Islamification of Britain?
British Muslims have faced more scrutiny, criticism and analysis than any other religious community. Despite this, thousands of Britons are converting every year. To put this into perspective, independent studies estimate that the total Muslim population of Britain is 4%. A new study by Faith Matters suggests the real figure of conversions could be as high as 100,000, with as many as 5,000 new conversions nationwide each year. Fiyaz Mughal, director of Faith Matters said ‘I think there is definitely a relationship between conversions being on the increase and the prominence of Islam in the public domain. People are interested in finding out what Islam is all about and when they do that they go in different directions.’ See also comments on this item at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1343954/100-000-Islam-converts-living-UK-White-women-keen-embrace-Muslim-faith.html
Pray: that those seeking spiritual faith will find the Christian church reaching out to them with the Gospel message.(1Ch.16:10)
Towards church response to domestic abuse
The church today is not equipped to address domestic abuse, but one organisation is hoping to change this. A new resource to raise awareness of domestic abuse happening both within the church and outside has been announced by Peter Grant, co-director of Restored. He says that a lot of churches are getting on board, recognising that domestic abuse is happening in their midst. The resource pack is simple. It includes a charter that churches can display on their notice board stating that violence against women is always wrong. It also provides guidance about how best to respond to a woman who seeks help. ‘A lot of the messages around violence against women are aimed at women but we feel there also needs to be a campaign aimed at men saying ‘please stop’,’ says Peter who believes that the attitudes and actions of men must change if violence against women is to be ended.
Pray: for a positive response to this issue in all church groups and communities. (Col.3:19)
Govt: We’re not ashamed of Christmas cheer
A Labour MP’s attempt to criticise a Government department for presumed excessive festive spending backfired spectacularly earlier his week. Robert Neill, a minister in the Communities Department, highlighted the Government’s commitment to a Christian Christmas. He was responding to Caroline Flint, Labour’s Shadow Communities and Local Government Secretary. She asked ‘how many Christmas parties and drinks receptions his Department plans to host in December 2010’. Robert Neill, MP for Bromley and Chislehurst, responded on behalf of the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles. He said: ‘As the Secretary of State indicated in his departmental press notice of 29 November 2010, the new Administration is committed to celebrating Christmas, including its Christian heritage. Ministers recognise that we live in frugal times due to the need to pay off the significant public deficit and national debt. But there is no need to play Scrooge. We should not allow politically correct Grinches to marginalise the importance of the birth of Christ.’
Pray: that the UK Government continues to ensure that Christianity is not marginalised. (Jn.1:17)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/govt-tells-labour-were-not-ashamed-of-christmas-cheer/
Eire - Policies forcibly separate families
The Government’s immigration policies are forcibly separating families of Irish children, and allow no mechanism to appeal, Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin Raymond Field has said. ‘Not only are parents forced to live in different countries but they must choose where and with whom their child will live,’ he notes. Bishop Field, chairman of the Irish Bishops’ Council for Justice and Peace, says: ‘Ireland is the only EU member state without primary legislation on family reunification for immigrants. In Ireland, in accord with EU law, a child is entitled to Irish citizenship if one parent is an Irish citizen or a legally resident immigrant. The other parent may be someone whose visa is expiring or whose asylum application has failed. However, despite a child’s rights as an Irish citizen, we are now seeing the deportation of a parent whose immigration status is irregular.’
Pray: that Eire’s immigration process will take into account the human tragedy of split families. (Isa. 63:8)
More: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0104/1224286701369.html
