Church criticises government's alcohol 'responsibility deal'
The Methodist Church has criticised the Government's ‘responsibility deal’ to tackle alcohol abuse, saying that it prioritises the drinks industry over the vulnerable. Rachel Lampard, Public Issues Team Leader for the Methodist Church, said:’ We are totally unconvinced that the Government’s proposed ‘responsibility deal’ on alcohol regulation will be effective in reducing the problem of harmful drinking.’ The deal covers voluntary agreements with the drinks industry on matters such as promotions and labelling. Six medical organisations, including the BMA and Alcohol Concern, have walked away from this deal on the grounds that it favours the drinks industry, and places no limits on pricing or advertising. ‘We have an opportunity to reverse the devastating effects of years of under-regulation of the drinks market. If the Government means to keep its promises around harm reduction, alcohol policy should be informed strongly by medical evidence and not sidelined by the pressures of the industry.’ Pray: that the needs of the consumer, especially the vulnerable will take priority over commercial profit. (Lk.21:34) More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.newsDetail&newsid=494
Christians if allowed will build the 'big society'
Worshippers do more voluntary work than non-believers. Yet the government is doing little to support them in their faith. The success of the ‘big society’ initiative will not just require the help of faith organisations; it will need actively to promote them. So concludes a fresh report, The Big Society in Context: A means to what end? published by the Christian social reform charity Jubilee Centre. Recent research by Evangelical Alliance and Christian Research showed that 81% of evangelical Christians do some kind of voluntary work at least once a month. This compares with a much lower figure of 26% for the population at large. David Cameron said: ‘The big society is about a huge culture change where people feel both free and powerful enough to help themselves and their own communities.’ Yet it seems he is still not taking the action necessary to guarantee Christians their freedoms. (See Prayer Alert 08-2011) Pray:for the Government to recognise and embrace the potential that Christian and other faith groups can offer the nation. (1Th.5:11) More: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2011/mar/17/christians-big-society-voluntary-work
Uzbekistan: ‘Anti-terror’ raid on old people's home
Six Baptists who led Sunday worship in an old people's home near Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent face criminal and administrative charges after an ‘anti-terror operation’ against their service, Baptists told Forum 18 News Service. Asked why the authorities halted the service and harassed participants, deputy police chief Major Sofar Fayziyev – who took part in the raid – told Forum 18: ‘They could not produce any proof that they had authorisation for their activity.’ Elsewhere, three Baptists were fined after police raided a Sunday morning church service. As happens frequently, the court verdict ordered the destruction of Bibles and other confiscated Christian literature. Judge Abdumumin Rahimov who handed a massive fine to a young resident of Navoi for transporting literature insists that ‘the main purpose of the punishment is not revenge against the offender, but teaching him to respect the law’. Pray: for the believers in Uzbekistan that the authorities will cease to block God’s Word and His message. (Ps.1:6)
Uzbekistan: ‘Anti-terror’ raid on old people's home
Six Baptists who led Sunday worship in an old people's home near Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent face criminal and administrative charges after an ‘anti-terror operation’ against their service, Baptists told Forum 18 News Service. Asked why the authorities halted the service and harassed participants, deputy police chief Major Sofar Fayziyev – who took part in the raid – told Forum 18: ‘They could not produce any proof that they had authorisation for their activity.’ Elsewhere, three Baptists were fined after police raided a Sunday morning church service. As happens frequently, the court verdict ordered the destruction of Bibles and other confiscated Christian literature. Judge Abdumumin Rahimov who handed a massive fine to a young resident of Navoi for transporting literature insists that ‘the main purpose of the punishment is not revenge against the offender, but teaching him to respect the law’. Pray: for the believers in Uzbekistan that the authorities will cease to block God’s Word and His message. (Ps.1:6)
