Critics have hit out at a barrister who called for the age of consent to be lowered to 13, saying her comments were “foolish” and “despicable”. Barrister Barbara Hewson said a change in the law would end the “persecution of old men”, in the wake of recent high-profile arrests over alleged historic sex offences but lawyer Malcom Underhill, writing for The Daily Telegraph, said the call is “one of the most foolish proposals on the issue of child welfare that has been laid before the public”. Mr Underhill warned that in lowering the age of consent, the risk of paedophiles “taking advantage of innocent children for their iniquitous ends will become even greater”. He added, “this proposal must be snuffed out as quickly as possible, to protect the most vulnerable in society”. But gay-rights activist Peter Tatchell says there should be a serious debate about the issue,

Pray: for all parties to recognise the danger to our youngsters inherent in this proposal . (Gal.5:19)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/critics-pan-barristers-call-to-lower-age-of-consent-to-13/

More British children are being raised in one-parent families than in any other major European country because the tax and benefit system ‘encourages transient shack-ups’. One in five British children live with a single mother or father. This figure is some 35 per cent higher than in Germany and 50 per cent higher than in France. Researcher and author Patricia Morgan points out that these are the countries whose tax and benefits systems reward parents who stay together. She said: ‘You can look at these figures and see immediately which countries help couples through tax and benefits. In France, people get help if they draw up legal family contracts. In Germany, Holland and Italy, married people get tax relief and tax relief for children.’ Recent studies highlight that a child brought up by one parent is much more likely to underachieve at school and grow up to suffer drug, alcohol, behavioural and employment problems.

Pray: that the government would look again at the benefits of marriage support. (Pr.27:12)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/critics-blame-tax-system-for-number-of-single-parents/

A local council is set to remove a cross from a crematorium window to make it more ‘inclusive’ – even though no one appears to have ever complained about the Christian symbol. The plan, at Haycombe Crematorium in Bath, has prompted concern from residents with one warning of ‘creeping secularisation’. One of the locals who has expressed disquiet at the proposed move is Hugh Mackay, who lives near the crematorium. He said: ‘It seems there is a determined secular campaign to try and obliterate our religious heritage in our country. The council says it is not to upset people of all faiths but I’ve talked to Hindus, Muslims and Jews and none of them have ever complained. They all respect the cross as a symbol of the Christian faith. Some of us feel very trongly that this is a deliberate attempt by the council to downplay our Christian heritage.’

Pray: for the council in this case to rethink their misguided political correctness. (Ps.105:1)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/crematorium-cross-set-to-be-dumped-despite-no-complaints/

A judge has controversially ruled that Northern Ireland must allow gay couples to adopt children, despite widespread opposition. Northern Ireland’s health minister, Edwin Poots, has vowed to ‘urgently appeal’ against the ruling, warning that it could hinder further adoption reforms. An official public consultation into whether to allow gay adoption in Northern Ireland showed that 95 per cent of respondents were opposed to the move. But the taxpayer-funded Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission took the matter to court, and a judge ruled in their favour last Thursday. Mr Poots says the ruling has not altered his position or the position of his department. He said: ‘It is my intention to urgently appeal this judgment and I am taking this action with a heavy heart.’ He added: ‘I have already publicly declared my intention to reform Northern Ireland adoption law because reform is much needed and long overdue’.

Pray: that the appeal will reverse the decision and allow Godly judgement to rule. (Jn.9:31)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/court-forces-gay-adoption-on-northern-ireland/

A Christian radio station has been allowed to go to court to challenge a ban on an advert which asked Christians to report experiences of workplace marginalisation. The Radio Advertising Clearance Centre (RACC) banned the ad from being aired, ruling that it was ‘politically motivated’. But Premier Christian Radio rejects that, saying the ad addresses a legitimate issue faced by Christians. The ad was due to be aired during May 2010 in order to inform debate during the general election campaign. It said: ‘Surveys have shown that 60% of active Christians are being increasingly marginalised in the work place. We are concerned to get the most accurate data to inform the public debate. We will then use this data to help make a fairer society.’ The station was initially denied leave to challenge the ban in court, but that decision has now been overturned.

Pray: that this opportunity to challenge the ban on this advert would be successful. (Ps.20:2)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/court-to-hear-christian-radio-advert-ban-case/

A High Court hearing has begun on the case of a paralysed man who wants legal protection for any doctor who helps to end his life. Tony Nicklinson, 58, from Wiltshire, suffers from locked-in syndrome brought on by a stroke in 2005. He is almost completely paralysed and has to communicate through a special computer. The High Court has heard similar cases on assisted suicide, but the extent of Mr Nicklinson’s paralysis means that a doctor would have to end his life for him, a practice known as euthanasia. Mr Nicklinson told the BBC that his life was a 'living nightmare' and that it was 'unacceptable' in 21st century Britain to be denied the right to take his own life because he was physically handicapped. Mr Nicklinson is asking the court to rule that the existing law breaches his human right to die at his own choosing.

Pray: for wisdom and guidance from God when debating this sensitive and difficult matter. (Jas.1:5)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/court.hears.lockedin.syndrome.case/30099.htm

A sex shop that opened up next door to a school uniform store in Truro, Cornwall, will face a courtroom trial after Christians won permission to challenge the licensing decision. The sex shop owner tried to stop the case before it started, saying the shop is already stocked and trading. But last week the High Court nevertheless gave permission for a judicial review of Cornwall Council’s decision to grant a licence. Speaking in November about the legal action against Cornwall Council, The Christian Institute’s Simon Calvert said the case has national implications. He said: ‘There is a serious issue of principle at stake for the whole country, not just Cornwall.’ He added: ‘If it is OK to license shops to sell hard core porn next to premises routinely used by children and families, then nowhere is safe. What next, a sex shop adjacent to a nursery school?’

Pray: for the judicial review to recognise the case that Cornwall Council had ignored the suitability of the location requirement of the law. (Dt.16:20)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/court-allows-trial-of-sex-shop-next-to-school-store/

consider adoption are ‘actively religious’, a Government survey shows, yet many fear being rejected for their faith. The survey was carried out on behalf of the Department for Education by adoption group First4Adoption. The group has joined with church-based organisation Home for Good to encourage religiously-active people to put themselves forward to adopt children. The survey showed 55 per cent of people in England who said they were ‘certain’ or ‘very likely’ to adopt described themselves as ‘actively practising a religion’ . There are more than 4,600 children in England currently waiting to be adopted and First4Adoption say ‘many more adopters are needed’. The groups have now set up a phone line to ‘encourage more people from faith communities to consider adopting‘. First4Adoption and Home for Good are concerned that many religiously-active people are held back from adopting because they mistakenly believe that they are not able to adopt.

Pray: for more people to consider adopting children and that more and more of them will be people of faith. (Pr.14:26)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/religious-people-are-afraid-to-adopt-children/