VERY IMPORTANT CHRISTIAN CONCERN

'Dr Death' opens UK clinic to 'cope with demand' for assisted suicide
Dr Philip Nitschke
Dr Peter Saunders
  Euthanasia campaigner, Dr Philip Nitschke, who has opened a new clinic in the UK to advise people on how to end their lives, is appealing for people to visit his clinic “before they get too sick”.


Dr Nitschke claims he opened a London clinic to 'cope with demand' for assisted suicide from UK citizens.
 
He is reportedly under police investigation in every state in Australia over suspected involvement in nearly 20 deaths. In July he was suspended by the Medical Board of Australia.
 
Care Not Killing has described Nitschke as “an extremist and self-publicist whose presence in the UK puts the lives of vulnerable elderly, depressed and disabled people at grave risk.”
 
Earlier this year, CNK Campaigns Director, Dr Peter Saunders, wrote to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, urging her to stop Nitschke entering Britain.
 
The Exit clinic charges people a fee to access online information and attend workshops which give advice on how to source lethal barbiturates, provide instructions on how people can gas themselves with a DIY kit and offer tips on how those assisting a suicide might avoid prosecution.
 
Read more > http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/arrival-of-euthanasia-advice-clinic-exit-international-in-uk-condemned-as-unwelcome-and-very-dangerous-9775803.html
Nick Clegg expresses opposition to assisted suicide


The Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat leader, Nick Clegg, told his party conference he would not vote in favour of legalising assisted suicide.


Nick Clegg said he had seen how the law worked in other countries, in particular the Netherlands.
 
Read more > http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-29513007

Liberal Democrats vote against compulsory worship in schools 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-29503771

Bishop John Pritchard
  Liberal Democrats voted at their party conference this week to end the legal requirement for schools to hold Christian worship during assemblies.

Among the speakers was the Church of England’s head of education, Bishop John Pritchard, who said the 1944 Education Act, which requires schools to hold collective worship, should be changed as it no longer “represented the mood of the nation”. 

He added that compulsory worship could put people off religion and suggested Christian worship be replaced with broader spiritual reflection to “take the pressure off” children.

Only non-Christian faith schools are exempt from the law on acts of worship during assemblies.

Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said: "It is very disappointing that the Bishop of Oxford has backed the Liberal Democrats in their call to remove the act of common worship that helps young people understand our great Christian heritage."

BREAKING CASE NEWS: Victory for Christian registrar dismissed after refusing to conduct same-sex 'marriages' 
Civil Registrar, Margaret
Jones

Paul Diamond
Standing Counsel to the 
Christian Legal CentreA Christian registrar who was sacked for indicating she would not be willing to conduct same-sex weddings has been reinstated after a successful appeal.

Margaret Jones (54), a Senior Deputy Registrar at Bedford register office, was asked by her employers in 2013 whether her Christian beliefs would prevent her from conducting same-sex weddings in light of the passage of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act.

On 28 March 2014, just one day before the first same-sex 'marriages' were due to be performed in the UK, Margaret had a meeting with management and confirmed that, as a Christian, she believed marriage can only be between one man and one woman. She said she would be unwilling to conduct same-sex weddings as she "would not be able to say the words and be sincere.”  At the meeting, Margaret was told the council's position was that she either perform same-sex 'marriages' or resign.
In April 2014, a formal investigation was launched after Margaret was accused of "gross misconduct".  It was alleged that her refusal to conduct same-sex weddings was in breach of her role and amounted to a failure to follow management instruction.

Margaret went through an internal disciplinary process and explained that whilst she could not perform same-sex weddings, she would be willing to register the marriages and deal with administrative tasks.  She explained that since every marriage ceremony requires two members of staff - one to conduct and one to register - she could simply register the marriage, with the result that no couple would be denied a service.

In May 2014, Margaret was dismissed on the basis that her refusal to perform same-sex weddings breached equality laws and "brought the council into disrepute". At the time of her sacking, Margaret's shifts did not coincide with any pre-booked same-sex weddings, which meant she had not refused to perform the same-sex wedding of an actual couple.

“As I have not done anything wrong, I am being sacked for my belief, not my actions,” she said.

But last month, Margaret's appeal against her dismissal was upheld unanimously by a panel of Central Bedfordshire Council Members.  The panel decided that the council had not fully investigated ways of accommodating Margaret’s religious beliefs and that evidence had been found that in other cases “informal custom and practice arrangements had been developed in order to accommodate individual staff situations.”

In a letter reversing Margaret’s dismissal, the council said its appeal panel had decided that further consideration could have been given at the disciplinary hearing to ways of accommodating her “deeply held religious beliefs.”  The letter informed Margaret she would be reinstated with no financial loss and that any reference to gross misconduct would be “expunged from all records.”
Paul Diamond, Standing Counsel to the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), which has supported Margaret over the issue said: "All good employers should follow this precedent, and practising Christians should no longer fear expressing their beliefs.”

Andrea Williams, CEO of the CLC, said: "For several years, with your support, we have stood with those who have suffered unnecessarily as a result of equalities legislation, pressing for the reasonable accommodation of Christian beliefs in the workplace in both domestic and European courts.  

"We hope that employers begin to demonstrate a greater understanding of what it means to be a Christian. The council's decision is an encouragement to Christians to stand calmly but boldly in the public sphere."

Please help us to support, without charge, Christians such as Margaret, who are holding a faithful Christian witness at work, by donating to the Christian Legal Centre today.

rayer Alert:  Critical meeting over banning of Christian counsellors 
Dr Mike Davidson
 
Rev. Tony Ruddle
Chairman of the Association of
Christian Counsellors
Please pray for Dr Mike Davidson, Director of Core Issues Trust (CIT), who is attending a critical meeting of the professional body for Christian counsellors, to appeal against its decision to ban CIT and individual therapists from offering help to men and women with unwanted same-sex attraction.
 
At 2pm tomorrow in Grantham (Wednesday 23 April) Dr Davidson will address a special meeting of the Executive of the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) which has banned its members from offering therapeutic support to people who want to reduce or possibly eliminate same-sex feelings. 

The ACC has refused to renew CIT’s membership after Dr Davidson raised concerns about a statement it issued in January, forbidding its members from offering help to people who want to change their sexual orientation and condemning what it calls ‘reparative’ or ‘conversion’ therapy.  
 
Dr Davidson will tell the Chairman of the ACC, Rev. Tony Ruddle, and his Executive body, that: “There are no known registered and practising Reparative Therapists in the UK, and ‘conversion’ therapy is a pejorative term which tends to discredit serious and scientifically supported Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE).  Core Issues Trust practices neither of these therapies, but offers support to individuals voluntarily seeking to alter unwanted same-sex feelings.” 
 
Dr Davidson will tell tomorrow’s Executive body that under the Equalities Act (2010) discrimination against a person because of their past actual or perceived sexual orientation, or because their sexual orientation has changed, is unlawful. He will say the ACC appears to misunderstand the provisions of the act as only protecting Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transexual people (LGBT). He will ask the Executive to call a special members’ meeting at which he can put his case.
 
“The ACC should be supporting professional Christian therapists who want to help individuals who have voluntarily sought to change their sexual identity, practices or feelings. It should not be banning professional counsellors or discriminating against a vulnerable minority who seek change therapy,” says Dr Davidson.
 
Andrea Williams of Christian Concern says:

“This is a critical moment in the life of the Association of Christian Counsellors and if they cannot stand with people such as Mike Davidson and Lesley Pilkington, then why do they exist.”
 
Please pray that:
Dr Mike Davidson will present a strong and clear case for help to be permitted for people with unwanted same-sex attraction
members of the Executive of the Association of Christian Counsellors will open their hearts to the appeal by Dr Davidson
the Executive body will resist State pressure, and pressure from other professional bodies, to ban therapeutic support for people with unwanted same-sex feelings
the Executive body will recognise that the Equalities Act gives protection to a person with a desire to change their sexual orientation just as members of the LGBT community are protected
a special members’ meeting will be granted to enable Dr Davidson and other therapists concerned about the prohibition of change therapy, to present their case.

CHRISTIAN CONCERN
BREAKING CASE NEWS: Christian nursery nurse sacked for saying marriage is between a man and a woman
http://www.christianconcern.com/

Christian Legal Centre 
client Sarah Mbuyi
 
A Christian nursery nurse has been sacked for gross misconduct from her job in a London children’s nursery after explaining the Bible's teaching on homosexuality in response to a question from her colleague.
Sarah Mbuyi had worked at Newpark Childcare in Highbury, London, since April 2013. She became good friends with a gay colleague and they had frequent conversations about the meaning of Christianity.   

The incident
In January 2014, the colleague initiated another conversation with Sarah about Christianity. She said she was unhappy that she couldn't marry her female partner because of the church, and said she thought that God condoned homosexuality.
Miss Mbuyi explained: “When I said no God does not condone the practice of homosexuality, but does love you and says you should come to him as you are, she became emotional and went off to report me to my manager.

"I never ever condemned her, or accused her, but when she asked me directly what I believed, I was open about sharing the Bible’s teaching that homosexual sex (not the people) is wrong. It's clear that this offended her and she was determined to get me sacked, simply because I expressed traditional Christian beliefs."
The dismissal 

After a one-sided disciplinary hearing in which Sarah was falsely accused of starting the discussion on homosexuality, nursery directors dismissed her immediately for gross misconduct.

The implications
Sarah’s dismissal suggests her employers think that expressing Christian beliefs is a legitimate grounds for dismissal. This is clearly an issue of deep concern for Christians in the workplace across the UK.
Andrea Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, said:
“Sharing Biblical truths out of genuine love and concern for colleagues is being outlawed in the workplace by a dominating cultural correctness.  There is a culture of fear which closes down freedom of speech and the manifestation of faith.  This culture brands the liberating good news of the Gospel as oppressive and regressive.

“Sarah’s case demonstrates the confusion we’re experiencing in current times. David Cameron has given public recognition of the enormous positive impact that Jesus Christ has had on our nation but  he wants to mould Christianity to his political agenda.  History shows that Christianity is greater than any political agenda.

“David Cameron has ignored the concerns of the Christian community by driving through same-sex ‘marriage’. Any dissent in the public space, in the workplace, to the new prevailing orthodoxy means punishment as Sarah is experiencing.

“This is not a Government with a track record of recognising and respecting Christian faith. It has deliberately and consistently undermined Christians and their freedom to live out their faith in the public square.

“The Prime Minister has huge influence. If he is serious in his support for Christianity, he will intervene in Sarah’s case and ensure that those who believe in marriage, as defined in the bible, between one man and one woman, will not lose their jobs but be wholly and properly protected by the law.

“This government has seriously let down the Christian community. Easter statements of sentiment will not suffice. Consistent behaviour is what will be believed."
The way forward

Sarah did what any faithful Christian would do — she spoke the truth in love in response to what she thought was a genuine question about her faith.
 
The Christian Legal Centre is helping Sarah claim unfair dismissal on grounds of religious discrimination. This isn’t just about the rights of one individual Christian, it’s about the freedom to speak of Jesus and make Him and His Truth known in the workplace and elsewhere in public life.
 
People in workplaces across the UK need to hear the good news about Jesus so it’s vital that we protect this freedom.  

Christians need not to fear and need to continue to share the Gospel.
 
If you believe we should have the freedom to share the Gospel at work, please support us by making a donation today so that we can keep helping Sarah and others like her.

[size=16.363636016845703]BREAKING NEWS: Eric Pickles challenged to back up “Christian country” claims 
[size=16.363636016845703]Christian Concern has asked Eric Pickles to give evidence against his own Government Department after his recent comment that Britain is a “Christian nation”.[/size][/size]
[size=16.363636016845703]Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, issued the challenge yesterday (7 APRIL) live on Radio 4’s PM Programme and is also sending the Communities Secretary a letter.
On Sunday (6 APRIL) Mr Pickles was widely reported as saying that militant atheists should “get over it” and accept that Britain is a Christian country.
Challenge Mr Pickles[/size]
[size=16.363636016845703]But Mr Pickles’ Government department refused to allow a Christian Concern colloquium at the QEII Conference Centre in London (a venue run by Mr Pickles’ department) in May 2012.
Andrea has therefore asked Mr Pickles to back up his comments by testifying against his own department.
She said: “We’ve heard the Prime Minister and now the Communities Secretary defend Britain’s Christian heritage. But if their comments are going to be more than just hollow soundbites, somebody needs to back up these words with action. Mr Pickles now has that opportunity by giving evidence against his own department. He should intervene to stop the centre from pursuing costs against us, and ensure that the centre is open to us in the future.”
Marriage Conference[/size]
[size=16.363636016845703]Christian Concern had booked the QEII conference centre for a colloquium on the subject of marriage. But at 4pm the day before the colloquium, the QEII Conference Centre cancelled the booking with the Centre’s Chief Executive saying it was “inappropriate” for such an event to be held at a Government venue.
"You are responsible"  [/size]
[size=16.363636016845703]The case is now in the Central London County Court with Christian Concern and Andrea Williams as claimants and Eric Pickles and the QEII Conference Centre as defendants.  The department is already estimating costs of £50,000, which they will claim against Andrea and Christian Concern if they win.[/size]
[size=16.363636016845703]This kind of threat has a profound chilling impact on any person or organisation wishing to challenge the closing down of freedom of speech and expression.
Andrea says in her letter: “The British public has the right to know whether the expression of Christian belief and values on the subject of marriage (and other issues) is ‘inappropriate’ to be heard at a venue run by your Department…
“You are the Minister responsible and should answer for the policy of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.”[/size]

Christian Concern - Christian Weekly News.

Keeping truth alive in the media
Watch a sample of the media
coverage given to Christian
Concern here (3m 11s) >
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0__b24eqWMY&list=UUqnbu3dpuqx7O3KRgZQarnA

The media debate on ‘gay marriage’ continues following a series of ‘weddings’ involving same-sex couples, resulting in many opportunities for Christian Concern to present the Biblical view that marriage is the unique union of one man and one woman for life.
Major UK mainstream TV and Radio news services invited Christian Concern to explain the Biblical viewpoint on marriage in their peak-time news bulletins and current affairs programmes.

Andrea Williams and Andrew Marsh gave interviews over a 24-hour period reaching many millions of viewers and listeners across the country with repeat broadcasts on the hour.

“We seized the opportunities to speak about Jesus and real marriage between one man and one woman which is an institution created by God and reinforced in the teaching of Jesus,” says Andrea.

"We need to be full of courage as we take God's truth into the public space, knowing that it works for the good of all."

Watch a sample of news interviews carried by the main UK broadcasters here >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0__b24eqWMY&list=UUqnbu3dpuqx7O3KRgZQarnA

Mozilla boss forced to resign over opposition to same-sex 'marriage'
Brendan Eich
The Chief Executive of Mozilla Firefox , Brendan Eich, has been forced to resign following a targeted campaign by LGBT groups, who opposed his $1000 donation in support of a Californian law upholding marriage between one man and one woman.

“This is very serious indeed. In a land where free speech and freedom of religion has been historically treasured, we see a man hounded out of office because of his support for real marriage," says Andrea Williams of Christian Concern.

Mr Eich, who co-founded Mozilla and created the JavaScript programming language, made his donation in 2008 to support a campaign to uphold California's Proposition 8 law, which prohibited same-sex 'marriage'.

Following his appointment in March this year, the dating website, OkCupid, urged a boycott of Mozilla Firefox and directed its users to select other internet browsers. Those who visited the website using Mozilla's free Firefox browser saw a message reading: "Mozilla's new CEO, Brendan Eich, is an opponent of equal rights for gay couples. We would therefore prefer that our users not use Mozilla software to access OKCupid."

The website, ActRight, has launched a petition asking people to support “the free speech and conscience rights of the Mozilla CEO and everyone's right to free political action free of harm and harassment”.

Sign the petition here > https://actright.com/petitions/74
https://actright.com/petitions/74

Wilberforce graduate debates same-sex ‘marriage’ on BBC radio
Kane Dick discusses same-sex
'marriage' on BBC Radio
Berkshire (11m 42s) >
A graduate of Christian Concern's Wilberforce Academy was interviewed on BBC Radio Berkshire following the first same-sex 'weddings' which took place on Saturday (29 March).

Kane Dick who works at Potters Church in Reading was interviewed by Bridgitte Tetteh who presents a programme for Berkshire's African and Caribbean communities.

You can listen to his interview here >
http://www.christianconcern.com/media/bbc-radio-berkshire-wilberforce-graduate-kane-dick-discusses-same-sex-marriages

For details of the 2014 Wilberforce Academy, please see below.

"Gay marriage" criticised by prominent homosexual commentators
Many homosexual people did not want marriage to be redefined and were “happy to respect” the Biblical belief that marriage is the unique union of one man and one woman, homosexual art critic, Brian Sewell, has said.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Sewell says that the change had been demanded by a “noisy nucleus” within the homosexual minority, and criticised Prime Minister, David Cameron, for failing to consult a “quieter voice” on the issue before pushing the legislation through.

Homosexual columnist, Andrew Pierce, has also written on the issue in the Daily Mail, describing same-sex ‘marriage’ as a “disastrous miscalculation”.

Read more >
http://christianconcern.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=bed173cc9adfcad1e0e442a35&id=917aa16a60&e=d3fdbf874a


Street preacher awarded 13k for wrongful arrest

A Christian street preacher has received £13,000 in compensation after being wrongfully arrested for explaining the Bible’s teaching on homosexual practice.

Read more >
http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/religious-freedom/street-preacher-awarded-%C2%A313k-for-wrongful-arrest
"A pernicious culture of grievance" threatens Christian street preachers

Columnist, Bill Carmichael, has written an article in the Yorkshire Post saying that the case of John Craven (above) is one of a series of similar cases where Christian street preachers have been targeted, including that of Christian Legal Centre client, Tony Miano. http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/religious-freedom/street-preacher-arrested-and-held-in-custody-for-mentioning-sexual-si

Mr. Carmichael writes that far from being extreme, Christian street preachers are expressing “views that were pretty mainstream until very recently and could have been uttered by the Archbishop of Canterbury without arousing any controversy”.

He continues: “But that was before the pernicious culture of grievance and victimhood took such a grip on the nation….. Free speech means nothing unless it applies to people with views divergent to your own.”

Read the full article here >
http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/debate/columnists/bill-carmichael-tolerance-has-to-be-a-two-way-street-1-6541674

'One of Us' hearing at European Parliament - Next Thursday
Thank you to all those who supported the pan-European 'One of Us' initiative, which aims to stop EU funding of research that destroys human embryos.

Because of the widespread support of those who signed the 'One of Us' petition, a public hearing will be held at the European Parliament in Brussels to allow for the presentation of the Citizen's initiative next Thursday (10th April).

Please pray that the European Parliament will support proposals for a new law to stop EU funding of research that results in the destruction of human life, to be put forward by organisers at the hearing next week.

With up to 1.7 million validated statements of support, this initiative is the most successful of all European Citizens’ Initiatives that have been registered so far. There is no other issue that has triggered any similar mobilisation throughout the EU.

"With the public hearing, the ECI organisers are expecting that the European institutions will not ignore the clear voice of European citizens and let European Parliament decide whether it should become a law. Failing to do so, would be a clear message – especially before the European elections – that the EU is not interested in becoming more democratic and a tool which was created to listen to the European Citizen's concerns," said the organisers.

Action

Please contact your MEP and the Minister of Europe, the Rt Honourable David Lidington MP, to express your support for the 'One of Us' initiative and to ensure that they are aware of next week's hearing.

You could also express your concerns over the UK Government's plans to permit the use of an IVF technique that will result in the creation of children with three genetic parents. Read more about the proposals here >

Find details of your MEP here >
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/map.html

You can contact Mr Lidington at: david.lidington.mp@parliament.uk,

Government considers new "emotional cruelty" law
The Government is considering whether to make “emotional cruelty” to children a criminal offence for the first time in England and Wales.

Dubbed the “Cinderella Law”, the planned legislation follows a campaign by the charity, Action for Children, and will be announced in the Queen’s Speech in June.

Under the proposals, a parent who is found guilty of an offence could face imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Andrea Williams of Christian Concern said: "This legislation as proposed could be used to monitor the private lives of families everywhere. We have already seen examples where the State has raised issues over how children are being brought up in Christian homes. If this law is passed, we may see more of this and that is very worrying."

Read more >
http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/government-considers-new-emotional-cruelty-law

Scottish campaigner for assisted suicide dies
Independent MSP Margo
MacDonald
Independent MSP, Margo MacDonald, who campaigned for the introduction of assisted suicide in Scotland has died from Parkinson’s Disease.
Ms MacDonald, who had been a member of the Scottish Parliament since 1999, re-launched her failed Assisted Suicide Bill last year and was due to bring it back to the Scottish parliament.
Read more >http://www.carenotkilling.org.uk/press-releases/margo-macdonald-has-died/

3,000 human embryos destroyed every week

Official data has revealed that more than 3,000 human embryos developed for IVF are destroyed in the UK every week, prompting criticism that unborn children are being increasingly treated as “disposable products".

The data from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority shows that 1.8 million human embryos have been discarded since 1991, and that for every embryo implanted into a woman, two remaining human embryos are destroyed.

Andrea Williams of Christian Concern said:

"This is a devastating statistic. How can a civilised society treat life so cheaply? We must act."

Read more >http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/bioethics/3000-human-embryos-destroyed-every-week

Challenge secret liberalisation of abortion legislation
We're asking you to contact the Prime Minister, the Health Secretary and your own MP in light of disturbing revelations that abortion regulations have been secretly liberalised under the Coalition government.
It's not too late to take action - thank you to those who have already done so - please let us know of any responses.

'Interim Procedures' quietly issued to private abortion providers in 2012 indicated that it was no longer a legal requirement that a mother considering abortion actually see a doctor. This is a very serious change. It opens the door for doctors to 'approve' an abortion without ever seeing the woman requesting it and paves the way for nurse-led abortions.

This is a very significant line to cross. If it remains unchallenged, the seriousness of abortion in the eyes of the medical profession and the value of human life in the eyes of society will be further diminished. For the sake of women, unborn children, health-care professionals and God's truth about the human person, please take action to ensure that this change is reversed in the forthcoming revised procedures:
Please contact the Prime Minister asking how a Conservative-led government could have presided over such a change and urging him to ensure that it is reversed in the soon to be published final procedures. Contact: Rt Hon David Cameron MP, 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA
Please contact the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt asking him to ensure that this change is reversed in the final procedures. Contact: Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, Department of Health, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SW1A 2NS / mb-sofs@dh.gsi.gov.uk
Please contact your MP asking them to investigate potentially misleading information provided to Parliament and the introduction of the procedures without public or parliamentary notification; urge your MP to press for the change to be reversed in the soon to be published final procedures. Find contact details for your MP here.
You may want to point out that a recent opinion poll found that 92% of women agreed that 'a woman requesting an abortion should always be seen in person by a qualified doctor.' See this article for more information.

For further background, please click here >
http://www.christianconcern.com/challenge-pm-over-backdoor-liberalisation-of-abortion

Pro-life campaigner in London to expose "the greatest human rights abuse of our time"
Lila Rose of Live Action
The founder of Live Action, which campaigns to teach the public about the humanity of the unborn child, is speaking at events in London on April 13 and 14.

Lila Rose, who founded Live Action when she was 15-years-old, leads undercover investigations into America's most notorious abortion facilities to "shine a light on the greatest human rights abuse of our time".

Her new media, non-profit organisation is dedicated to ending abortion and "building a culture of life" and focuses on educating yound people about “the evils of the abortion industry”.

Find out more and register your place >http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/robert-colquhoun-5879481277

Mother gives birth to UK's youngest surviving baby
Emily holds her mother's
finger
A baby who was born at 24 weeks on Mothering Sunday is believed to be the youngest to survive a premature birth in the UK.
Claire Cressey gave birth to 1lb 3oz Emily, who could legally have been aborted in the UK, but the little girl is now doing well at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Read more >http://metro.co.uk/2014/03/31/tiny-emilys-big-leap-mother-holds-premature-newborn-for-the-first-time-on-mothering-sunday-4684646/


Thousands of repeat abortions performed every year, new statistics reveal

A new government report has revealed that thousands of women in England are undergoing repeat abortions, suggesting that the procedure is being used as a means of “back-stop contraception”.

The report shows that 17 women aged between 18 and 29 had already had seven abortions when they obtained their 8th termination in 2012.

Read more >
http://www.lifenews.com/2014/03/31/report-17-british-women-got-their-8th-abortion-in-2012-thousands-have-repeat-abortions-annually/

http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/religious-freedom/traditional-views-on-sexuality-silenced-by-new-liberal-censoriousness

Traditional Views on sexuality silenced by new liberal "censoriousness", warns
Lord Neuberg
Published: March 21st, 2014 | Religious Freedom

Britain’s most senior judge has warned that traditional views on sexuality are being shut out of debate as part of a liberal “censoriousness” which prevents “inoffensive” views from being expressed in public.  
Lord Neuberger said that attempts to make Britain more diverse were “insidiously” achieving the opposite by restricting free speech and shutting out traditionally held views as “unacceptable”.
He warned that Britain risked “losing diversity in practice” if views deemed as offensive are continued to be sidelined, adding that a “freedom only to speak inoffensively is a freedom not worth having”.
“Antithetical”
“A tendency appears to be growing in some quarters which is antithetical to diversity in a rather indirect and insidious way,” he said.
“Possibly as a counter-reaction to the permissive society, a combination of political correctness and moral reaction appears to be developing.
“While I have no wish to comment on…this development, I fear that it may risk spilling over into a censoriousness about what views people can publicly air as to the merits of diversity or other issues which indirectly relate to diversity.
“As has been said on more than one occasion, freedom only to speak inoffensively is a freedom not worth having.”
Dismissed
The comments follow a series of cases, supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), where Christian employees have been penalised or dismissed for expressing their genuinely held Biblical beliefs that marriage can only be between one man and one woman.
CLC client Gary McFarlane, who worked as a relationships counsellor with Relate Avon, was sacked after mentioning that he might have a conscientious objection to providing sex therapy to homosexual couples.  The decision was upheld by the Employment Appeal Tribunal, and later by the European Court of Human Rights.
"Less diverse"
“The more that arguments and views are shut out as unacceptable the less diverse we risk becoming in terms of outlook,” Lord Neuberger added:
“And the less diverse we become in terms of outlook, the more we risk not valuing diversity and the more we therefore risk losing diversity in practice.”
Source:
Telegraph
Resources:
Booklet: Same-sex ‘marriage’: the cost and consequences of redefining marriage

CHRISTIAN CONCERN

BREAKING NEWS: Christian guesthouse owners accused of "discrimination" seek justice in Europe rather than UK

Jeff and Sue Green

Two Christian guesthouse owners who have been accused of discriminating against same-sex couples by offering double rooms to married people only, are taking their case directly to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Jeff and Sue Green from Wales say they believe they have no prospect of success in the British courts to allow them to conduct their business in line with their Christian conscience. This follows a recent Supreme Court ruling against Christian bed and breakfast owners, Peter and Hazelmary Bull who were found to have discriminated unlawfully against a same-sex couple by refusing to give them a double room in accordance with their 'married couples only' policy.

The UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) wrote to the Greens, challenging them over a similar policy to provide double rooms to married couples only and warning them it was unlawful to discriminate on grounds of “'sexual orientation”.

The Greens have since changed their policy to offer single bed accommodation only and the EHRC has now dropped the case.

However, the couple are seeking a hearing at the European Court because of the serious, long-term implications for Christians in the public sphere. They are being supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC).

Jeff Green, who is Mayor of Llandrindod Wells, said, "It seems that recent UK equality legislation is being used to undermine Christian faith and values. We believe that the rights outlined in the European Convention on Human Rights are an illusion in the UK, so we have to go to Europe because we don’t have a fighting chance in the UK courts.”

Comment from Andrea

Andrea Williams, Director of the Christian Legal Centre comments,

"The European Convention on Human Rights provides very strong protection for freedom of thought, conscience and religion. It is sad that we have to go to Strasbourg to argue for that freedom to be applied in practice because the British courts have refused to do so. However, it is important that we do. Continuing to expose the incoherency and unfairness of the 'equality' agenda is vital to safeguarding the freedom to live for Jesus and tell the good news about Him.

"We cannot simply take those freedoms for granted which is why we are so grateful for your partnership in standing with us as we support Jeff and Sue."

US Christian broadcasters have urged church leaders in Britain to take a courageous stand in the face of legislative changes such as same-sex ‘marriage’.

Speaking at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, representatives of some of America’s biggest Christian organisations talked to Christian Concern about the challenge of upholding Biblical authority on issues surrounding marriage and sexual ethics.

Watch an interview with the broadcasters here > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlVlz07dMjI&feature=youtu.be


'Largest liberalisation of abortion practice since 1967 Abortion Act' under David Cameron
 
Significant liberalisation of abortion practice has effectively been 'smuggled in' by David Cameron's Conservative-led Coalition government. 

Interim guidelines issued to private abortion providers in 2012 suggested that there is no obligation for doctors to see women considering abortion when making an assessment.

The changes, which effectively allow for 'nurse-led' abortion, were introduced without public consultation or parliamentary debate. 

Read further commentary from Dr Peter Saunders here > http://pjsaunders.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/david-cameron-presides-over-largest.html


Doctors should examine mothers face-to-face before approving abortions, say vast majority of women 

A new poll has found that nine out of 10 women believe that medical practitioners should always examine a woman face-to-face before approving a request for an abortion.

The poll of more than 2,000 people by ComRes found that 89 per cent agree that “a woman requesting an abortion should always be seen in person by a qualified doctor”.

Read more >
http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/abortion/women-want-doctors-to-examine-mothers-face-to-face-before-approving-abortions


Strategic influence in the future of the Church of England

Annual Parochial Church Meetings will be taking place across England in the next few weeks during which churches will elect lay representatives to their Deanery synods. These lay representatives will next year vote in elections for the 2015 – 2020 General Synod, the governing body of the Church of England. 
 
Those elected to Deanery Synod in the next few weeks will therefore have both local and national influence in the direction of the Church of England in the years to come.
 
For those who are members of a Church of England congregation…
Please act and pray to ensure that those elected in your parish will stand for Biblical truth – please consider standing for election and please vote. Talk to your church minister or PCC secretary for more information – but please do so soon!

44 babies saved already ...

At least 44 babies have been saved so far as a result of this year's 40 Days for Life campaign which started globally just over one week ago.

Please join us in praising God for the lives saved!  

There's still time for you to participate in the campaign which is running from 5th March to 13th April in seven different locations in the UK .

Click on you're nearest location to find out how you can get involved:
To find your local city campaign see http://www.goodcounselnet.co.uk/40-Days-for-Life.html

MEPs reject anti-family and pro-abortion report
Thank you to all those who signed the petition against the report on 'equality between men and women' put to the European Parliament by Inês Cristina Zuber of the Portuguese Communist group. 

The report, which promoted same-sex 'marriage' and abortion was rejected in a vote by MEPs on Tuesday (11 March) by 399 to 230.

The Spanish pro-family group, Profesionales por la Ética, which promoted the citizens campaign said: "We congratulate the Members of Parliament who supported freedom with their vote and thank those of you who collaborated in the campaign."

Read more > http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/european-parliament-rejects-anti-human-dignity-report

Please urge UN not to spend UK taxes on abortion

At Christian Concern, we are supporting the European campaign to collect signatures for a petition calling on the UK’s Representative at the United Nations not to agree to the spending of British taxpayers’ money to provide abortion services in developing countries.

Sir Mark Lyall Grant is expected to take part in private negotiations over the next few weeks to discuss how the UN will spend billions in aid.  He will reportedly argue that priority should be given to spending on “sexual and reproduction health” services over other needs such as clean water, nutrition, medication and education services.

CitizenGo’s petition urges the UN not to endorse “narrowly focussed, controversial health policies that include abortion” but to embrace a “positive and comprehensive vision of health that does justice to both mothers and children”. 

They have already reached over 55,000 signatures and are aiming to get a total of 100,000 signatures. You can help them to reach their target by signing the petition now > 

Click here to sign the petition > http://www.citizengo.org/en/4673-keep-abortion-out-un-development-goals?sid=NDI1NDc2MjkyNDI0NDYy


UK Government to allow free vote on assisted suicide Bill 


Lord Falconer
  The Government says that it will allow MPs and peers a free vote on a Bill to introduce assisted suicide for terminally ill patients in England and Wales, the Telegraph reports.

The Bill, put forward by Labour peer Lord Falconer, proposes to allow doctors to prescribe drugs to help "mentally competent" adults to end their lives if they are judged to have less than six months to live.

A free vote will allow both Houses to vote on the legislation according to their conscience as opposed to being required to follow party lines.  On a conscience vote in 2009, Peers defeated an earlier attempt by Lord Falconer to weaken the law on assisted suicide by 194 votes to 141.

Read more >http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/end-of-life/uk-government-to-allow-free-vote-on-assisted-suicide-bill

Meanwhile, in an opinion piece for the Daily Telegraph, Lord Tebbitt describes why he believes Lord Falconer's Bill will "set us on a slippery slope to involuntary euthanasia."  Read it here >  http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/normantebbit/100263018/first-abortion-now-suicide-were-on-a-slippery-slope/

Christian disability activist questions Belgian child euthanasia policy
 
A Christian broadcaster who actively campaigns on disability issues has challenged Belgian lawmakers to explain their decision to extend euthanasia to children, while denying minors access to alcohol, tobacco and pornography.

Joni Eareckson Tada, who is quadriplegic, says, “How can it be right that they will allow children access to three grams of phenobarbitone to end their lives.”  

Speaking during the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, she told Christian Concern why she was strongly opposed to new legislation.

Watch Joni’s interview here > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gujI8-7aeI&feature=youtu.be

Muslim fanatics' "Trojan" plot to rule schools
Extremist Anwar
Al Awlaki was promoted
in school assemblies
  A plot by Islamic extremists to take control of a group of non-faith schools in Birmingham by “jihad” has been exposed, leading to investigations by the police, the city council and the Department of Education.

A letter written by an anonymous extremist was leaked to the Birmingham Mail describing the plot named “Operation Trojan”, and outlining a step-by-step guide on how to infiltrate school staff with extremist Muslims.  The strategy was to force through plans to turn the schools into academies which are not subject to council rules and eventually to impose extremist Islamic control.

Read more >http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/islam/muslim-fanatics-trojan-plot-to-rule-schools

Lib Dem Justice Minister says Christian weddings should be stripped of legal status

  The Liberal Democrat Justice Minister, Simon Hughes, says that the traditional Christian wedding ceremony should no longer have legal status in England and Wales.

Speaking at the Liberal Democrat spring conference, Mr Hughes said that couples who wish to have a Church wedding should have two separate ceremonies before their marriage is recognised by the State.  

Andrea Williams of Christian Concern said: “Whatever the intention of this proposal, the effect at this moment would be further marginalisation of the true meaning of marriage in our society.

"The churches need to stand firm and present God’s beautiful pattern of marriage to society – speaking of it, modelling it and inviting people to enter into it – not allowing it to become just another option amongst many others.”

Read more >http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/social/justice-minister-says-christian-weddings-should-be-stripped-of-legal-status

Christian father confronts Tatchell over child-sex views


Watch an interview with
Alan Craig (2m 27s) >
 
The Christian campaigner, Allan Craig, has confronted Peter Tatchell, over what he called his “depraved” views on the sexualisation of children. 

Mr Craig displayed a poster with the slogan, “Protect your children from Tatchell’s poison” as the homosexual activist supported an LGBT demonstration outside the Nigerian High Commission in London. 

He and supporters handed out leaflets documenting Peter Tatchell’s writings and sayings including the activist’s views published in the Guardian newspaper,  that “not all sex involving children is unwanted, abusive and harmful”. 

Watch an interview with Alan Craig here >http://vimeo.com/88717452?utm_source=email&utm_medium=clip-transcode_complete-finished-20120100&utm_campaign=7701&email_id=Y2xpcF90cmFuc2NvZGVkfGI2MDgwZmM3MjAyODMyY2Y2YTVlZmM2MmMxN2MwN2Y0NTM1fDI0MzMxMTkxfDEzOTQ1MDUxMjF8NzcwMQ%3D%3D

You can read Alan Craig’s leaflet about Peter Tatchell's views here >
http://www.christianconcern.com/sites/default/files/docs/Fathers%20Against%20Child%20Sexualisation.pdf

Write to school about homosexual propaganda


Stonewall adverts appearing
on London buses and tubes
with the slogan "One is gay.
If that bothers people, our work 
continues."
 
The homosexual activist group, Stonewall, is sending a free film pack to primary schools to encourage children to “champion” homosexual lifestyles and same-sex parent families. 

Stonewall is attempting to justify its campaign to persuade primary schools to use its propaganda in lessons by saying that the pack is intended to counteract bullying of children who live in same-sex families, or who may declare themselves as homosexual.

Please write to the Chairman of the Board of Governors and the Head Teacher at your local primary schools, to urge them not to permit Stonewall’s Different Families campaign to promote homosexual lifestyles as normal.  The package provides four films of different homosexual scenarios supported by lesson plans aimed at Key Stage 2 Personal, Health and Social Education curriculums (PHSE). 

Please write to the Bishop of Oxford, The Rt Rev John Pritchard, and ask if he is happy to have this Stonewall material which champions homosexual lifestyles in Church of England schools, and if so why.  

You can email him at bishopoxon@oxford.anglican.org.

You may want to make the following points in your letter:
Offer praise for the job that the school does in educating your children.
Stonewall only addresses LGBT issues whereas Ofsted’s 2012 report, ‘No place for bullying’, found most bullying in schools involved appearance and only a small percentage related to perceived sexual orientation.
On the basis of Ofsted’s report, it is clear that the main motivation for Stonewall’s offer of free school resources is to indoctrinate children with their philosophy of promoting homosexual lifestyles.
Stonewall’s campaign is based on an assumption that people are 'born gay' whereas research efforts have failed to demonstrate any biological or genetic cause of homosexual orientation. Many youngsters who self-identify as gay in their teens shed the label and identity later on.    
Children’s lack of psychological and cognitive maturity makes them vulnerable to ideological and sexual manipulation. 
Jesus was very clear about sexual morality: he was against all forms of sex outside heterosexual marriage, and that included homosexuality.
Stonewall has a history of inhibiting freedom of speech by smearing those who disagree with its views as bullies and ‘homophobes’. 

Pressure to explore pornography in school lessons

New 'guidance' from permissive sex education campaigners about how schools should address issues surrounding pornography should be deeply disturbing to parents, argues the Director of the Family Education Trust.

In an opinion piece for the Daily Telegraph, Norman Wells discusses new advice launched by Brook, the Sex Education Forum and the PSHE Association to supplement the government's own sex and relationships education guidance.

One teaching resource recommended by the groups, entitled ‘Porn vs Reality’, advises young people: "Sex is great. And porn can be great. It’s the idea that porn sex is like real sex which is the problem. But if you can separate the fantasy from the reality you’re much more likely to enjoy both.”  

Another "useful resource" advises teachers that "pornography is hugely diverse – it’s not necessarily 'all bad'", and that children simply need assistance in "interpreting" it.

Read more >http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/education/what-would-pornography-lessons-look-like-in-practice

If you have a child at school, please write to the governors and headteacher to:
Express your serious concerns about the nature of the proposed new guidance
Enquire whether the school plans to address the issue of pornography in lessons, and if so, how?
Seek assurance that should the topic be raised in class, teachers will lead the discussion based on a moral framework which emphasises the dangers of exposure to pornography and discourages the viewing of graphic content

 The Christian Legal Centre is looking for a solicitor to join its small but busy team.
 
Many of our cases reach national headlines and break new legal ground. You will have the opportunity to work on these cases alongside some of the best minds in Christian freedom and human rights law.
 
The ideal candidate will:
Be a mature disciple of Jesus Christ
Be passionate about the central place of Jesus Christ in our nation’s public life
Possess a high level of proficiency in preparing legal documents
Have an eye for detail
Be able to meet tight deadlines
Work efficiently under pressure
Not be afraid of taking responsibility
Relish the challenge of responding quickly and dealing with novel and complex legal arguments
Have an understanding of the relationship between Law and public attitudes
Be prepared to ‘go the extra mile’ when the need arises
If this opportunity excites you, please get in touch using the email address below. Please include your CV and a covering letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate for the job.
 
Email: recruitment@christianconcern.com 
 
Salary commensurate with experience.

The Church must affirm Biblical authority
Dr Joseph Boot 
on Biblical authority (1m 44s) >
 
Dr Boot on faithful shepherding
(1m 8s) > The basis of the Christian faith collapses when the authority of the Bible is denied, warns the theologian and author, Rev Dr Joseph Boot, who delivered a series of lectures at the offices of Christian Concern this week.

Dr Boot was commenting on the Church of England's new "pastoral guidance" permitting churches to offer special prayers to newly 'married' same-sex couples.   He highlighed that the provision of such prayers would be regarded by many believers as well as the wider community, as the church approving of same-sex ‘marriage’ and therefore a contradiction of orthodox Biblical teaching.

He added that the denial of Biblical authority resulted in morality and truth being reduced to an issue of social construction.

Watch Dr Boot speak on the issue here > http://vimeo.com/88383070


As a leading Christian apologist with a weekly broadcast on radio in Canada, Dr Boot has also been urging church leaders – from archbishops to pastors – to fulfil their pastoral role as faithful shepherds who must defend the flock from those opposed to their faith.  He warns that when pastors are unfaithful shepherds the Church moves into a steep decline.

Watch his commentary here >http://vimeo.com/88383071

Vicar to defy prohibition on same-sex 'marriages' for clergy
Rev Andrew Cain
  A vicar of two parishes in London has publicly announced his decision to disregard provisions of the Church of England's new "pastoral guidance" prohibiting clergy from entering into a same-sex 'marriage'.

Rev Andrew Cain, the Vicar of St Mary with All Souls in Kilburn and St James in West Hampstead, said that there was "no doubt" that his 'marriage' with partner Stephen Foreshew would go ahead, adding that he would not be "frightened" into cancelling the wedding by the CofE's decision.

Whilst maintaining that clergy cannot enter into a same-sex 'marriage', the Church of England's pastoral guidance permits churches to offer special prayers to newly 'married' same-sex couples.  The CofE has also accepted the recommendation of the House of Bishops' Pilling Report to embark on a two year process of "facilitated conversations" on the issue of human sexuality.

Andrea Williams of Christian Concern said: "This is a direct challenge to the Church and an affront to the Gospel.  By not saying anything and not rocking the boat, the Church is actually being ungodly.  It is cowardly and deeply dishonouring to Christ.  We need to save people from their sin and point them away from sin which is leading them to hell.  That is the compassionate thing to do."

Please contact the Bishop of London, Rt Rev and Rt Hon Richard Chartres, and ask him what action he will take by writing to him at bishop@londin.clara.co.uk.

You may wish to use the following points:
Tolerating Jezebel (allowing the teaching of sexual immorality) is a very grave sin (Rev 2:18-29)
If we do not rebuke we have people’s blood on our hands (Ezk 3)
We must not hold back from speaking his word (Je 48; Lk 17)
We must speak out about those who claim to be Christians and yet teach or practise immorality (Lk 17; 2 Tim 2; 4 )
Read more (Telegraph) > http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10668411/First-priest-to-defy-Church-ban-on-gay-marriage-for-clergy.html

Christian parents can break the adoption backlog 
Andrea Williams on BBC Radio
Somerset (4m 7s) > http://www.christianconcern.com/media/bbc-radio-somerset-andrea-williams-comments-on-adoption-by-same-sex-parents
Andrea on BBC Radio Leeds
(7m 11s) >http://www.christianconcern.com/media/bbc-radio-leeds-andrea-williams-discusses-fostering-and-adoption-by-same-sex-couples
 
 
Andrea on BBC Radio Cumbria
(5m 29s) >  Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, has called for a concerted campaign led by the churches to offer Christian homes to the 6000+ children seeking adoption in the UK every year.

“6,000 children is not a big number.  Churches up and down the land should be able to solve this problem by the end of the year if they put their minds to it.

"We have more than 12-million married couples in households across the UK , many of whom have experience of raising children and who can offer homes to the youngsters needing adoption.  This is a challenge we can meet and the church is uniquely placed to achieve it. The reality is that each child waiting for a permanent home has a statistical chance of finding a mum and dad from 2,000 families.

“Our churches are a vast social network and the British Association of Adoption needs to partner with church organisations and campaign directly to congregations which can offer loving homes to needy children.”

Andrea was speaking in the light of a survey marking Fostering and Adoption Week, promoted by an LGBT charity, which found many homosexual people believed their lifestyle barred them from adopting children.

She was invited to comment on the survey’s finding by eight BBC radio stations and took the opportunity to appeal for a church-led adoption campaign. 

Read more > http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/christian-parents-can-break-the-adoption-backlog

BREAKING NEWS: Judge “not satisfied” Boris Johnson told “full story” about ban on Christian bus advert  


The two bus adverts. Top: the
proposed Core Issues advert.
Bottom: the Stonewall advert. A High Court Judge has ordered the Mayor of London to provide full, unedited copies of emails and other documents sent to and from his office “in order to get to the bottom” of his decision to ban a Christian charity’s bus advertisement.

During the 2012 London Mayoral Election, Boris Johnson banned adverts by Core Issues Trust (CIT), a charity which supports men and women dealing with unwanted same-sex attraction.  At the time of the ban, the Mayor was about to address an election meeting organised by the homosexual lobby group, Stonewall.

The proposed adverts by CIT, which read “Not Gay! Ex-Gay, Post-Gay and Proud. Get over it!" were a response to bus slogans by Stonewall reading, “Some People Are Gay. Get Over It”, which the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) had sanctioned.  

Last month, the Master of the Rolls, Sir John Dyson, ruled that the High Court must re-investigate the ban after new email evidence was revealed following a Freedom of Information request by CIT.

One significant email from Mr Johnson’s Director of Communications, Guto Harri, stated: “Boris has just instructed TfL to pull the adverts”.  This and other evidence had not been disclosed at the original High Court hearing, when the Judge, Mrs Justice Lang, upheld the ban on CIT's adverts.

At this week’s hearing, Mrs Justice Lang reviewed the new email evidence and said, “I am still not satisfied that the full story is being told.”
Disclosure order for all documents

In her directions, the Judge added that “in order to get to the bottom of this” she was making an order for disclosure by Boris Johnson and TfL of all relevant documents relating to his decision to pull CIT's adverts.  The order includes emails, memos, internal notes, reports and any other relevant documents sent to or from the Mayor or any person in the Mayor’s office within the Greater London Authority.

The Judge also asked Boris Johnson, Guto Harri and Sir Peter Hardy, Commissioner for TfL, to provide witness statements, adding that she will decide on the basis of the Mayor’s statement whether to call him to court to give evidence under oath. 

Paul Diamond, Standing Counsel to the Christian Legal Centre, who is representing the charity, has also been granted the opportunity to apply for permission to cross-examine the Mayor and his colleagues once the witness statements have been submitted.
 
Comment from Andrea

Andrea Williams, CEO of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “This is an important vindication of the rule of law.  TfL has made it hard for us to get to this point; it has been hostile and obstructive and has certainly not been a model of transparency. TfL's pursuit of costs against Core Issues Trust is oppressive - the public purse chasing down a small Christian charity. 

“TfL's continued promotion of Stonewall campaigns on its transport system is highly provocative and shows disregard for the Court's judgment.”

CHRISTIAN WEEKLY NEWS
700 years of law to be rewritten following same-sex 'marriage' legislation

This week, MPs approved sweeping changes to legislation dating back as far as 1285AD to avoid unintended consequences of the Marriage (Same Sex) Couples Act 2013.

A committee of MPs voted in favour of a draft order outlining amendments to 36 Acts going back to 1859 and an additional 67 pieces of legislation dating back 729 years.

Under the proposals, references to mother, father, husband and wife will be amended, whilst a number of other laws, including the 1351 Treason Act, will be excluded from the new legislation.  This means that while it will remain high treason to have sexual relations with the wife of a future King, this will not be the case where adultery is committed with a King’s same-sex ‘spouse’.

The order makes clear that a man who ‘marries’ a King of Britain cannot not be referred to as Queen, and the same-sex partner of a future Prince of Wales cannot be entitled Princess of Wales.

Andrea Williams of Christian Concern said: “This is the land of make-believe and  we are operating in the realms of the absurd.

"We are twisting language to fit a collective deception that undermines the truth about what marriage is." 

Read more 
http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/sexual-orientation/700-years-of-law-to-be-rewritten-following-same-sex-marriage-legisla


UK Government issues draft regulations on 3-parent babies


 

Dr Peter Saunders of
Christian Medical Fellowship The Department of Health has issued new draft regulations setting out proposals to permit the use of a controversial IVF technique that will result in the creation of children with three parents.

Currently, the technique - known as “mitochondria replacement therapy” - can only be used for research purposes, and involves transferring both parents’ DNA into a donor egg.  

If adopted, the proposals will make Britain the first country in the world to create children with three, instead of two genetic parents. 

Read more (Telegraph) 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/sarah-knapton/10665553/Three-parent-babies-could-be-born-in-Britain-next-year.html

Earlier this week, the US Food and Drug Administration expressed concerns that the technique could result in gene manipulation, and that there was not enough preclinical data on how the procedure could be performed safely. 

Read more (USA Today) 
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/02/26/three-parent-dna-embryo/5837783/

In his blog, Dr Peter Saunders of the Christian Medical Fellowship has provided a helpful analysis of why the proposed technique is unnecessary, unethical and unsafe.  You can read the full post here 
http://pjsaunders.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/three-parent-embryos-for-mitochondrial.html

Legally binding 'pre-nuptial' agreements proposed by Law Commission

In a landmark report published this week, the Law Commission has advised the UK Government to give pre-nuptial agreements legal force in divorce settlements in England and Wales.

It has called for the government to introduce standard formulas to enable couples to resolve disputes over financial settlements, and decide how assets would be split in the event that their relationship breaks down.

The proposed system, outlined in a draft bill, is similar to that in Canada where prior to their marriage, couples can use online ‘divorce calculators’ to work out how to manage their finances with limited involvement from a legal advisor.

Commenting on the move, Andrea Williams of Christian Concern said:

“This is all about trying to rectify the consequences of allowing for no fault divorce back in 1973 with the Matrimonial Causes Act. Forty years later we are living out the devastating results in homes and courtrooms across the land.

“Have we not learned that when we make divorce easier we rob marriage of its meaning  and purpose?  No fault divorce has led to a catastrophic rise in the number of family break ups. Pre nuptial agreements will have the same effect."

Read more 
http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/family/legally-binding-pre-nuptial-agreements-proposed-by-law-commission

Ade Omooba on "Big Questions" - This Sunday


Ade Omooba
Co-Founder of Christian Concern Co-Founder of Christian Concern, Ade Omooba, will be a guest speaker on the "Big Questions" programme on BBC One this Sunday (2nd March) at 10am. 

He will discuss the Law Commission's proposals to make prenuptial agreements legally binding in England and Wales, and partake in a debate on whether children should be taught about the Bible in the classroom.

You can watch the programme after its initial showing on 
BBC iplayer here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007zpll

Challenge expulsion of Christian counsellor over therapy to change same-sex attraction 


Lesley Pilkington 
 

Dr Mike Davidson 
Pressure from the government body that regulates counsellors and therapists has led the Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) to expel a long-serving member and to deny an accreditation pathway to a Christian charity which supports people with unwanted same-sex attraction..
 
The Christian Legal Centre (CLC) is representing counsellor, Lesley Pilkington, and the Director of the Core Issues Trust, Dr. Mike Davidson, who are challenging the action taken by the ACC.
 
Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of CLC says: It appears that the ACC has succumbed to pressure from the State. This is highly disturbing."
 
To support the two counsellors by writing to the Chairman of the Association of Christian Counsellors, please click here 
http://www.christianconcern.com/act-now-christian-counsellor-expelled-from-association-of-christian-counsellors

RCGP maintains opposition to assisted suicide

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has announced that it will maintain its opposition to a change in the law on assisted suicide following a comprehensive consultation on the issue with its members.

More than seventy per cent of doctors who responded to the five-month consultation said they believe that the RCGP should continue to oppose the provision of assisted suicide in the UK. 

Dr Maureen Baker, Chair of the RCGP, said: “This was one of the most comprehensive consultations the College has ever undertaken and the quality of the responses on this extremely important issue has been very high. GPs will continue, as they have always done, to provide excellent care to patients in the final days and hours of their lives.”

Welcoming the decision, Andrea Williams of Christian Concern said:  “It is crucial for the medical profession to remain involved in the debate on assisted suicide to prevent the law from being swayed and influenced by a small, but vociferous lobby.

“The RCGP’s consultation exercise shows that the overwhelming majority of doctors in the UK do not support a change in the law and recognise that the provision of assisted suicide would place public safety at risk and undermine the crucial relationship of trust between doctors and patients.

Read more 
http://christianconcern.com/our-concerns/end-of-life/rcgp-maintains-opposition-to-assisted-suicide

Dr Peter Saunders responds to TV survey on assisted suicide


Dr Peter Saunders on Channel 5 
News (2m 41s) >
  Dr Peter Saunders of Care Not Killing has responded to a Channel 5 survey which claims that two in three people believe that the law on assisted suicide should be changed to allow people with Dementia to end their lives prematurely.

Speaking on Channel 5 News, Dr Saunders, who has treated many patients with dementia, said:  "Our worth as human beings does not depend on our mental capacity. Every single human being is incredibly precious, and worthy of the utmost empathy and respect and support and love.

"We should be putting our resources in good research, care and treatment for these most vulnerable of people - not opening the doors to assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Watch the full interview here > (Dr Saunders begins to speak at 0.58 secs)
Dr Peter Saunders responds to TV survey on assisted suicide


Dr Peter Saunders on Channel 5 
News (2m 41s) >
  Dr Peter Saunders of Care Not Killing has responded to a Channel 5 survey which claims that two in three people believe that the law on assisted suicide should be changed to allow people with Dementia to end their lives prematurely.

Speaking on Channel 5 News, Dr Saunders, who has treated many patients with dementia, said:  "Our worth as human beings does not depend on our mental capacity. Every single human being is incredibly precious, and worthy of the utmost empathy and respect and support and love.

"We should be putting our resources in good research, care and treatment for these most vulnerable of people - not opening the doors to assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Watch the full interview here > (Dr Saunders begins to speak at 0.58 secs)
Dr Peter Saunders responds to TV survey on assisted suicide


Dr Peter Saunders on Channel 5 
News (2m 41s) >
  Dr Peter Saunders of Care Not Killing has responded to a Channel 5 survey which claims that two in three people believe that the law on assisted suicide should be changed to allow people with Dementia to end their lives prematurely.

Speaking on Channel 5 News, Dr Saunders, who has treated many patients with dementia, said:  "Our worth as human beings does not depend on our mental capacity. Every single human being is incredibly precious, and worthy of the utmost empathy and respect and support and love.

"We should be putting our resources in good research, care and treatment for these most vulnerable of people - not opening the doors to assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Watch the full interview here > (Dr Saunders begins to speak at 0.58 secs)
Dr Peter Saunders responds to TV survey on assisted suicide


Dr Peter Saunders on Channel 5 
News (2m 41s) >
  Dr Peter Saunders of Care Not Killing has responded to a Channel 5 survey which claims that two in three people believe that the law on assisted suicide should be changed to allow people with Dementia to end their lives prematurely.

Speaking on Channel 5 News, Dr Saunders, who has treated many patients with dementia, said:  "Our worth as human beings does not depend on our mental capacity. Every single human being is incredibly precious, and worthy of the utmost empathy and respect and support and love.

"We should be putting our resources in good research, care and treatment for these most vulnerable of people - not opening the doors to assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Watch the full interview here > (Dr Saunders begins to speak at 0.58 secs)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXVjTUkRTmA#t=84
Meanwhile the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has promised a “revolution in dementia care” to transform the UK into a “global leader” in tackling the disease.  Read more here (Telegraph) 
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/nhs/10666591/Jeremy-Hunt-promises-revolution-in-care-for-dementia-sufferers.html

Investigation launched after UK medics accused of child euthanasia


Health Secretary
Jeremy Hunt
  Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, has ordered an urgent investigation into claims that doctors in the UK have illegally ended the lives of sick children through the administration of a lethal overdose.

The accusations were made by retired GP and assisted suicide campaigner, Michael Irwin,  who has admitted to helping a number of people to die at the Dignitas suicide clinic in Zurich.

Responding to the claims, Dr Peter Saunders of Care Not Killing said:  "There may be nothing in this. But if a doctor has intentionally taken the life of a child in the UK, then that is murder because euthanasia is illegal under British law."

Read more (Mirror) 
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/double-effect-sick-kids-secretly-3147133

Please urge UN not to spend UK taxes on abortion

At Christian Concern, we are supporting the European campaign to collect signatures for a petition calling on the UK’s Representative at the United Nations not to agree to the spending of British taxpayers’ money to provide abortion services in developing countries.

Sir Mark Lyall Grant is expected to take part in private negotiations over the next few weeks to discuss how the UN will spend billions in aid.  He will reportedly argue that priority should be given to spending on “sexual and reproduction health” services over other needs such as clean water, nutrition, medication and education services.

CitizenGo’s petition urges the UN not to endorse “narrowly focussed, controversial health policies that include abortion” but to embrace a “positive and comprehensive vision of health that does justice to both mothers and children”. 

They have already reached over 55,000 signatures and are aiming to get a total of 100,000 signatures. You can help them to reach their target by signing the petition now > 

Click here to sign the petition 
http://www.citizengo.org/en/4673-keep-abortion-out-un-development-goals?sid=NDI1NDc2MjkyNDI0NDYy

Bolivian court upholds legislation criminalising abortion

Bolivia's highest court has upheld laws defining abortion as a criminal offence, recognising explicitly the "right of life from the moment of conception".  

However, it removed the legal requirement for women to obtain judicial authorisation before having an abortion in the case of rape, making it easier for women to accesss the procedure in these circumstances. 

Read more (Life Site News) 
http://www.lifenews.com/2014/02/17/bolivia-says-no-to-abortion-law-recognizes-right-to-life-from-conception/

Labour's unsavoury slice of PIE


Harriet Harman
Labour Party Deputy Leader
  Harriet Harman, Deputy leader of the Labour Party, has refused to apologise for working for a civil liberties group which was affiliated with the notorious Paedophile Information Exchange known as PIE. 

It follows more than a week of media pressure led by the Daily Mail which has urged Miss Harman to explain and apologise for her links with PIE which campaigned in the 1970s for the rights of adults to have sex with four-year-olds.

Read more 
http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/social/labours-unsavoury-slice-of-pie

Chalke doesn't see the Bible as Jesus sees it 

 
Steve Chalke

Michael Ovey
  The call for a global debate on biblical authority in recent articles written by Steve Chalke has prompted several critical analyses from theologians and Christian writers.

The Principal of Oak Hill College, London – Michael Ovey – says that since Jesus is the revelation of God, He must provide the primary lens for faithful reading of the Bible.  He finds however that what Steve Chalke says about the Bible is not in line with what he says about Jesus. 

“The risk is if we decouple Jesus from what the Bible says about him, then when we talk about Jesus, really all we are talking about is our own personal abstraction and ideal of what Jesus should have been,” he said.

Read more 
http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/social/chalke-doesn%E2%80%99t-see-the-bible-as-jesus-sees-it

Islamic militants kill 29 students in Nigerian state college

Boko Haram, the Nigerian Islamist terror group which seeks to eradicate Christianity and install Sharia law in the country, has killed at least 29 students after attacking a state college in northeastern Nigeria.

The attack comes shortly after the group, whose name means "Western education is sinful", raided the Izghe village in northern Nigeria, brutally murdering at least 106 Christian residents. 

Read more (BBC) 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-26338041

Federal judge overturns Texas marriage amendment


Greg Abbott
Texas Attorney General 
  A federal judge has ruled that an amendment to the Texas Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman is "unconstitutional" and has "no legitimate governmental purpose".

The Texas Attorney General, Greg Abbott, has vowed to challenge the ruling, highlighting that "the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled over and over again that states have the authority to define and regulate marriage".

Read more (CNN) 
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/26/politics/texas-same-sex/

Solicitor required at Christian Legal Centre

Are you a solicitor looking for a new challenge or do you know anyone who fits that description?

The Christian Legal Centre is looking for a solicitor to join its small but busy team.
 
Many of our cases reach national headlines and break new legal ground. You will have the opportunity to work on these cases alongside some of the best minds in Christian freedom and human rights law.
 
The ideal candidate will:
be a mature disciple of Jesus Christ
be passionate about the central place of Jesus Christ in our nation’s public life
possess a high level of proficiency in preparing legal documents
have an eye for detail
be able to meet tight deadlines
work efficiently under pressure
not be afraid of taking responsibility
relish the challenge of responding quickly and dealing with novel and complex legal arguments
have an understanding of the relationship between Law and public attitudes
be prepared to ‘go the extra mile’ when the need arises
If this opportunity excites you, please get in touch using the email address below. Please include your CV and a covering letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate for the job.
 
recruitment@christianconcern.com 
 
Salary commensurate with experience.

Office Assistant sought

As a highly proactive, dynamic campaign organisation, Christian Concern is looking for an office assistant to work on multiple tasks at its central London offices.

The right candidate will have strong interpersonal skills, be presentable, alert to detail, supportive and willing to serve colleagues in order to maintain the efficient running of the office.  Essential will be excellent maths or science A Level qualifications, high accuracy when processing data and good computer skills.

We are offering an initial three-month temporary contract with possible extension.  This role requires a person with practicing Christian faith.

Please apply with a CV and covering letter to recruitment@christianconcern.com

BREAKING NEWS: Court win for 73-year-old street preacher pinned down by 6 police officers

Oxford Magistrates Court
  A former teacher, who was ordered by a female PC to stop preaching outside Banbury Magistrates Court House, has had the charges of assault and breach of the peace against him dismissed by Oxford Magistrates Court.
 
The officer approached Bill Edwards, aged 73, when he was preaching outside the Courthouse, and asked him to move on as some people inside the building found his preaching “offensive”.  However, he refused after which the PC told him that he would be arrested.  Bill followed her into the police station a short distance away, where he was grabbed by 6 officers and taken to the ground and arrested. 
 
Yesterday (11th February) the District Judge at Oxford Magistrates Court told Bill that he had no case to answer, and expressed doubt that the officer had acted in the execution of her duty.
 
An application for a restraint order to prevent Bill from preaching outside Banbury Court House was refused, and he was given an order for costs to cover his travel expenses.  Bill was supported throughout the case by the Christian Legal Centre, and was represented in court by allied solicitor to the CLC, Michael Phillips.
Help us keep supporting Christians like Bill 

This is one of the many instances we have seen in recent times of heavy handed tactics by the police against lawful peaceful street preaching.   The Christian Legal Centre recently supported street preacher Tony Miano, who appeared before Dundee Sheriff’s Court after being arrested for preaching on sexual sin in Scotland.   In a free society, people should be able to share the gospel in the way they think best without being penalised.
 
Would you be able to make a donation today so that we can keep supporting people like Bill? You can stand against the rising tide of intolerance by making a donation to the Christian Legal Centre today.

Christian Concern exists to speak of Jesus Christ in public life.
We do this in the courts, in Government and in the media.
By doing so, we aim to put the hope of Christ at the heart of our nation.
FULL WEEK NEWS AND MORE
http://www.christianconcern.com/

Marriage cannot be defined by man
December 13th, 2013 | Family, Social
The Culture Secretary, Maria Miller, who has rushed through the Royal Assent for the Same Sex Marriage Bill, claims this historic departure from centuries of tradition is merely “another step in the evolution of marriage”.

New Bill condemns vulnerable to unwanted gay lifestyles
December 13th, 2013 | Religious Freedom, Sexual Orientation
A proposal to prohibit therapy for people with unwanted same-sex attraction was comprehensively criticised on BBC television and radio by spokesmen for Christian Concern and a Christian charity which represents ex and post-gay people who do not want to conform to a gay lifestyle.

Ancient Scriptures threatened by PC police
December 13th, 2013 | Religious Freedom, Sexual Orientation
The second most senior judge in England and Wales has been told that ancient Biblical scriptures, which played a major role in forming the nation’s morals, are in danger of becoming unacceptable in a country which has a reputation for free speech.

Supreme Court to hear crucial end of life cases
December 13th, 2013 | End of life
Britain’s most senior judges will hear a crucial case next week which seeks to weaken the law on euthanasia and assisted suicide in the UK.

"Euthanasia safeguards won’t work", says Belgian Professor
December 12th, 2013 | End of life
The Dean of the Faculty of Law at a Belgian University has warned that laws permitting euthanasia cannot be introduced without endangering the lives and safety of patients, and that safeguards and controls introduced in any such legislation will not work.

Court of Appeal to hear banned bus ads case
December 10th, 2013 | Religious Freedom, Sexual Orientation
Today (10 December) the Court of Appeal will hear the case of Christian charity Core Issues Trust vs Transport for London. It concerns the banning of Advertisements that were due to run on London buses in April 2012.

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