Explicit sex education materials for children
A report issued in the UK earlier this week, called ‘Too Much, Too Young,’ unmasks the extremely explicit nature of sex education material that public groups are pushing on school children as young as five-year-olds. Among other things, the controversial resources teach youngsters about oral and anal sex, as well as prostitution, masturbation, and ‘straight and gay,’ and include explicit depictions and descriptions of sexual intercourse, as well as real footage of full-frontal adult nudity. The issue of sex education has been a topic of much controversy in Britain with the recent debate of a compulsory sex education Bill in the House of Commons. While the coalition government has said sex education would not be mandatory in primary schools, the coalition is meanwhile reviewing the education guidelines and material. Even without a change in law, family groups are concerned over what guidelines the coalition may put in place. Pray: that this controversal material would be withdrawn. (1Th.4:3-4)
New petition over equalities legislation
Christian Concern have launched a petition over last week’s judgment in the case of Owen and Eunice Johns which provoked huge national interest and wide scale media coverage. The Judgment highlighted once again the difficulties that Christians can encounter when attempting to participate in some parts of public life without compromising their beliefs. On Monday this week, the Johns, along with Christian Concern, have launched a major new petition, calling on the Prime Minister to respect Christian conscience and take urgent action to address the problems created by equalities legislation. You can read and sign the petition here. http://christianconcern.com/equalities-and-conscience Pray: that this petition would receive wide support and lead to a change in the equality legislation. (2Th.2:13)
Omission of RE from English Baccalaureate 'indefensible'
The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, the Archbishop of Westminster, has attacked the decision to exclude Religious Studies and Education from the English Baccalaureate, describing the move as ‘indefensible’. The new qualification, which was included in school league tables for the first time this year, is awarded to pupils who gain at least a C grade in English, maths, science, a humanities subject (either history or geography) and a language. But the Archbishop criticised the omission of religious education, claiming it was ‘an invaluable help in the project of building the common good and of self-fulfilment’. He added: ‘Religious Studies surely can be seen to be at the heart of the study of humanities. Indeed in Catholic schools, RE is at the 'heart of the curriculum'. It can claim to be the humanity, par excellence’. (See Prayer Alert 04-2011) Pray: for recognition of R.E. as an important part of the school curriculum. (Ex.18:20)
MPs' confusion over under-18s in the forces
A report by a committee of MPs has rejected proposals to raise the minimum age of military recruitment to 18. But Forces Watch, an NGO working on ethical issues around the armed forces, has suggested that the wording of the report reveals a lack of clarity over the law in this area, even among MPs and senior officers. The MPs on the Committee on the Armed Forces Bill disagreed with each other over raising the minimum age of enlistment from 16 to 18. In the end, the majority were opposed to an increase and they recommended no change. The Committee reported that they have raised concerns with the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen. Sir William Rollo. Forces Watch has suggested that William Rollo's evidence was itself unclear as to which provision this refers to. In law, a Discharge As Of Right (DAOR) applies to recruits under 18 for only the first six months of service. Pray: for our young soldiers that God would protect them and that the military authorities who make decisions on their behalf would be given wisdom. (Jas.3:13)
