ have teamed up to create an exciting new resource for youth groups. My Heart Bleeds looks at the plight of persecuted Christians around the world and the valuable lessons that can be learned about staying in faith through tough times. The resource is broken down into six lifestyle sessions looking at what it means to follow Jesus through the inspiring lens of the persecuted church. The resource, available for a donation of £10, contains teaching material, activity discussion ideas, games and film clips for use with each session theme. National Director of Youth for Christ, Gavin Calver said ‘This is a deeply challenging resource that will have a huge impact on young people throughout Britain.’ Jonny Goodchild, Open Doors youth spokesman, said: ‘My Heart Bleeds is a way of taking seriously our responsibility to stand with the suffering.’
Pray: for the success of this new resource leading to a wider understanding of persecution and its causes. (Job.28:12)
British people have significantly less integrity than ten years ago, and it risks harming civic mindedness, new research claims. Adultery, lying and underage sex have all become more acceptable, according to the findings published by Professor Paul Whiteley. He blames the bad examples set by footballers cheating on their wives, the phone hacking scandal, and dodgy financial dealing. And, he says, the implications could be profound for society. The findings show that people with high levels of integrity tend to have a strong sense of civic duty. The Essex Centre for the Study of Integrity has been set up to analyse the issue. Professor Paul Whiteley is the centre’s director. He commented: “If social capital is low and people are suspicious and don’t work together, those communities have worse health, worse educational performance, they are less happy and they are less economically developed and entrepreneurial. It really does have a profound effect.”
Pray: for a return to the unchanging Biblical truths of morality and integrity. (Ps.25:21)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/people-have-less-integrity-and-it-is-harming-society/
Twelve Pentecostal and New Church networks are combining their efforts in order to give their opinions political clout. Representatives from the churches have met senior Christian politicians and other Christian pressure groups to discuss how they can gain better influence in politics. The church groupings include the Elim Pentecostal Church, Assemblies of God, NewFrontiers, Pioneer and Vineyard. They believe that so far only the traditional denominations get a hearing in Parliament and that a large number of Christians in the country go unrecognised. They want to help MPs appreciate the views of these believers. Each network has its own concerns and will appoint people to represent them to MPs, but the churches plan to cooperate on issues like social justice, the environment, diversity and equality, and the family. Pray: that God’s people will continue working together to influence the political arena. (Php.4:1)
Pentecost – the Church’s Big Bang moment
23 May 2013Christmas and Easter rightly have prominent places in the Church calendar. Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection should be properly celebrated, but the place of Pentecost is equally important. Without that point in time when the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus’ followers as they waited patiently after his ascension, they would have remained a group of confused and fearful people. It was the Church’s Big Bang moment. Pentecost is a reminder that the Holy Spirit moves with power and that without the Spirit working through us, individual Christians and the Church will be able to achieve little of substance. Our society desperately needs to see and experience a revolutionary Church filled with the fire of God’s Spirit.
Pray: for the Church to open herself up to the power of the Holy Spirit. (Eph.6:10)
More: http://godandpoliticsuk.org/2013/05/18/pentecost-the-churchs-big-bang-moment/
Pentecost Festival embraces London
09 Jun 2011
This year’s Pentecost Festival looks set to be the biggest yet. Organisers are anticipating that as many as 30,000 will be reached in the 10-day Central London event which started last Friday. Now in its fourth year, this is the first time the finale, hosted by Holy Trinity Brompton, Hillsong and Jesus House, will take place at the 17,000 capacity O2 arena. The festival sees more than 100 arts-based events with performances from X-Factor finalist Beverley Trotman and US group Spoken Groove, comedy from Andy Kind, John Maloney and Paul Tonkinson, and theatre which addresses issues of injustice. There will be science debates, seminars on faith and fashion and a political evening looking at the impact of the message of Pentecost hosted by Baptist minister the Revd Steve Chalke. Andy Frost, festival director, said 'Once again it will show people that the church is not just about Sunday mornings. 'It's engaging with what's happening culturally. It's representing God's heartbeat.'
Pray: for those leading this event and for its success in reaching out to those who have not received the Gospel message. (Ps.107:22)
More: http://www.baptisttimes.co.uk/news3.htm