MEPs reject plan to increase carbon emission cuts
Christian Aid has vowed to keep pressing the EU for tougher action on climate change after MEPs voted down a proposal to increase carbon emission cuts. The plan would have seen the level of emission cuts increase from 20 per cent to 30 per cent by 2020. The MEPs rejected the proposal despite intense lobbying by activists. The vote is non-binding, however Christian Aid said it would be pushing the EU to play a leadership role in the international climate negotiations in Durban at the end of the year. The aid agency argues that cuts of 30 per cent must be introduced by European countries, ‘as an absolute minimum’ if the climate crisis is to be addressed. Christian Aid, Greenpeace, Oxfam, WWF and Green Alliance have written jointly to Prime Minister David Cameron urging him to bring the Conservative MEPs into line with the Government’s support for the proposal.
Pray: for the authorities and nations to take action to protect the world that God has given us to look after. (Ge.1:26-30)
Liechtenstein: Churches set to lose government funding
Churches in Liechtenstein, one of the world's smallest countries, could face financial disaster under government plans to withdraw state subsidies under new legislation. ‘This will be a drastic change - we depend on financial support, and there'll be no chance of obtaining it if the new law goes ahead,’ said Markus Meidert, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liechtenstein. But the new law will be especially hard and treacherous for smaller churches like ours, who have none of the Catholic Church's resources.’ A bill before Liechtenstein's 25-member parliament proposes to end the Roman Catholic Church's status as official state church and also withdraw state subsidies from recognised religious communities. Mr Meidert told ENI news that state grants account for half the current budget of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which has no means of generating income like Christian churches in neighbouring Germany.
Pray: for the churches in Liechtenstein as they face this challenge and pray that they remember that God is Jehovah Jireh and He will provide. (Mt.16:18)
Liechtenstein: Churches set to lose government funding
Churches in Liechtenstein, one of the world's smallest countries, could face financial disaster under government plans to withdraw state subsidies under new legislation. ‘This will be a drastic change - we depend on financial support, and there'll be no chance of obtaining it if the new law goes ahead,’ said Markus Meidert, president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Liechtenstein. But the new law will be especially hard and treacherous for smaller churches like ours, who have none of the Catholic Church's resources.’ A bill before Liechtenstein's 25-member parliament proposes to end the Roman Catholic Church's status as official state church and also withdraw state subsidies from recognised religious communities. Mr Meidert told ENI news that state grants account for half the current budget of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which has no means of generating income like Christian churches in neighbouring Germany.
Pray: for the churches in Liechtenstein as they face this challenge and pray that they remember that God is Jehovah Jireh and He will provide. (Mt.16:18)
Some Unwelcome Results of the Egyptian Revolution
A respected Christian leader from Cairo updates us on what the latest developments in his homeland:
“When a million ordinary and non-violent Egyptians from all walks of life camped for 18 days in Liberation Square, the world was mesmerized by their remarkable and unprecedented show of courage and willingness to suffer for the human rights of all Egyptians.
Yet none of those who were in Liberation Square could have imagined that their defiance would not only result in undermining most authority in the country, but would also pave the way for radical Muslim groups to begin restricting true freedom and equality for all Egyptians.
BREAKDOWN OF AUTHORITY
If you challenge the President and win, you no longer fear any authority. One logical - yet unintended – result of this successful show of defiance is that nearly every sector of society is now challenging those in authority above them…
• Students challenge their teachers or educational administrators
• Employees challenge their bosses
• Ordinary citizens challenge civil authorities
• There is little respect for the police
• Even the respected and formerly- feared Army is now being challenged
The many acts of violence, burning of churches, shops, and factories - not to mention the spate of kidnappings for ransom and increased petty theft - are partly the result of a misunderstanding of freedom and a lack of fear towards anyone to whom these people could be held accountable!
A sad example of this is when criminals are arrested to await trial, their friends and relatives come in the hundreds, storm the jail, overcome the police, and free the prisoners. In the past, respect - or fear - of the police’s authority would have made such acts inconceivable. Now, they are frequent occurrences. Another example is that the two men who plotted to assassinate President Sadat in 1981 have been released from jail and are now popular talk show guests!
POTENTIAL TAKEOVER BY MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD
Another unintended result of the Revolution has been the paving of the way for the new Parliament to be overtaken by the well-organized Muslim Brotherhood. Having officially renounced violence many years ago, this group will protect Christians from the violent attacks we have been experiencing lately. But in establishing an Islamic state, they will undoubtedly seriously curtail what Christians can do outside their houses of worship. Undoubtedly they also will allow even less freedom than was previously available for Muslims to have religious freedom of choice.
FEARS AND FAITH
The increasing violence and danger has led to a general spirit of fear. Many Christians yearn to leave Egypt.
Please pray for Church leaders, to know how to comfort and encourage oppressed believers and yet challenge them to hold on to their faith and live according to true, Christian principles of love and forgiveness even in the face of injustice.”
