Intolerance against Christians highlighted by report
A major new report into the increasing levels of discrimination faced by Christians in Europe has been launched in Vienna. The report, produced by the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe highlights the growing trend towards marginalising Christians from the public square. The paper gives examples of attacks on freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, including moves in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe to force doctors to perform abortions against their conscience. The launch coincided with a conference sponsored by The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on freedom of conscience and religion. The document also refers to attacks on freedom of expression, such as the Spanish Government imposing a €100,000 fine on a Christian TV network for running a series of advertisements in favour of the family and opposing the homosexual lifestyle.
Pray: that this report's findings will lead to understanding and acceptance of Christian values. (Ps.147:5)
British schools opt-out from Christian assemblies
A growing number of British schools are dropping traditional Christian assemblies in favour of multi-faith meetings and ‘moments of reflection’. More than 140 primary and secondary schools across Britain have won the right to opt out of the legal requirement to provide a daily act of worship which is ‘broadly Christian’ in character. (See also: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20101204/wrong-to-exclude-god-from-classroomsays-u-kthink-tank/) Some schools have adopted Islamic assemblies. The highest number of opt-outs from traditional assemblies is in Bradford where 47 schools have decided to introduce ‘new-style’ assemblies. Rt Rev Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali reminds us that: ‘The Judaeo-Christian tradition provides the connecting link to our island story. Without that tradition, it is impossible to understand the language, the literature, the art or even the science of our civilisation. It provides the grand themes of virtue and vice, atonement and repentance, resurrection and immortality. It undergirds and safeguards our constitutional and legal tradition’.
Pray: that the Gospel message will continue to be taught to our schoolchildren and sustain our shared heritage. (Mk.16:15)
Target for 1,000 ‘Mission Resolutions’
Church Mission Society is looking for 1,000 people to make Kingdom-minded resolutions this New Year. The ‘We Are Saying Yes’ campaign is being launched to inspire people to make resolutions that put a bit more of God’s mission into their everyday life. Some of the suggestions on the campaign website including praying for the person in front in the supermarket queue, joining a campaign, making friends with someone of another faith, and fasting from impulse buys. CMS web manager Jeremy Woodham said: ‘So many people have given up making resolutions because they think they’ll never keep them. We’re giving people the chance to make a resolution that matters – and providing a space for them to share tips, ask for prayer and tell their stories. We think the impact of 1,000 people taking a small step in mission could have a fantastic ripple effect.’
Pray: for many more than 1,000 people to commit to this original approach to mission. (Is.48:15)
‘Not Ashamed’ campaign gathers momentum
The Not Ashamed campaign was launched nationwide last week to encourage Christians to speak up about the value of Britain’s Christian heritage and the Christian faith. A copy of the campaign’s leaflet, written by Lord Carey, was delivered to 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace. The leaflet describes Christianity in Britain as being ‘under attack’ and warned of an attempt by the usual suspects of secularists and atheists to ‘air-brush’ the Christian faith out of public life. Lord Carey said: ‘It appears that flowing from a combination of well-meaning political correctness, multiculturalism and overt opposition to Christianity, a new climate, hostile to our country’s tradition and history, is developing’. Nearly 16,000 people have signed the Not Ashamed declaration, which states that Jesus Christ is good news for the nation.
Pray: for the continued growth of the Not Ashamed movement as an influential voice. (Ac.13:47)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/not.ashamed.campaign.hopes.for.christmas.chart.success. with.new.song/27198.htm
