Church minister condemns trafficking
The Rev Ian Galloway, the Convenor of the Church of Scotland's Church and Society Council, said it was ‘repugnant’ that children were being used as sex slaves in Scotland. His comments follow the publication of a report from the Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People. The report says that at least 80 children may have been trafficked into Scotland for sexual or other exploitation without anyone being convicted for the crimes. Some of the victims have come from thousands of miles away, trafficked from the likes of China, Vietnam or the Democratic Republic of Congo. Writing in his Blog, the Rev Ian Galloway said: ‘The fact that dozens of children are being used as sex slaves in our cities, towns and neighbourhoods is utterly repugnant. This should be a call to action for everyone in Scotland. How can we let this happen?’ Pray: that the report and Convenor’s comment will be noted by the authorities and lead to positive action. (Mk.7:21-22)
Explicit sex education materials for children
A report issued in the UK earlier this week, called ‘Too Much, Too Young,’ unmasks the extremely explicit nature of sex education material that public groups are pushing on school children as young as five-year-olds. Among other things, the controversial resources teach youngsters about oral and anal sex, as well as prostitution, masturbation, and ‘straight and gay,’ and include explicit depictions and descriptions of sexual intercourse, as well as real footage of full-frontal adult nudity. The issue of sex education has been a topic of much controversy in Britain with the recent debate of a compulsory sex education Bill in the House of Commons. While the coalition government has said sex education would not be mandatory in primary schools, the coalition is meanwhile reviewing the education guidelines and material. Even without a change in law, family groups are concerned over what guidelines the coalition may put in place. Pray: that this controversal material would be withdrawn. (1Th.4:3-4)
New petition over equalities legislation
Christian Concern have launched a petition over last week’s judgment in the case of Owen and Eunice Johns which provoked huge national interest and wide scale media coverage. The Judgment highlighted once again the difficulties that Christians can encounter when attempting to participate in some parts of public life without compromising their beliefs. On Monday this week, the Johns, along with Christian Concern, have launched a major new petition, calling on the Prime Minister to respect Christian conscience and take urgent action to address the problems created by equalities legislation. You can read and sign the petition here. http://christianconcern.com/equalities-and-conscience Pray: that this petition would receive wide support and lead to a change in the equality legislation. (2Th.2:13)
Omission of RE from English Baccalaureate 'indefensible'
The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, has attacked the decision to exclude Religious Studies and Education from the English Baccalaureate, describing the move as ‘indefensible’. The new qualification, which was included in school league tables for the first time this year, is awarded to pupils who gain at least a C grade in English, maths, science, a humanities subject (either history or geography) and a language. But the Archbishop criticised the omission of religious education, claiming it was ‘an invaluable help in the project of building the common good and of self-fulfilment’. He added: ‘Religious Studies surely can be seen to be at the heart of the study of humanities. Indeed in Catholic schools, RE is at the 'heart of the curriculum'. It can claim to be the humanity, par excellence’. (See Prayer Alert 04-2011) Pray: for recognition of R.E. as an important part of the school curriculum. (Ex.18:20)
