Is Jeremy Corbyn anti-Israel?
17 Sep 2015
Newly-elected Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s far-left credentials have found favour in his party, but his overtures to radical Islamists have caused concern among British Jews. Corbyn has been empathetic to Hamas and Hezbollah - terror groups committed to destroying Israel. He is widely regarded as one of the British MPs most hostile to Israel. In his victory speech, Corbyn called for a ‘decent and better society’ and urged party unity. The battle-hardened MP projects the image of a humble man who travels by bicycle and cultivates his own garden. A senior Jewish member of the Labour Party said that Corbyn’s views give cause for serious concern, and Britain’s top Jewish newspaper, the Jewish Chronicle, claimed that Corbyn was linked to ‘Holocaust deniers, terrorists and some outright anti-Semites.’ Six years ago Corbyn offered to host representatives of Hamas and Hezbollah in the British parliament.
The roots of Northern Ireland’s problems go back to 1167 and the Anglo-Norman intervention into Ireland’s laws and policing. The two unrelated cultures were never united and found themselves living side by side. The IRA evolved from rural protection groups which developed to fight back against ‘oppressive feudal regimes’. Through kinship, violence and relationships with officials, the group grew and adopted hierarchical structures with Mafia-like figureheads. The IRA fought for the unification of Ireland and an end to the British occupation of Northern Ireland. Today the IRA are not engaged in violence; however, splinter groups (Real IRA and Irish National Liberation Army) have formed, and at least one works with a Colombian cartel aiding drugs and arms smuggling. Punishment beatings still occur in local communities, as ‘inactive’ IRA members attempt to maintain control within their communities. The recent killing of Kevin McGuigan caused a political row when the police chief accused members of the IRA of having a role in the murder, and said the IRA still existed. See also http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34204542
Norway: Proposal to put refugees in Arctic
17 Sep 2015
Norwegian politicians are considering sending refugees to Svalbard, an Atlantic archipelago and one of the world’s most remote areas, which is currently inhabited by more polar bears than people. Local government representatives hope that Svalbard could receive and then house refugees. The Green Party has asked Svalbard’s governor to look into the legality of the plan, which could be undone by the fact that Svalbard isn’t part of the Schengen free movement area and so can’t take people as easily. Local politicians have committed to work ‘100 per cent’ for a quick realisation of the plan if it is proved legal. Many of the islanders are employed in coal mines. Espen Klungseth Rotevatn, the leader of the Green Party on the islands, said, ‘Europe is on fire, and it is now that our values and ethical standards are put to the test.’
Belgium: Freedom of philosophy
17 Sep 2015
Belgium embraces a strong sense of ‘living together.’ This is seen in the way the country, though split into a Dutch-speaking region in the north and a French-speaking region in the south, encourages unity among its people. Living together in acceptance also appears in the government’s treatment of religion and philosophy. Belgium adheres to a freedom of religion, and even recognises secular communities as religious organizations, providing funding for them as it does religious organisations. About 32% of the Belgian population do not identify with a religion, and the ‘non-religious philosophical communities’ that thrive there don’t provide answers to life’s core questions. The many diverse peoples of Belgium need unification not by language, but by the powerful love of Christ. Thankfully, international churches are growing in their appeal to both nationals and immigrants, and evangelical faith has never been stronger. These churches are attempting daily to become a symbol of unity for a divided nation.
Campaigners marched to Downing Street from Marble Arch in central London on Saturday to show solidarity with refugees all over the world. Around 90,000 people attended the event, which comes amid the worsening refugee crisis as more and more people arrive in European countries. Sini Maria Heikkila, a Christian campaigner who works for an anti-persecution charity, said that she would like to see an even more united response to this humanitarian crisis. She stressed that the German public had been particularly kind, and hoped that the march on Saturday had sent the same message from the UK public to the government and to other EU countries. Home Secretary Theresa May held emergency talks about the refugee crisis on Monday.
MPs reject assisted dying bill
17 Sep 2015
During the last parliament sitting Lord Falconer introduced an assisted dying bill which peers, the media and the church all discussed. Amendments delayed its progress and parliament ended before it could be debated. Falconer suggested his proposals would have more of a chance if they were taken up by an MP in the Commons. So after the election the issue was raised again, and last Friday MPs voted on the subject of legalising assisted dying. After a passionate debate, MPs voted 330 to 118 against changing the law, in the first Commons vote on assisted dying for twenty years. Please continue to pray for effective and gracious Christian presence and influence in political debates, and for our Christians in parliament to give a wise explanation of God's truth in the public domain.
Because Prayer Matters
23 Sep 2015
Prayer matters. It is essential to all that we do and everything we are. This year add your voice as hundreds from all over the UK pray boldly for the work of Justice. IJM's National Conference will be held on Saturday the third of October at St Pauls Hammersmith, London. Hear stories of hope, inexplicable joy and triumph first hand. Discover God's heart for justice. Your eyes will be opened and your heart will be transformed. And because of your prayers, lives will be changed.
IJM's National Conference is a transformative event like you've never experienced. You will pray, you will worship and you will encounter God as you stand on the front lines of injustice with IJM's staff and friends from around the world.
This year's speakers include IJM's director of investigations – who cannot be named for security reasons, Anu George, IJM director of national strategy and interventions, Terry Tennens Chief Executive of IJM UK and many many more.
Join IJM and experience first-hand God pouring out his passion among his people for the work of justice throughout the world. Be encouraged and pray with boldness, on behalf of those who are in need of his love and justice in the world. Join IJM on the 3rd October in Hammersmith. Tickets and further information available from http://www.ijmuk.org/conference
Source: International Justice Mission
Discovering Prayer
23 Sep 2015
At Discovering Prayer we believe there's more than one way to pray and that with a little practice you can unlock the wisdom of ancient Christians and have a more fulfilling prayer life. If you've ever struggled to pray, or want to learn Christian meditation but don't know where to start, Discovering Prayer can help.
We offer four different types of audio prayers available online and an Android app which is free on the Google Store (iOS app coming soon):
- Absorbing God's Word: These 10 minute prayer and meditation sessions draw on the ancient tradition of divine reading (Lectio Divina) practiced by Christians since the 3rd century. This series is a good place to start if you value the Bible at the heart of prayer and meditation.
- Praying with Imagination: These 15 and 20 minute sessions draw from the Ignation idea of imagining scenes at the Bible as if we are physically present. This helps us to deepen our understanding of scripture and to remember what we've read. This series is for those who have a little more time to linger in prayer.
- Listening to God: These 10 minute meditations introduce a way of relaxing and listening to God and learning to allow silence; as we learn to rest in God's presence we are more able to 'hear' from God through out the day. This series is for those who want to begin to explore the riches of silence, relaxation and a deepening awareness of God's presence.
- PrayPal: These 5 minute selections of prayers and readings are inspired by some of the earliest Christian writings (the Didache) which advised three prayer times a day - morning, noon and evening. They also incorporate elements of monastic office, or church service. This series is for busy people who don't always have time for lengthy prayers. So if you're very busy you might like to try popping on your headphones and integrating a monastic style prayer into your everyday life.