Western Isles' to fall foul of new equality law
Councillors on the Western Isles could be forced to abandon a centuries-old religious tradition of keeping sports and community centres closed on a Sunday because it breaches new equality legislation, the Guardian has learned. The islands of Lewis, Harris and North Uist are the last places in the UK where publicly owned and lottery-funded facilities such as leisure centres, golf courses, school grounds and community halls are closed because of sabbatarianism, which bans work and play on Sundays on religious grounds. The tradition, promoted vigorously by the staunchly protestant Free Church and the Church of Scotland, has caused deep divisions on the islands and bitter rows between pro-opening campaigners and senior figures in the church and council. Pray: for God to be the authority and have the last word in this dispute. (Gen.2:3) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/jan/31/western-isles-sunday-laws-equality-act
'Flying Dutchman' appointed to Scots oil and gas chaplaincy
A Dutch Church of Scotland minister has been appointed to one of Britain’s most prominent chaplaincy posts. The Rev Martin Grashoff will take over as chaplain to the oil and gas industry on 1 March 2011. His predecessor, the Rev Andrew Jolly MBE, died last year at age 54 from cancer. Rev Grashoff will be a pastor to workers on the British oil and gas rigs and installations, as well as to their families, and also will connect with the industry onshore and with churches. ‘I will have to go out and meet them where they work and live. For me it is a strong and positive challenge to find God out in the world and be led from there. It may seem odd to enjoy going to a 'parish' with over 32,000 people, stretching from the Shetlands to the South of England, but I really do enjoy the prospect. I'll be kind of a Flying Dutchman,’ he said. Pray: that as he pastors workers and their families in such a diverse environment God’s kingdom will be revealed. (Mt.22:37-39).
Ireland: Election on as 30th Dáil ends
The dissolution of the 30th Dáil has brought an end to the Irish Government’s slow and ignominious decline. During close on four years, the Coalition parties lost control of the economy; then lost public confidence and finally lost faith in each other. It began with the demise of the Progressive Democrats, continued with the forced resignation of Bertie Ahern, accelerated with the banking and building collapse, continued with the International Monetary Fund/European Union bailout and ended with the resignation of the Green Party. The seeds of destruction were sown before Mr Cowen took charge, as the taxation base was deliberately narrowed and bank lending and public spending soared. His Government’s response was weak and indecisive. The banking guarantee was given and defended by Government on the basis of spurious information. From there, it was all downhill. Pray: that the Irish people will be given wisdom and His revelation over their decisions. (Eph.2:17a) More: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0202/breaking10.html
Christianity the last bastion against ‘totalitarianism’
An Austrian think tank and non-governmental organisation is warning that freedom of religious expression is ‘at risk’ in Europe from secularist intolerance on the left. Public expressions of religious belief by Christians are growing in Western Europe, the cradle of Christendom. Gudrun Kugler, a lawyer and director of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe says that ‘Europe Christianity is hated because it is the last obstacle to a new vision of secularity which is so politically correct that it verges on totalitarianism. Christians are increasingly marginalized and are appearing more often in courts over matters related to faith. So I think that we are heading for a bloodless persecution.’ Dr Massimo Introvigne, of the Organisation of Security and Cooperation in Europe, said this week that European Christians are not being ‘oversensitive.’ Discrimination against Christians in Europe, he said, ‘is more subtle’ than in countries where they are outright persecuted, but it is real. Pray: for all Christians as they battle secularism and anti-Christian persecution across Europe. (Ac.4:29)
