The Christian owners of a Cornish B&B have suffered a ‘campaign of hatred, vilification and intimidation’ under the guise of tolerance, a national newspaper columnist has said. Peter and Hazelmary Bull have been hit by crushing equality laws and a court case over their married couples only policy for double rooms. Following the legal case the couple have received death threats and vandalism, and have now decided to sell the business – which is also their home. Writing in the Daily Mail, Richard Littlejohn said some who preach tolerance are actually the ‘most vile, intolerant bigots imaginable’. He added that the idea of ‘celebrating diversity’ never extends to those with devout Christian beliefs. And while the columnist said he didn’t agree with the Bulls’ policy, Mr Littlejohn strongly criticised the ordeal they have been subjected to. He wrote that when the case first hit the headlines he had said the couple are ‘in the wrong line of work’.

Pray: that God will bless the Bulls and protect them from further intolerance. (Mk.13:13)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/bb-christians-suffer-hate-in-name-of-tolerance-says-writer/

Martin Rees, the astronomer royal, has called on anti-religion campaigners to abandon their tactics and strive for ‘peaceful coexistence’ with mainstream religious groups. Rees, one of the country's most senior scientists, criticised those who pit science against religion and urged atheists to embrace the moderate strands of faith in opposing fundamentalism. Rees was among the first generation of scientists to contemplate the big bang. In subsequent work he has asked how large is physical reality. Rees, who does not believe in God, described himself as an ‘accommodationist’ and ‘tribal Christian’ who was happy to attend church services. ‘Campaigning against religion can be socially counter-productive. If teachers take the uncompromising line that God and Darwinism are irreconcilable, many young people raised in a faith-based culture will stick with their religion and be lost to science. Moreover, we need all the allies we can muster against fundamentalism – a palpable, perhaps growing concern,’ he wrote.

Pray: for a wider recognition that, as many scientists affirm, belief in God and the study of science are fully compatible. (Je.31:35)

More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/apr/24/martin-rees-atheists-drop-campaigns

Two of the country’s most prominent atheists have clashed over plans to build a £1 million ‘temple for atheists’ in the City of London. Alain de Botton, a philosopher and writer, wants to build a 46-metre tower to celebrate atheism as a positive force. He says the structure would celebrate ‘new atheism’ and act as an antidote to the ‘aggressive’ atheism of the likes of Richard Dawkins. But Professor Dawkins, the author of the God Delusion, says the project is a waste of money and a contradiction in terms. He said: ‘Atheists don’t need temples. I think there are better things to spend this kind of money on.’ David Robertson, director of Christian group Solas, said: ‘For once I find myself partially agreeing with Richard Dawkins. Given that we are continually told that atheists believe nothing, it does seem somewhat silly and ridiculous to erect a temple to non-belief.’

Pray: that Paul’s message in Acts 17 would reach those who seek to worship an unknown God. (Ac.17:23)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/atheists-clash-over-plans-to-build-%E2%80%98temple-in-london/

The BBC has chosen an atheist Hebrew scholar as the presenter of its new series on the Bible. In ‘The Bible’s Buried Secrets’ Dr Francesca Stavrakopoulou will guide viewers through some of the latest archaeological discoveries in the Middle East and consider how these may shape the world's understanding of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Some of the topics to be explored by the programme include the origins of the story of the Garden of Eden and the historical context of King David and his kingdom. According to The Telegraph, Dr Stavrakopoulou makes a number of assertions in the programme, notably about Eve. ‘Eve, particularly in the Christian tradition, has been very unfairly maligned as the troublesome wife who brought about the Fall,’ said Stavrakopoulou, a senior lecturer in the Hebrew Bible at the University of Exeter. ‘Don’t forget that the biblical writers are male and it’s a very male-dominated world. Women were second-class citizens, seen as property.’

Pray: that Dr Stavrakopolou will herself discover the truths of the Bible and that the Holy Spirit would speak through her. (Jn.4:24)

More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheist.to.present.bbcs.new.bible.series/27634.htm

Atheists recently went public with a new website aimed at creating a community for clergy who have lost their faith. The Clergy Project has grown to nearly 100 members since the launch of a private, invitation only, website in March. The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Science and Reason and the Freedom From Religion Foundation have now made the project public in hopes of drawing more pastors, priests, rabbis and other religious leaders who have chosen to ‘move beyond faith’. ‘We know there must be thousands of clergy out there who have secretly abandoned their faith but have nowhere to turn,’ said Dan Barker, a former evangelical preacher who now serves as co-president of FFRF. ‘Now they do have a place to meet, a true sanctuary, a congregation of those of us who have replaced faith and dogma with reason and human well-being.’

Pray: for all clergy who are finding faith challenging and pray that the Holy Spirit would bring fresh revelation. (Eph.1:17)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/atheist.help.for.the.clergy.who.are.closet.unbelievers/28773.htm

Sara is from Ethiopia. Her mother died when she was young, and her father mysteriously ‘disappeared’ after the government was overthrown. Both Sara and her brother were arrested and thrown into prison where she was abused. When eventually set free she escaped to Sudan with the help of her father’s friends. From there she flew to England seeking asylum. Her experiences in England have been dreadful, living off handouts, working in a pizza parlour to make ends meet (but asylum seekers are forbidden to work and she was sentenced to four months in Styal prison). She was hospitalised in prison after trying to end her life. She is without hope. If she returns home, she faces imprisonment and torture. If she stays here she will be in ‘limbo-land’ stripped of her dignity, prevented from living a normal life.

Pray: for asylum-seekers in the UK to experience changes for improvement in the asylum system. (Lev.19:10 &Lev.24:22)

More: http://boaztrust.org.uk/

Police in Bristol have arrested four people after secret filming by BBC Panorama found a pattern of serious abuse at a residential hospital. Andrew McDonnell, who works with adults with mental disabilities, labelled some of the examples seen on film ‘torture’. The hospital's owners, Castlebeck, have apologised and suspended 13 employees. See: Frail elderly people will be left to suffer unless David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband can put aside their political differences to agree urgent reforms to the care system, an alliance of charities, think tanks and councils warned yesterday. In an open letter to the three party leaders, The Daily Telegraph reported the groups saying that time has run out for political wrangling over how to look after the millions of elderly and disabled people who need support. With the system at ‘breaking point’, MPs of all parties must now reach a ‘consensus’ or condemn generations of pensioners to a life of poverty, misery and pain.

Pray: that this incident in Bristol would raise awareness of the need for changes across the system. (Lev.19:32)

More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/8548976/MPs-must-unite-to-reform-elderly-care.html

The Casualty Notifying Officer is the person, usually from the regiment, who tells the next of kin of the death of or injury to a soldier. A Visiting Officer is also appointed from the regiment to offer practical help and support during this difficult time and give guidance and advice when necessary. This officer will explain what help is available and can be contacted as often as needed. Many of these officers are young Lieutenants and Captains and although trained for this particular role some could be involved for a long time, 12 months or more.

Pray: for these officers in this extremely difficult role. Pray for God to give them wisdom beyond their years and sensitivity and compassion in handling the bereaved. (Pr.3:13)

More: http://www.veterans-uk.info/pdfs/publications/misc/death_in_service.pdf

‘Identity politics’ should not trump the common good, according to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He said: ‘Identity politics, whether it is the politics of feminism, whether it is the politics of ethnic minorities or the politics of sexual minorities, has been a very important part of the last 10 or 20 years because before that I think there was a sense that diversity was not really welcome.’ Dr Williams added: ‘We are now, I think, beginning to see the pendulum swinging back and saying identity politics is all very well but we have to have some way of putting it all back together again and discovering what is good for all of us and share something of who we are with each other so as to discover more about who we are.’ He continued: ‘Once we start saying this is my identity and that’s it then I think we are in danger of really fragmenting the society we belong to.’

Pray: for greater understanding of our differences that they may be respected, valued and allow people to live and work together in harmony. (Ps.133:1)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/archbishop-identity-politics-leaves-society-fragmented/