Christianity has made an ‘enormous contribution’ to Britain
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has spoken of the ‘enormous contribution Christianity has made’ to Britain. In an Easter message, he said that the season ‘reminds us all to follow our conscience and ask not what we are entitled to, but what we can do for others. It teaches us about charity, compassion, responsibility, and forgiveness. No matter what faiths we follow, these are values which speak to us all,’ Mr Cameron added. His words came ahead of a meeting on Wednesday with senior Christian leaders in Downing Street for an Easter celebration. Wednesday's No 10 meeting included representatives from various denominations and is being touted as an endorsement of Britain's Christian heritage and identity. It is the most explicit outreach to Christian groups by the British Government in recent times. Prior state-led engagement with religion has focused almost exclusively on Muslims and the Islamic faith.
Pray: that those in the public eye would continue to acknowledge our Christian heritage. (Mt.10:32)
More: http://www.ionainstitute.ie/index.php?id=1427
Lord Patten attacks 'intolerant' secularists
Lord Patten the new chairman of the BBC waded into the growing row over secularism, saying atheists are ‘intolerant’ of religion. Lord Patten a former Cabinet minister and practising Catholic said that he felt he was regarded as ’peculiar’ over his faith. His comments come amid a deepening battle over the freedom of religious belief in the British Isles. He will take control of the BBC Trust next month. He is the highest-profile political figure to enter the debate over what is seen as a creeping attempt to remove Christianity from public life. His comments angered secularists who expressed concern that his faith could affect his ability to remain objective in making decisions. Speaking last week at Our Lady of Grace and St Edward in Chiswick on the theme, ‘Faith and Public Service - Christian witness in the wider world’, he said he was dismayed by the attitude of secularists to the Pope's visit last year. Pray: that God would use Lord Patten in his role at the BBC and many other Christians in the media to be His vessels of hope in the face of secular values. (Ps.33:8) More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8469734/Lord-Patten-attacks-intolerant-secularists.htmll
Atheists should drop anti-religion campaigns
Martin Rees, the astronomer royal, has called on anti-religion campaigners to abandon their tactics and strive for ‘peaceful coexistence’ with mainstream religious groups. Rees, one of the country's most senior scientists, criticised those who pit science against religion and urged atheists to embrace the moderate strands of faith in opposing fundamentalism. Rees was among the first generation of scientists to contemplate the big bang. In subsequent work he has asked how large is physical reality. Rees, who does not believe in God, described himself as an ‘accommodationist’ and ‘tribal Christian’ who was happy to attend church services. ‘Campaigning against religion can be socially counter-productive. If teachers take the uncompromising line that God and Darwinism are irreconcilable, many young people raised in a faith-based culture will stick with their religion and be lost to science. Moreover, we need all the allies we can muster against fundamentalism – a palpable, perhaps growing concern,’ he wrote.
Pray: for a wider recognition that, as many scientists affirm, belief in God and the study of science are fully compatible. (Je.31:35)
More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/apr/24/martin-rees-atheists-drop-campaigns
Scottish Cardinal condemns ‘aggressive secularism’
In his Easter Sunday homily, delivered in St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh, Cardinal Keith O’Brien stressed the ‘common ancestry’ of all Christians as he paid tribute to friends in the Church of Scotland and reiterated the Catholic Church’s commitment to finding full unity. ‘Together in the face of aggressive secularism to maintain our Christian heritage and culture in our great country,’ he said. Pope Benedict XVI warned of aggressive secularism during his visit to Britain last September, when he told Catholics that they must recognise the challenges that confront them on the path of Christian unity as well as in their task of proclaiming Christ today. Cardinal O’Brien said he had been contacted recently by a Presbyterian minister in the Church of Scotland who had contrasted the British Government’s promise to act against the persecution of Christians in other countries while apparently ignoring the increasing marginalisation of Christians in the UK. Pray: that the Church denominations would continue to work together in promoting the Gospel . (Ps.133) More:http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/scottish.cardinal.condemns.aggressive.secularism/27878.htm
