Christian News from Scotland

Ladele case to go to Supreme Court

2009-12-15T17:51:00.002Z

Lillian Ladele, the Christian registrar who was told to perform same-sex civil partnerships or face dismissal, has lost her case for religious discrimination at the Court of Appeal.

Lawyers acting for Miss Ladele say she intends to appeal to the Supreme Court, the UK’s highest court.

She originally won a religious discrimination case against Islington Council at an employment tribunal in July 2008.

But that success was overturned months later by the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) who said Miss Ladele had been treated badly but it did not amount to religious discrimination.

This morning a ruling handed down in the Court of Appeal by the Master of the Rolls, Lord Neuberger, upheld the EAT’s decision.

The court accepted that Miss Ladele had been treated unfairly by Islington Council. The Council had discussed confidential disciplinary information about Miss Ladele with the Council’s LGBT forum.

The court said this was a breach of her rights and a breach of the Council’s own code of conduct.

The Council had also treated her letter of request for a reasonable accommodation of her religious beliefs as a freestanding act of “gross misconduct.” The court said this was an “unjustifiable characterisation”.

The Court of Appeal said that “Islington did not treat her fairly”. However, the court ruled this did not amount to religious discrimination.

The court said it wasn’t an act of religious discrimination to designate Miss Ladele as a civil partnership registrar.

Lord Neuberger said: “It appears to me that, however much sympathy one may have with someone such as Ms Ladele, who is faced with choosing between giving up a post she plainly appreciates or officiating at events which she considers to be contrary to her religious beliefs, the legislature has decided that the requirements of a modern liberal democracy, such as the United Kingdom, include outlawing discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on grounds of sexual orientation, subject only to very limited exceptions.”

Reacting to the ruling, The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge said: “We are naturally disappointed at this decision and Miss Ladele intends to appeal. It is an important case of religious liberty not just for Lillian but for Christians working throughout the public sector.

“Several local authorities have been able to accommodate the religious beliefs of registrars who have a moral objection to same-sex partnerships. It is a shame Islington didn’t take the same approach.

“It is important to realise that not a single same-sex couple was denied, or would have been denied, access to a civil partnership registration at Islington Council due to Miss Ladele’s stance. There are plenty of registrars at Islington to meet the Council’s obligations.

“Looking at the matter more widely, Government regulations in this area have not done enough to protect religious liberty. Time and again, equality and diversity laws mean Christians are pushed to the back of the queue.”

The ruling was welcomed by Islington Council, the homosexual lobby group Stonewall, civil liberties group Liberty, and the National Secular Society.

see above story on the Christian Institute website

The Uniqueness of Christianiaty - 3 - Atonement

2009-11-22T09:43:00.003Z

from The Crazy Rev Page

Having looked at love, and briefly mentioned the Trinity (with link), I want to suggest that the most unique aspect of the Christian Faith is the doctrine of the Atonement. And if the doctrine of the Trinity is a follow-on from the concept that God is love, then it could be argued that the doctrine of the Atonement follows on from both of them.

Basically, the Atonement has to do with the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus, on the cross at Calvary. It is, as Paul states, the most important aspect of the Christian Faith - "I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me - that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said." (I Cor.15:3). Writing to the believers in the city of Rome, he expands on this idea: "For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us." (3:25)

Over the centuries, many theologians have produced many theories as to exactly how all of this works. However, this blog is not the place in which to discuss all of them. Suffice it to say that, because Jesus lived a perfectly sinless life, His willing sacrifice of Himself satisfies the demands of the law. When God the Father looks at me, He sees, not my failure to keep His law, but "... the blood of Jesus, His Son, [that] cleanses us from every sin." (I Jn.1:7)

Of course, that sacrificial blood is not effective until I have acknowledged my own sinfulness; confessed it before God; and accepted the offer of full forgiveness and total salvation, that are made available to me. It is in, and through, Him, that I am reconciled to Father God. (cf. Rom.5:10; II Cor. 5:18).

Over my teaching career, I had to study all of the world's major religious belief-systems. But, while there are a number of ideas that are common to some or all of them, the Christian Faith is the only one that teaches that my eternal salvation depends, not on my own works - however good they may be - but on the completed work of the Lord Jesus. When, on the cross, He shouted out the one word "Tetelestai!" , (which may be translated "Completed!"), that was exactly what He meant. The price had been paid; the law had been satisfied; His work was finished.

All of that (and the so-much-more that I have omitted!) is because of His great love for you and for me. In the Persona of the Son, God did for you and me what we could never have done for ourselves. Such love - totally unique.

find the original post at http://crazyrev.blogspot.com/2009/11/uniqueness-of-christianity-3.html

The Uniqueness of Christianity - The Trinity

2009-11-18T12:07:00.003Z

The Uniqueness of Christianity - 2
The Trinity

from http://crazyrev.blogspot.com/2009/11/uniqueness-of-christianity-2.html

If these were sermon notes, this would be the second in a very short series on why the Christian faith may be considered to be unique. Last night, I suggested that Love (agape) is one unique aspect of the Faith. This evening, I want to suggest that the doctrine (teaching) of the Trinity, is another unique aspect.

There is, in fact, a sense in which the doctrine of the Trinity is a direct follow-on from the concept that "God is love"! This is because love is a relationship. Therefore, it follows that, if God's essential nature (that which makes Him what He is) is love, then God must be in a relationship. Christians believe that the Bible teaches, very clearly, that that relationship is shown in the one Almighty God, revealing Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Some time ago (July 4th) I recommended - with some reservation - the novel The Shack. It is a book that makes one think through this trinitarian doctrine - this concept of God being One, yet Three! I also have an audio-message on the subject on my other blog-site (revcbross.blogspot.com) that some might appreciate!

But is this doctrine really unique to Christianity? Most certainly. Judaism and Islam both accept the idea of one almighty God, Who created all that is, and Who is far beyond we mere humans. Hinduism teaches that there are many different 'gods', some of whom reveal themselves in different avatars (I wonder how many people are aware that that word, that seems to be used in some computer games, is of Hindu origin?!). Buddhism has no concept of a divine being of any sort (which is why I have often questioned it being termed a 'religion'!) and Sikhism, while accepting a divine being, concentrates on the Guru Granth Sahib - its holy book. Only Christianity has a Trinitarian (Three-in-One) God - totally unique!

The next post will take this on a little further. Keep checking!!

November

2009-11-17T01:47:00.001Z

The following is not new but, as local councils in the UK continue to introduce winter festival activites (which may, or may not, include Christmas), it is perhaps a worthwhile reminder from our Stateside brothers.

November

Twas the month before Christmas

When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away,

The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing,

About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say

December 25th is just a ' Holiday'.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, cheques and credit

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod

Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa

In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down

At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears

You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty

Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton,

Wolf BlitzenOn Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter

To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith

Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace

The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded

The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'

Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,

not Happy Holiday !

The Uniqueness of Christianity - Love

2009-11-17T00:54:00.003Z

The Uniqueness of Christianity - 1
Love

from The Crazy Rev Page

Yesterday morning, while listening to the BBC Radio 4 programme 'Sunday', I heard a former nun, Karen Armstrong, attribute to the Dalai Lama (the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism) the statement: "Every single religion teaches the same thing." Then, later, at Calderhead Erkine Parish Church, where have been doing most of my preaching over recent months, the minister who was preaching as Sole Nominee to fill the vacancy there, made reference to the uniqueness of Christianity. It's a vitally important subject and so, over the next few posts, I want to share something of why the Christian faith is, indeed, so different from all other religious belief-systems, that it may be considered to be unique.

This evening, I want to mention Love. Now it is true that most religions have some concept of love - although the emphasis placed on it may vary considerably. However, when we come to the Christian faith, we find that love is absolutely central. Indeed, it is given as the simplest description of Almighty God. Writing in his First Letter, John makes the (repeated) claim that "God is love". (I Jn.4:8).

Two things need to be emphasised. First of all, the love of which John writes is not the erotic, sensual, love of the cheap novel, or the suggestive film, that may be more accurately referred to as 'lust'! Nor is it the soppy, sentimentalised, love of the Mills & Boon type of story. It isn't even the perfectly respectable love of a husband for his wife (and vice/versa), or of parents for their children. John uses a specific word from the Greek language, that is written (in this Roman script) as 'agape'. I well recall my former minister, spiritual mentor, and friend, the late Rev. George B. Duncan, define agape as "the minimum of emotion, and the maximum of evaluation." By this he meant that agape love is more concerned with the value of its object, than with mere 'feelings' - although feelings.emotions are not to be totally discounted. Agape is, indeed, the very love of God Himself.

But it's a love that is to be practised by disciples of Jesus. Indeed, He says to His disciples (now as well as then!) "A new commandment I give to you,, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also may love one another. By this all men will know that that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another." (Jn.13:34-35)

The second thing to emphasise is that God is not simply the highest, and best, form of love. It is not as if love is a ladder with us on the bottom rung, and God on the top rung. Rather, John is saying that God is, in this illustration, the ladder. He is, essentially, love. Without Him, love would not exist and, if I may state it with all reverence, without love, He would not exist!
Over the years, I have studied a fair number of belief-systems of one sort and another. But I have not come across any that have that sort of picture of the One Who is the Creator, and Sustainer, of all that is. Love, alone, would be sufficient to show the uniqueness of Christianity. However, there is more - so do return to this site to discover some of its other unique aspects!

Read this blog posting on The CrazyRev Page

"homosexuaility is a sin" - that's a crime say the police

2009-06-08T22:00:00.002+01:00

Police officers told an open-air preacher in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, it is a criminal offence to identify homosexuality as a sin. They said this to Andy Robertson, even though he had not mentioned homosexuality in his preaching.

He was recording his preaching because the local council had been making allegations about the content of his message. The conversation with police officers was caught on tape.

Churches Burnt & Christians Martyred in Karachi

2009-04-24T22:33:00.004+01:00

Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2009, 6:27 PM

Dear Friends

Three Churches are attacked in Karachi, and Christians killed and wounded by Pakistani Talibans.

The details of this news can be found through the web.links below:

Altaf Hussain of MQM is the only national level leader who is raising voice against the suffering of Christians in Karachi, whereas PPP & PML-N & ANP are totally dumb founded. Please see the link below:

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Karachi/23-Apr-2009/Altaf-condemns-Tessar-Town-attack-by-Taliban

An emergency meeting of Pakistani Christians has been called in Luton by Yaqub Masih Athwal (Chairman Pakistan Christian Concern), in which various options will be considered.

There is a strong possibility of a protest March in London by the UK based Pakistani Christians, and similar protests are expected in other Western countries. I personally would like to encourage our Pakistani Christians brethren in USA, Canada, Europe and Australia to stage protests in front of Pakistan Embassies in these countries.

I would also request you to write letters to your elected representatives, and even arrange to meet them in delegations for sharing your concern for the Talibanization of Pakistan and the inability of the Pakistani Government to protect the religious minorities.

Let us work together for the sake of our suffering brothers and sisters in Pakistan.

Sincerely,

Asif Mall
Secretary General
Pakistan Christian Ideology Council-UK

WebLinks

Watchman Reports - "Curfews in the Highlands"

2009-04-16T14:38:00.002+01:00

Watchman Reports
from Christians Together

'Curfews' in the Highlands
view the original article here

reports on the rising levels of public disorder in the Highand capital which is invoking serious responses from the authorities

I HAVE never (before or since) been so close to calling on the police for personal protection. The occasion was an early evening visit to a corner store in Hamilton in the summer of 1997 (and before mobile phones had arrived).

I should say that the personal safety that I was concerned about was not my own, but rather that of the local shopkeeper who was been faced up with a group of the most aggressive youngsters demanding alcohol from him. The situation was explosive, and the sense of imminent violence most palpable. In the event, the highly-nervous shopkeeper managed to diffuse the situation – but only just.

The Hamilton Curfew
Following that most worrying incident I tracked a ‘teen curfew’ initiative by the Hamilton police through reports in the national press. As far as I can remember the scheme was set up to monitor young people out on the streets after dark, and – beyond a certain hour – for police officers to return them to their homes.

In the progress of the scheme and subsequent evaluation it transpired that when the police turned up at the respective homes with their charges, they found one of three situation pertaining: these being –

the parents were at home but having a drinking party themselves and didn’t want the children there
the parents were out of the house(s) themselves
the parents received their children from the police at the front door and then, immediately the patrol car was out of sight, let them out of the back door onto the street again

So it seemed that alongside the behaviour of the youngsters on the streets – and some were very young indeed – a large part of the problem was they way that they were being looked after and controlled (or not) by their parents.

And now in the Highlands and Islands
After a year or so I lost track of the scheme. But it has now – in April 2009 – reappeared in both national and local media: only this time it is not Hamilton but Inverness. It is being currently reported that in the Highland capital youth referrals have risen by 15% since 2006, and have prompted Northern Constabulary to ask for powers to take a slightly different approach.

It wants to be able to impose a curfew on individual young people under 16 who repeatedly commit crime or cause a nuisance. One piece of national coverage observes: ‘In a traditionally law-abiding part of Scotland, a steep rise in juvenile crime is a symptom of something going awry that must be taken seriously. When the crimes include violence and sexual offences, they cannot be dismissed as bad behaviour that has got out of hand.’

Highland GP needs police protection
The problem of violence and crime are now escalating nationally and behaviour which was previously and mainly confined to the toughest of inner-city areas is now manifest in Highland communities. A local (male) GP in a fairly small – and previously peaceful – Highland town will not now attend out-of-hours call outs without police protection.

The problem is now 2 – 3 generations old. Lack of respect and disciple flows directly from the rampant liberalism that has pervaded all areas of public life and resulted in even grand-parents (many of whom are in their 30s due to the increase in teenage pregnancies) lacking the personal experience and skills to operate a healthy parenting regime.

The problem will not go away; and indeed is set to get worse as – and this is the other side of the liberal coin – some parents, including the wife of one health professional in a Highland community, are frightened to discipline their children lest the latter report their parents to the police and social services.

A two-way approach
The remedy is two-fold and it doesn’t involve stigmatising and/or criminalising parents and youngsters – indeed groups both are ‘victims’.

But the cycle of socially unacceptable – including criminal and violent – behaviour will not be cured without structured intervention and changes to public policy.

The environment in which young people are growing up today is that of an ‘anything goes’ culture. Pornography and extreme and graphic violence is the very stuff of much of the film, TV, magazine and internet scene. Alcohol is often cheaper than bottled water and – despite checks at retail outlets – easily available. As far as drugs are concerned, illicit and dangerous ‘substances’ are also freely available and affordable. Not only that, but the social acceptability of drug use has continued to rise due to the ‘So what?’ throw away comments by high-profile personalities and public figures.

As far as parenting is concerned, it is the most difficult and responsible job that anyone will ever be called to do. And yet it is the task which the vast majority of parents receive no training whatsoever. So the only thing that any new parent has to draw from is their own experience of being parented themselves. Very sadly, in many cases, this is not an example that can be commended – as the results of the Hamilton curfew illustrated.

The Missing Dimension
Meanwhile, the welfare benefit system in the UK encourages the youngest of children to become parents themselves, and through public health policies which oblige schools to teach ‘sex education’ which is devoid of any moral input is fostering the exorbitant rise in teenage (even now primary school) pregnancies, abortion, single-parenting, absent fathers, sexually-transmitted infections and related health problems like cervical cancer.

Poor parenting has been identified time and time again as a major factor in anti-social behaviour, young offending, teenage pregnancies, non-attending, poor education and employment prospects.

The health, social services and police cannot cope with all of this; and neither in fact can the country as a whole. Until there is an acknowledgement that present policies have failed to stem the tide, the UK is set to continue on a spiral of rapidly-rising public disorder and crippling human and economic cost.Whether we like it or not, today’s young people are a product of a social environment which those of who have gone before have created. The problems can only be tackled at a level which transcends local and national party politics; and will continue to defy resolution until there is an overt and accepted need for a moral framework in all areas of public and private life.

Fitna

2009-02-13T20:58:00.003Z

If you cannot see the video below, try this link on Google Video

Sad that offer to pray is treated so harshly

2009-02-05T02:14:00.003Z

Extracts from HeraldTalk Wednesday 4th February 2009

From Rev C Brian Ross, Motherwell

I am increasingly concerned at the way in which some Christians in the UK are being treated, purely because of their Christian faith. The most recent situation concerns Caroline Petrie, a married mother of two, who has been suspended, without pay, from her job as a community nurse, simply for offering to pray with an elderly patient ("Suspension for nurse who offers to pray for her patients", The Herald, February 2).

It is a sad state of affairs when the offer to pray for someone is treated in such a harsh way. I am old enough to remember when the UK was, at least nominally, a Christian country.

I can only agree, and express the hope that common sense will prevail, and that Mrs Petrie will be fully re-instated. Don't tell the North Somerset Primary Care Trust, which has taken this ridiculous attitude, but I'll be praying for Caroline.

From Dr Euan Dodds, St George's-Tron Church, Glasgow

I worked as a doctor for four years and the only patients I ever received thank-you cards from were those with whom I had prayed.

How terrible it would be if professionals were reduced to treating the disease and not the person.

Read both letters in full at HeraldTalk

Churchgoing Not in Decline !

2009-02-02T19:10:00.001Z

Churchgoing is not in decline, according to figures released by Tearfund today which show that one in four adults in the UK attend church at least once a year.

According to research carried out by Tearfund, 12.8 million adults in the UK attend church at least once a year, of whom 7.3 million attend at least once a month.

Christian relief and development agency Tearfund regularly interview 7,000 members of the public about their churchgoing habits, as part of wider research about perceptions of society and world issues, and have identified an upward trend in church attendance.

The report found a significant increase in monthly attendance, bringing the figure for autumn 2008 to 15 per cent after a number of years of reported decline, according to Matthew Frost, Chief Executive of Tearfund.

Similarly, the proportion of UK adults attending church at least once a year has increased from 21 per cent in 2007 to 26 per cent in 2008, an increase from around one in five adults to around one in four.

"Our understanding is that more people are attending now than before, even if that is only a couple of times a year rather than every week," said Mr Frost. "This might mean going to church at one of the high points in their family’s year, such as Christmas or Easter, or attending Sunday services or midweek events."This is of course immensely encouraging, because it shows that people are associating church and a belief in God with hope and joy, and a positive way to spend their time."

The research questions were framed deliberately to exclude attendance for weddings, baptisms, funerals and other invitation-only events so as to concentrate on voluntary attendance.

Groups showing a larger increase in attendance than the average between September 2007 and September 2008 included 25 to 34-year-olds, up 7 per cent from 15 per cent to 22 per cent, 65 to 74-year-olds, up 6 per cent to 33 per cent, and over 75 year olds, up 10 per cent to 39 per cent.

Geographically, the highest increases were found in Wales, which was up 12 per cent from to 24 per cent, South East England, up 8 per cent to 27 per cent, Scotland, up 8 per cent to 27 per cent, and Northwest England, up 7 per cent to 28 per cent.

Tearfund’s work around the world is delivered primarily through local churches and community organisations working on the ground in 64 countries, to tackle spiritual and material poverty.

The research, compiled of 7,000 interviews with adults around the UK, takes place twice a year and identifies trends in awareness of faith and world issues in order to influence the organisation’s development and communication.

Suspended for Offering to Pray

2009-02-02T17:53:00.004Z

A Christian nurse from Weston-super-Mare has been suspended from her work for offering to pray for an elderly patient.

Caroline Petrie, a community nurse and devout Christian, is facing dismissal for an alleged breach of her code of conduct on equality and diversity.

Mrs Petrie, who is married mother of two, has been accused by her employers of failing to demonstrate a ‘personal and professional commitment to equality and diversity’ because of her offer of prayer.

She was suspended, without pay, on 17th December 2008 and will find out the outcome of her disciplinary meeting this week. She says she has been left shocked and upset by the action taken against her.

Mrs Petrie, who has been a community nurse since 1985 and is employed by North Somerset Primary Care Trust, said she had asked an elderly patient if she would like a prayer said for her after she had put dressings on the patient’s legs. The patient declined and Mrs Petrie took the matter no further.

The situation arose at the home of the patient in North Somerset. Mrs Petrie said: 'It was around lunchtime and I had spent about 20 to 25 minutes with her. I had applied dressings to her legs and shortly before I left I said to her: “Would you like me to pray for you?” She said “No, thank you.” And I said: “OK.” I only offered to pray for her because I was concerned about her welfare and wanted her to get better.’

Mrs Petrie was initially confronted the next day by a nursing sister who said the patient had been taken aback by her question about prayer. Subsequently, Mrs Petrie received a message on her home phone from the North Somerset Primary Care Trust telling her that disciplinary action against her would be taken. She was then suspended.

The guidelines for hospital chaplains state: The cornerstone of the modern NHS is the ability to respond sensitively to the diverse nature of the communities it serves; all services, including spiritual ones, should be delivered appropriately to service users and NHS staff.

A report of the story in the Western Daily Press stated:

Alison Withers, Mrs Petrie's boss at the time, wrote to her at the end of November saying: "As a nurse you are required to uphold the reputation of your profession. Your NMC (Nursing Midwifery Council) code states that 'you must demonstrate a personal and professional commitment to equality and diversity' and 'you must not use your professional status to promote causes that are not related to health'."

As a result, Mrs Petrie, who qualified as a nurse in 1985 and has worked parttime for the North Somerset authority since last February, was ordered to attend an equality course.

Her husband Stewart, 48, yesterday condemned the situation as "political correctness gone mad". And Mr Petrie made it clear that children Nathan, 14, and Matthew, 10, were fully behind their mother.

Andrea Williams, the founder and Director of the Christian Legal Centre, said: ‘It is of huge concern that Christian citizens, whose desire is to do their jobs well, are increasingly being silenced and pushed out of the ‘public square’ because of Equality and Diversity Policies. It is extraordinary, that these policies which purport to ensure tolerance are ushering in a new form of censorship and intolerance which should concern us all’

Media Links to this story

Daily Telegraph: Nurse suspended for offering to pray for elderly patient's recovery
BBC: Nurse suspended for prayer offer
BBC Breakfast
Daily Mail: Persecuted for praying: Nurse who faces the sack after offering to pray for sick patient
This is Bristol: West nurse suspended for offering to pray for patient
ITV West Tonight

Society should not abandon marriage - MP

2009-02-02T00:50:00.001Z

Turning our backs on marriage will deprive children of stability and teach them to be selfish, says shadow families secretary Michael Gove.

Marriage provides children with an example of “responsibility, restraint and consideration for others”, argued the Conservative MP in an article for Scotland on Sunday.

While the Conservative Party has pledged to support marriage, leader David Cameron has said this will include same-sex civil partnerships.

Mr Gove prompted criticism last year after asserting that the Party was wrong to oppose same-sex civil partnerships and gay adoption, describing these things as “right and moral”.

But in his article he says the current “drift away from marital commitment is part of a broader flight from responsibility which is weakening our society and hitting the poorest, hardest”.
He acknowledged that such arguments are unfashionable in “liberal and tolerant” times but said someone had to speak out for the “most vulnerable in society”.

He pointed out the damage done when parents “behave like children”, “abandoning relationships which no longer serve their purposes”.

This robs children of “stability and security” leaving them unable to cope properly at school and contributing to social inequality.

“The early years matter hugely, and children deserve the care of both the adults who brought them into this world,” he said.

“Support for marriage should actually be a cause behind which progressives rally.”

His article is at odds with comments from fellow shadow cabinet member Ken Clarke, who recently labelled tax incentives to support marriage as “social engineering”.

In his article, Mr Gove writes: “A society which expects men to stay married to the mother of their children is a society which places a premium on providing young boys with male role models who embody the virtues of responsibility, restraint and consideration for others.”

But when “adults behave like children, seeking instant gratification of their desires, abandoning relationships which no longer serve their purposes in pursuit of new, more intense, pleasure they leave children in their wake who have been deprived of the most valuable of inheritances – stability and security in which to grow to maturity.”

He continues: “When I visit primary schools I am struck by how often headteachers point to the increasing numbers of children who, aged five, are incapable of sitting still and listening, who have not learnt how to communicate even basic thoughts and grow frustrated, even violent, when their needs aren’t met.”

“The heads I talk to bracket the growth in the numbers of children arriving at school with these disadvantages with the decline in the number of households where both the birth parents still live together.”

Mr Gove pointed out the difficulty of pointing out these things in “liberal and tolerant” times, asking: “Given the strength, and gathering force, of this trend, who would dare stand against it?”
“But”, he warned, “if no one points out the consequences of the marginalisation of marriage, then some of the most vulnerable in our society will be voiceless.”

Scottish Schools to teach "Gay Rights" - Parents get no say

2009-02-02T00:48:00.001Z

A new booklet from the Scottish Government telling schools to promote ‘gay rights’ has prompted concern that parents will be denied a say in what their children learn.

It tells Scottish schools to teach pupils about homosexual issues, run ‘diversity events’ for teachers and parents, and adopt a specific lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) ‘charter of rights’.

The booklet advises that “in some cases – and probably very rarely – a small minority of parents/carers may not agree with the school’s position on these issues and the necessity for this work.

“However, this does not mean that it should not go ahead.”

The booklet styles itself as guidance on preventing bullying. However, critics argue it is based on exaggerated statistics and is being put forward as a ‘trojan horse’ to promote gay rights in schools.

The booklet advises schools to organise special diversity events where LGBT issues will be discussed, which parents will be asked to attend.

Teachers are warned not to use certain phrases when speaking to pupils about sexual orientation.

They should not suggest, the booklet says, “It might just be a phase you’re going through”, in spite of evidence suggesting that homosexual conduct during teenage years is, for many, a passing phase. Nor should teachers ask when the pupil decided they were gay.

“Our sexual orientations and gender identities are innate parts of who we are”, the booklet says.
Headteachers should invite gay rights campaigners to answer parents’ questions about homosexual issues.

The booklet says it is difficult to say how many gay young people there are, but suggests there will be one or two in every class. It bases this figure on contested Government estimates that five to seven per cent of the population is homosexual. This estimate was questioned last year after the Office of National Statistics found that just one per cent of the population identifies themselves as gay.

A spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland said: “It is important that schools continue to tackle and respond to bullying of all kinds.

“Segmenting or subdividing the problem on the basis of some unsupportable statistics is unhelpful and a potential misuse of scarce resources.”

Nick Seaton, of the Campaign for Real Education, said: “Surely teachers should be devoting their time and energy to improving exam results rather than spreading political correctness.

“The scale of the problem and the number of children who may be gay has also been exaggerated and parents will see these figures as sinister overestimates.”

Mike Judge of The Christian Institute said: “All bullying is wrong and should be appropriately dealt with whenever it occurs, whatever its motive.

“Sadly, a hierarchy of victim has seeped into our education system where some forms of bullying are taken more seriously than others. One in four children is bullied for their faith, but I suspect bullying against Christian children comes some way down the pecking order.

“The worry is that this kind of single-issue approach can be used as a trojan horse for promoting a particular agenda. It is important that parents who object to these recommendations are properly listened to.”

People of faith should not be silent - Governemnt Minister

2009-02-02T00:46:00.000Z

Religious people should not have to keep their faith private, a Government minister has said.

A large number of people in Britain see faith as “the key to their whole identity” and should be listened to by politicians, said Stephen Timms, Financial Secretary and Labour MP for East Ham.

Mr Timms was delivering a lecture on politics and faith at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

His comments will be received with caution by Christians who feel their religious freedoms have been increasingly eroded by new legislation introduced in recent years.

He said “faith communities offer a rich resource of hopefulness which, in progressive politics, we need to tap into and draw upon”.

He argued that rather than dismissing “faith-based perspectives”, progressive politicians should recognize them as “valid and mainstream”.

“That means recognising that faith cannot be relegated to the private sphere”, he said.

According to a recent poll, more than four in five Christians (84 per cent) think that religious freedoms, of speech and action, are at risk in the UK.

A similar proportion of Christians (82 per cent) feel that it is becoming more difficult to live in an increasingly secular country.

Last year, Labour MP Ruth Kelly said political debate was becoming more secular and sidelining religious belief.

Speaking in the wake of her resignation from the Cabinet, she said: “It is difficult to be a Christian in politics these days.”

Mr Timms was among a number of MPs who voted against the inclusion of a free speech protection in a recent ‘incitement to homophobic hatred’ law.

The Government is now seeking to remove the protection, despite warnings that the ‘incitement’ law could be used as an excuse to silence the views of Christians on sexual ethics.

Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, recently prompted fears that Christian groups carrying out important social work could lose funding unless they dilute their Christian character.

She said: “I am concerned to ensure that if faith groups become involved, they do so on a proper footing – not by evangelising or proselytising, but by providing services in a non-discriminatory way to the whole community.”

A report from the Church of England recently accused the Government of ignoring the valuable work that Christians – many of them volunteers – carry out in prisons, hospitals, counselling services and other organisations.

The Government itself acknowledged in a report last year that there are “a number of specific challenges for faith-based organisations” including “poor understanding of their role by all sectors” and “concerns over proselytising activity that can serve as a barrier to accessing funding”.

Yet, the document says: “Faith-based organisations make up a substantial part of the third sector, with a long history of working with offenders in prisons, through the gate, and in the community.”

Most UK Christians think their liberty is in danger

2009-02-02T00:42:00.001Z

A majority of church-going Christians in the UK believe that religious liberty is at risk, a new poll shows. They also think more Christians should engage with politics.

More than four in five Christians (84 per cent) think that religious freedoms, of speech and action, are at risk in the UK.

A similar proportion of Christians (82 per cent) feel that it is becoming more difficult to live in an increasingly secular country.

The survey also reveals that most Christians (91 per cent) think their fellow believers should be more engaged in politics and campaign for Christian-friendly laws.

When asked which global issue concerned them most, a majority of UK protestants said “the number of people who believe in Jesus”.

Over 70 per cent were concerned about drug and alcohol abuse and 60 per cent were concerned about the spread of other religions.

The poll results have been published by ComRes, a member of the British Polling Council. Its clients include the BBC and The Independent.

The pollster has established ‘Cpanel’, a panel of UK Christians that aims to better represent the views of serious, practising Christians in the UK across all denominations.

It set up the panel in response to concerns that other polling companies were using a very loose definition of ‘Christian’ when seeking the views of Christians.

A ComRes report states: “While playing an active role as a pollster in the public debate around abortion over the last two years, ComRes became aware that some of its clients were frustrated at the way that Christian opinion was represented by other polling companies.

“Often our polling opponents would seek to gauge Christian opinion by simply conducting a national poll and using the views of those identifying themselves as ‘Christian’ as opposed to ‘Muslim’, ‘Hindu’, ‘Buddhist’ or ‘Atheist’.

“Given that about 70% of the UK population currently defines itself as ‘Christian’ when faced with this question, this methodology is far from satisfactory as the majority of these will not be churchgoers.

“Indeed, in the 2001 National Census more people defined themselves as ‘Jedi’ than ‘Hindu’. We decided that something had to be done.

“Cpanel was set up last year not only to serve as the ‘public voice’ of practicing Christians, but also to make available a research tool for organizations looking to sample the views of the churchgoing Christian community to inform an internal strategy.”

Homosexuals given preference over Grandparents

2009-01-28T18:02:00.003Z

CHURCH LEADERS have hit out at social work chiefs today over claims that a couple were "forced" to give up their grandchildren for adoption by two gay men.

The grandparents wanted to care for the five-year-old boy and his four-year-old sister because their mother was unable to look after them. But it was reported today that the children, from Edinburgh, are now to be adopted by a gay couple

The grandparents claim they have been warned they risk never seeing the youngsters again if they continue with their opposition to the same-sex adoption.

Peter Kearney, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church, said: "This is a devastating decision which will have a serious impact on the welfare of the children involved.

According to reports, the couple, who cannot be named, wanted to give the five-year-old boy and his four-year-old sister a loving home themselves. But they were ruled to be too old - at 46 and 59.

Read More

Dundee Scouts snub God and The Queen

2009-01-26T11:36:00.000Z

Boy Scouts in Dundee will be able to pledge allegiance to ‘Allah’ and drop the traditional oath to God and Queen, says the Scout Association in Scotland.

The Association has given its backing to starting Dundee’s 45th troop which will specifically target Muslim boys.

In the oath Muslim recruits will be able to replace the name ‘God’ with “Allah, the Most Beneficent and the Most Merciful”, and pledge to honour “the country in which I am now living” instead of the Queen.

The Scout Association is already open to all faiths and Muslim boys are currently part of existing troops, but according to the Association they are aware of some who might be opposed to the traditional pledge.

A spokesman for the Scout Association Drummond Cox claims the change “represents a tweak rather than a major change”.

He said: “The Scouts may have been a Christian organisation originally but we have long been non-denominational and inclusive.

“This new troop will in no way be exclusionary and non-Muslim boys may join if they wish in an initiative that has the support of the Muslim community.”

Mr Cox added: “There are already Muslim boys in troops around Dundee but until now we do not have one catering for Muslims specifically. It is affirmative action.”

But Richard Cook of the Campaign Against Political Correctness said: “This is a disappointing development and many people will worry about the sad loss of much-loved traditions.

“Many Muslims in this country are proud monarchists, so it seems wrong to alter the pledge.”
Mr Cook warns: “Quite apart from the risk of creating a two-tier Scout movement, there is also the question of how helpful it is to set up a group that specifically aims to recruit young Muslims when we are trying to be more inclusive of other communities.

“Doesn’t this just perpetuate the divisions at the expense of cherished traditions?”

Roman Catholic fireman wins legal battle

2009-01-26T11:33:00.001Z

A Roman Catholic fireman from Glasgow has won his legal battle against his bosses after he was punished for refusing to take part in a ‘gay pride’ march.

John Mitchell was one of nine firemen who were ordered against their will to take part in the event, Pride Scotia, in 2006.

Instead of bowing to pressure to take part in the rally, they handed out fire safety leaflets to members of the public on a nearby street.

The men, all from Glasgow’s Cowcaddens fire station, were then punished by their employers Strathclyde Fire and Rescue.

The nine firemen remained on written warnings and were ordered to undergo diversity training.
Strathclyde Firemaster, Brian Sweeney, declared the men had damaged their careers by their actions.

He said at the time: “This is a strong disciplinary action that is very serious, that is placed on their personal record file and puts them in a very difficult employment position.”

Mr Mitchell chose to fight and after failing to overturn the disciplinary findings at three internal appeals he took the matter to an Employment Tribunal.

Days before the hearing was due, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue admitted they had failed to take account of his religious beliefs.

Mr Mitchell has been awarded damages and has received an apology from his employers. He told newspapers that a gagging order prevents him from discussing the case.

But a source close to the family told reporters: “This was never about being gay or anti-gay, this was about people being respected for who they are and what they believe. The men were asked to go along and support the rally, not just hand out leaflets.

“In line with Catholic teaching, John is opposed to homosexual acts without condemning homosexuals themselves. But he has never sought to foist his views on anyone else and felt that others should have shown him that same respect.

“There were marchers dresses as nuns and priests, behaving in a lewd manner to ridicule Christianity. People are free to mock the Catholic faith in unpleasant and rude ways - that’s their right - but it was not John’s duty to join in.

“There were times he thought he would lose his job by taking on the top brass and his family received anonymous phone calls threatening violence against them.”

The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge said: “I am pleased for John that he has won his case. He is a fireman, so we know he is courageous. It takes courage to seek justice against a tide of political correctness.

“Firemen do an incredibly brave job. When they are pulling people out of burning buildings they don’t stop to ask whether the person they are rescuing is gay or straight. All they see is a person who needs their help. That’s how it should be.

“To suggest that he was not doing his job just because he wouldn’t attend a gay pride march is an insult to his courage and the courage of his profession.

“Like many people in society, Mr Mitchell has sincerely held religious beliefs about moral conduct. He has beliefs, not hatred.

“It tyrannical to punish someone because they will not take part in a public rally on an issue with which they disagree. Shame on Strathclyde Fire and Rescue for doing so.”

Tory MSP Bill Aitken said: “Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and others have to recognise that people’s religious beliefs must be considered.”

A spokesman for the brigade said: “The issue between both parties has been resolved.”

Bringing peace between city gangs

2008-12-13T11:49:00.000Z

Today’s issue of The (Glasgow) Herald reports on a “£5m bid to bring peace between city gangs”That aims to “… bring together hundreds of rival gang members …”

This sounds like a great initiative!

Of course, some of us know that a similar work is already being accomplished, on a shoestring budget, by The Preshal Trust (“Preshal” is the Gaelic word for "precious") in Govan.

This work, headed up by May Nicholson, and sponsored by former Govan boy, Sir Alex Ferguson, is centred in an old, corrugated-roofed, single-storey building, supplemented by a shipping container, and is predominantly among people who are disadvantaged in many different ways - mental health problems; alcohol, and other drug, addiction; those in prison; people with literacy and numeracy problems; etc.

The story of Preshal is too long to share on this blog, but is well worth checking out. (Try http://www2.stv.tv/info/newsWest_Central_Scotland/20080303/Sir_Alex_Ferguson_backing_a_Glasgow_char_2008030 for a taster)

A recent move has been to reach out to some local gangs and now, on a Tuesday evening, upwards of 40 youngsters, out of a database of over 100, will be found playing pool, table-tennis and the like, instead of fighting over territorial claims, hanging out in closes or the local park, and generally being a nuisance! If everyone turned up at the same time, there simply wouldn’t be room for them all!

Of course, it's not just "play" as classes are provided in, e.g., healthy eating, computer work, and digital photography. Wouldn’t it be good if some of the cash now being made available could be channelled towards Preshal as improved facilities are desperately needed for the expansion of this most worthwhile project - currently operated on a voluntary basis.

--Posted By Brian Ross to The CrazyRev Page on 12/12/2008 07:10:00 PM

Couple Arrested for Sedition

2008-12-05T11:28:00.002Z

Last Saturday a British couple were arrested at their home in the African bush and taken to jail in Banjul, capital of The Gambia in West Africa.
David Fulton comes from Troon in Ayrshire while his wife Fiona originates from Torquay in the south of England. They have two teenage children, who presently live with friends in Exeter, and an infant adopted daughter who is with them in The Gambia.

A number of years ago, David and Fiona took a holiday on the quiet shores of The Gambia – a holiday which subsequently changed their lives.

At that time David ran a vehicle repair service in Torquay and had a comfortable lifestyle. In the Gambia they had visited friends, met new people and observed people in need.

When they returned from their holiday, Fiona had a sense that God might be calling them to return to The Gambia to serve the needy people they had met, but the busyness of life soon pushed thoughts of Africa out of their minds. Three years later, it was David who began thinking of the people they had seen in Africa. Feeling God had something new for him to do, he took some time to pray about his future and the direction of his life. The Gambia came to his mind and tears to his eyes. David realised he was crying for the people of The Gambia.

Within a year, the couple sold their home and made arrangements to relocate the family to a small village in The Gambia.

With a background in prison ministry, David soon began to lay the foundation for the development of a Prison Fellowship ministry, which eventually became a chartered member of PFI.

Prison ministry was not easy. David‘s initial access to the prison was cut off when someone lodged a complaint against him on account of his Christian beliefs and influence. He was subsequently arrested and banned from the prison system.

However, through David‘s positive relationship with government officials, he was offered the opportunity of serving as a chaplain to the Gambian military, a position that allowed him to have full access to all of the prisons.

Neither military service nor prison were new to David. As a young man he had served in the British army where he rose to the rank of major. But when he was in his thirties he became involved in armed robberies or security vans.

The law eventually caught up with him, and while in prison he visited the prison chapel for solace. At first he ended up swearing at the chaplain. But several days later he returned to the chapel and listened as the same chaplain speaking about King David‘s crime. “David had a repentant heart and the Lord forgave him,” the chaplain said - looking directly at prisoner David Fulton. Returning to his cell that night he couldn‘t sleep and the following morning he sought the chaplain‘s counsel where he got down onto my knees and asked the Lord into his heart.

In Gambia, Fiona is Chaplain to the airport and also visits women at home and in hospital.
David has been training a group of Gambian soldiers to become chaplains. The plan is that once they complete their training, every unit of the Gambian army will have its own chaplain under David as head chaplain. He also continues to provide leadership to Prison Fellowship in The Gambia with both David and Fiona personally visiting inmates in each of the prisons in the country and also organising services and Bible Studies within the prisons.

They and other Prison Fellowship workers also follow up on the needs of remand prisoners, appeal prisoners, and ex-prisoners. Fiona leads a group of volunteers in the women‘s prison, who teach the female inmates basic needlecraft and sewing skills. They also pray with the women and offer them Bibles. And Prison Fellowship in The Gambia is currently in the process of developing a community-based support centre to provide much needed temporary housing and assistance for prisoners who are being released and need help.

On Saturday the couple were arrested at their home and taken to separate location in Banjul. On Thursday they appeared in court, charged with Sedition – or undermining the authority of the government. Their case has been held over with a further hearing planned for 15th December.

The charges against them do not appear to relate to their work in The Gambia, but rather to the content of letters they write to family and supporters.

The couple have been offered bail, but so far have been unable to meet the strict conditions, which are understood to require payment of £125,000 together with providing four Gambian property owners willing to vouch for them.

David Fulton is being held outside Banjul in a high-security prison known as Mile Two, a tough colonial jail built during the days of the British Empire. Fiona is being held with their two-year-old adopted daughter Elizabeth, at a police station in the capital.

Fiona is reported as being treated well by police, who have run errands to buy nappies. But the treatment of David is not so certain.

As a chaplain, part of David’s job is to provide comfort to all sorts of people, people high up and people low down – and people who have perhaps fallen out of favour.

The Gambia is ruled by President Yahya Jammeh, an army officer who seized power in 1994. His record on human rights and civil freedoms is questionable. Prisoners on similar charges to Mr Fulton have reportedly been poisoned while in jails. And David is reported as not eating.

Present Aid - ethical presents for Christmas

2008-11-14T16:28:00.005Z

Present Aid has over 30 fun and unusual gift ideas that will be loved by everybody and also help poor communities around the world through projects around the world.

Whether it is something sporty for a super fit granddad, a new bike for the green member of the family or an unusual pet for the kids, Present Aid is sure to have the perfect gift. And, not only will it be their loved one who benefits, a Present Aid gift will also help to make a lasting difference to someone else’s life.

How does it work? For each present that is ordered a gift card that is sent to be given to a friend or family member. Each card describes how Christian Aid helps people in the developing world improve their own lives, and has a space to include a personalised message.

Where does the money go? The gifts on sale are virtual. This means that whatever present bought, the money will go directly to a project fund relevant to the gift. For instance, if you buy a goat, ducks or even composting worms, that money goes directly to our agricultural and livestock fund. There are six of these project funds; Agriculture and livestock, Emergency and disaster preparedness, Healthcare (including HIV/Aids), Power & energy, Training and education, Water and environment.

Celebrating 60 years of GRF

2008-11-10T10:55:00.001Z

60 Years of Christian Radio Programmes for the World – from Scotland!

Award-winning Glasgow-based GRF Christian Radio celebrates 60 years of continuous radio production this month. And to mark this special Anniversary, GRF is hosting two very special events.

On Saturday 15th November, GRF will host an Open Day at its Argyle Street studios where guests and visitors can meet the GRF team, listen to current programmes and view the technical equipment on display. On Sunday 16th November at 6.30pm, a Service of Thanksgiving will be held at Findlay Memorial Church at St. George’s Cross, Glasgow. The guest preacher at the service will be Rev. Dr. Joel Edwards, Chair of the Churches Media Council and a Commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

So what’s GRF? Based in Glasgow since its inception in 1948, GRF has always focused on being a programme producer, making programmes which are broadcast by other people. Beginning life as Gospel Radio Fellowship, GRF’s first programme was broadcast on a missionary radio station (HCJB) in Ecuador and was aimed at Scots living in South America. The advent of commercial radio in Britain in 1973 led to a close relationship between GRF and Radio Clyde in Glasgow, a relationship which remains to this day.

GRF produces programmes which complement the existing programme schedules of a wide range of radio stations, both mainstream and Christian. It currently supplies programmes to commercial stations across Britain and Ireland, English-speaking overseas stations such as Coastline Radio in Spain, BBC local radio stations, hospital radio, community radio stations and programmes for internet distribution. In 60 years, GRF has supplied programmes to more than 150 radio stations throughout the world.

GRF has always been at the forefront of technical innovation, being one of the first organisations in Scotland to use a tape recorder! In 2000, GRF helped pilot Audiopot, a web-based internet distributor of Christian radio programmes.

GRF is staffed by a 20-strong voluntary team who come from a wide variety of backgrounds in terms of working life, religious tradition and experience of faith. The programmes produced reflect this diversity.

About the 60th Anniversary, GRF Chairman, Andrew Barr, said, “Spread the Word. It’s a phenomenon. Very Glasgow and very Edinburgh and very global. The team can mix Radio 5 journalism with the Goon Show and still be faithful. In my comparatively short 40 years of making programmes in the BBC and ITV, I’ve seen careers destroyed as producers tried to marry humour and religion. And that’s this team’s secret – if there is laughter in heaven, it will be down to GRF.”

For further information, please contact:
Brian Muir, Programme Controller on 0141-221-0316 or
Kennedy Fraser, Technical Director on 0141-578-7557

5th November 2008

Notes to Editors:
1. Studio Open Day – Saturday 15th November 2008, 10am-4pm – 342 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G2 8LY. Please note the studios are located on the first floor of a building with no elevator and therefore sadly are not accessible for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users.
2. Service of Thanksgiving – Sunday 16th November 2008, 6.30pm – Findlay Memorial Church, 56 Clarendon Place, St. George’s Cross, Glasgow, G20 7QB.
3. Full details of the Open Day and Service of Thanksgiving can be found at www.grf.org.uk
4. The GRF studios on Argyle Street, Glasgow, are the oldest independent radio production studios in Europe, religious or secular.
5. GRF has won a raft of prestigious broadcasting awards including:
· Sony Gold Award
· Andrew Cross Awards
· Jerusalem Radio Awards
· Sandford St. Martin Awards
· Christian Communication Commission Award
· Christian Broadcasting Council Award
6. GRF Christian Radio is a registered Scottish Charity No: SC000199

Gay blood ban to stay

2008-11-09T23:57:00.005Z

The ban on blood donations from men who have engaged in sexual activity with other men will not be lifted in Scotland because it is a vital safety measure, say health officials.

Robert McDowall, a homosexual activist, had called on MSPs to change the rules. He was supported by homosexual lobby group Stonewall.

Stonewall Scotland’s Calum Irving said: “The Blood Transfusion Service is applying one rule for gay people and another for straight people.”

But Scotland’s blood transfusion service has told MSPs that the rules cannot be changed for safety reasons.

Keith Thompson, the service’s national director, said that sexually active gay men are at an increased risk of acquiring blood-bourne sexually transmitted infections such as HIV and syphilis.

Under current guidelines, a man cannot donate blood if he has ever had oral or anal sex with another man (even if he used a condom).

The National Blood Service says that lifting the ban could “result in a fivefold increase in the risk of HIV-infected blood entering the blood supply”.

Reasons for the ban
A position paper from the National Blood Service says: “The criteria for blood donors across all of the UK Blood Services are agreed by the Department of Health’s Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissue and Organs.

“In order to assure the continued safety of the blood supply, we currently ask those in groups shown to have a particularly high risk of carrying blood-borne viruses not to give blood.
“These include men who have ever had sex with men. The reason for this exclusion rests on specific sexual behaviour (such as anal and oral sex between men), rather than the sexuality of the person wishing to donate.

“There is, therefore, no exclusion of gay men who have never had sex with a man nor of women who have sex with women.”

The position paper outlines the medical reasons for this policy, including: “While safer sex, through the use of condoms, does reduce the transmission of infections, it cannot eliminate the risk altogether.

“Men who have sex with men continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV and account for 63% of HIV diagnoses where the infection was likely to have been acquired in the UK.

“Epidemiological evidence in the UK also shows that there has been a significant increase in sexually-transmitted infections which can also be blood-borne, such as hepatitis B and syphilis, among men who have sex with men.

“Between 2002 and 2006, for example, there has been a 117% increase in syphilis infections in men who have sex with men.

“Research shows that completely removing the current exclusion on blood donation from men who have sex with men would result in a fivefold increase in the risk of HIV-infected blood entering the blood supply.

“While changing deferral to one year from the last sexual contact would have a lesser effect, it would still increase this risk by 60%.”

The Terrance Higgins Trust, the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity, says: “We support calls for the National Blood Service to regularly review their policy on who in the UK is allowed to give blood in the light of new technology and scientific evidence.

“However, we will wait for the results of any such reviews before deciding what changes, if any, should be implemented.

“We believe that the current policy of the National Blood Service is justifiable and was based on the best available evidence when it was drawn up. Unless a subsequent review finds that risks to the blood service have changed the current policy is sensible and pragmatic.”

Radio Presenter Disciplined and Suspended

2008-10-28T01:22:00.001Z

Reverend Mahboob Masih presented a weekly Christian radio show on the Glasgow radio station AWAZ FM. With a live 'talk show' format, the Saturday morning programme sought to respond to questions from listeners.

Awaz FM operates under a Community Radio licence issued to serve the Asian (Indian sub continent) population of Glasgow, delivering entertainment, community information, local, national and international news broadcasting in Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and English. The station claims to be the voice of Glasgow’s ethnic communities and their respective faiths.

Following claims by Muslim academic Dr. Zakir Naik, well known in the Asian community for his critical comments about Christianity, that Jesus was not the only person who was ‘the way, the truth and the life’ and that every "prophet" was in their own way the way, the truth and the life, Rev. Masih's programme received a number of calls asking questions about Dr Naik’s comments.

Mahboob Masih answered these questions in moderate and temporate terms, including quoting the claims of Jesus as stated in The Bible.

Despite Rev Masih's factual and honest answers to these questions, some Muslim listeners, complained the radio station.

Management at Awaz FM asked Rev Masih to offer an apology for any offence which had been caused. But after reading out a prepared apology on air, as he had been requested, the station sought to find further fault with Mahboob Masih and removed him from the rado show.

Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Reverend Masih continues to seek answers from the radio station as to the way he has been treated and papers have been filed at the Employment Tribunal.

A formal complaint will will also be made to Ofcom that AWAZ FM is breaching the terms of its broadcasting licence.

Mahboob Masih was born in the industrial city of Faisalabad, Pakistan and raised by Christian parents in a Presbyterian Church.

After receiving his first degree in English, Journalism and Literature from the University Of Punjab, Pakistan, he worked as a language teacher in a missionary language school teaching foreign missionaries local languages enabling them to be more effective in their missionary work.

Rev Masih was dedicated to Christian ministry in his childhood and entered into full time ministry when he personally felt a strong sense of calling. He then went to Gujranwala Theological Seminary where he graduated Master of Divinity.

After his ordination he worked briefly as a minister, preaching and teaching, then taking the position of national youth co-ordinator of the Pakistani church.

In March 2000 Mahboob came to Scotland and worked as a community worker with Queen’s Park Baptist Church, at the same time working towards his M.Th (Master of Theology) degree in Biblical Interpretation from International Christian College, Glasgow.

After an attachment to Croftfoot Parish Church, Rev Masih received a call to the West Kirk, East Kilbride, where he was inducted on 1st May 2008.

Scottish Christian Party - Highland Conference 2008

2008-10-12T23:33:00.002+01:00

Scottish Christian Party
HIGHLAND ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2008
for
PROGRESS and DEVELOPMENT

INVERNESS

Saturday – 18 October 2008

MORNING PROGRAMME
10 a.m. Registration: tea and coffee

Chairman: Dr Donald Boyd

10.30 a.m. TOM SELFRIDGE

Scottish Christian Party Central Office, Wishaw

11.30 a.m. Refreshment Break

Highland Theological College, Dingwall Graduate Survey of Voter attitudes

Question and Answer Session

LUNCH
1.00 p.m. Lunch:

please bring your own packed lunch. Tea and coffee will be available.

AFTERNOON PROGRAMME

2.00 pm ROSEMARY CAMERON, Fife
Discussion on improving Party structure

3.00 pm Refreshment Break

4.00 pm Discussion:

AGENDA for SPRING CONFERENCE
Where does the Highland Region go from here?

VENUE
Kingsview Christian Centre
Balnafettack Road
INVERNESS
IV3 8TF
Click here to find venue
Adequate car parking; facilities for the disabled.
By kind permission: http://www.thekingsview.org/
Tel: 01463 716843

Everyone is welcome. Come and go as you are able.
We look forward to seeing you there, God willing.

Further information on the Scottish Christian Party is available at:
www.highlandsandislandschristianparty.co.uk
www.scottishchristianparty.org.uk
or email Dr Donald Boyd on donald.boyd@scottishchristianparty.org.uk

There will be a pre-Conference publicity venture on

Saturday 11th October

in the Dunbar Centre, at the bottom of Church Street, Inverness

This will be a walk-in event for people to drop in off the street to:

1. meet some Scottish Christian Party enthusiasts over a cup of tea or coffee

2. pick up some literature

3. learn about the Conference the following week.

Feel free to drop in between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Remembrance Sunday

2008-10-09T10:43:00.002+01:00

The Queen has decided that November 9th shall be observed as Remembrance Sunday. The customary Two Minutes' Silence will be observed from 11.00am.

MESSAGE FROM THE MODERATOR OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, THE RIGHT REV DAVID LUNAN:

'Went the day well? We died and never knew'. These are the words above the war memorial in the parish church of Duffus in Moray. They are a poignant reminder of those who gave their lives, not knowing if their deaths secured the end of war, with freedom and justice for their children and their children's children.

Only by remembering what others have done for us, and living now for the liberty and fairness and peace for which they died, can we answer yes to their haunting question."It is our memories that give us our identity.

It is what we remember, and how we choose to remember that shapes our lives. Only as we remember the lessons of history will we not repeat our mistakes. If we don't remember the sacrifice of others, we will become an ungrateful and selfish people.

Remembrance Day gives each of us, from all walks of life, from every cultural background, and from every corner of the nation, the opportunity to stop, and reflect, and give silent thanks. For there are still those who today risk their lives for our sake.

Whether in a church, or in a public place, whether standing at a war memorial or in private at home, let us acknowledge for two minutes, our debt to those who have gone before, and our responsibilities to those who come after us. What others have died for, let us now live for, lest we forget.

Scots Christian Radio Engineer Goes to be with his Lord

2008-10-04T12:33:00.001+01:00

Source: HCJB Global

Duncan Bell, an HCJB Global missionary engineer for 18 years before retiring in 2006, died of an apparent heart attack at Hospital Vozandes-Quito in Ecuador on the morning of Friday September. 26th at the ago of 77.

Born in Hamilton, Scotland, on August 4th 1931, Duncan married Wilma Chapman in Washington state in 1974 and have two children, Duncan and Shona, 28.

In his application to join HCJB Global, Duncan wrote:-

“For most of my life I believed that Christianity was old-fashioned and that in this modern era that we had outgrown the need for superstition and religion,” Duncan wrote in his application to HCJB Global. “I believed in a god because I assumed that it all had to have come from somewhere, but the god that I believed in was one of my own imagination and certainly not the God of the Bible. I had no need for the person of Jesus Christ.
“Twelve years later [at the age of 43], I started attending church to please my wife, and after two years I was converted, having seen for the first time my fallen life, my despair and my need for a Savior, Jesus Christ.
“My almost immediate action was to serve directly then in the work of the church. Wisely, the pastor recommended that I wait on God and get involved in Bible studies. I rejoice to see the path the Lord has led us in the past 10 years.”

The Bells’ first exposure to missions and Hispanics took place when they got involved in an outreach with a missionary in Tijuana, Mexico. “The local missionary challenged us by asking what we were doing among the Hispanics in Los Angeles. We enrolled in conversational Spanish and completed the available three semesters.” Then they began attending Spanish-language church called Iglesia Bautista Bethany.

When the Bells joined HCJB Global in 1988, Duncan already had 28 years of experience as an engineer in Scotland and in the U.S. His last job before joining the mission was at Hughes Aircraft where he had worked for eight years.

Upon arriving in Quito, Duncan served on the development team in the engineering department, working alongside engineers such as Charlie Jacobson, now manager of engineering and development at the HCJB Global Technology Center in Elkhart, Ind. “I appreciate people like Duncan who, after serving in a career in industry, came to Ecuador to use their electronic skills in missions to make an impact for Christ,” Jacobson said.

After the Bells retired from HCJB Global in 2006, Duncan went on to serve with ASOMA, a Christian television ministry in Quito started by HCJB Global two decades earlier. He also taught at the Berean-affiliated Buen Pastor school in Pifo. He enjoyed bird watching, and he constructed at least two homes—one in California and one in Ecuador. He held passports from the U.K. and U.S. as well as residency status in Ecuador, and he never entirely lost his Scottish accent. His wit was quick and he enjoyed a laugh with friends.

A service to remember Duncan was held the morning of Sunday, Sept. 28, in Yaruquí, a small town near Radio Station HCJB’s international transmitter site in Pifo. Yaruquí is also where Duncan and Wilma made their home and had many friends and church family.

Cohabitation disadvantages children

2008-09-29T10:16:00.001+01:00

"44 per cent of babies are now born to unmarried parents"

A new in-depth study has added to mounting evidence that being born outside of marriage damages children.

The report, compiled by researchers at the University of Essex, says that 44 per cent of babies are now born to unmarried parents. Cohabitees are estimated to make up three-quarters of those parents.

But the researchers say that since these unmarried unions are far more likely to break up, an increasing number of children are living in single parent families.

They say that children brought up by lone parents do worse at school, are less likely to get good jobs and suffer more health problems.

John Ermisch, Professor of Economics at the University of Essex, said: “The rise in births outside marriage is a real cause for concern.

“It is primarily attributable to the increase in people’s tendency to cohabit in their first partnership and to have children within these unions.

“The instability of these unions means, however, that more British children will spend significant parts of their childhood in families with only one parent - and this appears to have long-term negative consequences.”

Gay Labour

2008-09-29T10:08:00.002+01:00

As we have watched the progress of successive Labour governments, so we have witnessed the increasing pressure on British people to embrace the Gay Lifestyle - or is it the Gay Religion?

Deputy Labour Leader Harriet Harman is reported to have said that the Government has “sleeper” ministers in various departments monitoring gay rights. While another Government Minister, Angela Eagle, promised that “deeper rights” for homosexuals would be included in the Equality Bill, which is expected to place new requirements on public bodies to promote equality.

Miss Eagle, displaying a lack of respect for the process of law, also said that the decision of an employment tribunal to uphold Lillian Ladele’s right to be exempt from performing civil partnerships “does not seem to be equal access to me”.

The two ministers were speaking at a fringe meeting of the Labour Party conference, organised by LGBT Labour (a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender Labour supporters).

Miss Harman also said that the upcoming Equality Bill could present problems for faith schools, but insisted that “cultural views” must not be allowed to cut across “absolute rights”.

The Christian Institute has raised concerns about how the Bill may impact religious liberty.

When challenged from the floor, Miss Harman failed to give a defence for the appointment of Joel Edwards, the outgoing head of the Evangelical Alliance (EA), to the board of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The appointment has been criticised because of EA’s activities in campaigning for Christian freedoms to be protected from the impact of recent gay rights legislation.

It was left to a Government spokeswoman to later defended Mr Edwards’ appointment to the Commission.

Author "refused" BBC appearance

2008-09-20T13:18:00.005+01:00

A successful Christian children’s author says he was refused appearances on the BBC because it couldn’t be “seen to be promoting Jesus”.

G P Taylor’s first novel, Shadowmancer, spent 15 weeks at the top of the British book charts in 2003. His second book, Wormwood, sold 22,000 copies in one day.

Yet the author claims that invitations for appearances on the BBC stopped once producers found out he was a Christian.

“I had good relations with them until they realised that there were religious allegories in my stories,” he told The Sunday Telegraph.

“Once they had decided that I was promoting Christianity in my books I found the door firmly shut.”

Mr Taylor said his faith meant that he was not welcome on children’s programmes like Blue Peter.

He said: “A BBC producer told me ‘off the record’ that it was a matter of my faith and the fact that I was an Anglican priest. ‘We can’t be seen to be promoting Jesus’, he said with a laugh.”
A spokesman for the BBC denied the allegations. “Programme makers make their own editorial decisions about which guests to have on their shows. There is no truth in the claim that there is a BBC ban on G P Taylor.”

However, Mr Taylor said: “They weren’t turning me down because I was a bad guest, but because of who I am.

“I’m an Anglican priest and sadly while it’s OK to be the next Philip Pullman, it’s not all right to be a Christian writer.
Not Read G P Taylor?
Buy his books below -

Christmas and Easter banned in Scarborough college

2008-09-20T12:41:00.002+01:00

A college in Yorkshire has removed Christmas and Easter from its staff calendar for fear of offending ethnic minorities.

Instead, the holidays will be referred to as “end of term breaks” in order to “increase inclusion and diversity”, say senior managers at Yorkshire Coast College in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
A spokesman said: “All employees at Yorkshire Coast College are encouraged to closely follow guidelines set out by Ofsted for the promotion of equality and diversity. We constantly review the ways we communicate to ensure we do not discriminate.”

But the move has been branded “barmy” by Conservative MP for Scarborough and Whitby, Robert Goodwill.

“We are a Christian country and, to be honest, religious tolerance in this country is about respecting other people’s religious beliefs. We live in a country where there is a mutual respect for religious beliefs,” said Mr Goodwill.

He added that people are “petrified that they offend the minority but what they are actually doing is offending the majority. It’s political correctness gone mad and I am disappointed that it’s from an edict from Ofsted.”

Information about this, what could be seen as discriminatory decision, appeared in the Scarborough Evening News.

One comment which was placed on that newspaper's website read like this:-

"I now live in Turkey - a predominantly Muslim country.
As I sit here and type this, I can hear the local mosque calling the faithful to prayer. Oh yes - my local paper is open at the page advertising dozens of places open for Christmas Day lunch. Must be a message there."

Another example of Bonkers Britain!

10 Things Everyone Needs to Know about Islam

2008-08-11T21:41:00.002+01:00

Allah and Jehovah are NOT the same God
Jihad, or holy war, is prescribed in the Koran and Hadith
There are specific protocols in Islam (e.g. women are not to go to Jihad)
Islam does not believe in religious freedom
Islam has a lower view of woman than Christianity
Islam has a low view of Jesus
Islam has a low view of the Bible
Islam is the most work-based religion in the world
Islam is divided among denominations
Many Muslims are coming to faith in Christ

Dr. Emir Caner came to faith in Christ in 1982, and travels the world defending the faith and persuading audiences of the truth of Jesus his Saviour.

He is currently dean of The College at Southwestern (TCS) on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the largest seminary in the world.

Dr. Caner recently spoke to 1400 evangelical Christians at an apologetics conference in America. During his talk he listed the above ten points he believes everyone should know about Islam in order to better understand who Muslims are and how to reach them.

Labour MP calls on government to discriminate against Christians

2008-08-09T20:29:00.003+01:00

Labour MP Diane Abbott has tabled a motion calling on the UK Government to change the law to permit religious discrimination against Christians and those of other faiths.

The motion proposes, "That this house believes that no public servant should be allowed to discriminate on this arbitrary basis and, should this case not be reversed on appeal, calls on the Government to clarify and amend the law to guard the public against discrimination and prejudice by public servants in the future."

The motion, while masquerading as an anti-discrimination measure, would remove from public servants their right to freedom of religious conscience and comes following pressure from those who follow the religion of homosexuality.

Read the full story

The Gadfly Project

2008-08-09T11:55:00.002+01:00

American protester paints Beijing hotel rooms
By CARA ANNA

BEIJING (AP) — An American pastor checked into upscale hotels in the Olympics host city this week, filmed himself painting two of his rooms with slogans like “Beijing 2008 Our world Our nightmare” and then disappeared. Without paying.

Eddie Romero’s unusual protest, now making the rounds on YouTube, shows foreigners can still sneak through the tight security measures China imposed to keep potential troublemakers away from the games, which start Friday.

The net tightened even more Thursday.

A Hong Kong lawmaker said immigration officials deported three U.S.-based Chinese democracy activists after denying them entry to the territory, which is the site of Olympic equestrian events. A second protest by three Americans in Tiananmen Square, including anti-abortion activist the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, was stopped by security agents who led them away.
Locals who threaten to take some of the shine off the games get tougher treatment.
At least two women who have protested being evicted from their homes near Tiananmen were rounded up late Wednesday and early Thursday and taken to a police station, one of them told The Associated Press.

In a telephone call, Zhang Ma said she was being held with the other woman, Zhang Wei, and several other residents but could not give other details. She hung up quickly, saying she was being watched and was not supposed to talk to reporters.

Romero’s friends said the preacher was in hiding, but planned to surrender to Chinese authorities as soon as the Olympics end Aug. 24.

They said he began thinking about his elaborate, one-man protest of China’s human-rights abuses when Beijing was selected as the host for the 2008 Olympics seven years ago.
On Tuesday, in a sometimes unsteady hand — he had to teach himself how to paint — the California-based pastor splashed the walls of his two hotel rooms with demands for the release of five Chinese activists. He slashed pillows and staged mock killings with stuffed people propped on the bed, red paint spattered like blood on the headboard.

“One down,” Romero whispers, looking into the video camera. Bespectacled and gray-haired, he holds up a finger in his transformed Novotel Peace Hotel room. “One down.”
Romero, who appears to be alone, tells the camera he doesn’t want to disrupt the games. He talks about religious freedom for groups that remain highly sensitive with the Chinese government — Tibetan Buddhists, Uighur Muslims, the Falun Gong spiritual movement.
“Freedom’s a scary thing for them, and by them I mean the Chinese communists,” he says.
Before starting work on the second hotel room, he prays.

After finishing his protests, Romero, who is a part-time philosophy professor at Mt. San Antonio Community College in Walnut, Calif., taped the door keys to the rooms’ “Do Not Disturb” tags, hung them outside and had supporters tell journalists by e-mail where to find them.
The four-star Novotel and the Traders Hotel, both part of international chains, said the case was in the hands of police. A Beijing police spokeswoman said she knew nothing of it.
“We really don’t understand why he did this,” said Lanny Liu, communications manager at Traders. Romero apparently slipped out of room 417 before dawn Wednesday, leaving damage that Liu said cost nearly $1,500 to clean up. “We just want to find the person and ask him to pay the bill.”

At the Novotel, room 1602 already was restored Thursday afternoon, with machines drying the carpet and a smell of cleaning fluid in the air. Downstairs, manager Marc Cherrier spread his hands and shrugged hugely. “I have no idea,” he said of what happened.
Romero’s friends said he had planned to paint four hotel rooms, but skipped two because of security concerns.

At one hotel, he found the lobby full of security agents and left after telling officials he had walked into the wrong building. At the second, he found two security agents searching his room, but convinced them there was nothing suspicious about the paint he had.
“That was a close one,” he says later into his camera.
The protest is heartfelt, said Bob Fu, leader of the Texas-based China Aid Association who is among a group of Romero supporters monitoring the protest from California.
“This is not like middle-age crisis, craziness,” Fu said. “He’s very genuine, a caring, loving pastor. And very creative.”

Another friend, British-based pastor Tony Thomas, said Romero had no special connection to China, but he had a vision for the project in 2001 after watching Beijing win the right to host the games.

Thomas said Romero hatched the protest plan — which he eventually named “The Gadfly Project” — after consulting with a few close friends at his Hacienda Christian Fellowship church and talking with American activists who campaign for Chinese rights.
“It’s gone quite amazingly well,” Thomas said. “From the outset, it was considered an almost impossible thing to happen unless God was in it.”

The friends said Romero was occasionally logging on to make blog posts while in hiding. He speaks little Chinese, but has dodged authorities so far, and even managed to shop at a Wal-Mart.

“Can you believe it? I’m in Sam’s Club in Beijing!” Romero says in one Internet posting. “Will be relieved when all is complete,” he says in another.

Associated Press writer Audra Ang contributed to this report.

Weblinks
The unbroken full length 20 minute video of the gadfly project can now be viewed at the following sites:
http://www.blip.tv/file/1152426
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/3249174/9156372
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1591013/
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7315715635200053431
http://www.veoh.com/videos/v15537848Qe6qRTQM

“Gadfly in Beijing, A Voice For The Voiceless”
Part1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV-U3H-6Rvw
“Gadfly in Beijing, A Voice For The Voiceless”
Part2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WNjAgTO9iU

call to action:
Critical Call to action#1 -
http://exodus8one.org/blog/2008/07/a-call-to-action-critical-update-1-of-6/
Critical Call to action#2 -
http://exodus8one.org/blog/2008/07/a-call-to-action-critical-update-2-of-6/
Critical Call to action#3 -
http://exodus8one.org/blog/2008/08/a-call-to-action-critical-update-3-of-6/
Critical Call to action#4 -
http://exodus8one.org/blog/2008/08/a-call-to-action-critical-update-4-of-6/
Critical Call to action#5 -
http://exodus8one.org/blog/2008/08/a-call-to-action-critical-update-5-of-6/
Critical Call to action#6 -
http://exodus8one.org/blog/2008/08/a-call-to-action-critical-update-6-of-6/

Thinking of Starting a Disability Suport Group?

2008-08-04T23:56:00.001+01:00

Thinking of Starting a Disability Suport Group?

By Daniel J Vance

About three years ago, I helped start an adult disability support group. It wasn't anything splashy or fancy. No mud flaps or whistles: just two middle-aged men talking about their daily lives and experiences with disability. It met weekly at our church and was a faith-based group, so we also prayed.

I was one, and "Greg", who has chronic progressive multiple sclerosis, the other. He used a manual wheelchair back then. Two weeks later, our third member said she was recovering from cancer and had ongoing soft tissue pain associated with fibromyalgia.

Over three years, we've had people with schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, traumatic brain injury, a mobility disability, another with fibromyalgia, spinal cord injury, another with multiple sclerosis, stroke, cerebral palsy, blindness, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Quite the gamut.

Gradually, most of us have become involved in each other's personal lives and become good friends. Greg needed encouragement and support when his wife divorced him due to his disability. Another member went through difficult shoulder surgery, twice. Another almost died from an infection doctors couldn't find, and another needed help re-establishing a relationship with an estranged father. At least one had been abused as a child.

Our collective list of past problems, and current challenges, must be ten miles long. And yet our group usually doesn't have any whiners. We often laugh, and joke, and take comfort in feeling normal, if only one night a week.

We started our group for adults only because hardly any churches anywhere have any groups for adults with disabilities. On the other hand, it's much easier starting and maintaining a group for children. Perhaps that's because children with disabilities often easily receive and give affection.

But adults come with adult-sized needs, and that makes them not so appealing.

I wish I could say our group is perfect. It is not. We have had people get upset at each other. But so far, the overall rewards far outweigh any emotional cost.

Somewhere, someone reading this newspaper column has the desire to begin an adult disability support group, either at his or her church or school, or in the neighborhood or among friends. You have not done it because you are afraid of something. I encourage you to act: You live only once. Somebody out there really needs your laughter.

Daniel J. Vance's weekly newspaper column Disabilities has been published in about 250 newspapers. Disabilities is the nation's best-read weekly column featuring people with disabilities. It's sent free to newspapers because of grants from Blue Valley Sod, Palmer Bus Service, and All American Foods.

Mr. Vance is the editor of Connect Business Magazine and the author/co-author of ten books, including his newest 172-page history collection called Unique Mankato! Unique Mankato! relives eight great forgotten stories of Mankato, Minnesota, including ones involving U.S. Vice President Schuyler Colfax, Julia A. Sears, Harry Truman, Moses Wickersham, Sinclair Lewis and Maud Hart Lovelace.

Vance and his wife homeschool a 12-year-old daughter with spina bifida and an 11-year-old son. A Cincinnati native, he moved in 1995 from Baltimore to Minnesota, where the weather gets plenty cold.

Contact Vance via danieljvance.com/

Banking in the Marketplace

2008-08-04T10:32:00.002+01:00

A tiny bank in a former butcher shop is serving thousands of people right in the center of Blantyre's marketplace - that is Blantyre, Malawi.

Only four people staff the mini-branch of the Opportunity International Bank of Malawi (OIBM), which opened in March 2007. It is already in high demand: over 3,000 people have already opened savings accounts, some of them from cities as many as 100 kilometers away. It also offers loans and insurance to clients.

Although it is located in one of the poorest countries in the world, the bank averages 18 account openings and 30 transactions per day. 70 percent of its clients are women. They no longer have to make expensive, risky trips to the main branch of the bank in Limbe, because the mini-branch is located right in the area where they live and work.

Almost 100 percent of the bank's loans are repaid on time. Tabia Chibale, who runs a small business making and selling necklaces, plans to pay off her loan before the end of its eight-month term. If she does, she will be able to take out a larger loan and expand her business.
"It's a great bank," she said. "I have 100% [higher] profit now than before."

The mother of three girls, Chibale travels to Zimbabwe twice every month to purchase raw materials for her business.

Mrs. Jabalasa, who buys and sells potatoes, believes her money is safer in the bank than it was when she hid it in her home. She recently opened her very first savings account after learning about the bank from friends.

Malawi is an extremely poor country, with 76 percent of the population living on less than one dollar per day. Almost 14 million people live in Malawi, and tens of thousands of them die of HIV/AIDS every year, according to the CIA. Opportunity International has over 17,000 active loan clients in the country.

Opportunity International strives to reach the world's poorest people through its micro-enterprise development programs.

Tributes paid to Compass Christian Centre Instructor

2008-07-29T17:29:00.002+01:00

Tributes have been paid to Compass Christian Centre instructor Joe Pancaldi who was found dead in the lower half of Raven Gully on Buachaille Etive Mor recently. Mr Pancaldi was on holiday in Glencoe when the accident happened,

Mr Pancaldi, originally from Colchester, Essex, moved to Glenshee two years ago to work as a trainee instructor for the Compass Christian Centre at Glenshee Lodge, Perthshire.

The centre manager Ruth McBean described Joe as inspirational, bright, joyful and compassionate. She added that he brought joy to so many people in his short lifetime.

The centre, based close to Blairgowrie, hosts youth and church groups which can take part in activities including climbing, abseiling, kayaking, skiing and archery.

Ruth McBean described Joe Pancaldi as “an amazing young man who was very passionate about life and was loved by his colleagues and guests alike".

Having grown up in a Christian family from Essex he wanted to have the opportunity to combine his two passions in life – his faith and the outdoors. He came to the centre just under two years ago to become a trainee outdoors instructor and, through his skilled leadership and instruction, hundreds of young people have enjoyed the excitement and challenge of the outdoors in Scotland. He was enthusiastic about everything he did, a great role model and team player with a great sense of fun. His Christian faith was both strong and contagious.

According to Ruth McBean, “This, along with his love for God and people, made him stand out from the crowd – an exceptional person and one who was admired by all who met him.”

Inverclyde to host major revival conference in November

2008-07-19T11:47:00.002+01:00

PRESS RELEASE

Inverclyde to host major revival conference in November

Inverclyde is playing host to a major Christian revival conference which will be centred at Greenock's Town Hall from 25th to 27th November. Between 500 and 1000 delegates are anticipated from various parts of the world including the USA and Europe and from all over Scotland. Already over 350 delegates have registered to attend from 10 countries.

The conference has been planned by Canadian Christian organisation www.sermonindex.net, a ministry which sets out to promote genuine Christian revival, in conjunction with local group Inverclyde Christian Initiative and a large number of acclaimed national and international speakers will speak at the conference including:-

Carter Conlon - Pastor Carter Conlon joined Pastor David Wilkerson at Times Square Church in 1994, and he has been serving as senior pastor since 2001. In addition to ministering at Times Square Church, the Lord has burdened Pastor Carter to reach out to the spiritually needy around the world.

Colin Peckham - Colin was born in South Africa and was engaged in evangelism and convention ministry there for ten years. For the last seventeen years he has been Principal of The Faith Mission Bible College in Edinburgh, Scotland. He emphasises a life of total commitment and holy living in the power of the Holy Spirit, and challenges men and women to seek God in the interests of revival.

Speaking from Canada, Greg Gordon of sermonindex said, 'Will God send another great awakening? Can revival still change nations? There are over 10,000 conferences that happen every year. This 'Revival Conference' is not to be just another conference but a honest, sincere, earnest plea for the desperate need of revival across the nations. The event will be a simple, apostolic, yearning for a genuine biblical revival in our day, hosted by the ministry of sermonindex.net and is a interdenominational event'.

Fraser Donaldson of the Inverclyde Christian Initiative added, 'For some time now we have been meeting together on a regular basis to seek revival in Inverclyde and beyond. In addition, over the years, many local churches have been praying for God to bring revival here. We believe that this event could be a very significant one in bringing about a Christian awakening on a scale not seen in our land for years. So many people are looking for answers these days, days in which traditional and God given values are being eroded at great speed, and we are asking God through this conference to let His presence be known in this part of Scotland in great power, power which brings about great changes in peoples' lives and their well being.'

More information on the conference is available from www.revivalconference.com

E N D

For further information

Fraser Donaldson, Inverclyde Christian Initiative 07966 967 912
Chris Jewell, Inverclyde Christian Initiative 07932 154515
Revival Conference
Greenock Town Hall: November 25th to 27th November 2008

SPEAKERS -

Carter Conlon - Pastor Carter Conlon joined Pastor David Wilkerson at Times Square Church in 1994, and he has been serving as senior pastor since 2001. In addition to ministering at Times Square Church, the Lord has burdened Pastor Carter to reach out to the spiritually needy around the world.

Denny Kenaston - saved in 1972 out of the "Hippy culture." The Lord Jesus delivered them from drugs, drinking, and many other things that go along with that life style. Helped to form the Charity Christian Fellowship church where he serves as an elder. He also travels extensively in a church planting, and preaching ministry.

Keith Daniel - Keith Daniel of Cape Town, South Africa is an evangelist with the African Evangelistic Band. He travels extensively across South Africa preaching the Word of God, and also lectures at Glenvar Bible College in Cape Town. He has made over twenty tours to North America over the past two decades.

Al Whittinghill - The Late Dr. Leonard Ravenhill said of Al: "My friend and brother Al Whittinghill has been touched with a live coal. He truly points the way and also leads the way. A man whose heart the Lord has touched 1 Sam.10:26. Hear him." He is a interant ministry with the Ambassadors For Christ organization and has a burden for prayer and genuine revival in our day.

Colin Peckham - Colin was born in South Africa and was engaged in evangelism and convention ministry there for ten years. For the last seventeen years he has been Principal of The Faith Mission Bible College in Edinburgh, Scotland. He emphasises a life of total commitment and holy living in the power of the Holy Spirit, and challenges men and women to seek God in the interests of revival.

Bill McLeod - Former pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where the Canadian Revival began in 1971. Powerful Word-centred preaching God has greatly blessed on several continents. Holds revival crusades, ministers at Bible colleges, pastors' retreats, camp meetings, prayer rallies, etc.

David Legge - David Legge is an evangelist, preacher and Bible teacher from Belfast, N. Ireland. He is the former pastor of the historic Iron Hall Assembly in Belfast, where he ministered from 1999-2008. His sermons and study series are available online at preachtheword.com

Yorrie Richards - lives near Nottingham, England. He came to Christ in October of 1959 in a radical conversion. Yorrie was inflicted with a dreadful stutter from childhood, but is now totally free. Became interested in revivals from his Bible School days and has witnessed some amazing visitations of the Holy Spirit in his preaching. One such outpouring took place while preaching at a Prison in Lincoln England. Yorrie is now referred to by many as "A man of the 'The Presence.'

John Mac Gregor - John grew up in Northern Ireland where he was involved in a terrorist organization. He had a remarkable conversion experience at age 19 and was called to preach the gospel he had once scoffed at. He is currently the Executive Director of Canadian Revival Fellowship.

David Guzik - David Guzik is the director of Calvary Chapel Bible College, Germany. He previously served as the Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel Simi Valley. He has taught and studyed much on the histories of revivals in Church History.

Ron Bailey - residing from Reading, UK where he is part of a local independent fellowship. At various stages of Ron's pilgrimage he has been a formal pastor, home church leader, bible school tutor, conference speaker. Ron's public time is now spent in preaching and teaching in the UK and overseas and in his website ministry Bible Base.

Brent Williamson - Brent Williamson has been a pastor in the Church of God in Ohio and Indiana. Mr. Williamson has preached and served for revival in the Church at large spanning many states across denominational lines. He has been a student of historical accounts of revival for many years. Currently Mr. Williamson is not pastoring but feels called to the Church abroad to see genuine revival.

Dean Taylor - is the current editor of the "Heartbeat of the Remnant" magazine which is distributed throughout the world through the Charity Gospel Ministries outreach. Dean has a burden and passion for revival and desires to see the Church be all that God intends it to be. He is the associate pastor of Living Hope Christian Fellowship, in Terre Hill, PA.

Gareth Evans - is an itinerant pastor/teacher with a burden to minister to the hurting church. Formerly a Physics teacher in the UK and Canada, he became a pastor with the Christian And Missionary Alliance in Canada in 1979. Gareth has traveled to many countries, encouraging pastors and missionaries.

Don Courville - Started pastoring thirty two years ago. In 1985 he was involved in a wide-spread community revival in western Nebraska known as the 'Ranchers Revival' the effects of this revival spread around the state and neighboring states for over two years. He is currently pastoring Maranatha Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, MO.

2008-06-29T12:09:00.002+01:00

In England, government kill-joys have ordered the General Register Office to ban the taking of photographs of couples signing marriage registers.

One Register Office official said: “We were told photos could not be taken of couples signing the register because it would breach data protection.

A Home Office spokesman said: “There are data protection issues which we do raise when someone else’s details are put into the public domain. This is about being aware of people’s identity information.”

Another Home Office spokesman explained: “Taking a photograph could be construed as a copy of the entry and a breach of the Crown Copyright. There are four entries to a double page, so the details of another marriage could also be photographed.”

I suppose we wait for the Scottish Government to come up with a similar hair-brained idea !

Read the full story on Life Bite

No Fathers Day in Scottish Schools

2008-06-28T01:05:00.000+01:00

Primary schools throughout Scotland banned children from making Fathers Day cards to avoid upsetting children from single-mother or lesbian homes.

The policy, which affected thousands of children, was adopted by schools in Glasgow, Edinburgh, East Renfrewshire, Dumfries and Galloway and Clackmannanshire.

According to the last census, two thirds of Scottish children live in a household headed by a married couple.

A spokesman for East Renfrewshire Council said: “Increasingly, it is the case that there are children who haven’t got fathers or haven’t got fathers living with them and teachers are having to be sensitive about this.

“Teachers have always had to deal with some pupils not having fathers or mothers, but with marital breakdown it is accelerating.”

Jim Goodall, head of education at Clackmannanshire Council, said teachers are expected to behave with common sense but be sensitive to “the changing pattern of family life.”

Matt O’Connor, founder of campaign group Fathers For Justice, said: “I’m astonished at this. It totally undermines the role and significance of fathers”.

“It also sends out a troubling message to young boys that fathers aren’t important,” he added.

Scaling New Heights for India’s Lowest

2008-06-26T23:49:00.001+01:00

Scaling New Heights for India’s Lowest
By Paul Beck

Hiking doesn’t get much harder, or higher, than the Himalayas.

Raising funds for India’s most oppressed children, Church of Scotland member and Elder Philip Rose along with wife Sharon are however literally and physically ‘up’ for the challenge of trekking the world’s tallest mountain range.

“I wanted to be involved for several reasons,” begins Sharon, who will be team leader for the 20 British hikers. “Not only for the experience of visiting India or hiking the Himalayas, but mostly because I have been telling so many people about the Dalit people and their sufferings.” “I have spoke so much about the Dalit situation I thought it was time to see it for myself and to raise enough money to build another school” says Philip

Despite India’s recent economic advancement, its 250 million Dalits face extreme poverty and every conceivable form of discrimination. The country’s growing wealth does not reach those living outside Hindu’s caste system, labelled the ‘untouchables’ of society. Dalits cannot eat with or even drink the same water as people of a higher caste background. They are relegated to the lowest jobs and face humiliation daily. In a recent case, a six-year old girl Dalit girl was pushed into burning embers after she walked on the ‘wrong’ path.

Sharon serves with the Christian charity Operation Mobilisation Philip helps out when possible. Responding to the Dalits’ cries for help, to date OM has established 80 schools across India that are providing 13,000 Dalit children with an education. At the request of local leaders, the students follow an English-medium curriculum emphasising a Christian worldview of personal worth to God. Each Dalit Education Centre also hosts adult evening classes, health seminars and self-help groups for the local community.

As part of the trek through the Nanda Devi region, Philip with Sharon and her team will visit one of the schools OM oversees. “I wanted a first hand, physical experience that would make this more real to me so that I can make it more real for others,” explains Sharon. “To meet the people, to visit their communities, to see the schools, to witness the transformation that is taking place and to be able to say 'we have been, we have seen and we have my own stories to tell'.”

The eight-day trek will doubtless be draining. Starting at 6am for a hike of five hours through difficult terrain, the group will be pushed physically and mentally. However, Philip and Sharon hope that being surrounded by the awesome scenery of God’s creation will also ‘uplift’ there own faith. “We are sure we will learn a lot about perseverance and team work. This is a chance to literally grow closer to God!”

Sharon will certainly need the prayer and support of others as she prepares for departure on 13th September. Those wishing to sponsor them and raise funds for a new Dalit Education Centre in the state of Jharkhand can visit www.uk.om.org or email pkrose2u@aol.com or Sharon.rose@uk.om.org

Catholic Church is the Christian Voice in Scotland

2008-06-23T10:37:00.000+01:00

Anne McIntyre of Parliamentary Prayer Scotland, has claimed that the Roman Catholic Church is the only Christian voice which it speaking out in Scotland.

Speaking to Bill Anderson on Revival FM's Morning Matters programme, she asked where the voices of all the other churches were.

In an age when the Christian values of Scotland and the United Kingdom are under constant attack in our parliaments, it is essential that the views and opinions of Christians are heard.

But MP's and MSP's are limited in their reponses if they do not hear from their constituatants.

Anne encourages both individual Chistians and church corporate bodies to both speak out and to make contact with and get to know their MSP's and MP's - and let them know your views on matters which are passing through our Parliaments.

Chinese pastor and interpreter detained

2008-06-19T11:07:00.000+01:00

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Chinese pastor and interpreter detained on their way to meet European Union official
By Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

BEIJING, CHINA (ANS) -- A Chinese pastor has been detained along with his interpreter when he was on his way to meet with a senior EU official in Beijing earlier today (June 18).

China Aid Association (CAA) says that according to a brief conversation over the phone at about 7:25pm Wednesday (Beijing time) with Zhang Mingxuan, Pastor Zhang was detained at 12:08pm on June 18 (Beijing Time) and being held at a Public Security Bureau office in Beijing.

CAA president Bob Fu was told over the phone that pastor Zhang was detained at a bus while he and his interpreter were on their way to meet with Dr. Bastiaan Belder (MEP), Rapporteur of the EP Committee of Foreign Affairs for the relationship between the EU and China, at Yanshan Hotel in Haidian District. Zhang's cellphone was forced to shut down by a PSB officer.

Both men are being detained at the Shuangyushu PSB office of Haidian District, Beijing city. Pastor Zhang Mingxuan is the president of Chinese House Church Alliance.

CAA urges the Chinese government to release pastor Zhang immediately and unconditionally.
CAA says that Zhang Mingxuan, president of the Chinese house church alliance, issued three open letters to the international community last year, informing the world to the sufferings and persecutions he has endured at the hands of the CPC.

Detailed in his third open letter are the many hardships and injustices pastor Zhang has had to endure throughout the years since becoming an outspoken evangelist and leader of the house church alliance.

Since his conversion to Christianity in 1986, Pastor Zhang has been arrested, beaten and incarcerated 12 times. Most recently, PSB and State officials forced Zhang to close the orphanage he had been running with his two sons.

Zhang and the orphans have continued to look for places of residence, but have been refused several times by landlords who have been threatened by officials not to lease to Zhang.

To voice your concern over the injustices Pastor Zhang has been forced to endure please contact:
The Office of PSB of Shuangyushu, Haidian DistrictTel: +86-10-62561316

Chinese Embassy Address: 49-51 Portland Place London W1B 1JL
General Line: 020-72994049
Madam Fu Ying: Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United Kingdom Mr. Zhang Lirong: Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China

Chinese Consulate-General in Edinburgh
Website: http://edinburgh.chineseconsulate.org/ or http://edinburgh.china-consulate.org/
Mme. Tan Xiutian: Consul General of the Chinese Consulate-General in Edinburgh
Tel: 0131-3373220
Address: 55 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 5QG
Administration office: Tel:0131-337 9896 0131-337 1790

ABOVE STORY FROM
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA Visit our web site at: http://www.assistnews.net/ -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.com

Christians - prove your benefit to society

2008-06-16T10:52:00.000+01:00

In the near future the Charity Commission in England will be asking Christian charities and churches to prove they benefit the public in order to maintain charitable status.

The Commission has published its draft guidance on how it will assess 'public benefit' specifically for religious groups, including churches, and is currently holding a consultation. This is a different consultation from the general consultation on 'public benefit' held last year.

When assessing 'public benefit' the Commission proposes to consider

evangelism
membership policy
interpretation of doctrine
personal viewpoints based on the Bible
public opinion

Most churches will not have a problem complying with the draft guidance. However, the Christian Institute are concerned that the Commission is straying into territory which may have future implications for religious liberty.

The consultation closes on 30th June and details can be found on the Christian Institute website here.

Although this consultation is focussed on England, it is always worth bearing in mind that issues such as this can sometimes be taken up by Scottish Government and it's quangos, not always with any further clear consultation - so, you may wish to make your views known!

Changing the way the Church Communicates

2008-06-06T01:21:00.000+01:00

Thursday, June 5, 2008
Innovative leaders gather to change the way
the Church communicates with the World
By Michael IrelandChief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA (ANS) -- Fifty-five leaders from 49 organizations met last week to "ignite a global movement of visual story for the sake of Christ's kingdom."

The Visual Story Network Summit was a unique gathering of Christian leaders representing mission groups, Bible agencies, creative networks, media producers, filmmakers, distributors, universities, churches and television broadcasters.

Leaders responded to the need for new ways to contextualize the gospel in an increasingly visual world.

"These participants are among the most innovative thinkers and practitioners in the world. They understand the need to move beyond 'preach' and 'print' to 'portray,'" said Clyde Taber, Executive Director for the Visual Story Network.

At the Summit, significant relationships were begun among experts who care deeply about the Kingdom and the power of visual story.

"Great conference!" Shane Sooter of City on a Hill Productions commented. "I'm still buzzing with the possibilities. The networking and connections alone made it worth my time, but the potential for the future is the real prize."

During the Summit, strategy groups formed to focus on North America, global opportunities, training visual communicators and facilitating communication and collaboration. Next steps for the Visual Story Network include a regional event in Dallas in the fall, developing an online networking platform and expanding partnerships with other innovative organisations.

"Though challenged by discerning the best approach in moving forward together, I'm thrilled by the deep desire among these men and women to work together more effectively," Taber said.

The American Bible Society, Youth with a Mission, Highway Video, Asbury College, Sermonspice, SAT 7, Navigators, JESUS Film Project, Northland Church, Igniter Media, Good News Productions, Hollywood Connect and Mission America were among the organisations involved.

The Visual Story Network is a coalition of missional and creative leaders working together to help the body of Christ more effectively harness the power of story in visual media for the Kingdom of God. The event was hosted by the Book of Hope at the Marie Green Forum for Global Missions in Pompano Beach, Florida.

For more information contact Shirin Taber at shirin@visualstory.org , +1 949 235 5148,
or view http://www.visualstorynetwork.com/

Great Big Tea Party at Revival

2008-05-29T11:21:00.000+01:00

Revival FM, Scotland's Christian radio station, is taking part in the Great Big Tea Party.

This event is run by Open Doors and this year happens on Sunday 8th June.

Revival FM's Great Big Tea Party happens at 2pm at the Revival studio complex in Cumbernauld.

Please come along and have a cup of tea or coffee and some home baking and help to raise funds for the persecuted church in China.

Cost is a £2.00 donation per cup

If you need directions to the studio, call 01236 721110 or e-mail admin@revival.fm

While you're there, Revival Requests will be live on air.

Great Big Tea Party at Open Doors

Equality and Human Rights Commission speaks against the natural

2008-05-29T02:15:00.000+01:00

The Equality and Human Rights Commission ignored the laws of nature and the design of God when they entered the politcal arena, calling for access to IVF treatment for same sex couples.

In the approach to critical votes in the UK Parliament, speaking on behalf of the EHRC, Trevor Phillips said: ‘... the Government that parliament should not let another day go by in which single women and lesbian couples are denied access to fertility treatment on exactly the same basis as everyone else.

Commission statement

Christian registrar seeks conscience exemption

2008-05-22T16:50:00.000+01:00

A Christian registrar, Lillian Ladele, is presenting her case to an employment tribunal after her Council employers refused to grant her a conscience exemption from registering same-sex unions.

Miss Ladele, who currently works for Islington Council in England, has been a registrar for nearly 16 years.

Before the Civil Partnerships Act came into effect in 2005 she asked to be excused from registering civil partnerships between same-sex couples because to do so would conflict with her religious beliefs.

She has subsequently been disciplined by her employers, and other colleagues have been allowed to choose not to work with her because of her beliefs.

Miss Ladele says that although the law requires local authorities to provide a civil partnership service, the requirement does not extend to individual registrars.

Her case is being heard by an employment tribunal which began on Tuesday, 20 May, and is expected to last four days. Miss Ladele argues that by forcing her to take part in forming civil partnerships against her conscience, Islington Council are infringing equality laws.

Miss Ladele said: "This is a subject on which there are a variety of views in our society. As a matter of religious conscience, I simply can't take part in the formation of a civil partnership."

She continued: "I am not seeking to obstruct people forming civil partnerships and I have many colleagues who are willing to assist with the formation of civil partnerships. Other local authorities in this situation have agreed to accommodate individual consciences.

"Unfortunately, after nearly 16 years' service, this is unacceptable to my local authority, although it has decided it is acceptable for colleagues to choose not to work with me because they object to my religious beliefs.

"I believe that forcing someone to work contrary to their conscience and under threat of dismissal is not right. If we are genuine when we talk about diversity and equality then shouldn't we be prepared to tolerate a range of views, not simply those we agree with?"

Human rights organization condemns Myanmar referendum result

2008-05-17T11:17:00.000+01:00

The ruling military junta in cyclone-ravaged Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has claimed that 99 percent of the electorate turned out to vote in the referendum that was held on May 10.

It stated that 92.4 percent of voters approved the constitution voted upon on that day.

The junta is now gearing up to hold a further round of voting on May 24 in areas which were severely affected by Cyclone Nargis.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) today unequivocally condemned the result of the referendum held to approve the new constitution in Myanmar. The Christian human rights organization did so as its Advocacy Officer, Benedict Rogers, returned from a two-week fact-finding visit to the Thailand-Burma border.

During his visit, Rogers visited Karen and Karenni refugees, Chin and Kachin activists and relief organizations currently responding to the humanitarian crisis in Burma following the cyclone. Rogers traveled to the Thailand-Burma border from Japan, where he had discussions with Japanese Members of Parliament and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the crisis in Burma.

Rogers said: "The result of the referendum announced by the military junta in the midst of indescribable suffering of the people of Burma must be internationally rejected and immediate action must be taken to ensure delivery of aid to the victims of Cyclone Nargis."

He continued: "During the past two weeks I have met with relief teams doing courageous work to get aid to the victims of the cyclone, despite the military regime's obstruction. I have been given reports and photographs which illustrate the catastrophe unfolding in Burma."

He added: "I have also heard widespread reports of the regime's efforts to rig the referendum on 10 May and have been told of the people's courageous defiance of the regime in some places by overwhelmingly voting against the proposed constitution. In addition to these humanitarian and political crises, human rights violations continue to be perpetrated on a systematic scale in Karen and Karenni areas and throughout Burma. "Every hour of international inaction is costing lives. It is now time to hold the regime to account for these collective crimes against humanity."

CSW is a human rights organization which specializes in religious freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all.For more information contact Benedict Rogers at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 07823 329 664, email benrogers@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk .

Let 13 year-olds have sex, says Children's Commissioner

2008-05-17T00:51:00.000+01:00

from the Christian Institute

The Children's Commissioner in Scotland, Kathleen Marshall, has faced criticism for backing Scottish Law Commission proposals to legalise sex between 13 to 15 year olds.

Responding to a Government consultation on sexual offences, the Commissioner argued that while children ought to be protected from the sexual advances of adults, sexual activity between 'consenting' 13 to 15 year-olds should not be illegal.

"It is right to recognise the general vulnerability of 13 to 16-year-olds by maintaining the general prohibition on sexual activity, backed by the weight of the law," she said. "But I also welcome proposals to take a different approach to consensual activity between young people."
Christian groups and other campaigners have criticised the proposals. Rape Crisis Scotland says it is "concerned that the proposed changes might potentially reduce the extent to which young people are protected and limit options for prosecutors".

The age of consent in England, Scotland and Wales is 16. It was raised from 13 in 1885 following years of campaigning by evangelical social reformer Josephine Butler.

Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute, said: "The law sends out a strong signal about what age is appropriate for sexual activity. Relaxing the law in this area will inevitably be interpreted as official sanction for teenage sex.

"The Children's Commissioner seems to want to put the clock back to 1884, when the age of consent was 13."

The Scottish Government is currently considering responses to the consultation.

Doomsday delayed

2008-05-16T10:57:00.000+01:00

Friday, May 16, 2008
…Norway, the country that has ‘The Doomsday Vault’ and visiting doctors who have prescribed miracles for their sick patients

By Dan and Peter Wooding
Special to ASSIST News Service

TRONDHEIM, NORWAY (ANS) -- Norway is the 5th largest country in Europe; a nation of Vikings and abounding fjords and The Doomsday Vault, that will house seeds from all known varieties of food crops that is expected to provide food in the event of a major catastrophe such as a nuclear war.

And recently, from May 14-15, 2008, some 200 doctors and medical professionals from 28 countries descended on this quiet town, not far from the Arctic Circle, for the 5th Annual International Christian Medical Conference, to share evidence about what for many of their patients appeared to be their own “doomsday” – when they learn that they have an untreatable disease.

“There is a spiritual revolution taking place by Christian doctors around the world who met to affirm God’s power with their expertise and knowledge in medicine,” said one attendee.

Delegates from AfricaThese doctors, from places like Bolivia, Brazil, Burundi, China, Indonesia and Vietnam, were all Christians who believe in the power of prayer and the fact that there are times when medical treatment has to give up – and then God’s Power takes over.

They met under the auspices of the World Christian Doctors Network (WCDN) and Dr. Yoon-Seok Chae, President of WCDN explained, “Although most advanced medical science such as successful researches on cloning of animals with stem cell has emerged, it is true that numerous incurable diseases and deadly emerging diseases have been increasing continually in spite of that development. The truth health can be described as a state of being peace physically and mentally. God is the only One who knows all about people and most of all, is able to cure our various diseases.”

During the two-day gathering, doctors took turns in presenting case studies of miracles they had experiences with the date flashed on a big screen and then allowed questions from the medical audience.

These ranged from a man being raised from the dead, to a detached retina being healed, to other diseases both large and small.

Dr. Armando Pineda, who is now based in Florida and is Director of the World Christian Doctors Network USA, spoke passionately about the need for doctors to pray for their patients, citing the example of many Cubans he had been ministering to being set free from witchcraft.

He added: “Doctors are the most credible people to testify to God’s healing powers. We need to realize that miracles are far more contagious than any disease.”

One of the non-medical attendees -- Mikhail Morgulis, Chairman of the Spiritual Diplomacy Project, and a well know journalist originally from Ukraine -- said, “This conference has been like a Christian holiday for me because we have been given a lot of proof of the power of God today.
This resource items from our medical friends are a contemporary demonstration of miracles and show that miracles didn’t cease some 2,000 years ago, but our God is still working today.”

The conference itself lasted only two days, but many who attended believe its ripple effect will spread to all corner of the earth with more miracles being prescribed by more doctors for their patients...

The conference organisers announced at the end of the conference that next year's gathering will be held in May 2009 in Kiev, Ukraine.

Call for a "Just Peace"

2008-05-11T15:45:00.000+01:00

Revd. Kathy Galloway, Leader of the Iona Community, has joined a number of Christian leaders, primarily from England and Wales, in calling for "a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians, to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the state of Israel".

The call comes in a letter published in The Independent newspaper on Thursday 8th May 2008

The declaration states that "millions of Israelis and Jews around the world will joyfully mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the state of Israel", "millions of Palestinians will mourn 60 years since over 700,000 of them were uprooted from their homes and forbidden from returning."

View the article in The Independent
View full statement and list of signatories

Athiest Debater Wanted

2008-05-07T14:04:00.000+01:00

Prayer Week and Global Day of Prayer 2008

2008-04-30T11:14:00.000+01:00

This Pentecost Sunday, May 11, millions of Christians, from 210 nations around the world will be gathering to worship and pray for God's kingdom to come on earth as part of the fourth Global Day of Prayer.

According to christiantoday.com, there will be over 38 events across

Christians prayingthe UK in cathedrals, civic centers, stadiums, high places, parks, churches and houses of prayer.

"The Global Day of Prayer started in South Africa in 2005 and is based on Acts 1 and 2 - ten days of constant prayer (May 1-10); 1 day for the whole church to gather (May 11) and 90 days of blessing (May 12-August 10). The aim is to see local churches united in prayer to see communities transformed by the Holy Spirit," said the Christian Today story.

"Six Anglican cathedrals will host united prayer events in Birmingham, Chester, Norwich, Beverley Minster, Sunderland Minster and York Minster.

In Belfast, Christians will be meeting in the Great Hall of the Parliament Buildings in Stormont to worship, pray and give thanks for God's answers to prayer in the province.

Christians in Edinburgh will prayer-walk the seven hills surrounding the city and Swansea will host a gathering in Castle Gardens.

"Churches across London have been invited to use sections of the Prayer for the World on the Sunday morning. There will be three stadium events in Redditch, on the Isle of Wight, and the UK's biggest event will be at Millwall football stadium in London where plans are being made for 30,000 Christians to gather."

Jane Holloway, UK coordinator of the Global Day of Prayer and head of the World Prayer Centre, Birmingham, said, "We hope that many people will join in and be part of this unprecedented prayer meeting on 11 May and then put feet on their prayers taking part in all the initiatives planned for the rest of the year with Hope08."

For more information, go to http://www.globaldayofprayer.co.uk/ or http://www.hope08.com/

Prayer Week 4th to 11th May 2008
Global Day of Prayer Sunday 11th May 2008

Google faces legal action

2008-04-09T11:17:00.000+01:00

Internet giant, Google, is facing legal action in British courts because it will not allow adverts for websites which contain "abortion and religious-related content".

The well-known search engine blocked a pro-life ad for The Christian Institute's website, christian.org.uk, because it is a "religious" website. Lawyers for the Institute say this is unlawful discrimination.

Google is happy to allow adverts for non-religious sites with views on abortion. It also allows adverts for pornographic sites as long as the sex is consensual and does not involve children or animals.

But Google banned the Institute's ad for "inappropriate content", saying "Google policy does not permit the advertisement of websites that contain 'abortion and religion-related content'."

The Institute's draft ad was worded: "UK abortion law: Key views and news on abortion law from The Christian Institute. www.christian.org.uk."

The Equality Act 2006 prohibits religious discrimination in the provision of a good, facility or service. The Institute believes it is being treated differently because of its religious beliefs.

Last week the Institute's solicitors wrote to Google asking the company to change its policy or face legal action.

Google's website states: "Google was founded with a clear vision in mind: To organise the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful."

It is the number one search engine in the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, and Australia, with over 80 million unique users per month.

Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute: said: "Google promotes itself as a company committed to the ideals of free speech and the free exchange of ideas. It is against this standard that Google's anti-religious policy is so unjust.

"For many people, Google is the doorway to the internet. It is an influential gatekeeper to the marketplace of debate. If there is to be a free exchange of ideas then Google cannot give special free speech rights to secular groups whilst censoring religious views.

"To describe abortion and religion-related content as 'unacceptable content', while at the same time advertising pornography, is ridiculous."

Age of consent consultation - URGENT

2008-03-13T10:34:00.000Z

It has been discovered that the Scottish Government has been holding an extremely low key consultation on radical plans for sweeping changes to the age of consent law.

The deadline for responding to the consultation is tomorrow (Friday, 14 March).

For a Christian Institute briefing that sets out the proposals, click on this link:http://www.christian.org.uk/issues/2008/family/aocscot/briefing_mar08.html
For contact details and tips for writing, click on this link:http://www.christian.org.uk/issues/2008/family/aocscot/tips_mar08.html

The consultation is a response to a Scottish Law Commission report published in December 2007.

The Commission's recommendations include

legalising sex between children both aged 13 to 15.
The proposals will also permit those over 16 to engage in certain forms of sexual activity with someone no more than two years younger.
Under the plans a 15 year-old could legally engage in homosexual activity with a 13 year-old boy; a 15-year-old boy could have sex with a girl aged 13.

Please respond to this consultation.

It is vital that as many Christians as possible object to these proposals.

Claim of Religious Discrimination to be Heard

2008-03-11T23:15:00.000Z

A Roman Catholic couple who accused Strathclyde Police of religious discrimination after categorising married couples and civil partners in the same group have won the first round of their employment tribunal.

Lucille and Frank Mc-Quade, from Motherwell, complained after their status as civilian employees of the force was changed from "married" to "married/civil partnership" in personnel records.

The couple, who have been married for 26 years, told the Glasgow tribunal last October they held religious beliefs regarding the sanctity of marriage and found the description "married/civil partnership" offensive, causing injury to their feelings as married persons. They argued this change to their "true legal and religious status" amounted to sex discrimination and religious discrimination.

Strathclyde Joint Police Board denied the McQuades suffered any detriment but the Employment Tribunal has ruled that the case should proceed.

This is not just love – this is God’s love

2007-12-07T10:44:00.000Z

M & S CHRISTIANITY FREE TO DOWNLOAD

“This is not just love – this is God’s love.”

Award-winning radio group GRF Christian Radio have made their latest audio production available for churches and schools to download free-of-charge from the Internet.

'M & S Christianity' is a series of six thoughts, in the style of the ubiquitous Marks and Spencer TV food commercials.Love, life, forgiveness, happiness, ambition – each thought contrasts the authentic versions with the dog-eared versions that so many of us just settle for.

Each MP3 file is 46 seconds long and can be downloaded free of charge from Audiopot - the UK's online library of creative Christian audio at www.audiopot.org

NOTES

GRF Christian Radio
Founded in 1948, GRF has been producing a wide range of programmes for radio stations in Britain and across the globe. GRF's role is one of partnership - making programmes which complement the exisiting programme schedules of stations, both mainstream and Christian. They have supplied programmes to more than 150 outlets worldwide and new partnerships are being formed every year. GRF Christian Radio are a charity and their programmes are all made by an interdenominational team of volunteers working in the evenings and at weekends. Their website is at www.grf.org.uk.For more information about GRF phone 0141 221 9447 or email <the.team@grf.org.uk>

AUDIOPOT
Audiopot is the UK's online library of creative Christian audio. This popular website offers free access to over 1900 MP3 files of thoughts, interviews and faith stories produced by some of the best Christian radio producers in Britain. The site is easy to search and perfect for illustrating talks, starting discussions in the classroom or playing on local radio. Registration is free at www.audiopot.org.Audiopot is a ministry of HCJB-UK based in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Rather than focus on the traditional world of Christian radio, HCJB-UK has a passion to reach those outside the church who listen to mainstream radio stations. To achieve this we use the name 'Whistling Frog Productions' - placing our award-winning radio material on local commercial stations, resourcing Christians already working in the radio industry and offering quality training to aspiring Christian broadcasters. The ethos of Whistling Frog Productions is simple: to produce creative, non-cheesy radio for an un-churched audience on Christian themes, making sure the final product is entertaining, thought-provoking and definitely not preachy. The Whistling Frog Productions team also produces a weekly Sunday breakfast show on commercial radio in West Yorkshire, and they operate a Radio Volunteers Group in Bradford every Tuesday evening. HCJB-UK's website is at www.hcjb.org.uk.For more information about Audiopot or HCJB-UK contact Colin Lowther on 01274 721810 or email <clowther@hcjb.org.uk>

SING UP FOR SCOTLAND’S BIGGEST CAROL CONCERT

2007-12-05T12:18:00.000Z

Sing Up for Scotland's Biggest Carol Concert
The BIG Partnership
04/12/2007

SING UP FOR SCOTLAND’S BIGGEST CAROL CONCERT

DJs are aiming to break records rather than play them this festive season with the help of Tesco.

Charity organisers are hoping to beat the world record for the biggest ever carol concert on December 16th to mark the end of the Every Penny Counts fundraising campaign for needy children.

The world record for the biggest carol concert stands at 7,514 people, which organisers hope to beat.

Dawn Gibson, Marketing and Communications Director for Emap Radio Charities, said:

"The carol concert will mark the end of the Every Penny Counts campaign which we have been running with Tesco to raise money for underprivileged children. We thought a lovely way to end the campaign would be to organise a carol concert which families can all attend and celebrate all the money that has been raised to help local children.

"We will be holding five concerts simultaneously in the areas of MFR, Tay, Northsound, Forth and South West Sound and we will broadcast them on December 23rd”. We are going to try and beat the world record but if we don’t manage it then we think this will still be the biggest carol concert Scotland has ever seen.”

Local children’s charities in each of the radio station areas are set to benefit from the four week fund-raiser which has seen 71 Tesco stores nationwide participating.

Angus Bell, Tesco's Scottish Marketing Manager, said:

“It has been a pleasure for us to be involved in the Every Penny Counts campaign and this festive carol concert will be a lovely end to the campaign. It we manage to beat the world record for the biggest carol concert it really will end on a high note for us!"

Five Tesco stores taking part in the Christmas Carol Concert are the Inverness Extra; Dundee Kingsway Extra; Dumfries Extra; Aberdeen Extra and Corstorphine Extra

Issued on behalf of Emap and Tesco by The BIG Partnership
ENDS

For further information on this release please contact
Kate McCheyne on 0141 333 9585/07766076469 kate.mccheyne@bigpartnership.co.uk or
Gillian Hamilton on 0141 333 9585/07734656676 gillian.hamilton@bigpartnership.co.uk

Scottish Broadcasting Commission wants your views

2007-12-03T10:47:00.000Z

Earlier this year the Scottish Government set up the Scottish Broadcasting Commission with a remit to conduct an independent investigation into the current state of television production and broadcasting in Scotland and define a strategic way forward for the industry. The Commission is required to produce its report in 2008.

The Scottish Broadcasting Commission are now asking people to come forward with their views on television broadcasting in Scotland.
The Commission is currently looking at those factors which have an influence on the economic potential of broadcasting in Scotland and is seeking evidence of people's experiences, knowledge and views on this.

They want to hear from everyone who has a say in this matter - from the Chief Executives of the major broadcasters to the grip on the latest period drama production, the indie producer making their latest pitch, the camera operator in the studio, the Corrie fan or the watcher of Songs of Praise.

A new website for the Commission has now gone live and can be found at www.scottishbroadcastingcommission.gov.uk

Government think tank misunderstands what it is to be British

2007-11-02T12:45:00.000Z

According to Sayeeda Warsi, the Conservative spokesman on community cohesion, a UK Government think tank report which proposes to downgrade Christmas displays "a breathtaking misunderstanding of what it is to be British."

Quoted in a report in the Daily Mail of 1st November 2007, she added:

"You don't build community cohesion by throwing out our history and denying the fundamental contribution Christianity has played and does play to our nation.
"As a British Muslim I can see that - so why others can't just staggers me."
And she attacked ceremonies to mark the registration of a baby.
"The thought of Gordon Brown sharing responsibility with me for bringing up my children sends a shiver down my spine. I thought we got rid of communism?"

Full the full story here

"PC PLANS TO 'DOWNGRADE' CHRISTMAS"

2007-11-02T12:41:00.000Z

An article in the Daily Express of 1st November 2007 reports that Christmas celebrations are an obstacle to better community relations in multi-cultural Britain, according to a Labour Party think tank.

A report from the Institute for Public Policy Research - which has close ties with Downing Street - says the festive season should be put on an equal footing with the festivals of other religions, including Diwali and Eid.

And it also calls for Christian elements to be stripped from the Monarchy, Parliament and the honours system to “foster a sense of shared values.”

Read the full story here

Government proposes 'homophobic hatred law'

2007-10-10T10:16:00.000+01:00

The Second Reading of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill took place in the Westminster Parliament on Monday 8 October. As expected the Government made a statement on a proposed 'homophobic hatred law' with Jack Straw saying that they wanted to see this offence added to the Bill.

Mr Straw said that the 'starting point' for the drafting of the new offence would be the existing religious hatred law which contains substantial protections for free speech. However politicians can often change their minds and the impact of a new law will depend on its precise wording and not on ministerial reassurances.

Jack Straw indicated that Christians had already spoken to him about their concerns and Christian objections to this new law were widely reported in the UK national press.

Details of the news coverage can be found on the Christianinstitute website.

Police accused of religious discrimination

2007-10-07T11:16:00.000+01:00

A Roman Catholic couple have accused Strathclyde Police of discriminating against them on religious grounds.

The claim comes after the UK's second largest police force chose to lump married couples in the same group as civil partners in the bureaucracy's electronic personnel records.

Lucille and Frank McQuade from Motherwell complained after their status as civilian employees of the police force was changed from married to married/civil partnership.

The couple, who have been married for 26 years, told a Glasgow employment tribunal that they had deeply held religious beliefs as Christians as to the sanctity of marriage and found their description as married/civil partners offensive causing injury to their feelings as married persons.

Mr McQuade argued that Strathclyde Police has deliberately omitted to consider the genuine religious sensitivities of employees with the same religious beliefs as themselves and added that the police could have implemented a system to accommodate the legal requirements to recognise the legal status of civil partnership without encroaching on the rights of married persons for whom marriage has a deep religious significance.

He argued marriage and civil partnerships were separate and distinct from each other and referred to a Stonewall Parliamentary Briefing which stated "Civil partnership is a separate legal structure, designed for same sex couples. There was no overlap in any way with heterosexual marriage: the two are mutually exclusive."

Full Story - The Herald
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1736323.0.0.php

Kirk Urges Peaceful Change in Burma

2007-10-02T11:25:00.000+01:00

In 2004, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland condemned the wide-spread human rights abuses, forced labour and cultural genocide of ethnic minority groups in Burma and urged the British Government to continue to use all diplomatic means and resources at its disposal to bring a return of democratic government in Burma and to discourage western companies from investing and operating there.

Morag Mylne, Convener of the Kirk’s Church and Society Council, expressed sadness at the lack of progress in relation to restoring a democratic government to Burma. Together with the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, The Right Reverend Sheilagh Kesting, she asked for prayers for the people of Burma and for a peaceful and speedy restoration of democracy to their country.

Church of Scotland press release

"CHANGE IS POSSIBLE FOR GAYS"

2007-09-19T00:11:00.000+01:00

CONTROVERSIAL STUDY CONCLUDES CHANGE IS POSSIBLE FOR GAYS

Sources: Baptist Press, Religion Today

In what some are calling groundbreaking research, a new four-year study concludes that it is possible for homosexuals to change their physical attractions and become heterosexual through the help of Christian ministries.

The data was released Thursday, Sept. 13, at a news conference in Nashville, Tenn., and is published by InterVarsity Press in the, "Ex-Gays?", authored by psychologists Stanton L. Jones and Mark A. Yarhouse.

Thirty-eight percent of the subjects followed in the study said they had successfully left homosexuality while an additional 29 percent said they had had only modest successes but were committed to keep trying.

In another significant finding, the authors said attempts at conversions do not appear to be psychologically harmful.

“These findings contradict directly the commonly expressed views of the mental health establishment that change in sexual orientation is impossible, and that if you attempt to change it’s highly likely to produce harm for those who make such an attempt,” Jones, a professor of psychology at Wheaton College in Illinois, said at a news conference.

Ex-Gays? - a longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation

Creation Research Tour

2007-09-18T12:40:00.000+01:00

John Mackay, International director of Creation Research, will be in the UK from October to December.

His Scottish itinerary is:-

EDINBURGH
Saturday 20th Oct. 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Sunday 21st Oct. 11.00 AM, 6:30 & 8:30 PM
Carrubbers Christian Centre 65 High Street, EH1 1SR
Contact: Michael Luehrmann
Phone: 0131 556 2626
Email: Michael.Luehrmann@carrubbers.org

SCONE
Wednesday 24th Oct. 7:30 PM
New Scone Church, Angus Road, PH2 6QU
Contact: James Gemmell
Phone: 01738-551467
Email: james.gemmell3@btinternet.com

EDINBURGH
Thursday 25th. Oct. 8:00 PM
Destiny Church, George Square Lecture Theatre, George Square EH8 9LK
Contact: Owen Lima
Phone: 0131-555-2707
Email: owen.lima@destiny-church.com

EDINBURGH
Friday 26th. Oct. 8:00 PM
Destiny Church, 12 Casselbank Street, EH6 5HA
Contact: Owen Lima
Phone: 0131-555-2707
Email: owen.lima@destiny-church.com

KILMACOLM
Saturday 27th Oct. 7:00 PM
St. Columba Church, Duchal Road, PA13 4AS
Contact: Muriel Ellis
Phone: 01505-873139
Email: tour07@amen.org.uk

DUBLANE
Sunday 28th Oct. 10:30 AM & 7:00 PM
Dunblane Christian Fellowship, Stirling Road, Dunblane FK15 9EX
Contact: Duncan Strathdee
Phone: 01786-823668
Email: djs@dunblanechristianfellowship.co.uk

DORNOCH
Tuesday 30th Oct. 7:30 PM
Dornoch & District Christian Fellowship
Dornoch Academy, Evelix Road IV25 3NH
Contact: Barrie Fairns
Phone: 01408-633244
Email: barrie@balvraid-dornoch.wanadoo.co.uk

Homosexual harassment law quashed

2007-09-12T12:41:00.000+01:00

A judge in Belfast High Court has quashed laws which threatened the religious freedom of Christians.

Mr Justice Weatherup struck down the 'harassment' provisions of the Northern Ireland sexual orientation regulations.

This means Christians cannot be sued for expressing their opposition to homosexual practice.

The judge also ruled that religious liberty may be significantly affected by the regulations in individual cases which may come before the courts.

The judge added that in such cases County Courts in Northern Ireland should consider the principles of the Brocki case from Canada. In that case a court ruled that a Christian printer should not be forced to print material which goes against his core religious beliefs, but that a Christian printer must be willing to print other material, such as letterhead, for homosexual customers.

Yesterday's ruling also narrows the sexual orientation regulations in Northern Ireland so that they cannot apply to the school curriculum or affect every activity of a faith-based group which receives some public funding (only the specific activity for which a faith-based group receives public funding will be affected).

Christians offering accomodation can no longer be prosecuted for stating their opposition to giving a room to a gay or lesbian couple.

The case was supported by The Christian Institute, the Reformed Presbyterian Church, the Congregational Union, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the Association of Baptist Churches, the Fellowship of Independent Methodist Churches and Christian Camping International.

The judgement is viewed as embarrasing for the United Kingdom government and having widespread implications, as the Government has already initiated consultations about whether to introduce the harassment laws into the rest of Britain as part of a proposed Single Equality Bill.

Frenzy 08

2007-09-10T13:05:00.000+01:00

Tickets for Frenzy08 go on sale on 1st November.

Call the ticket hotline from 8am on that day - 08708 748 748

Leeland have just confirmed that they will be playing with Delirious? at Frenzy08 on Saturday 7th June 2008.

Your church is not a real church

2007-07-18T10:00:00.000+01:00

The Roman Catholic pope Benedict has decreed that the national church of Scotland
(together with all forms of protestant churches) is not a real church.

The following article is an independent comment on the Pope's pronouncments. The original can be found here.

Wrong Turn:
Pope Benedict XVI Detours Salvation Through Catholic Church

By approving a document saying non-Catholic Christian communities are either defective or not true churches, and the Roman Catholic Church provides the only true path to salvation, Pope Benedict leaves someone behind - Jesus!

By ALEXANDER
TheScroogeReport.com

There are some weeks when picking a number one bonehead (This Week’s Top Scrooge) is really tough.

This week isn’t one of them. Pope Benedict XVI wins the dishoner hands down, no questions asked, slam dunk, done deal, finito.

The easy pick is made possible by this: Reports came out Wednesday that Pope Benedict XVI approved a document late last month saying non-Catholic Christian communities are either defective or not true churches, and the Roman Catholic Church provides the only true path to salvation.

The document stated other Christian communities such as Protestants “cannot be called ‘churches’ in the proper sense” since they don’t have what’s known as apostolic succession – that is, the ability to trace their bishops back to the original 12 apostles of Jesus.

Before you hear more from this born-againer (me) let me continue the Pope-blunder story with more as reported in WorldNetDaily:

The document said the Orthodox church suffered from a “wound” because it did not recognize the primacy of the pope, adding the wound was “still more profound” among Protestant denominations.

It was “difficult to see how the title of ‘Church’ could possibly be attributed to them,” said the statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, purporting Roman Catholicism was “the one true Church of Christ.”

“These separated churches and communities, though we believe they suffer from defects, are deprived neither of significance nor importance in the mystery of salvation,” the document read. “In fact the Spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as instruments of salvation, whose value derives from that fullness of grace and of truth which has been entrusted to the Catholic Church.”

The document, formulated as five questions and answers, repeated sections of a 2000 text the pope wrote when he was prefect of the congregation, “Dominus Iesus,” which angered Protestant and other Christian denominations because it said they were not true churches and did not have the “means of salvation.”

I’m not a Catholic. I came from a background of Russian Orthodox church services and Sunday school, but I ran from God. I didn’t really think much about anything other than having fun in life.

Simply put, more than eight years ago, at 42 years old, I said the sinner’s prayer with someone behind a church recovery group information table and my life has never been the same since.

I know about salvation and so do many others who agree with me that it is not about church. Even with the document’s caveat that other churches “are deprived neither of significance nor importance in the mystery of salvation,” his signature places way too much weight on not only the Catholic church, but “church” in general. (BTW, I go to church nearly every Sunday…non-denominational that is…not to seal my salvation, but to fellowship and worship in community.)

The only statement that I would be thrilled to hear coming out of the Pope’s mouth is that Jesus is the way to salvation…not Catholicism, not 40 Hail Mary’s, not participation in a soup kitchen, not a Sunday service…and while I am on a roll…not ANY “religion”.

All that said, the Pope’s statment is really old news. The Catholic faith has been misleading people for a long time. Not to say that some Catholics are not saved, but they are a “works” based religion…guiding people to jump through hoops to get to heaven.

Sorry, it’s all about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Unless a church is preaching that, it’s barking up the wrong tree.

How do I know? I have personally experienced the salvation that only Jesus can bring. It is by His grace not mine that it happened for me.

So, now do we need to be softer and kinder to the Pope? Do we not call him out on his bonehead move?

Well, too late. The press is already dogging him. The headlines this week have been incredible…some misguided, some right on.

You’ll probably hear a lot of nothing from a lot of Christians. But the way I look at it, this “event” is an opportunity to share about Jesus. The Jesus whose church is bigger and works in more ways than we can understand.

For those that have a relationship with Jesus, God’s church has no boundaries. That, my friends, is the point Benedict has sadly left out of this mess.

As for those looking for salvation, seek Him, look to Jesus as Lord. For He is the door to salvation. You may find Him by simply asking for Him from wherever you are…even sitting in front of your computer!

===================

Sponsors needed for Malawi

2007-07-12T13:11:00.000+01:00

The congregation and organisations of the West Kirk in East Kilbride Village are planning to mark the 60th anniversary of East Kilbride’s designation as a new town by making a CD to raise money to help villagers in Malawi.

The plan is to raise up to £5000 to build a clinic in Kapnda Village, refurbish the local school and, create a farm with cows, goats and chickens.

Currently, about 480 orphans live in the village, looked after by the local minister and villagers. It is hoped that the farm will make them self-sufficient in food and provide an income through selling their surplus to Kamuzu College of Nursing.

The principal of Kamuzu College has already pledged that she will give them a contract for this. , Her students will be carrying out work in the village and it is hoped the project will also bring health benefits to the orphans and the mums and babies of the village.

The CD will include a selection of Christmas carols sung by members of the West Kirk congregation, the Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, Guides, Brownies, choir and other church organisations.

It is hoped 500 copies will be available for sale, priced £10 each, in the autumn.

To allow every penny raised by the sale of the CD to go to Africa, the church is hoping sponsors will help them with the cost of licensing, producing and printing the CD a cost expected to be about £1000. Sponsors will have their contribution acknowledged on the CD cover.

Any company or organisation willing to help can contact Lorna Sankey on East Kilbride 571479.

===================

2007-07-09T11:55:00.000+01:00

Friday, July 6, 2007

British Christians urged to ‘Pray for the police’ in the wake of terror attacks

By Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST Ministries

LONDON, UK (ANS) -- The UK Evangelical Alliance is calling on its members to pray for the police and security services as they investigate the recent terrorist attacks and seek to prevent a backlash against Muslims.

A spokesperson said, “The Alliance is relieved that, as a result of these incidents in London and Glasgow, there have been no deaths. However these events raise major challenges for the police and the Government and threaten community cohesion.”

Dr. R David Muir, the Evangelical Alliance's Public Policy Director, said: “I would encourage Christians to pray for the Government and senior officials of the police and security services as they seek to tackle the evil of the violent extremism.

“Christians should look for ways that they can support their Muslim neighbors as citizens and strengthen common bonds so that communities are not intimidated by these threats.”

Don Axcell, Executive Director of the British Christian Police Association, added: “Please pray for the police and the security services that they may make good use of the intelligence they find.

“We would also ask for people to pray for protection for those dealing with any suspect devices that are discovered and for wisdom as they work with Muslim communities to build trust and confidence.”

You can visit the Christian Police Association for more information on how you can pray for the police services. Their website is: http://www.cpauk.net/.

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA Visit our web http://www.assistnews.net/ -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.com

New Youth Officer for SBS

2007-05-31T10:24:00.000+01:00

The Scottish Bible Society has appointed a new Youth Development Manager – Fiona Baker – or Fi to you and me !

From teenagers to university students and young professionals, Fi’s role is to help young people in Scotland engage with the Bible, and develop programmes and resources geared towards youth and young adults.

Fi is available to visit youth and young adult meetings or events - to speak about the Bible and the work of SBS and she is keen to see young people involved in the vital ministry of the Scottish Bible Society.

Fi has a message for all RME teachers! (That’s Religious and Moral Education Teachers for those of us who are not in the know !) - that she can deliver an interactive lesson on the Bible in keeping with the Christianity strand of the secondary RME curriculum, particularly for older students.

If you’d like to meet or speak with Fiona Baker, she will be at two major Christian youth events in Scotland this summer:
Frenzy on 9 June at Ingleston and
Crossover from 15 - 17 June at the Broomlee Centre in
West Linton.
If you’re at either of these events, Fi encourages you to stop by the Scottish Bible Society table and say hello!"

Or you can contact Fi at the Scottish Bible Society – her direct line is 0131 347 9821 or email fiona.baker@scottishbiblesociety.org

Web Links

Cardinal delivers warning to politicians

2007-05-31T10:03:00.000+01:00

Scotland's most senior Roman Catholic has warned Roman Catholic politicians who defend abortion that they should not expect to be permitted to remain in full communion with the church.

In a sermon delivered at St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh to mark 40 years since the Abortion Act, Cardinal Keith O'Brien said pro-abortion MPs should consider their stance on receiving Communion - and he urged voters to reject candidates who defend a "social evil".

The Cardinal's sermon attacks the 1967 Abortion act, and the Cardinal points out that "... the equivalent of a classroom of children every day are being aborted in their mothers' womb - basically murdered in their mothers' womb."

Although abortion is a reserved issue, legislated over by politicians at Westminster, some Scottish politicians have responded with anger.

Jeremy Purvis, a Liberal Democrat MSP, has accused the cardinal of using "inflammatory" language.

Kirking of the Parliament

2007-05-08T10:54:00.000+01:00

The ‘Kirking of the Parliament’ will take place in St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, today Tuesday 8th May, the eve of the Third Session of the Scottish Parliament.

His Royal Highness The Prince Charles Duke of Rothesay will be joined by newly elected MSPs, representatives of Scotland’s faiths and other guests from across Scotland.

The Very Reverend Gilleasbuig Macmillan, who led the Kirking ceremonies in 1999 and 2003, will lead the evening service.

This will be followed tomorrow, Wednesday, by the official swearing in ceremony for MSPs.

The Third Session of the Parliament is to be opened on 30 June, and will be attended by the Queen. It will again feature a "riding" down the Royal Mile, which will involve around 1,200 people selected to highlight achievements across every constituency and region of Scotland.

80 PRESBYTERIANS ARRESTED

2007-05-08T10:26:00.000+01:00

Local authorities in Asmara, capital city of the East African nation of Eritrea, arrested 80 members of the Mehrete Yesus Evangelical Presbyterian Church at the close of a worship service on Sunday 29th April.

A US couple, as well as several teachers from India working in Eritrea, were among those detained. The US citizens were released on Thursday 3rd May and allowed to return to their home in Asmara.

Rev. Zecharias Abraham, the Presbyterian church’s pastor, and a church elder named Mikias Mekonnen continue to be held.

This latest raid against Eritrea’s Protestant community came only five days after the government announced that the Eritrean Orthodox Church had elected a new patriarch, Bishop Dioskoros of Mendefera.

An April 23rd posting on an opposition website (www.asmarino.com<) noted,

“The Eritrean people should be aware that the rights and beliefs of the 2-million strong [Orthodox] church have been flagrantly violated once again, and the hijacking of the church by the government that has been under way for quite some time is now complete.”

More than 40 percent of Eritrea’s citizens consider themselves Coptic Orthodox by birth with at least half of the population of ethnic Muslim background.

Christian Friends of Israel - Glasgow Conference

2007-05-07T17:45:00.000+01:00

Christian Friends of Israel Conference

at Victory Christian Centre, Govan, Glasgow
on Friday 18^th & Saturday 19^th May

Speaker - Chuck Cohen from Jerusalem

subject - “Modern Israel and the Ancient Word”

For further details contact David Andrew on 01698 841155

Church Vacancy Notice

2007-05-05T00:36:00.000+01:00

Church of Scotland

Muirkirk linked with Sorn
(Unrestricted Call)

Muirkirk and Sorn are two Award Winning Villages nestling in the heart of the East Ayrshire Countryside

The two Congregations have bonded well since linking and are seeking a new Minister who will lead and encourage us in developing outreach in our growing villages who is committed to pastoral care and strengthening community relationships.

The Manse for the linked Charge is situated in Muirkirk.

A Parish Profile is available from the Clerk to the Nominating Committee:-

Mr JP Currie
"Dunayre" 116/118 Main Street, Muirkirk, East Ayrshire KA18 3QY
Tel. 01290-661324, Fax 01290-660042, e-mail JPCurrie95@aol.com

Informal enquiries to Interim Moderator

Rev. Robert McCrum,
The Manse, 1 Prestwick Road, Ayr KA8 8LD.
Tel. 01292 262420 e-mail robert@stjamesayr.org.uk

Web Links

Church hotel recognised as one of the best in Israel

2007-05-03T17:56:00.000+01:00

General Assembly 2007:
Church hotel recognised as one of the best in Israel
(Church of Scotland Press Release)

The Church of Scotland Trust will present its annual report to the General Assembly 2007. The Trust, which was established in 1932, will report on its function of holding overseas church property and acting as a trustee in a number of third party trusts.

The Trust continues to be consulted by the World Mission Council regarding developments with its property in Israel, in particular St Andrew’s Guesthouse in Jerusalem and the Scots Hotel in Tiberias. Despite difficulties in the region the Scots Hotel has seen a huge increase in visitors at both national and international level, partly as a result of a sustained and targeted marketing project. The hotel has recently received an award from the Israeli hotel industry which recognises it as one of the best hotels in the region.

The St Andrew’s Guesthouse has a long history of being a place open to all, regardless of ethnic or religious background. This continuing policy is very much aided and supported by the local staff, most of whom are from the Arab Christian community.

The Assembly will hear that little progress has been made in the transfer of the Church’s heritable properties in Pakistan in the Diocese of Sialkot to the Sialkot Diocesan Trust Association. It is hoped that a visit by the associate secretary and the secretary of the Trust will result in new initiatives for progress.

The Trust continues its involvement in a number of court cases involving its property interests in Pakistan. It is envisaged that due to the nature of the Pakistan legal system these cases will be ongoing for a number of years.

The conclusion of the report deals with the rotational retrial of two of the Trusts’ members and the recording of the appreciation of thanks to Robert Bow who tendered his resignation after 15 years service to the Trust.

Ends

nrga/07/04/07

Thursday 12 April 2007

Note to news desk
For further information please contact Jennifer Hamilton, secretary and clerk of the Church of Scotland Trust, on 0131 240 2222. A full copy of the report is available on our General Assembly pages online here.

Kirk group seeks international ambassadors

2007-05-03T17:53:00.000+01:00

General Assembly 2007:
Kirk group seeks international ambassadors
(Church of Scotland Press Release)

Albert Bogle, the convener of the Kirk’s Church without Walls (CWW) Planning Group, is set to lay out a positive vision of the future of the church at May’s General Assembly.

The Assembly will hear how, since the birth of the idea of Church without Walls in 2001, the vision has gone from strength to strength. The words Church Without Walls have become a byname for renewal and for outreach into the wider community – be that community local, national or international. At May’s Assembly the Planning Group will emphasise ‘that CWW is not a movement that congregations join. It is a mindset that…every effective church leader already owns.’ (Page 1, Para. 2)

The CWW Planning Group continues to ask that we conceive of the church not as a building or buildings, but as a community of individuals carrying the love of Christ out into the world through every aspect of their lives. ‘The purpose of Church Without walls for the Church of Scotland is to focus the church on Jesus Christ and not primarily on buildings.’ (Page 1, Para. 4)

Last year’s General Assembly heard the inspiring tale of the 2005 National Day of Celebration, the all-day event held in Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre which attracted and energised over 3,500 people – representatives of just under half of the Kirk’s congregations.

The Planning Group will inform this year’s Assembly that they do not intend to rest on their laurels. Another CWW National Event will take place during 2008, and it will be aiming to break all previous records in terms of its sheer size. The Planning Group are set to tell commissioners that: ‘Finding a venue for a large gathering during the late spring and early summer of 2008 has proved to be challenging. However, we hope to be in a position to give a date and venue at the General Assembly’. (Page 3, Para. 6) Possible titles for 2008’s CWW event include “Gathering” or “Travelling Light”.

In another potentially ground-breaking move, the Planning Group has begun preliminary discussion with the Rev Air Vice Marshall Peter Mills, Chaplain-in-Chief to the Royal Air Force, with a view to facilitating a CWW event for the armed services.

The CWW Planning Group is always looking to the future, and are already involved in creating a vision of how their work could link in with the Scottish Executive-designated ‘Year of Homecoming’ in 2009 as well as the Centenary celebrations for the Edinburgh World Missionary Conference on 1910.

This latter event will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for Scottish congregations to build local-to-local links with fellow Christians in the developing world. ‘We propose that we work in partnership with other agencies to develop the idea of “The Sending”. This would involve congregation being given the opportunity of sending one or two of their members to visit an overseas project to enable them to become ambassadors for the poor. Already one major Scottish Overseas Development Trust involved in sending volunteers overseas is interested in partnering us with this idea.’ (Page 4, Para. 2)

Ends

nrga/15/04/07

Wednesday 18 April 2007

Note to news desk

For further details, please contact the Convener of the CWW Planning Group, the Rev Albert Bogle, tel 01506 822195 or email albertbogle@mac.comA full copy of the report is available on our General Assembly pages online here.

From the Protestant Church of Smyrna

2007-05-01T11:45:00.000+01:00

By Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST Ministries

SMYRNA, TURKEY - Smyrna is an ancient city today known as Izmir in Turkey that was founded at a very early period at a central and strategic point on the Aegean coast of Anatolia.

It was the second city to receive a letter from the apostle John in the book of Revelation. Acts 19:10 suggests that the church there was founded during Paul’s third missionary journey. Due to the fact that the port city of Izmir houses the second largest population in Turkey today, the site of ancient Smyrna has been little excavated. Excepting the agora, theater, and sections of the Roman aqueduct, little remains of the ancient city.

But there is a protestant church in there that calls itself “The Protestant Church of Smyrna” and it has issued the following letter to the Global Church which was sent to ANS....

Dear friends,

This past week has been filled with much sorrow. Many of you have heard by now of our devastating loss here in an event that took place in Malatya, a Turkish province 300 miles northeast of Antioch, the city where believers were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).

On Wednesday morning, April 18, 2007, 46 year old German missionary and father of three Tilman Geske prepared to go to his office, kissing his wife goodbye taking a moment to hug his son and give him the priceless memory, “Goodbye, son. I love you.”

Tilman rented an office space from Zirve Publishing where he was preparing notes for the new Turkish Study Bible. Zirve was also the location of the Malatya Evangelist Church office. A ministry of the church, Zirve prints and distributes Christian literature to Malatya and nearby cities in Eastern Turkey. In another area of town, 35 year old Pastor Necati Aydin, father of two, said goodbye to his wife, leaving for the office as well. They had a morning Bible Study and prayer meeting that some other believers in town would also be attending. Ugur Yuksel likewise made his way to the Bible study.

None of these three men knew that what awaited them at the Bible study was the ultimate testing and application of their faith, which would conclude with their entrance into glory to receive their crown of righteousness from Christ and honor from all the saints awaiting them in the Lord’s presence.

On the other side of town, ten young men all under 20 years old put into place final arrangements for their ultimate act of faith, living out their love for Allah and hatred of infidels who they felt undermined Islam.

On Resurrection Sunday, five of these men had been to a by-invitation-only evangelistic service that Pastor Necati and his men had arranged at a hotel conference room in the city. The men were known to the believers as “seekers.” No one knows what happened in the hearts of those men as they listened to the gospel. Were they touched by the Holy Spirit? Were they convicted of sin? Did they hear the gospel in their heart of hearts? Today we only have the beginning of their story.

These young men, one of whom is the son of a mayor in the Province of Malatya, are part of a tarikat, or a group of “faithful believers” in Islam. Tarikat membership is highly respected here; it’s like a fraternity membership. In fact, it is said that no one can get into public office without membership in a tarikat. These young men all lived in the same dorm, all preparing for university entrance exams.

The young men got guns, bread knives, ropes and towels ready for their final act of service to Allah. They knew there would be a lot of blood. They arrived in time for the Bible Study, around 10 o’clock.

They arrived, and apparently the Bible Study began. Reportedly, after Necati read a chapter from the Bible the assault began. The boys tied Ugur, Necati, and Tilman’s hands and feet to chairs and as they videoed their work on their cellphones, they tortured our brothers for almost three hours*

[Details of the torture–[the DHM omits these, but if you wish to read them click on the link above]
Neighbors in workplaces near the print house said later they had heard yelling, but assumed the owners were having a domestic argument so they did not respond.

Meanwhile, another believer Gokhan and his wife had a leisurely morning. He slept in till 10, ate a long breakfast and finally around 12:30 he and his wife arrived at the office. The door was locked from the inside, and his key would not work. He phoned and though it had connection on his end he did not hear the phone ringing inside. He called cell phones of his brothers and finally Ugur answered his phone. “We are not at the office. Go to the hotel meeting. We are there. We will come there,” he said cryptically. As Ugur spoke Gokhan heard in the telephone’s background weeping and a strange snarling sound.

He phoned the police, and the nearest officer arrived in about five minutes. He pounded on the door, “Police, open up!” Initially the officer thought it was a domestic disturbance. At that point they heard another snarl and a gurgling moan. The police understood that sound as human suffering, prepared the clip in his gun and tried over and over again to burst through the door. One of the frightened assailants unlocked the door for the policeman, who entered to find a grisly scene.

Tilman and Necati [were dead. Ugur’s was barely alive.]

Three assailants in front of the policeman dropped their weapons.

Meanwhile Gokhan heard a sound of yelling in the street. Someone had fallen from their third story office. Running down, he found a man on the ground, whom he later recognized, named Emre Gunaydin. He had massive head trauma and, strangely, was snarling. He had tried to climb down the drainpipe to escape, and losing his balance had plummeted to the ground. It seems that he was the main leader of the attackers. Another assailant was found hiding on a lower balcony.

To untangle the web we need to back up six years. In April 2001, the National Security Council of Turkey (Milli Guvenlik Kurulu) began to consider evangelical Christians as a threat to national security, on equal footing as Al Quaida and PKK terrorism. Statements made in the press by political leaders, columnists and commentators have fueled a hatred against missionaries who they claim bribe young people to change their religion.

After that decision in 2001, attacks and threats on churches, pastors and Christians began. Bombings, physical attacks, verbal and written abuse are only some of the ways Christians are being targeted. Most significant is the use of media propaganda.

From December 2005, after having a long meeting regarding the Christian threat, the wife of Former Prime Minister Ecevit, historian Ilber Ortayli, Professor Hasan Unsal, Politician Ahmet Tan and writer/propogandist Aytunc Altindal, each in their own profession began a campaign to bring the public’s attention to the looming threat of Christians who sought to “buy their children’s souls”. Hidden cameras in churches have taken church service footage and used it sensationally to promote fear and antagonism toward Christianity.

In an official televised response from Ankara, the Interior Minister of Turkey smirked as he spoke of the attacks on our brothers. Amid public outrage and protests against the event and in favor of freedom of religion and freedom of thought, media and official comments ring with the same message, “We hope you have learned your lesson. We do not want Christians here.”

It appears that this was an organized attack initiated by an unknown adult tarikat leader. As in the Hrant Dink murder in January 2007, and a Catholic priest Andrea Santoro in February 2006, minors are being used to commit religious murders because public sympathy for youth is strong and they face lower penalties than an adult convicted of the same crime. Even the parents of these children are in favor of the acts. The mother of the 16 year old boy who killed the Catholic priest Andrea Santoro looked at the cameras as her son was going to prison and said, “He will serve time for Allah.”

The young men involved in the killing are currently in custody. Today news reported that they would be tried as terrorists, so their age would not affect the strict penalty. Assailant Emre Gunaydin is still in intensive care. The investigation centers around him and his contacts and they say will fall apart if he does not recover.

The Church in Turkey responded in a way that honored God as hundreds of believers and dozens of pastors flew in as fast as they could to stand by the small church of Malatya and encourage the believers, take care of legal issues, and represent Christians to the media.

When Susanne Tilman expressed her wish to bury her husband in Malatya, the Governor tried to stop it, and when he realized he could not stop it, a rumor was spread that “it is a sin to dig a grave for a Christian.” In the end, in an undertaking that should be remembered in Christian history forever, the men from the church in Adana (near Tarsus), grabbed shovels and dug a grave for their slain brother in an un-tended hundred year old Armenian graveyard.

Ugur was buried by his family in an Alevi Muslim ceremony in his hometown of Elazig, his believing fiancé watching from the shadows as his family and friends refused to accept in death the faith Ugur had so long professed and died for.

Necati’s funeral took place in his hometown of Izmir, the city where he came to faith. The darkness does not understand the light. Though the churches expressed their forgiveness for the event, Christians were not to be trusted. Before they would load the coffin onto the plane from Malatya, it went through two separate xray exams to make sure it was not loaded with explosives. This is not a usual procedure for Muslim coffins.

Necati’s funeral was a beautiful event. Like a glimpse of heaven, thousands of Turkish Christians and missionaries came to show their love for Christ, and their honor for this man chosen to die for Christ. Necati’s wife Shemsa told the world, “His death was full of meaning, because he died for Christ and he lived for Christ… Necati was a gift from God. I feel honored that he was in my life, I feel crowned with honor. I want to be worthy of that honor.”

Boldly the believers took their stand at Necati’s funeral, facing the risks of being seen publicly and likewise becoming targets. As expected, the anti-terror police attended and videotaped everyone attending the funeral for their future use. The service took place outside at Buca Baptist church, and he was buried in a small Christian graveyard in the outskirts of Izmir.

Two assistant Governors of Izmir were there solemnly watching the event from the front row. Dozens of news agencies were there documenting the events with live news and photographs. Who knows the impact the funeral had on those watching? This is the beginning of their story as well. Pray for them.

In an act that hit front pages in the largest newspapers in Turkey, Susanne Tilman in a television interview expressed her forgiveness. She did not want revenge, she told reporters. “Oh God, forgive them for they know not what they do,” she said, wholeheartedly agreeing with the words of Christ on Calvary (Luke 23:34).

In a country where blood-for-blood revenge is as normal as breathing, many many reports have come to the attention of the church of how this comment of Susanne Tilman has changed lives. One columnist wrote of her comment, “She said in one sentence what 1000 missionaries in 1000 years could never do.”

The missionaries in Malatya will most likely move out, as their families and children have become publicly identified as targets to the hostile city. The remaining 10 believers are in hiding. What will happen to this church, this light in the darkness? Most likely it will go underground. Pray for wisdom, that Turkish brothers from other cities will go to lead the leaderless church. Should we not be concerned for that great city of Malatya, a city that does not know what it is doing? (Jonah 4:11)

When our Pastor Fikret Bocek went with a brother to give a statement to the Security Directorate on Monday they were ushered into the Anti-Terror Department. On the wall was a huge chart covering the whole wall listing all the terrorist cells in Izmir, categorized. In one prominent column were listed all the evangelical churches in Izmir. The darkness does not understand the light. “These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.” (Acts 17:6)

Please pray for the Church in Turkey. “Don’t pray against persecution, pray for perseverance,” urges Pastor Fikret Bocek.

The Church is better having lost our brothers; the fruit in our lives, the renewed faith, the burning desire to spread the gospel to quench more darkness in Malatya …all these are not to be regretted. Pray that we stand strong against external opposition and especially pray that we stand strong against internal struggles with sin, our true debilitating weakness.

This we know. Christ Jesus was there when our brothers were giving their lives for Him. He was there, like He was when Stephen was being stoned in the sight of Saul of Tarsus.

Someday the video of the deaths of our brothers may reveal more to us about the strength that we know Christ gave them to endure their last cross, about the peace the Spirit of God endowed them with to suffer for their beloved Savior. But we know He did not leave their side. We know their minds were full of Scripture strengthening them to endure, as darkness tried to subdue the un-subduable Light of the Gospel. We know, in whatever way they were able, with a look or a word, they encouraged one another to stand strong. We know they knew they would soon be with Christ.

We don’t know the details. We don’t know the kind of justice that will or will not be served on this earth.

But we pray– and urge you to pray– that someday at least one of those five boys will come to faith because of the testimony in death of Tilman Geske, who gave his life as a missionary to his beloved Turks, and the testimonies in death of Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel, the first martyrs for Christ out of the Turkish Church.

Reported by Darlene N. Bocek (24 April 2007)

Note from the church: Please pass this on to as many praying Christians as you can, in as many countries as you can. Please always keep the heading as “From the Protestant Church of Smyrna” with this contact information:
izmirprotestan@gmail.com http://www.izmirprotestan.org

Fire Engines for Serbia

2007-04-28T11:05:00.000+01:00

Fife Fireman Donates Engines For Serbia

A former Fife fire-fighter is donating three fire engines for use in Serbia, where the scarce equipment of emergency services means that help can take hours to arrive.

The machines are scheduled to leave Edinburgh on Thursday 3 May 2007 in a unique aid mission organised by Scottish charity Blythswood Care.

Gary Bennett from Rosyth who now runs his own firm Fire Prevention UK will be accompanied by seven other volunteers including a doctor, a first-aid instructor, a mechanic and a transport manager.

Blythswood’s logistics controller Finlay Mackenzie said: “When they get there, the team will provide a week’s intensive training on the use of breathing apparatus and pumps and the use of cutting gear as well as trauma training. They will also set up an ongoing training programme.”

Blythswood is looking for someone to sponsor the purchase of cutting equipment costing £400. Finlay Mackenzie explains: “In Serbia there is a desperate need for fully fitted fire engines which can respond to serious road traffic accidents. In part of the country, the nearest fire engine is four and half hours away – and that is in the summer when the roads are negotiable.

“These engines will have cutting equipment and trauma equipment so that they can save lives on the spot.

”The machines which are being fully serviced include one from Fife, one purchased from Tayside and one from Lothian and Borders. Gary Bennett has helped Blythswood Care before by volunteering to drive aid lorries to Eastern Europe. He says: “I’m glad to pay for some of this through my company, instead of putting names on football shirts.

” Blythswood Care is also sending heavy and light portable pumps to Bulgaria, to enable local authorities to save lives, homes and crops from severe flooding.

Donations towards the cutting equipment and £2,500 cost of transport can be made online at

www.justgiving.com/fire-engines-2007 or
by calling Blythswood Care’s 24 hour donation hotline
on 0845 089 4081.

Weblink

Blythswood Care

Party Election Broadcast

2007-04-23T11:13:00.000+01:00

Notice of a
Party Election Broadcast
on behalf of the
Scottish Christian Party

Tuesday 24th April 2007

BBC 1 at 10:35pm
STV at 11.05pm
BBC2 at 11.30pm

Election Hustings at Falkirk

2007-04-18T20:49:00.000+01:00

An election hustings will he held on Thursday 19th April in the Salvation Army Citadel, Cow Wynd, Falkirk at 7.00 p.m.

Candidates from a number of the parties who are contesting the election will be present, including candidates for the Falkirk East and Falkirk West constituency seats and candidates for the Central Region "list" seat (which covers Falkirk, much of Lanarkshire and parts of Ayrshire

Brian Ross, who is standing for the Scottish Christian Party as a List Candidate in the Central Region, will be one of those speaking and answering questions.

This is a great opportunity for people to get along and question the candidates - and a great opportunity for Christians to support Brian, as he seeks to uphold the Name of Jesus in the political arena.

Web Links

Government Cowards Stifle Debate

2007-03-20T15:25:00.000Z

United Kingdom Members of Parliament were last night denied the opportunity for debate as the Government rushed the Sexual Orientation Regulations through the Commons at short notice. MPs approved the regulations by 310 votes to 100.
Church leaders have openly criticised the Government for stifling debate in the Commons regarding the regulations.
The House of Lords will vote tomorrow evening on whether to accept or reject the regulations.Peers will not be allowed to amend the regulations.
The Lords vote has been timetabled by the Government to happen on the same day as the Budget is announced by the Chancellor - a move which is being viewed as a deliberate attempt to push the regulations out of the media spotlight.

With mounting opposition to this regulations from faith groups, the UK's Labour Government has chosen to take the route of ignoring democracy in an endeavour to force unwanted and unnecessary regulation on the British public.

Those entitled to vote in the imminent elections for the Scottish Parliament and Scottish local authorities may wish to take note of how a modern Labour government is willing to steamroller over the views of the electorate - and examine all the alternatives which will be available to you.

Sexual Orientation Regulations

2007-03-06T21:21:00.000Z

Last week Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights published a report on the Sexual Orientation Regulations which is generally hostile to religious liberty - perhaps we should not be surprised about this given that prominent homosexual rights advocates are Committee members.

Religious liberty should mean more than freedom to believe in your head, it must involve the freedom to live out your faith.

The Government has not yet published the Sexual Orientation Regulations for Great Britain and will need to lay the regulations in Parliament very soon to meet its implementation date of 6 April.

The Christian Institute has published an update briefing on the Sexual Orientation Regulations which gives excellent advice on the potential impact of these regulations on Christians, faith organisations and businesses which operate with faith-based ethics - download it here.

Quotations

Bishop of Durham, Tom Wright
“This completely fails to take into account the views and beliefs of all those involved. ...the idea that new Labour can come up with a new
morality which it forces on the Catholic Church after 2,000 years; I am sorry, this is amazing arrogance on the part of the Government.”
The Times, 30 January 2007

Federation of Synagogues
“This legislation is forcing religious groups to operate against their convictions and that sets a very dangerous precedent.”
The Jewish Chronicle, 2 February 2007

Muslim Council of Britain
“The Muslim Council of Britain fully supports the principled stand taken by the leaders of the Catholic and Anglican churches on the Sexual Orientation Regulations (SOR). The right to practise one’s faith... is a cornerstone of our society...”
MCB Press Release, 25 January 2007

Bishop of Rochester, Michael Nazir-Ali
“These regulations will certainly affect a great deal of charitable work done by the churches and others. It is the poor and disadvantaged who will be the losers.”
Daily Mail, 29 November 2006

'Street pastor' proposal

2007-02-27T13:26:00.001Z

A businessman has put forward proposals to tackle late night drinking in Perth by sending churchgoers out onto the streets at weekends.

Michael Archibald said that similar "street pastor" schemes had helped tackle drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour in Manchester and Birmingham. Teams of two pastors on the streets could help people in difficulty while out drinking late at night.

Development of the idea is at a very early stage.

False arguments against smacking

2007-02-21T11:09:00.000Z

Leading children’s charity, NCH Scotland, is urging the Scottish Parliament to support a banon smacking children because, according to the charity, smacking discriminates against children.

The charity claims that under Article 2 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children’s rights are to be protected against discrimination. They think it is wrong that adults can be prosecuted for assaulting adults but not for smacking their children (BBC News Online 26 September 2006)

False arguments against smacking

“Hitting people is wrong – children are people too”
“Hitting” is a deliberately emotive and misleading word. Where smacking is used the intention is to train children how to behave and to equip them for adult life.

“Children should have the same protection as adults”
For obvious reasons children are not allowed to drive, marry or own a firearms licence. No-oneclaims ‘inequality’ on these issues and it is ridiculous to apply this argument to smacking. Smacking is specific to children as they are dependent upon their parents and need to betaught right from wrong.

“If smacking works, why do you have to keep doing it?”
This is like saying if school works, why do children have to keep going? The same argument could be used against any parenting technique or any law which is broken on a single occasion.

“Smacking escalates to child abuse”
Most parents who smack their children are not child abusers. The overwhelming proportion of parents know what is reasonable. Evidence from Sweden shows banning smacking actually increased child abuse.

“Smacking teaches children to be violent”
The majority of people were smacked themselves as children, and are now law abiding citizens, not violent abusers.

Smacking a child is not like assaulting an adult

Despite the repeated calls for a ban, the public remain opposed to such a move.
The Government’s own survey found that 88% of the public believed it was sometimes necessary to smack a naughty child
(Protecting Children, Supporting Parents: A Consultation Document on the Physical Punishment of Children, Department of Health, 2000, pages 20-21)
The Prime Minister, Tony Blair, admitted in an interview last year that he had smacked both his elder sons. He said, “I think everybody knows the difference between smacking a kid and abusing a child” Daily Telegraph, 28 November 2006

The Bible teaches that parents,
and not the state,
have a God-given authority over their children

Christians believe that discipline is part of love,
that the benefits last a life-time and that
smacking is one means which most parents choose
to discipline their children

What the law says:
Despite impressions given to the contrary it is perfectly legal for parents
to smack their children.

Section 51 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 continues to allow the defence of “reasonable chastisement”.

It specifically bans all blows to the head, all shaking, and all use of implements and, in respect of the incidents involving shaking or implements, the Procurators Fiscal and the courts are barred from considering whether there was actually any harm or threat of harm to the child.

Legal Defence Fund

2007-02-21T10:53:00.000Z

The Christian Institute has set up a Legal Defence Fund

The aim is to fund the costs of legal action and the associated campaign work in cases of national importance for religious liberty.

There are a growing number of cases where Christian freedom is being restricted by official bodies, often acting completely outside the law.

Parliament and the courts have laid down many precious rights and freedoms in the UK. These freedoms need to be used.

Christian Institute want to use the Legal Defence Fund to protect Christian religious freedom and restrain those who are unlawfully harassing and discriminating against Christian believers. They also want to use the fund to intervene in strategic court cases where precedents could be set which may affect Christian religious liberty.

Web Links

Christian Institute
Institute Update 9 (pdf)

UK Youth Open to Christianity

2007-02-06T10:13:00.000Z

A survey carried out by Communicate Research for Premier Christian Radio shows that British young people between the ages of 18 and 24 are more open to faith-based dialogues that any other age group in the UK.

Christians received the most open audience, with 74 percent of people in this age group saying they were willing to listen to them talk about their faith.

63% of young folk were willing to listen to those from a Jewish background;

62% would listen to Muslims talking about their faith in Islam;

56% were open to hearing from atheists and Buddhists.

(Assist News Service)

Fostering Agency Faces Closure(press release)

2007-02-05T18:51:00.000Z

Christian fostering agency faces closure under Sexual Orientation Regulations

A Christian fostering and adoption support service today announced it faces closure because the Government will not grant an exemption to the Sexual Orientation Regulations.

Following on from the statements of the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England, Cornerstone (North East) Adoption and Fostering Service wrote to the Prime Minister calling for protection from the regulations.

All prospective carers with Cornerstone (based in Stockton-on-Tees) must be Christians and they agree to live by the Bible's teaching. This means that among others, people of no, or other faith, heterosexual unmarried couples and practising homosexuals, are currently referred to alternative providers.

Following a meeting of carers, Trustees and staff, The Chairman of Trustees, Robin Singleton, said today:

"Cornerstone was founded as an agency for Bible believing Christians who want to provide a 'forever family' to some of the most vulnerable children in our society. By any measure Cornerstone is a very successful agency with outstanding outcomes for children. In our 7-year history more than half of the children have been adopted by their foster carers and our breakdown rate is exceptionally low.

"We are deeply concerned that our freedom to provide this service within a faith-based organisation is being denied. Cornerstone provides a unique service in the North East where the faith of its foster and adoptive carers is understood, supported and valued. Carers come to us in preference to other agencies for this reason. Other carers in society can readily have their needs met by an abundance of other providers. This lack of tolerance of Christians expressing their faith through service provision is of real concern and an outrageous infringement of our freedom.

One of our young adults says:

"I am one of the first children to be placed, and adopted, in a family by Cornerstone and I think it is totally shocking that you are going to shut down a good fostering agency just because they don't believe it's right for any fostered child to be brought up by people of the same sex whether they are gay or lesbian. There are plenty of other agencies out there who would be happy with allowing gay couples to foster children"

Robin concluded by saying:

"The implications of this proposed legislation are far reaching and will have a profound effect on services to the public through the reduction of faith-based organisational activities."

The Director of The Christian Institute, Colin Hart, said:

"Cornerstone is providing an excellent service for children. They want to do so because they are Christians, but under the regulations they face closure.

"Most reasonable people would question why our elected government would want to legislate in favour of gay rights supporters who want to close down welfare organisations offering public services which disagree with them. It is not only Cornerstone but many other religious charities will be affected, such as nursing homes, homes for the elderly, guest houses, the list is endless."

For more information contact: Mike Judge 0191 281 5664

Adoption Law Delay "Meaningless"

2007-01-30T01:56:00.000Z

A spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has described the offer to delayed implementation of the Equalities Act to faith-based adoption agencies as meaningless.

He said "It will be no easier for Catholic agencies to act contrary to conscience in 21 months time than it is now.

The spokesman said he was disappointed with the announcement that no exemptions would be permitted for faith based groups and planned to study the new regulations to see if there was any way the adoption agencies can continue.

At present it would appear that faith-based adoption agencies, if they follow their beliefs, are likely to be de-registered for not complying with the new regulations - somewhat reminiscent of the experience of the church in certain former Soviet countries!

The spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church also stated "This decision has wide ramifications. The issue of Catholic adoption agencies is just the tip of the iceberg.

"These regulations could compel religious organisations either to renounce their activities or be removed from public life."

The spokesman also accused the prime minister of undermining the Scottish Executive while ignoring the appeals of religious leaders in order to "placate a powerful lobby group".

The Catholic Church in Scotland said it had been given assurances in December when the executive passed a bill allowing same-sex adoption that it could continue to set criteria blocking gay couples - but those assurances could fall foul of Westminster's Equality Act.

The Equality Act, due to come into effect in England, Wales and Scotland in April, outlaws discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the basis of sexual orientation.

Gay lobbying groups and some MPs have argued that there could be no exemption for discrimination on faith grounds. Other MP's point out that there are always exemptions.

Adoption Agencies may Close

2007-01-29T12:49:00.000Z

The Roman Catholic Church in Scotland has warned that its adoption agencies might have to close because of new gay rights laws at Westminster.

It is claimed the new legislation would take precedence over Holyrood's own recently-enacted adoption reforms.

A Scottish Executive spokesman had given an assurance that its laws would not affect the ability of faith-based adoption agencies to continue operating, although he acknowledged the new Westminster legislation could change that situation.

Mario Conti, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow, issued a public plea to First Minister Jack McConnell to put the church's concerns to Tony Blair and other UK ministers. One way to resolve the issue, he said, would be for Westminster to bring in follow-up legislation which would allow couples in civil partnerships to adopt, without requiring all adoption agencies to change their existing practice.

The archbishop told the First Minister: "Unless the equality legislation' is amended in so far as it affects adoption agencies, and exceptions made to cover this and other areas of conscience, it is unlikely that Catholic adoption agencies will survive."

He insisted this was not a threat or attempted blackmail, but a recognition that their adoption agencies would be unlikely to keep their registered status.

Permission to Demolish

2007-01-25T01:19:00.000Z

Councillors at a planning meeting in Wick Assembly Rooms on 22 January 2007 granted planning permission to Norscot Joinery to demolish a former church building in Castletown, Caithness, and build four blocks of flats comprising 16 houses.

Built in 1843, the church building has been described as an example of a double gabled church in the Caithness style.

There were no objections from any of the public agencies or the public and the Castletown Community Council welcomed the development of much needed low cost housing in the town.

One of the recommendations in granting the application was that the developer used local stone in the detailing of the building.

Churches call for gay adoption exemptions

2007-01-24T23:52:00.000Z

The Church of England has backed the Roman Catholic Churches in England Wales in their bid to be exempt from laws on adoption by gay couples.

Roman Catholic church leaders say their teachings prevent its agencies placing children with homosexuals and they will close if bound by the rules.

The Equality Act, due to come into effect in Scotland, England and Wales in April, seeks to force organisations to offer all services to all people regardless of the beliefs of the organisation or personal belief.

Read more on the BBC News website

2007-01-23T21:16:00.000Z

On Thursday 3rd May 2007 Scotland goes to the polls to elect MSP's to a new Parliament and councillors to "represent" us in the various local councils around the country. This may seem a while away, but our politicians are already preparing for battle!

It may be timely to start doing homework on how those standing for election view the concept of freedom of faith, freedom of speech and freedom of worship in this country - freedoms which were won a cost by people such as our covenanting forefathers.

The following incident was reported last year:-

On 13 January 2006 the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Glasgow, Mario Conti, said in a sermon that the moral teaching of the church was being undermined. The Archbishop said that he and other "bishops are very concerned at the way in which the institution of marriage is undermined, and the family, which should be at the very centre of the state's concern, marginalised." He went on to say that: "Recent legislation to introduce civil partnerships dangerously weakens the uniqueness of marriage as a time-honoured, legally-recognised and protected social reality and a fiscally-privileged entity. It also implicitly places homosexual acts on a plane of moral equivalence to marital love."¹ The Archbishop also pointed out that Pope Paul VI in his Humanae Vitae "warned about the dangers of separating conjugal love from procreation".²

The Green MSP and gay-rights activist, Patrick Harvie, wrote to the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police asking him to investigate the Archbishop's remarks believing they should be prosecuted. Patrick Harvie said: "What he [Conti] said was clearly homophobic. This is a matter for the police."³

Ronnie Convery, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Glasgow, replied that "This particular publicity stunt is not worthy of serious consideration... It does however show once more that there are none so intolerant as the so-called champions of tolerance." He added it was the duty of bishops to preach the truth and "Attempts to bully them, and ultimately gag them... are a disgraceful attack on our traditions of free speech and religious freedom."⁴

References

¹The Times, 14 January 2006 and The Catholic Herald, 20 January 2006
²The Catholic Times, 22 January 2006
³Sunday Herald, 15 January 2006
⁴Scottish Catholic Observer, 20 January 2006

Campaign against Regulations

2007-01-10T12:53:00.000Z

About 2,000 people protested outside Parliament last night.

The House of Lords last night failed in an attempt to annul the Sexual Orientation Regulations for Northern Ireland. The motion was rejected by 199 votes to 68.

The Christian Institute is going ahead with legal action against the Northern Ireland regulations. This will be heard in March and, if it succeeds, will result in the regulations being quashed.

Last night's result was not unexpected. Labour and the Liberal Democrats whipped their Peers to vote against the motion while Conservative Peers were given a free vote.

There has been wide-spread media coverage of the issue, acknowledging many examples of how these laws could interfere with religious freedom.

The regulations for Scotland, England and Wales have not been published yet. It is not known what form they will take but, hopefully, the controversy surrounding the Northern Ireland regulations will help put pressure on the Government to address Christian concerns.

Read a report in The Herald here

Watch a report from BBC News:
Windows Media Player
Real Player

Read further reports from the Daily Mail, The Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Independent.

Nae Wain in the Inn !

2006-12-23T01:02:00.000Z

A teenager has been arrested in connection with the theft of an illuminated baby Jesus figurine from a nativity scene in the Borders village of Newcastleton.

Residents were angered by the vandalism to the festive display which also had power cables cut. The Nativity scene has been a feature of Newcastleton's Christmas celebrations for over 10 years.

The whereabouts of the missing baby Jesus model, valued at £250, was still not known.

After hearing about the loss, Carlisle company Crown Bevcan have made a £300 donation to the Liddesdale Ladies Action Group in Newcastleton to purchase a replacement Jesus.

Victory in free speech case

2006-12-23T00:43:00.000Z

Lancashire Police and Wyre Borough Council back down over the Joe and Helen Roberts case

In an out-of-court settlement, the Police and the Council have both admitted they were wrong in how they responded to the Roberts’ complaint about the Council’s ‘gay rights’ policy. The Police and the Council have agreed to pay legal costs and also make a compensation payment to the Roberts. Joe and Helen are donating all the compensation money to a Christian charity.

The Police admit they should have investigated the matter more fully before deciding to send two police officers to the Roberts’ home. They also admit that if they had made further enquiries, it is likely they would have decided not to send the officers. The Police also said they have revised their policy specifically to avoid episodes similar to the Roberts’ case happening in the future.

We are particularly thankful for the very positive attitude of Lancashire Police to bringing this case to a successful conclusion. The Police have made it clear that the door is open for further discussion about how they can improve their policy in this area. This goes a long way to restoring the confidence of Christians in Lancashire as to how similar incidents will be dealt with in the future.

Read the Police apology in full

The Council admit that they should never have allowed an individual council officer to make a complaint to the Police. They have revised their procedures accordingly.

Read the Council apology in full

It has been a year since the Roberts were interrogated by police officers in their own home simply for complaining to their local Council about its ‘gay rights’ policy. Throughout the year, the Roberts have been determined that the Police and the Council should not be allowed to treat Christians this way. They took out a legal action to make sure it didn’t happen to anyone else. That courageous stand has been vindicated.

Although this is an English case, it is a warning for Christians in all parts of the UK to stand firm against "authorities" who would illegally seek to use their position to deny the right to free expression of religious belief.