Hungary: Draft religion law constitutes oppression
On 10 June four Christian Democrat members of the Parliament submitted a proposed draft law regarding ‘The Right to Freedom of Conscience and Religion and on the Status of Churches, Religions and Religious Communities’. On 14 June 2011, only four days after the Bill was introduced in Parliament, the Committee on Human Rights, Minority, Civil and Religious Affairs approved the proposed religious legislation and voted to send the draft law to the Parliamentary Assembly for discussion and passage. Passage of this legislation would represent a serious setback for religious freedom in Hungary. The legislation contravenes the standards of OSCE, European Union, Council of Europe, European Court of Human Rights and United Nations because it clearly discriminates against minority religious groups and would create the most oppressive religion law and the most burdensome registration system in the entire region. It is completely inconsistent with fundamental human rights. Pray: that any changes in Hungary’s law would not violate the right to religious freedom. (Ex.22:28) More: http://religionandpolicy.org/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6921&Itemid=327
Welcome to Houses of Prayer
Houses of prayer have been with us for centuries. God has called individuals and groups to offer unceasing prayer and worship, 24/7. However we are in the midst of growth of this particular calling - God through His Holy Spirit is calling more and more houses of prayer to be born and we are attempting to keep pace with Him through documenting this pattern to encourage and support those who are hearing the same call, and to help them connect with each other and people searching for a house of prayer in their region. We welcome information about houses of prayer in any country and any denomination for we are all one in Christ. We pray a blessing on your house of prayer and ask the Father for great power and for His presence to be with you.
Pray: for an extraordinary growth of prayer warriors for every nation. (Is.56:7)
More: http://www.housesofprayer.net/index.php
Care Not Killing warns of 'copycat suicide'
Care Not Killing, an alliance of over 40 organisations, has today called on the Secretary of State for Health and the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, to carry out an urgent investigation into the way assisted suicide is covered by the BBC and its link to English suicide rates. CNK Campaign Director Dr Peter Saunders, said, 'A programme featuring celebrity author Terry Pratchett was shown on BBC2 on Monday night following a huge amount of advance media publicity. It breaches international guidelines on suicide portrayal and, as such, poses a significant risk to vulnerable people. There is a real risk that copycat suicides will follow the screening. The WHO international guidelines on suicide portrayal refer to over 50 published studies, systematic reviews of which have consistently drawn the same conclusion, that media reporting of suicide can lead to imitative suicidal behaviours’. Pray: that this programme will not lead to an increase in copycat suicides. (Dt.30:19)
Bishop supports Bill to restrict Sharia law
Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali has lent his support to a Bill tabled in the House of Lords this week to scale back the influence of Sharia law. Sharia - or Islamic law - is used in around 85 Sharia councils and Muslim arbitration tribunals across the UK. The Bill, tabled by Baroness Caroline Cox, proposes banning the use of Sharia law where it conflicts with English law in discriminating against women and non-Muslims. It proposes to protect women by stopping discriminatory rulings that are contrary to UK law and ensuring that Sharia law does not appear to have jurisdiction where it does not. The baroness said, ‘Cases of criminal law and family law are matters reserved for our English courts alone'. Expressing his support for the Bill in the House of Lords, Bishop Nazir-Ali said Sharia was inherently unequal. Muslims and non-Muslims are treated unequally. Similarly, men and women are treated unequally.
Pray: for those who debate and rule on this matter so that an equitable solution may be found that affords protection to all. (Dt.8:11)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bishop.supports.bill.to.restrict.sharia.law/28146.htm
