Christian and pro-life groups are alarmed by proposals to allow assisted suicide for terminally ill people in England and Wales. The change is proposed in a report published today by the Commission on Assisted Dying, chaired by former justice secretary Lord Falconer. The report recommends allowing doctors to prescribe lethal doses of drugs to terminally ill patients who wish to die and have less than 12 months to live. The patient would have to be over the age of 18 and not deemed to be mentally impaired. The approval of two independent doctors would also be required. Dr Peter Saunders, Campaign Director of Care Not Killing said the investigation was ‘biased’ and the resulting report ‘seriously flawed’. ‘These recommendations if implemented will place vulnerable people under increased pressure to end their lives so as not to be a burden on others,’ he said. ‘The so-called right to die can so easily become the duty to die.’
Pray: for God’s guidance as this matter is debated and that the vulnerable will be protected. (Pr.13:14)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/concern.over.proposed.changes.to.law.on.assisted.suicide/29121.htm
Concern over NHS-backed sex text messaging
17 Jan 2011Children are receiving text messages with advice on sex from a taxpayer-funded service, in a scheme which has been accused of sidelining parents and undermining the age of consent. The free service is aimed at 13 to 25-year-olds, according to a national newspaper, and works by replying to messages young people send in. Norman Wells, Director of Family Education Trust, said: ‘Not only does it undermine parents by presenting itself as an authoritative source of advice on sex, relationships and sexual health, but it also fails to respect the age of consent by offering a service to children under 16.’ Mr Wells added: ‘the information provided is not even accurate. The website fails to tell visitors that condoms provide
much less protection against sexually transmitted infections than they do against pregnancy, and says nothing about the health benefits of keeping sex within a lifelong, mutually faithful relationship with an uninfected partner’.
Pray: for a more tightly regulated and sensitive service providing better quality care and advice. (Ps.103:18)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/concern-over-nhs-backed-sex-text-message-service/
Concern over Beyoncé advert
25 Nov 2010
The Christian Institute has voiced concern over sexually explicit advertising after a perfume advert for Beyoncé’s new perfume was deemed unsuitable for daytime television. Mike Judge, of The Christian Institute, raised concern over the effect of such adverts on young girls. ‘As Christmas approaches we are bombarded by inappropriate perfume adverts on TV, the high street and in our shopping centres,’ he said. ‘These ads only contribute to society’s sexualisation, which more and more people are speaking out against. Sexualisation damages all in society but in particular it puts pressure on young girls and women to conform to a ‘perfect’ body image.’ He added: ‘The Advertising Standards Authority took action against this advert after 14 people made complaints, which shows it only takes a handful of people to say something is inappropriate, and it can make a real difference.’ Pray: for a wider recognition of the damage sexually explicit adverts and pop videos can do to our young people. (Ps.7:14) .tv/27103.htm
Concern about marriage breakdown
29 Nov 2012Most Brits feel that marriage's fall from grace has not been good for society, a new survey has found. In a poll by the Centre for Social Justice, 60% agreed that marriage has become less important and that this is a ‘bad thing’ for Britain. Over half (55%) said there was at least one area close to where they lived that was affected by serious social problems like broken families, poor schools and crime. Most of those surveyed (85%) felt that family and parenting were key to mending broken society. When asked what they felt was the most important for children to have when growing up, 46% said a safe community and environment, followed by having two parents at home (31%). The findings were released as the CSJ prepares to launch Breakthrough Britain II, a major study into the causes of poverty and social breakdown that will run until 2014.
Pray: that the recognition of the importance of marriage in our society be realised and once more become central. (Heb.13:4)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/brits.concerned.about.marriage.breakdown/31136.htm
Complaints surge over swearing on T.V. and radio
18 May 2010
Pray: for Elizabeth as she takes up this challenging role to to care for our youngsters. (2Ti.1:14)
More: http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/prsafeguardingadviser.html
Community projects funded to tune of £½m
15 Oct 2010
This week the Church and Community Fund (CCF) launches a new website, www.ccfund.org.uk, to promote its work and share the many good news stories of parish-linked community projects around the country, securing the £½million in grants each year. From adventure playgrounds and Street Pastors to Superkidz in Southwark, which works with youngsters drawn into local gang culture, the CCF is committed to supporting local projects as well as the central body of the Church. Some projects gain national interest like ASCEND in South Oxhey (linked to All Saints’ Church in St Albans diocese) that gives local people the opportunity to find a route to employment.The chair of CCF, the Archdeacon of Westmorland and Furness, the Ven George Howe said: ‘I'm delighted to commend our attractive new web-site which clearly demonstrates how the Fund is helping the Church to engage more effectively with local communities, in imaginative and creative ways’. Pray: that in a climate of Government cuts, the CCF will continue its excellent work in the community. (1Ti.6:18)
Commission wavers over Christian cases in Europe
01 Sep 2011The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has changed its mind over how it will intervene in the four cases of discrimination against Christians that will be heard in Europe soon. (See Prayer Alert 23-2011 & 34-2011) The EHRC said in July that it would intervene on behalf of Nadia Eweida, Shirley Chaplin, Gary McFarlane and Lillian Ladele in the European Court. It also said that the British courts had got it wrong in these cases, stating in a press release that ‘Judges have interpreted the law too narrowly in religion or belief discrimination claims’ and that the courts had given ‘insufficient’ protection to those manifesting religious beliefs. However, in a subsequent consultation document, the EHRC has said that it will now act to support Chaplin and Eweida (relating to the right to wear a cross) but will oppose Ladele and McFarlane (relating to providing certain services to homosexual couples), stating that the ‘domestic courts came to the correct conclusions’ in these two cases.
Pray: God for this initial success but now pray that the EHRC will reconsider Ladele and McFarlane’s judgement. (Ps.9:19)
Another street preacher in the UK has been arrested for proclaiming Christian teachings about the sinfulness of homosexual behaviour. Dale Mcalpine was handing out leaflets in Workington when he was approached by a police community support officer identifying himself as homosexual. The officer arrested Mr Mcalpine because in the course of a conversation he said his belief was that homosexuality is a sin because it is against the word of God. This is the second time in five weeks that a Christian has been arrested in the UK for preaching Christian sexual ethics. By law a police officer has no right to call upon a citizen to desist from lawful conduct. (See) Article 9 of the Human Rights Act confirms that ‘everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion’ and ‘in public or private, to manifest this religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance.’
Pray: for police guidance to recognise the rights of free speech of all parties including Christians. (Ac.20:20-21)