Condom advertisements and young people
Condom use and their promotion in TV ads only helps to promote risk-taking behaviour in young people - behaviour that contributes to the spread of sexually transmitted disease and teenage pregnancies, the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) has said in a new campaign. The condom ads on UK television, which were approved by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority in March this year to be shown during children’s peak viewing hours, are ‘priming’ children to have sex in their teens, SPUC says. Also increased condom use has resulted in ‘shamefully high rates’ of sexually transmitted disease among young people, and creates a ‘false sense of security’ for teens. A briefing by another organization, the Southern Cross Bioethics Institute, says that advertisers should not be allowed to promote condoms to children. The authors quote the BBC’s own editorial guidelines that state, ‘Programmes broadcast between 5:30am and 9pm must be suitable for a family audience including children’. Pray: for the protection of young children from unnecessary and premature sexualisation. (Lev.18:21) More: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/oct/10102203.html
Christian students and 'Prayers of Freedom'
Over 200 people from all over the world gathered in Manchester Cathedral over the weekend for a candlelit Taizé service, as the Student Christian Movement (SCM) celebrates a growth in interest among students. The service on Saturday 23 October 2010 was the highlight of the 'Prayers of Freedom' weekend organised by SCM and the Taizé Community, which brought together students and young adults from more than twelve different countries, many of them studying in Britain. The success of the 'Prayers of Freedom' event is the latest indication of a growing interest amongst students in a Christian faith that links spirituality, prayer and action for social justice, says SCM. The SCM conference in February 2010 saw the highest turnout for 20 years, and organisers of the 2011 conference, which will take place from 4-6 February, are hoping for the highest turnout since the 1970s. Pray: for the student community and the SCM that many more will respond to the Gospel message. (Ps.119:9)
Imam preaches at Oxford college chapel
Two religious leaders are claiming an historic first after an Islamic Imam preached at a Christian chapel. For the first time a Muslim, Dr Taj Hargey, from the Summertown Islamic Congregation in Oxford, was welcomed to deliver a sermon at Pembroke College’s chapel. The Rev Dr Andrew Teal, of Pembroke College, said he had been trying to get a Muslim Imam to deliver a service for many years and he believed it was a first. ‘We wanted to do something which brought together Christianity and Islam, but not to create a third thing. I think what we are doing today is very unusual. The two faiths are actually very close Abraham being a key figure in both Islam and Christianity.’ Dr Hargey added: ‘It is up to Muslims and Christians in this great city of ours to show the way for the rest of the country’. Pray: for increased respect for Christianity by the Muslim community with ‘no-go’ Muslim areas a thing of the past. (Pr.9:10) More: http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/8474153.Muslim_preaches_at_Oxford_college_chapel/
Military Christian Organisations (MCOs)
November 6th will be a National Day of Prayer for our Armed Forces. A number of Christian organisations support the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom and work closely with the Service chaplaincies. These organisations include the Armed Forces’ Christian Union; others can be seen at www.afcu.org.uk. All these organisations work together to encourage Christians serving within the Armed Forces, to pray for them, evangelise, provide Bible teaching and studies and Christian resources, to support marriages and family life and to encourage discipleship and spiritual growth. There are also links to Christians of other Armed Forces, through Military Missions International. There are 120 Military Christian Fellowships (MCFs) worldwide so far and they desire to encourage the formation of more MCFs to support and equip Christians in Armed Forces around the world. Pray: for the work of all these MCOs in the service of our Armed Forces (Heb.12:11)
