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A secular campaign group is trying to use the courts to ban a North Devon Council from starting its meetings with Christian prayers. Bideford Town Council has had prayers at its meetings since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, but now the National Secular Society (NSS) says the practice infringes on the human rights of non-believers. Mike Judge, head of communications at The Christian Institute, said: ‘It’s a tradition that’s gone on for hundreds of years. This is really a move by aggressive atheism trying to shove Christianity out of public life.’ Reports say Bideford Council won’t be able to afford top lawyers to fight the case. But Mr Judge said: ‘The council shouldn’t back down. It isn’t in breach of human rights law. Parliament has prayers, is Parliament illegal?’ A survey by the Daily Mail of 181 councils in England and Wales found 118 start their meetings with a prayer – of which nearly all were Christian.
Pray: For Bideford Council as they defend their right to start meetings with prayer. (1Ti.2:8)
Conservative MP’s are planning what could be the biggest ever backbench rebellion faced by Prime Minister David Cameron over his stated intention to legislate for full homosexual marriage. At least 100 Conservative backbenchers are thought to strongly oppose homosexual marriage. ‘Feelings are running high,’ one senior party source told the Independent. Lynne Featherstone, the equalities minister, has announced plans for a ‘consultation’ to be launched in March which is to be followed by a change in the law. David Burrowes MP told the paper that he is ‘cautiously optimistic’ the proposal will be defeated in the Commons because it would ‘fracture’ the institution of marriage. ‘Many colleagues are worried that it would fundamentally affect how marriage between a man and woman has historically been viewed in this country. There are strong doubts that we need to go down this path. It would open up a can of worms and a legal minefield about freedom, religion and equalities legislation.’
Pray: for our government as it considers these changes. Pray that those who already support the recognised form of marriage would stand firm on their beliefs. (1Cor.16:13)
Following the award of damages against Peter and Hazelmary Bulls, (See Prayer Alert 02-2011) who refused to allow a homosexual couple to share a double bed in their guesthouse, another Christian B&B owner is now being taken to court. Michael Black and John Morgan, are claiming that they were discriminated against after being turned away from a B&B in Cookham, Berkshire. They have launched legal proceedings against Susanne Wilkinson, the Christian owner of the B&B. This follows the experience of the Bulls, who have suffered many abusive phone calls from homosexuals following the ruling and have even had fake and damaging reviews of their B&B posted online. The Wilkinsons have also been subjected to abusive phone calls, text messages and emails since the facts of their story emerged in the media. Mr Wilkinson told the police: ‘There must have been 900 emails, and I would say half of them are really abusive and threatening’. Pray: for the Wilkinsons and Bulls at this time of great challenge and distress in their lives. (2Sa.22:7)
The Christian owners of a seaside Bed & Breakfast are being sued for refusing to allow two homosexuals to share a double bed because it would be contrary to their Christian faith. The B&B they own operates a policy which allows only married heterosexual couples to share a double bed. The homosexual couple are claiming that the refusal to allow them to share a bed was a ‘direct discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation’. They are relying on Equality Act regulations and are claiming up to £5,000 in damages against the hotel owners. At Bristol County Court Bernie Quinn, who works at the hotel, hinted that Mr Preddy and Mr Hall's booking was a set-up. He told the court that hours before Mr Preddy had made a telephone booking he spoke to a ‘Mrs Preddy’ regarding a double room. ‘We were very surprised when the two gentlemen turned up the next day’, said Mrs Bull, the owner.
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/sexual-orientation/christian-bb-owners-sued
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)
Doctors who are atheist or agnostic are twice as likely to take decisions that might shorten the life of somebody who is terminally ill as doctors who are deeply religious. Doctors with strong religious convictions are less likely to discuss such decisions with the patient, according to Professor Clive Seale, from the Centre for Health Sciences at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry. Doctors are influenced by their beliefs just as other people are, said Seale. ‘It is easy for clinicians to present themselves as neutral appliers of science, but values do come into it,’ he said. That is accepted in abortion care, but the issue has not yet been widely discussed in the care of the dying. Seale's study, published in the Journal of Medical Ethics, was based on a survey of doctors specialising in care for people at the end of life, such as neurology, elderly and palliative care as well as general practice. Pray: for doctors, carers, patients and close family as they work together to care for the terminally ill. (3Jn:8) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2010/aug/26/doctors-religious-beliefs-terminally-ill