INSIGHT ARTICLE: Pakistani Update by indigenous Christian
‘Convert or die’. Masih Gill, a Christian from the city of Mardan, in the province of ‘Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’ Northern Pakistan was threatened with these words by a group of Muslims with whom he had been speaking after the recent episode of the burning of the Koran in the US. See Three churches have been attacked in one week by Muslim extremists, and eleven UN guards were killed on April 1st. Local sources say that Masih Gill simply defended his faith, saying that Christians respect all religions and do not nurture hostility towards anyone. The Muslims then threatened Gill. They also said that they would charge him before Pakistani authorities with blasphemy. For insights into the current situation in Pakistan for Christians please click the info button Pray: for God to uphold and strengthen the Christians living and working in Pakistan. (Is.41:10) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/Pakistansituation1.pdf
Cathedral to host ‘new age’ festival
Manchester Cathedral is to host a controversial new age festival in May which is set to include card readings, mysticism, dream interpretations and a fire breathing vicar. The Christian Spirituality fair is also expected to include a workshop on ‘Meditating on icons as doors into the mystic realm’. Its location in the historic Church of England building is likely to alarm many Christians. ‘Explore’ The fair is set to include Jesus Deck readings, a type of Bible study based on a card drawn from a pack of cards. The ‘Christian symbolism of gem stones’ and an exploration of the ‘relationship between the Goddess and Christian tradition to uncover the divine feminine in Christianity’ are also expected to feature at the event. The Bishop of Manchester, Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch said: ‘The event is a chance to discover and explore old and new Christian spiritual traditions.’ Pray: for the Church authorities as they allow the exploration of alternative faiths and spirituality that God would intervene and bring His revelation and truth. (Gal.1:12) More: http://www.theway.co.uk/feature.php?id=8413&this=Church_of_England_cathedral_to_host_
Consultation on civil partnerships registrations in churches
A consultation is underway on whether civil partnerships should be allowed to be registered in churches and other religious buildings. Under current law, civil partnerships can only be registered at secular venues and the ceremonies do not contain any religious elements. The Government wants to implement a section of the Equality Act 2010 that would allow civil partnerships to be registered in religious venues. Equality Minister Lynne Featherstone said: ‘The government is committed to advancing equality for lesbian, gay and bisexual people and to ensuring freedom of religion or belief for all people. While the Quakers and Unitarian Church support a change, most Christians are strongly opposed to the move. The Evangelical Alliance, Christian Concern and Reform are among the groups raising concern over whether a change to regulations will lead to discrimination against Christians. Pray: for a huge response by church and other Christian groups to influence the course of these proposals. (1Co.2:6) More:http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/government.launches.consultation.on.civil.partnerships.registrations.in.
Christian foster carers campaign for re-instatement
The Christian couple from Derby at the heart of the controversy over whether couples with mainstream Christian views on marriage and sexuality can become foster parents have re-submitted an application to foster to Derby City Council asking the Council to change its policy on carers. Owen and Eunice Johns, together with Derby City Council, had previously made a joint application to the High Court, asking the Court to make a declaration on how the Council should treat an application from potential foster carers who were unwilling to promote the practice of homosexuality to a small child. As was widely reported at the time, although the particular Judicial declaration on the balancing of rights that the parties sought was not given, the Judges used the opportunity provided to make a forceful case against the right to manifest Christian beliefs in the face of equalities legislation, stating that homosexual rights trumped freedom. (See Prayer Alert 09-2011) Pray: that this move will lead to the Johns’ reinstatement and a change to the law. (Lk.21:15&21)
