An EU referendum
The EU referendum is likely to be four months away. Some say the Prime Minister is depriving the Out campaign of time to organise themselves into a credible opposition. Others say an early date is to limit the potential for unexpected events - an economic crisis, terrorist attack, Brussels scandal. Whatever the reason, there is now a draft agreement between the UK and the EU which will be presented to EU members, paving the way for an early vote. Less than a third of Conservative MPs and as few as five cabinet members will endorse withdrawal. Theresa May’s support for Cameron’s deal leaves Boris Johnson as the only front-rank Conservative who could yet oppose him. Tory MPs on both sides speak of their desire to avoid a rerun of the 1990s Maastricht debates when the prospect of election defeat encouraged rebellion.
Netflix introduces televangelist shows
Alongside programmes like ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and ‘House of Cards’, Netflix now offers users another type of content - Christian sermons. The online video streaming service has added lectures by four popular Christian pastors. Many believe that some of the most powerful sermons only reach as far as the church door and do not touch the public. Preachers using Netflix to share the love of God hope to bring Christianity to the popular media in whatever forms technology provides, saying that Jesus was the most creative communicator in history and that we should take a page from his instruction-book and be the most creative entity in the universe.
Age UK faces probe over energy ‘deals’
Age UK has warned that pensioners are struggling to heat their homes, but it appears that the charity earns £6million a year promoting expensive energy deals. Energy regulators will investigate claims that Age UK unfairly pushed pensioners into taking out more expensive energy tariffs with E-ON on a rate that was £245 a year more expensive than the cheapest available. Last year, more than 150,000 customers were on the higher rate. In return for promoting the rate E-ON gave Age UK a commission of £10 per customer. The charity ‘strongly rejects’ the interpretation of figures. While it is perfectly legal to accept commissions, the regulator takes a harsh line on any hint that customers have been misled.
Care for creation is 'inextricably part of responsibility to the poor'
‘Caring for the environment is not an optional extra’, the former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Williams said at the launch of a scheme to encourage churches to prioritise green concerns. He said that looking after God’s creation was inextricably part of all Christians’ responsibility to their brothers and sisters worldwide, especially those living in poverty. The Eco Church initiative is backed by the Church of England, the Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church, Christian Aid, Tearfund and others who question whether we want to pass on a liveable world to our children and grandchildren. Some in the Church would argue that they could not afford the time or money to consider ecological concerns. Lord Williams’s response is that we cannot afford not to. The Eco Church website provides a survey to see how environmentally aware churches are in areas of worship, teaching, buildings, land, community and lifestyle. See also
