A weakened safeguard (From November men whose last sexual contact with another man was more than 12 months ago will be allowed to donate blood) which protects against HIV contaminating the blood supply should be removed because it is homophobic, the Liberal Democrats’ conference has heard. Delegates at the Lib Dems’ annual conference passed a motion which called for the complete removal of the weakened safeguard. One party member claimed the new rule was an example of ‘institutionalised homophobia’. Following the weakening of the blood safeguard The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge warned the new rule was a ‘huge cave-in to the demands of the homosexual lobby’. He wrote: ‘After lobbying by homosexual campaigners, we have now arrived at a situation where homosexuals have the right to donate blood regardless of the increased medical risks. This is the Alice-in-wonderland world of the equality agenda.’
Pray: for policy to be based on clinical evidence not political correctness. (2Co.7:1)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/lib-dems-vote-for-complete-removal-of-blood-safeguard/
Let people wear cross with pride, urge bishops
06 Feb 2012Three bishops will this week lead calls for the Church of England to make a public statement standing up for the right of Christians to wear a cross. They have signed a motion condemning the ‘silencing’ of outward displays of Christianity in Britain and a ‘growing trend’ towards the ‘restriction of religious liberty’ which is to be debated at the Church’s national assembly. One hundred other members of the Synod, including clergy and lay people, have backed the call for the Church to defend Christians against the ‘overzealous’ interpretation of human rights and equality legislation by judges, politicians and employers. Its backers believe that by passing the motion the Church would make a landmark statement that wearing a cross is an integral part of the Christian faith. The Bishop of Peterborough, the Rt Rev Donald Allister, said the move would make the point that although Christians are not bound to wear a cross they have a ‘duty’ to be ‘public’ about their faith.
Pray: for those who draw up regulations to not be bound by a mistaken perception that for politically correctness they must ban symbols of Christian faith. (1Ti.3:9)
More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9061795/Let-people-wear-cross-with-pride-urge-bishops.html
Leprosy Mission says levy on charities 'unfair'
13 Jun 2013The Leprosy Mission has hit out at suggestions that the Treasury might take a share of Gift Aid or impose a levy on charities. The call came from the Charity Commission, which has warned that it will not be able to cope with the Treasury's request to make a further saving of 10 per cent in the year 2015/16. The Leprosy Mission said, however, that it was "unfair" to take a slice of gift aid to plug the Government's spending cuts. Peter Walker, national director of The Leprosy Mission said a levy could put people off giving while penalizing recipients of the money. ‘If the Government wants a Big Society, it is responsible for providing the framework for the charitable sector to operate effectively, which includes rigorous investigation where necessary,’ he said. ‘The charitable sector is paramount to the delivery of the Big Society and it is, therefore, unreasonable for the government to expect charities to pay to regulate the sector.’
Pray: that this proposal will not become policy and that charitable donation remains entirely with the charity receiving the gift. (Pr.22:16 )
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/leprosy.mission.says.levy.on.charities.unfair/32723.htm
Lent: Pray differently, praying great things
14 Feb 2013Praying can be frustrating. Most Christians are convinced that they should pray more than they do. But it’s hard. Some don’t pray because they don’t know what to say. It can seem that the best praying is done by super-spiritual types who have command of some sacred vocabulary. The forty days to Palm Sunday February 13 – March 24, 2013 makes an ideal time to venture into a season of sustained, hope-filled prayer. To pray differently, praying great things. Because of this sense of frustration, instead of calling people to pray more, we need to urge people to pray differently than they may have learned or experienced. How differently? In what ways should our praying be different? Waymakers is a mobilization ministry focused on seeing Christ’s glory enhanced and advanced by sensitive, persistent prayer. Their website offers new ways to pray differently, equip and encourage Christians to pursue a vision of living in a prayed-for community, and of course, a prayed for world.
Pray: that the Holy Spirit will teach us new ways to pray that will change the world. (Lk.11:1)
More: http://waymakers.org/about/
Lent challenge to demonstrate generosity
23 Feb 2012Stewardship is inviting Christians to do their bit in changing the world this Lent. The charity is asking Christians to take up the 40acts challenge and create a movement of generosity. The challenge is to ‘do Lent generously’ this year by taking part in 40 acts of generosity over 40 days, some of which might focus on community engagement, the environment, or stepping out from personal comfort zones. Ideas can be big and small, from inviting a neighbour to church or sending a thank you note, or picking up litter around the neighbourhood. Debbie Wright, Stewardship’s Head of Content explains: ‘Lent marks a pivotal point in the history of the Church, when Jesus prepared to give himself up as a sacrifice for all mankind. Traditionally we mark Lent by giving something up, but what if it could be more than that? What if Lent was a preparation for a lifetime of big-heartedness?’
Pray: that Church would not just ‘do Lent generously’ but make it a lifestyle change. (Dt.15:10)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/lent.challenge.to.demonstrate.generosity/29334.htm
Legal system discriminates against Christians
17 Jan 2011The Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, warned that the death of ‘religious literacy’ among those who made and administered the law had created an imbalance in the way in which those with faith were treated compared to sexual minorities. Highlighting the case of Gary McFarlane, a relationship counsellor who was sacked by Relate for refusing to give sex therapy to a homosexual couple, he said that the judiciary now went out of its way to protect the rights of minorities. At the same time, for the first time in British history politicians and judges were largely ignorant of religion and so failed to appreciate the importance Christians placed on abiding by the scriptures rather than the politically correct values of the secular state. The Bishop’s concerns were underlined by Lord Woolf, a former Lord Chief Justice, who agreed that in some legal cases the balance had gone ‘too far’ in tipping away from Christians.
Pray: that lawmakers and enforcers will ensure that fairness and balance between political correctness and Christian beliefs will be restored. (Pr.16:11)
A generation of children risks being traumatised by the Government's swingeing legal aid cuts, and youngsters caught in violent homes are already being placed in acute danger, family law experts have revealed. Two months after free legal services were abolished in most divorce and custody cases, lawyers warn it is just a matter of time before they are dealing with the murder of an abused mother or her children. In the most damning assessment yet, barristers, solicitors and charities strongly condemned the civil legal aid cuts as an attack on the country's most vulnerable children from its poorest communities. Experts predict a spike in angry too poor to afford private legal help, simply taking the law into their own hands. They warn a generation of youngsters from impoverished communities will be emotionally damaged by parental battles or simply lose access to their fathers and paternal relatives.
Pray: for government, the courts and children's services to work together to ensure the protections of children at risk of family violence. (Ps.9:9-10)
More: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/legal-aid-cuts-put-a-generation-of-children-in-danger-8640801.html
Legacies as part of Christian's discipleship
25 Aug 2010
Christian relief and development agency Tearfund is asking Christians to consider leaving a legacy in their will as part of their discipleship. Tearfund made the call following its decision to join the Christian Legacy consortium, a group of Christian charities which encourages people to leave a gift to their favourite Christian charities when writing their will. Paul Brigham, Tearfund’s UK Director, says: ‘Because so many Christians have not yet considered leaving a legacy to a Christian charity as part of their lifetime’s discipleship, Tearfund is passionate about joining with other charities to encourage people to consider prayerfully this important area of ministry. Partnerships are key to everything Tearfund sets out to achieve, and we’re pleased and privileged to be working alongside other Christian organisations as part of this consortium.’ Pray: that the Spirit will continue to remind us that everything we have belongs to the Lord. (Lk.16:11)