Aleppo - Russia’s assault on ‘terrorist targets’
18 Nov 2016
Moscow insists warplanes from its aircraft carrier stationed off the Syrian coast did not target Aleppo, but Russia's intensifying intervention could be a game-changer in the momentum in this brutal war. Aleppo was Syria's economic hub with a pre-war population of two million. One million now live in the west of the city, in comparative safety. Those trapped in the east live in appalling conditions as over the past year more troops and considerable firepower, including advanced missile systems, have been moved by Russia onto the battlefield. There is no single group in charge: the area is divided between mainstream rebels backed by the USA and its allies, the al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (formerly known as al-Nusra Front), and Kurdish forces, who say they support neither the government nor the opposition.
Worldwide violence
18 Nov 2016
Today, violence is the most urgent threat for millions of the poorest people. According to the United Nations, four billion people live outside the protection of the law. That means that their public justice systems (their police, courts, and laws) are so broken, corrupt and dysfunctional, that there is nothing to shield them from violence. What if you called the police and no one came to help you? Or if there was no way to get justice if someone harmed you or your children? For poor people throughout the developing world there is no defence, no protection, nothing to hold back violence. Over 45 million women, children and men are held as slaves; two million children are exploited in the commercial sex industry. Every day, global justice missions and movements are working together to push back the advance of violence, rescuing individuals and in many cases stopping violence before it starts.
Million-dollar Bible is completed
11 Nov 2016
Making a modern Bible is difficult. Adam Greene, creator of Bibliotheca, learned the intricacies of the process through two years of production delays. His project to create a four-volume, single-column Bible cost $1.4 million. But to transform the Bible from its familiar reference-packed pages to a format more like a novel was far more complicated than removing chapter and verse numbers and footnotes. He sorted design elements and materials, and had to present a text that had remained the same for generations into a new format. With the help of copy editors, Bible scholars, and proofreaders, Greene used a revised American Standard Version, changing archaic words and updating verses whose translations have improved. Then came the typesetting and spacing. Adam said, ‘What I did not expect was that, through this process, my admiration and reverence for the text deepened tenfold. This literature is so complex and interwoven. The deeper I dig, the more I discover.’
Hope for USA’s soul
11 Nov 2016
Many people have become discouraged for America’s future during this election season. Many have struggled to be optimistic amidst the divisiveness seeming to plague the country. Pastor Rick Warren sees solid reason for hope, and specifically lists five reasons he believes are grounds to hope for a ‘spiritual rebirth for America’. First, faith often grows the most in dark times: people realise they need God when times are hard. Second, the ‘millennial’ generation is spiritually hungry and seeking real purpose and community. Third, there are millions of God-fearing people living in America, living devoutly for God every day without fanfare - not out of guilt or fear or duty, but in gratitude and love to God for their transformed lives. Fourth, contrary to popular opinion, more people are turning to faith rather than to secularism. Lastly, God’s promise to hear prayer still applies.
Down’s syndrome screening
11 Nov 2016
The government has approved a new test (NIPT) to make it easier to detect babies with Down’s syndrome in pregnant women. The NHS intend to make NIPT available next year. This has led to a campaign ‘Don’t screen us out’. 90% of Down’s babies are aborted. NIPT will increase the number of children with Down’s screened out and terminated. A British Medical Journal report said annual screening of 698,500 offering NIPT will result in 195 more Down’s babies being detected. Recently 279 medical professionals accused the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of advocating that pregnant women with a prenatal diagnosis of Down’s syndrome should have an abortion. The move to introduce NIPT is also backed by powerful commercial interests, notably two of the companies which supply the tests. The real victims are babies with a common genetic abnormality whose eradication will lift a perceived burden from some and make others very rich indeed.
Trump and relations with UK
11 Nov 2016
The election of Donald Trump is an unpredictable factor, with possible knock-on effects for Britain. His victory speech pledged to ‘get along with all other nations willing to get along with us’ and to deal fairly with everyone seeking common ground, not hostility; partnership, not conflict. Theresa May said she was ‘looking forward to working’ with him, in a strong ‘trade, security and defence ’ partnership. Previously, Mrs May called his campaigning comments on Muslims divisive, unhelpful and wrong, while Boris Johnson said he wouldn't visit New York due to the real risk of meeting Trump. However, he now says he is ‘looking forward to working with Mr Trump on global stability and prosperity’. President Obama had warned that the UK would go to the ‘back of the queue’ for US trade deals if it voted for Brexit. The Trump camp is more positive and ‘absolutely wants’ to strike a trade deal with the UK, whether in or out of Europe. See also Christian Voice comments at:
What are they teaching the children?
11 Nov 2016
Sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers; teen pregnancy and abortion; porn addiction; mental illness; inability to form and sustain relationships - the list goes on. Over recent years the UK has seen cultural, social and political change as the result of changing attitudes towards sexuality and gender and the combined, but often conflicting, pressures of secularism and multiculturalism. Education has reflected this shift, teaching that many once-traditional values are increasingly being banned by law. The policy of giving ever more information without any moral frame has been a spectacular failure and, with the disintegration of what are now branded repressive values, we face a growing crisis that affects the physical, mental and emotional welfare of our young. Today and tomorrow there is a major conference at the Emmanuel Centre in London, aimed at discussing and tackling these problems. Pray for the delegates to digest and act on all that is learnt and considered at the conference.
Archbishop prays for reconciliation
11 Nov 2016
The Archbishop of Canterbury called for reconciliation in the USA, after the most bitter election campaign in modern history. Justin Welby pledged to ‘pray for all the people of the United States’ in the wake of Donald Trump's victory. He said, ‘As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, my continuing prayers are that the USA may find reconciliation after a bitter campaign, and that he may be given wisdom, insight and grace as he faces the tasks before him.’ His statement was muted and contained no message of congratulations. Evangelical Christian blogger Ian Paul said, ‘The election of Trump is a stand against the relentless march of globalisation, just as was the vote for Brexit for many people.’ Chine McDonald, director of communications at the UK Evangelical Alliance, tweeted, ‘Sad day to be a woman. Sad day to be black. Sad day to be an evangelical. Feeling numb. #USElection2016.’