Staggering abortion rate among UK's teenagers
Data released by a European research group has revealed how European countries compare with respect to teen abortion rates and the findings have placed the UK under fire. The UK had the second highest teen abortion rates at a rate of 22.1 per cent, and it has also been reported that a quarter of all abortions in the UK are from teenagers, according to Mail Online. Interestingly, Greece, which shares similar abortion laws to the UK, had the lowest teen abortion rates with a rate of only 4.1 per cent. Trevor Stammers, a lecturer in medical ethics and former chairman of the Christian Medical Fellowship, slammed the UK for its high teen abortion rates. He said that the privatisation of abortion surgery has become a large moneymaking industry, and suggested that some teens are often encouraged to opt for the controversial elective surgery to generate revenue.
Pray: for God’s guidance as we seek solutions to the alarmingly high rate of teenage abortions. (Je.42:3)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/staggering.abortion.rate.among.uks.teenagers/29111.htm
Fall in number of Christians in Britain
The number of people describing themselves as Christians has dropped 10% in England and Wales over the last five years. In 2005, 77% of the population said they were Christian, but according to the Citizenship Survey published this week, that figure fell to 70% in 2010. The government-commissioned survey looked at the views of more than 10,300 adults. In the same period, the number of people saying they have no religion rose by 6%, from 15% in 2005 to 21% in 2010. Christians were also far less likely to practise their religion than those of other faiths. Those most likely to practise their religion were Muslims. Despite the fall in people affiliating themselves with Christianity, those who do are more committed, with an increase in the number of Christians saying they go to church regularly, from 31 per cent in 2005 to 33 per cent in 2010.
Pray: for the Holy Spirit to move among the people revealing the light that brings life. (1Jn.1:1-7)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/fall.in.number.of.christians.in.britain/29082.htm
Archbishop warns of broken bonds and abused trust
Preaching the Christmas Day sermon at Canterbury Cathedral Dr.Rowan Williams said the need to learn lessons had been made important by the riots and banking crisis. The most pressing question facing Britain is ‘who and where we are as a society, because bonds have been broken, trust abused and lost.’ In contrast to the fragmenting society, the Archbishop went on to say, ‘the language of the Book of Common Prayer offers society the means of binding together our obligations to God and to one another, in a dense interweaving of love and duty joyfully performed’. Adding, ‘We’re much the poorer for forgetting it and pushing it to the margins as much as we often do in the Church.’
Pray: that in 2012 the church would be more visible, prodigals would return and Christian teaching would be acted upon by those inside and outside the church. (2Cor.3:12)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/archbishop.warns.of.broken.bonds.and.abused.trust/29085.htm
UK cases to go before European Court of Human rights
Christian Concern intend to bring two legal cases before the European Court of Human Rights in the new year, those of Gary McFarlane, a relationship counsellor from Bristol dismissed for gross misconduct by Relate for refusing to confirm he would provide directive sex therapy to homosexual couples due to his religious beliefs. Also Shirley Chaplin, an NHS nurse faced with disciplinary action after being told she was no longer permitted to wear her cross while at work on health and safety grounds. The NHS Trust indicated they would permit exemptions in their uniform policy for religious and cultural symbols that were ‘mandatory’ within the religion. An employment tribunal found that she had not been discriminated against on the basis of her religious beliefs.
Pray: for Christians in the British Isles to be free to continue and exercise their role in the workplace proclaiming and demonstrating Christian truths. (2Cor.12:12)
