A Christian MP, Gary Streeter, is arranging for an inquiry to be held over the autumn looking at discrimination against Christians in the UK. The inquiry comes amidst increasing concern over the erosion of religious freedom in the UK and will examine how the law currently affects believers. Gary Streeter MP said that the panel would invite submissions from legal professionals, businesses, individuals and social policy groups from faith and non-faith backgrounds. They will be asked to evaluate hate crime and equality legislation in the light of the need to protect freedom of belief. The inquiry will be open to the public. The issue was raised at the General Synod, the Church of England’s national assembly, last weekend. Dr Philip Giddings, chairman of the Church of England’s public affairs council, warned that employers too often failed to respect religious rights interpreting the law in ways which seem to assume that reasonable and respectful expressions of faith are, almost by definition, offensive.

Pray: that the Government will listen and respond positively to the submission from general Synod. (Job.34:2)

More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/religious-freedom/religious-discrimination-inquiry-to-be-held

Last year saw a five per cent increase in new diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections. According to data published by Public Health England today, figures rose from 428,255 in 2011 to 448,422 in 2012. PHE said the increase was mostly due to improved data collection. However, it warned that the continuing high rates of STI in England ‘suggest too many people are still putting themselves at risk through unsafe sex’. It said this was particularly the case among young adults and men who have sex with men (MSM). With 206,912 new diagnoses last year, chlamydia remains the most common STI diagnosis. New cases of gonorrhoea rose 21% overall, from 21,024 in 2011 to 25,525 in 2012. The MSM community saw a 37% increase in gonorrhoea diagnoses. Under-25s experienced the highest rates of STI, accounting for 64% of chlamydia and 54% of genital warts diagnoses among heterosexuals in 2012.

Pray: that this growth in STI’s will be reversed. (Ps.38:3)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/increase.in.sexually.transmitted.infections.in.2012/32763.htm

Churches across the country will be using 2013 Education Sunday (January 27) to pray and work towards new ways of reaching out to those who are easily overlooked in the education world. The Rev Jan Ainsworth, the CofE's Chief Education Officer, said this theme should challenge education successes, whether flourishing schools or highly achieving pupils, to support those who are struggling. A Prayer for Education Sunday calls for 'equality rather than privilege' calling for the whole task of education to 'be devoted to justice rather than self- seeking. In Church schools we try and make inclusivity the heart of our message, underpinned by our Christian values. But Education Sunday reminds us that it is a challenge for everyone linked with the education world. We need each other and flourish much better with support. I would urge everyone to take five minutes this Sunday to think how they can include an outsider,' said Jan Ainsworth.

Pray: for Education Sunday to prompt renewed work to promote inclusivity in education. (Php.2:5-7)

More: http://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2013/01/include-outsiders,-challenges-the-cofe's-chief-education-officer.aspx

Faith communities may encourage their members to contribute to society – but can politicians harness their benefits? Robert Putnam, Harvard professor of public policy, has been in London, channelling the wisdom of social capital at No 10, as well as talking at St Martins-in-the-Fields on Monday evening. That venue is the big clue to his latest findings. It could be summarised thus: 'if you want big society, you need big religion. In the US, over half of all social capital is religious. Religious people just do all citizenish things better than secular people, from giving, to voting, to volunteering. Moreover, they offer their money and time to everyone, regardless of whether they belong to their religious group. It could be, of course, that the religious already have the virtues of citizenship. The evidence is that strong faith communities make for both strong interfaith and wider social links'.

Pray: for governments both national and local to recognise the importance of encouraging and working with faith groups. (2Co.9:2)

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/jun/23/big-society-needs-big-religion

The head of Church Action on Poverty has warned hunger is becoming an increasing reality for families in the UK. Niall Cooper said stagnant or falling incomes were combining with rising food and fuel costs to leave many parents unable to feed their children on a regular basis. There are now an estimated quarter of a million people relying on emergency food aid in the UK. Mr Cooper warned that one in five mothers were going without food on a regular basis so that their children could eat instead ‘Do these figures relate to Ethiopia, Sudan, the Congo – or the UK?’ he said. ‘Hunger is no longer a reality only for families in drought stricken, war torn or ‘underdeveloped’ countries in sub-Saharan Africa.’ Mr Cooper welcomed discussions in the EU on extending its Food Aid Programme to all 27 member states, including the UK.

Pray: or all those relying on emergency food aid in the UK that their needs will be met.

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/hunger.exists.in.uk.too.says.church.group/31667.htm

The Hungarian government has been criticized for changes to the country’s constitution that threaten religious freedoms and other rights. Constitutional amendments adopted by the government in March were the latest in a series of changes described by Human Rights Watch (HRW) as ‘problematic’. For example, a new law granted state recognition to only 14 religious groups while refusing to recognize the rest, resulting in the loss of official status for more than 300 Protestant groupings and minor Catholic religious orders. Although the Hungarian Constitutional Court struck down some of the laws introduced by the government, the latest amendments reintroduced the same laws by changing the constitution and cancelling the Constitutional Court’s power to overrule those changes. HRW has called for the EU to consider suspending Hungary’s voting rights and a spokesman for the European Commission said it won't rule out sanctions to ensure that Hungary complies with EU law.

Pray: that the government will reconsider its constitutional amendments which are threatening religious rights. (Pr.31:9)

More: http://www.worthynews.com/12198-hungarian-constitutional-changes-threaten-s-religious-freedom

A group of humanists are demanding that faith schools should be open to all children, regardless of their parents’ religion. The Fair Admissions Campaign wants all state-funded schools in England and Wales to be open equally to all children, without regard to religion or belief. The Church of England’s website says: ‘Latest available statistics indicate one in four primary schools and one in 16 secondary schools in England are Church of England schools. Approaching one million pupils are educated in more than 4,700 Church of England schools.’ The Fair Admissions Campaign claims that it is ‘widely supported’, by those at its meetings. In the real world, according to the Church of England: ‘Seven in ten (72%) of the population agree that Church of England schools help young people to grow into responsible members of society and 8 in 10 (80%) agree that they promote good behaviour and positive attitudes.’

Pray: that faith will continue to be central in our schools' teaching and the developing of positive attitudes. (Rom.15:5)

More: http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/index.php/2013jun07fac/