Call for ban on sexualised images in the media
06 Feb 2012Newspapers should not be allowed to print pictures of women that would not be shown on pre-watershed television an inquiry into press standards was told. Four groups challenged the objectification of women by the media and called on Lord Justice Leveson to back a ban on sexualised images in newspapers, claiming that such images would not be broadcast on television before the 9pm watershed. Anna Van Heeswijk, from Object, a group that challenges the objectification of women by the media, said Page Three tabloids portrayed women as the ‘sum of sexualised body parts.’ She said: ‘We have to ask ourselves what kind of story does it tell young people when men in newspapers wear suits, or sports gear, are shown as active participants, and women are sexualised objects who are essentially naked or nearly naked. She added: ‘You will find there is a gradient of extremity running from the Sun to the Daily Star.
Pray: for the media to recognise their responsibility in this area. (Ti.2:12)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/call-for-ban-on-sexualised-images-in-the-media/
Catholic aid agency CAFOD has launched a new food campaign to hundreds of supporters at Westminster Cathedral in London. 250 campaigners from all over England and Wales met to launch a new initiative that aims to improve the food system. The campaign highlights the fact that a handful of supermarkets and food companies dominate the food system, making the rules that decide cost, price and standards. They often also control access to vital resources such as land, seeds and water. Yet 50 per cent of the world’s food is grown by small-scale farmers in developing countries. With little power in the global food supply chain, these farmers are often forced to agree to big companies’ demands regardless of how unfair they may be. The Hungry for Change campaign is calling for fundamental changes in the global food system so that power is more justly shared between rich and poor people, and more people can have access to enough food.
Pray: for the Hungry for Change Campaign to be well supported and have a very real impact in bringing about change to the global food food system.. (Pr.14:31 )
All three main Westminster parties have been reshuffling their teams. David Cameron has promoted three women, though none of them have been given a cabinet post. Across the board, women are taking more prominent roles - a net increase of four in government, and 44% of Labour's shadow cabinet are female. The only change in the coalition cabinet comes with the Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael as the new Scottish Secretary. There have also been changes to the Labour team.Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg has been replaced by Tristram Hunt while Jim Murphy, another senior figure, is moved from defence to international development. Andy Burnham is to stay as shadow health secretary. Mr Moore was the only cabinet minister to lose his job in Monday's coalition reshuffle, which has largely focused on middle-ranking and junior ministerial positions. Has the political territory shifted, or is it just the personalities that have been moved?
Pray: for the members of our government and those involved in the reshuffle that God will give them insight and guidance in their role. (Pr.1:5)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19475248
Former leader of the Scottish National Party, Gordon Wilson, has been kicked off the board of Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) – because of his support for traditional marriage.
Earlier this month Mr Wilson responded to a Government consultation on redefining marriage, saying he was opposed to the idea. He said: ‘You attack the building block of society at your peril’ and he called for a referendum on the issue. But expressing his beliefs appear to have cost him his position at Dundee CAB – a group that offers free advice to the public about legal rights. At yesterday’s annual general meeting of Dundee CAB, members blocked his re-election as one of twelve directors. Mr Wilson was accused of being anti-equality and a total of 21 members voted against his re-election. At the meeting he pointed out the irony that CAB receives taxpayers money for tackling religious discrimination.
Pray: for Mr Wilson and his courage to speak out. Also pray for the CAB to recognise the double standards they are operating and to reconsider their action. (Dt.31:6)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/cab-dumps-former-snp-chief-for-traditional-marriage-views/
Marriage is an honourable institution and Church of England clergy should do all they can to protect it from redefinition, the chairman of Reform has warned. The Westminster Government is planning to launch a consultation in March on how, not if, to redefine marriage. But Revd Rod Thomas has urged clergy to do all they can ‘in the coming months to prepare our people well to respond to this consultation and make our voices heard.’ He warned that redefining marriage to allow same-sex marriage would fundamentally undermine the institution. Writing in the Church of England newspaper he said: ‘Iit would undermine the stability of society. If marriage is no longer one of the ‘givens’, then it simply becomes a matter of prevailing opinion. ‘If the present Government can alter its definition, then how do we know it might not change again in the future? It becomes something that is malleable rather than being rock solid.’
Pray: for the clergy as they prepare to lead the Church in its response to this challenge. (Pr.2:8)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/c-of-e-clergy-must-do-all-they-can-to-protect-marriage/
The British Humanist Association is gearing up for a major advertising campaign calling upon cultural Christians to tick ‘no religion’ in the forthcoming census. BHA will be running posters on buses and trains telling the non-religious: ‘If you’re not religious then for God’s sake say so.’ The 2001 census was the first to ask British people ‘What is your religion?’, although answering was voluntary. Seventy-two per cent of the population in England answered the question by identifying themselves as Christians. This year, the census in England and Wales will ask: ‘What is your religion?’, while in Scotland it will say: ‘What religion, religious denomination or body do you belong to?’ In a bid to address concerns over accuracy, the Office for National Statistics has introduced a small change to the tick options, replacing ‘none’ with ‘no religion’. The census takes place this year on March 27. Pray: for the Government as these statistics are likely to change the way the Government thinks and pray that it makes wise decisions. (Jas.1:26-27) census/27569.htm
Budget creating 'huge hardship'
27 Aug 2010
Church Action on Poverty has voiced concern over the impact of George Osborne’s Budget one day after a respected think tank warned that financial cutbacks were hitting the poor hardest. The Institute for Fiscal Studies said the Budget had been ‘clearly regressive’ and was hitting low earners more than those in the upper income brackets. Niall Cooper, CAP’s Coordinator, said ‘the IFS’s report had confirmed the group’s worst fears that the Budget was hitting those already struggling to get by and least in the position to cope with cuts to income, welfare and services. They are people who are already just keeping their heads above water and struggling to keep up with their debt repayments and living costs. Even a five per cent loss of income may not sound like very much but it is enough to tip some people over the edge. The cuts are creating huge hardship.’ he said. Pray: that the government will seriously consider the needs of the most vulnerable in our society. More:http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/budget.creating.huge.hardship.church.group.warns/26584.htm
Buckingham Palace is being consulted over proposals to change a historic Parliamentary chapel into a multi-denominational room so that it can be used to conduct same sex marriages. MP Chris Bryant proposed that St Mary Undercroft in Westminster be turned into a ‘multi-faith’ space to allow some minority groups to perform same sex weddings in Parliament. The move would require the Church of England to break its ties with the Anglican chapel through legislation brought forward by Parliament or the Church’s General Synod. The demand has the support of John Bercow, the Speaker, putting him in opposition to the Archbishop of Canterbury who is being kept informed of the row by parliamentary officials. The Queen’s private secretary Sir Christopher Geidt is being consulted over the plans which are strongly backed by Equalities Minister. Permission from the Queen will be needed for the plans to go ahead due to her role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.
Pray: the Queen will not be asked to take any action that would go against her coronation oath to maintain in the Church of England, the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government by law established in England. (ITim.2:1-4)