Prisoners convert to Islam
Inmates are converting to Islam in order to gain perks and the protection of powerful Muslim gangs, the Chief Inspector of Prisons warns today. Dame Anne Owers says that some convicted criminals are taking up the religion in jail to receive benefits only available to practising Muslims. The number of Muslim prisoners has risen dramatically since the mid-1990s - from 2,513 in 1994, or 5 per cent of the prison population, to 9,795 in 2008, or 11 per cent. Staff at top-security prisons and youth jails have raised concerns about the intimidation of non-Muslims and possible forced conversions. Dame Anne’s report, Muslim Prisoners’ Experiences, says that, although several high-profile terrorists have been jailed recently, fewer than 1 in 100 Muslim inmates have been convicted of terrorism. She says that prison staff are suspicious about those practising or converting to the faith and warns that treating Muslim inmates as potential or actual extremists risks radicalising. Pray: for a prison system that recognises the offence committed and matches punishment and treatment accordingly. (Ps.106:3)
Schools not teaching core Christian beliefs
Ofsted’s study suggests that teachers in English schools pay more attention to other faiths and that Christian pupils are being sidelined in class. It has found that the quality of RE in secondary schools is worse than it was three years ago when the last analysis of the subject was carried out, with inadequate teaching in nearly a fifth of lessons. Changes to the curriculum in the early years of secondary school, introduced by the Labour government to increase ‘flexibility’, were having a negative impact on RE; in some schools it has been amalgamated with other lessons and had all but disappeared. The report suggests that other religions are treated more seriously in RE classes. In non-faith state schools, Christian assemblies are being dropped in favour of multi-faith worship, despite a legal requirement for Christian collective worship, and children are no longer taught the Lord's Prayer. A recent survey of more than 500 12-year-olds found that only 54% knew that Christians celebrated the Resurrection at Easter. Pray: that those responsible for our education syllabus re-assess RE teaching to support Christianity. (Ac.3:18)
One million 'March for Jesus' in Brazil
An estimated one million Evangelical Christians in Brazil rallied for the 18th annual March for Jesus event in Sao Paulo. The event unites Evangelicals in the world's largest Roman Catholic country. Sao Paulo is one of the world's largest cities with over 10 million residents. In recent decades, Evangelical churches have grown rapidly to become a major influence. The latest figures available show the number of Evangelicals increased from 9 percent to 15 per-cent. Praise: God for this powerful testimony to the people of Brazil. (Ps.147:1) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/June/one-Million-March-for-Jesus-in-Brazil/
One million 'March for Jesus' in Brazil
An estimated one million Evangelical Christians in Brazil rallied for the 18th annual March for Jesus event in Sao Paulo. The event unites Evangelicals in the world's largest Roman Catholic country. Sao Paulo is one of the world's largest cities with over 10 million residents. In recent decades, Evangelical churches have grown rapidly to become a major influence. The latest figures available show the number of Evangelicals increased from 9 percent to 15 per-cent. Praise: God for this powerful testimony to the people of Brazil. (Ps.147:1) More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2010/June/one-Million-March-for-Jesus-in-Brazil/
