Christian Weekly News 10/05/2013

Urgent National Prayer Gathering outside Parliament!

Join Christian Concern at an Urgent National Prayer Gathering as Parliament debates changing the law of the land and discarding God's pattern for marriage.

It will take place outside Parliament during the 3rd Reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill in the House of Commons on the 20th and 21st of May.

Please join us as we intercede for our nation and pray that Jesus Christ will be honoured in our nation's laws.

Please spread the word...

Download a poster here to use at church this Sunday!

Monday 20th May: 12-2pm & 5-7pm

Tuesday 21st May: 12-4pm & 5-7pm

Venue: Old Palace Yard (Opposite Houses of Parliament). Nearest tube stations: Westminster, St James Park, Victoria

PM “running scared” on same sex marriage

Thank you for writing to the Queen about not mentioning the government's same sex 'marriage' plans at the State Opening of Parliament this week.

The government did not include it in the Speech. But not long after Her Majesty's Speech, the date for the Third Reading of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill was announced.

This demonstrates the undemocratic nature of this bill and the cowardice of the Prime Minister.

After noting that the government’s bill was not mentioned in the speech, Andrea said that the Prime Minister is “running scared” on the policy.

“It’s notable that such a controversial piece of legislation should be left out of the Queen’s Speech,” she said.

“It appears that Mr Cameron is running scared on gay marriage.

“The local elections last week were disastrous for the Conservatives in large part due to the divisive nature of this policy. The voices calling for him to drop it are increasing in number and in volume, both inside and outside of his party.

“Perhaps the Prime Minister thinks that if he keeps quiet on the issue it will slip through unnoticed. But it cannot go unnoticed that there is now absolutely no mandate for this bill.

“Not only was it not mentioned in the Queen’s Speech today, it wasn’t mentioned in Her Majesty’s Speech last year either. Add to that the fact that it wasn’t in any major party’s manifesto, that it wasn’t in the Coalition agreement and that the consultation was a sham, and the undemocratic nature of this policy is plain for all to see.

“Government ministers don’t want to speak about it because they can’t defend it.

“The Conservatives’ campaign strategist has recently told them to ‘get the barnacles off the boat.’ Skirting the issue isn’t good enough. It’s time for the Prime Minister to do the right and honourable thing and throw this bill out of Parliament”.

Authors say Royal College 'misled' Church and Parliament on 'gay marriage'

Click here to buy the hard copy of
the book >

Click here to buy the electronic
version >

Authors Dermot O'Callaghan and Dr Peter May have pointed out the misuse of science by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in guidance it has given to both the government and the Church of England.

Mr O'Callaghan and Dr May are the authors of 'Beyond Critique: The Misuse of Science by UK Professional Mental Health Bodies'.

Core Issues Trust, a Christian ministry that supports men and women with homosexual issues, sent copies of the book to every member of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, as well as every member of the Church of England's General Synod. This was followed by a press release which drew attention to the misleading nature of the Royal College's submissions to the government and CofE.

The Royal College's misuse of science is serious because it shows that its position is based on ideology rather than evidence. The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is also singled out for its "draconian prohibitions" on therapists helping clients who want to reduce feelings of same sex attraction.

It's vital that this issue is brought to public attention and the misuse of science exposed.

Click here to buy the hard copy >

Click here to buy the electronic version >

Conservatives urge Prime Minister to drop same-sex 'marriage' bill

Tory MPs are calling on David Cameron to drop his same-sex ‘marriage’ plans to prevent core Conservatives from defecting to UKIP.

The warning comes following UKIP’s success at the ballot box last week which saw it gain almost one in four votes.

Find out more >

Maidstone Council renews licence of adult venue on High Street

Watch reaction from local
pastor Neil Pattison (3m 22s) >

Thank you for praying for the Sex Entertainment Venue (SEV) licence hearing in Maidstone yesterday (Thursday 9 May).

Maidstone Council considered a renewal application for 'Players,' an adult venue on Maidstone High Street.

Unfortunately, the Council decided to grant the renewal of the licence, despite receiving over 100 letters of objection from local residents leading up to the hearing.

Click here to watch local pastor Neil Pattison's reaction to the decision.

The decision is particularly disappointing, given that the venue is on a main thoroughfare into the town centre and is close to homes, shops, cafes, churches and schools.

The Christian Legal Centre supported local Christians who opposed the renewal of the licence.

Please continue to pray for Christians in Maidstone as they maintain a public witness for Christ and for councillors to make decisions that are for the good of the community.

Lord Falconer to table bill on assisted suicide

Labour peer Lord Falconer has announced that he will present a bill before Parliament next week to legalise assisted suicide for terminally ill patients in England and Wales.

The proposals come despite three failed attempts to legalise assisted suicide in Britain over the last six years amid concerns about public safety.

Dr Peter Saunders of Christian Medical Fellowship said: “Any change in the law to allow assisted suicide (a form of euthanasia) would inevitably place pressure on vulnerable people to end their lives so as not to be a burden on others."

Find out more >

Christian surgery criticised for upholding conscience

A Christian-run NHS surgery has been criticised for posting a notice saying that some of its doctors do not prescribe the morning-after bill for conscience reasons.

Some doctors have serious reservations about handing out the drug because of remaining questions over its potentially abortion-inducing effects.

Find out more >

Thousands attend prayer vigil to oppose draft Irish abortion bill

Around 5,500 people gathered at a prayer vigil in Ireland last weekend in response to a controversial bill that proposes to allow abortions on the grounds of mental health.

Cardinal Sean Brady, Ireland’s most senior Catholic, urged the crowd to lobby politicians about the draft legislation and warned against “ambiguous language which cloaks the true horror of the situation.”

Find out more >

Victory as Obama Administration drops abortion mandate case against Bible publisher

In a significant victory for pro-life advocates, the Obama Administration has withdrawn its attempt to force a Bible publisher to comply with the Health and Human Services (HHS) abortion pill mandate.

The controversial mandate imposes a strict obligation on employers to provide abortion-inducing drugs as part of health care insurance, regardless of their religious or moral convictions.

Find out more >

Latest CofE figures "heartening", says Bishop

Statistics released by the Church of England show an increase in the number of young people attending weekly church services in addition to a rise in adult and child baptisms.

The number of people attending Christmas services also rose by 14.5 per cent between 2010 and 2011, reaching a total of over 2.6 million.

Find out more >

World Congress of Families VII

World Congress of Families VII - Happy Families, Healthy Economy

Sydney, Australia 15-18 May 2013

The World Congress of Families is not like other Congresses. It has an ambitious and urgent task of shifting the debate in key areas to strengthen the natural family worldwide.

While the Congress will feature over 100 leaders from academia, business, law, politics, religion, media, health, education, entertainment, and activists, who will present data and reasoned arguments for strengthening the natural family, it is really those listening and learning, in other words, the delegates, that will determine the success of the Congress.

Why? Because delegates go away and become catalysts for change – at work, at home and in their affiliated organisations. This is how we measure success!

Click here to find out more on the WCF website

"Being Wise Shepherds" conference in Sussex

Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, will be speaking at the "Being Wise Shepherds" conference hosted by the Emmaus Group on Friday 21st June.

The conference is aimed at equipping leaders to prepare and protect congregation members experiencing opposition to their Christian faith in the public sphere .

Date & Time: 21st June 2013, 10am-5pm
Venue: The event is being held in a venue in Crawley (full details will be issued upon booking)
Speakers: Andrea Williams (Christian Legal Centre) Dr Patrick Sookhdeo (Barnabas Fund), Sami Hussein (Ex-Islamic Militant, Emmaus Group), Howard Stern (Christian Mediator & Negotiator), Christy & Natalie (Palestinian Arab Christians)

For more details see the flyer here >

Please note that tickets must be booked in advance and are £85 each (including lunch and refreshments). Photo ID will also be required on entry.

To book your place online go to the Emmaus Group website here >

Awake Arise - Bournemouth

Andrea Williams, Ade Omooba and Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali will be speaking at a day conference that seeks to encourage Christians to engage with society. Please do come along if you are free!

Date & Time: 15th June 2013, 10am - 4pm
Venue: House of Destiny Church, 25a Eliiot Road, West Howe, Bournemouth, BH11, 8LQ

For more information see the flyer here.