Conservative MPs are calling on David Cameron to drop his sa me-sex ‘marriage’ plans in order to halt the progress of UKIP. According to The Times, the Prime Minister has been told that he must uphold traditional Conservative values to prevent core Conservatives from abandoning him for Nigel Farage. Former Defence Minister, Sir Gerald Howarth, said thathis constituents were ‘fed up to the back teeth’ with the Government’s failure to uphold its promises. He urged the Prime Minister to adopt a plan that would include ditching the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, as well as taking Britain out ofthe European Convention on Human Rights and holding an EU referendum. Peter Bone, the Wellingborough MP, said that the government should scrap proposals to redefine marriage and cut overseas aid. He added: ‘those are things that Conservatives want and that’s what UKIP voters want’.
Pray: that following the recent elections and the pressure on the Prime Minister to drop the same sex bill that it will in fact be scrapped. (1Ki.8:45)
David Cameron is facing calls to revise exam league tables to ensure that religious education is at the heart of the secondary school curriculum. A campaign to include RE in the new English baccalaureate has won the support of 110,000 people, including faith leaders and 100 MPs. Before last year’s election, Mr Cameron said any petition with more than 100,000 signatures would be eligible for debate in the House of Commons. The RE. ACT campaign is calling on the Prime Minister to honour his pre-election pledge and allow MPs to discuss revising the school reforms. The Coalition’s new English baccalaureate was introduced in an attempt to address years of ‘dumbing down’ in which pupils have been able to opt for so-called soft courses at the expense of traditional academic subjects. (See also Prayer Alert 04 & 11-2011) Pray: that the results of this campaign will lead our government to include RE in the baccalaureate. (Dt.32:2)
David Cameron said atheist campaigner Richard Dawkins ‘just doesn’t really get it’ on the issue of faith schools. The Prime Minister made the comments as he answered questions from well-known figures for a Guardian newspaper article. Prof Dawkins asked the Prime Minister: ‘Why do you support faith schools for children who are too young to have chosen their faith?’. Mr Cameron responded: ‘I support faith schools on the basis of the proof that over the years they’ve been good schools. Why? Because the organisation that’s backing the school – the church or the mosque or the synagogue – is part of the community. It brings a sense of community and a sense of responsibility and the backing of an institution to a school. The church was providing good schools long before the state ever got involved, and we should respect the fact that it’s not just the state that can provide education – other bodies, too’.
Pray: that the Prime Minister's comments would bring reason to Prof Dawkins’ comments. (Dt.32:2)
A primary school teacher faced disciplinary action because she didn’t want to read to her class from a storybook about gay penguins. The teacher, who has not been named, works in a school in a London Borough and her case has been told to a committee of MPs looking the gay marriage Bill. Another teacher, from Scotland, says he was pressurised to promote gay marriage against his will and it contributed to a breakdown. The two teachers have remained anonymous because they fear for their careers, but have permitted a lawyer to outline their cases to Parliament. Top lawyers have warned the Government that its plans to redefine marriage could mean Christian teachers face the sack if they refuse to endorse gay marriage in the classroom. In January, a senior source in the Education Department admitted that the Government may be powerless to stop this happening.
Pray: for the protection of those who wish to abstain from the gay agenda in their workplaces. (Dt.31.6)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/primary-teacher-job-threat-over-gay-marriage-storybook/
Children as young as four are being removed from school for sexual misconduct, figures have revealed. They are among almost 15,000 youngsters who have been expelled or suspended for sex offences – including assaults on teachers – in the past five years. More than 1,100 were primary school children, some in reception classes. Boys aged just four have been kicked out of schools in Dorset, Yorkshire, Wiltshire and the West Midlands. Incidents in County Durham included indecent exposure and possessing sexual material. In Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, a boy of ten was suspended for inappropriately touching four pupils. Offences catalogued from all the figures included sexual abuse, assault, harassment, and lewd behaviour. The statistics were revealed in a Freedom of Information request made by The Sun answered by 148 of the 174 local education authorities in England and Wales.
Pray: that these shocking figures can be reversed and the Education Authorities find ways of dealing with the problem. (Ps.37:30)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/primary-school-kids-expelled-for-sexual-misconduct/
Preview to the 2013 G8 Summit
13 Jun 2013Eight of the world’s leading financial powers will work on advancing trade, ensuring tax compliance and promoting greater transparency during the 2013 G8 summit in Northern Ireland next week. The UK, which took the annual rotating presidency of the G8 in January, will host this year’s summit in Lough Erne, Fermanagh from June 17 to 18. The eight global leaders hoping to address international issues and tackle the most pressing global challenges, and ‘advance growth and prosperity across the world, include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the US and the UK President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy will represent the EU at the summit. In a May 12 editorial in the Wall Street Journal, Cameron called his agenda ‘pro-business and pro-development,’ citing his plan to cut Britain’s corporate tax rate to 20 percent, the lowest rate in the G7.
Pray:for the gathering of G8 leaders that they will be given wisdom and discernment to judge the needs of the peoples. (Is.58:10a)
More: http://www.neurope.eu/article/preview-2013-g8-summit
The “absurd and ridiculous” pressure to have a perfect Christmas puts relationships under strain and “spoils life”, the Archbishop of Canterbury has warned. The Most Rev Justin Welby said consumerism over the festive period is now so “over the top” that couples are left arguing over money and children are shouted at. He said he would like to tell people to stop giving gifts altogether but accepts no one would listen. I want to say something positive, which is God gives us his son Jesus Christ to give us life and full life and abundant life. Giving at Christmas reflects that generosity of God. So be generous in a way that shows love and affection rather than trying to buy love and affection.” He added: “You can’t buy it, you can show it, and when you show it comes back at you with interest.” Figures last year suggested the average household spent around £1,000 on Christmas.
Pray: for more and more people to hear and live the Christmas message of the Gospels. (Mtt.6:33)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10439197/Pressure-to-spend-at-Christmas-puts-families-under-too-much-strain-warns-Archbishop.html
Press 'need to act' after Leveson
08 Dec 2012The press have been urged to take action over Leveson Inquiry recommendations to regulate the newspaper industry. Lord Justice Leveson called for a new independent watchdog - which he said should be underpinned by legislation. Culture Secretary Maria Miller told the BBC ‘the gauntlet has been thrown down’ to newspapers to outline how they would set up tough self-regulation instead. Lord Justice Leveson's 2,000-page report into press ethics, published last Thursday, found that press behaviour was ‘outrageous’ and ‘wreaked havoc with the lives of innocent people’. He said the press - having failed to regulate itself in the past - must create a new and tough regulator but it had to be backed by legislation to ensure it was effective. Following cross-party talks the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will begin the process of drawing up a draft bill implementing the Leveson recommendations.
Pray: that the press will take up the challenge by working together to fulfil the recommendations. (Ps.119:45)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20551634