BRITAIN’s destiny depends on Christianity, the Bishop of Rochester, Dr Michael Nazir-Ali, said this week, in an article published the day after he responded to questions on a General Synod motion that has called for Christians to evangelise British Muslims.
The private member’s motion, by Paul Eddy, who is training for the priesthood, called on the Church to proclaim Christianity as the only route to ultimate salvation. Mr Eddy said he had been under pressure to withdraw his motion.
“What I have said to journalists regarding the Paul Eddy motion is that we need to respect people of all faiths and none,” Dr Nazir-Ali said on Tuesday. “In the context of our dialogue with them, it is our duty to witness to our faith and to call people to faith in Jesus Christ, whilst recognising that people of other faiths may have similar responsibilities.”
The Christian faith was the basis for welcoming people into the life of the nation, he said. “There cannot, however, be an honest conversation on the basis of fudge.”
On Wednesday, the Bishop helped launch a new magazine, Standpoint, in which he warned that the days of separating religion and public life were over. “The Westphalian consensus is dead,” he wrote in his article, “A Christian Britain in a plural world?” He was referring to the 17th-century agreement that a country’s religion would not again be the grounds for going to war, and which ended the conflict in Europe between Roman Catholics and Protestants.
“We are now in a global context where we will not be able to escape the questions raised by faith for public life,” the article continues. If Britain was to be prevented from wandering too far from the path of its national destiny, then it needed to understand the central part that the Christian faith had played, and still played, in what it achieved. “In a plural, multifaith, and multicultural situation, it can still provide the resources for both supporting and critiquing public life in this country,” the article says.
Christianity had once united England, and had created a “golden chain” of social harmony under God. That Christian consensus had dissolved, and left a moral and spiritual vacuum into which radical Islamism was moving.
“What resources do we have to face yet another ideological battle?” the Bishop asks. Only the restoration of Christian faith and discourse at the heart of the country’s common life was “robust” enough to re-establish the core British values of human dignity, equality, freedom, and a safe and peaceful society, he concludes.
Source: Church Times 30 May 2008
Friday, 30 May 2008
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Churches Praise Governments' Treaty to Ban Cluster Bombs
At talks in Dublin over the last two weeks, governments have drafted the text for a treaty to ban the use of cluster bombs. This week the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown has committed the UK to withdrawing the remaining two cluster munitions from its arsenal.
The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have for some time campaigned for a full ban on cluster munitions. Today they issued a joint statement welcoming the outcome of the Dublin summit.
Graham Sparkes, Head of Faith & Unity, the Baptist Union of Great Britain says; “the churches have been calling for such a treaty for a long time. Cluster bombs kill indiscriminately and continue to do so long after fighting has stopped, harming those who are already living in a vulnerable situation following the conflict.”
In the two months after the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah on average three civilians were killed every day by unexploded cluster bombs. One third of these deaths were children.
Simon Loveitt, the United Reformed Church’s Spokesperson on Public Issues, says; “The agreement in Dublin offers hope for a future without such weapons and the chance to offer improved protection for civilians during and after conflict. In the past, the UK has been a significant user of cluster munitions. The UK Government’s support for a complete ban is therefore particularly important."
However, Steve Hucklesby, Methodist Secretary for International Affairs, warns that there is still much to be done; “The work is not yet finished. The strength of this treaty will largely depend on encouraging more governments to support it and take the important steps to phase out the stockpiling and use of these weapons.”
Information about the Churches’ campaign on cluster bombs can be found at:
www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/clustermunitions
While it is very good news that more than 100 countries signed this reaty, it is still worrying that some of the world's main producers and stockpilers - including the US, Russia and China - oppose the move. Our prayers and campaigning are still needed there!
The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have for some time campaigned for a full ban on cluster munitions. Today they issued a joint statement welcoming the outcome of the Dublin summit.
Graham Sparkes, Head of Faith & Unity, the Baptist Union of Great Britain says; “the churches have been calling for such a treaty for a long time. Cluster bombs kill indiscriminately and continue to do so long after fighting has stopped, harming those who are already living in a vulnerable situation following the conflict.”
In the two months after the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah on average three civilians were killed every day by unexploded cluster bombs. One third of these deaths were children.
Simon Loveitt, the United Reformed Church’s Spokesperson on Public Issues, says; “The agreement in Dublin offers hope for a future without such weapons and the chance to offer improved protection for civilians during and after conflict. In the past, the UK has been a significant user of cluster munitions. The UK Government’s support for a complete ban is therefore particularly important."
However, Steve Hucklesby, Methodist Secretary for International Affairs, warns that there is still much to be done; “The work is not yet finished. The strength of this treaty will largely depend on encouraging more governments to support it and take the important steps to phase out the stockpiling and use of these weapons.”
Information about the Churches’ campaign on cluster bombs can be found at:
www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/clustermunitions
While it is very good news that more than 100 countries signed this reaty, it is still worrying that some of the world's main producers and stockpilers - including the US, Russia and China - oppose the move. Our prayers and campaigning are still needed there!
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Daily Service
I want to put on record my thanks for the Daily Service on BBC Radio 4 each day and to let those responsible for it, especially the BBC Singers,know how much I appreciate this daily act of devotion. Did anyone hear the wonderful setting of 'Come let us sing of a wonderful Love' this morning? I wish I had it on tape. If you missed it, it is well worth going to the BBC iplayer just to hear that beautiful, uplifting setting.
Sunday, 25 May 2008
Holocaust Dropped from UK School Curriculum
I have now found this report in the Times last year, so this is not a new change in the school curriculum. While I can understand the difficulties faced by the teachers of multi-race, multi-faith classes, it should be possible to teach these difficult subjects in a sensitive manner. This is the Times report:-
"Schools drop Holocaust lessons to avoid offence - Alexandra Frean
"Teachers are dropping controversial subjects such as the Holocaust and the Crusades from history lessons because they do not want to cause offence to children from certain races or religions, a report claims.
"A lack of factual knowledge among some teachers, particularly in primary schools, is also leading to “shallow” lessons on emotive and difficult subjects, according to the study by the Historical Association.
"The report, produced with funding from the Department for Education, said that where teachers and staff avoided emotive and controversial history, their motives were generally well intentioned.
“Staff may wish to avoid causing offence or appearing insensitive to individuals or groups in their classes. In particular settings, teachers of history are unwilling to challenge highly contentious or charged versions of history in which pupils are steeped at home, in their community or in a place of worship,” it concluded.
"However, it was concerned that this could lead to divisions within school, and that it might also put pupils off history."
"Schools drop Holocaust lessons to avoid offence - Alexandra Frean
"Teachers are dropping controversial subjects such as the Holocaust and the Crusades from history lessons because they do not want to cause offence to children from certain races or religions, a report claims.
"A lack of factual knowledge among some teachers, particularly in primary schools, is also leading to “shallow” lessons on emotive and difficult subjects, according to the study by the Historical Association.
"The report, produced with funding from the Department for Education, said that where teachers and staff avoided emotive and controversial history, their motives were generally well intentioned.
“Staff may wish to avoid causing offence or appearing insensitive to individuals or groups in their classes. In particular settings, teachers of history are unwilling to challenge highly contentious or charged versions of history in which pupils are steeped at home, in their community or in a place of worship,” it concluded.
"However, it was concerned that this could lead to divisions within school, and that it might also put pupils off history."
The Holocaust and the School Curriculum
A few days ago I received the following chain email. Can anyone confirm that the Holocaust has actually been removed from the UK school curriculum, please, or throw any light on the sentiments expressed in this email?
"It is a matter of history that when Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found victims of the death camps, he ordered all possible photograps to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead. He did this because he said, in words to this effect, 'Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the track of history some b*stard will get up and say that this never happened.'
"'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.' (Edmund Burke)
"This week, the UK removed The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it 'offended' the Muslim population which claims it never occurred. This is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving in to it.
"Six million Jews,20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated, with the German and Russian peoples looking the other way. Now, more than ever, with Iran, amongst others, claiming the Holocaust to be 'a myth', it is imperative to make sure that the world never forgets."
For myself, I am glad that forgiveness and reconciliation has taken place over the years since the War so that we now have good relationships with the German people, but it should be possible to keep the Holocaust on the school curriculum, teaching about it in the light of this forgiveness and recnciliation, as a dreadful warning of what can happen - and did happen - when national, racial and inter-faith passions are so aroused that they get completely out of hand.
"It is a matter of history that when Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight Eisenhower, found victims of the death camps, he ordered all possible photograps to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered through the camps and even made to bury the dead. He did this because he said, in words to this effect, 'Get it all on record now - get the films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the track of history some b*stard will get up and say that this never happened.'
"'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.' (Edmund Burke)
"This week, the UK removed The Holocaust from its school curriculum because it 'offended' the Muslim population which claims it never occurred. This is a frightening portent of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving in to it.
"Six million Jews,20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated, with the German and Russian peoples looking the other way. Now, more than ever, with Iran, amongst others, claiming the Holocaust to be 'a myth', it is imperative to make sure that the world never forgets."
For myself, I am glad that forgiveness and reconciliation has taken place over the years since the War so that we now have good relationships with the German people, but it should be possible to keep the Holocaust on the school curriculum, teaching about it in the light of this forgiveness and recnciliation, as a dreadful warning of what can happen - and did happen - when national, racial and inter-faith passions are so aroused that they get completely out of hand.
Saturday, 24 May 2008
"Prayer is One of Modern Britain's Best-Kept Secrets!"
Written by Alexandra Frean
Students sitting exams who think they do not have a prayer have been given a message of hope: they do now.
Mindful of its mission to bring divine inspiration to all corners of modern life in these testing times, the Church of England has published a series of prayers online to help students and teachers to cope with exam stress.
Students may find peace in the prayer that gives thanks for “stories in the Bible that show us that being worried and afraid are common feelings”. They may take heart at the appeal for divine intervention “when things seem impossible”. They may even find the inner grace to “celebrate with all our classmates, families and friends as they fail or as they succeed”.
However, they are less likely to find reassurance in the prayer for teachers that begins: “I don’t suppose you have time for this, Lord”, which laments the tendency of pupils to forget “things that normally they know, like their names and the date” and ends with the words “at this moment they really need your help”.
Related Links
School standards have stalled, says Ofsted
The Rev Janina Ainsworth, chief education officer for the Church of England, said that the prayers were intended for use in assemblies but could easily be adapted for personal use by students and teachers seeking peace. “Everyone involved in education knows the pressures of the exam season,” she said. “Whatever one thinks about league tables and the relevance of academic achievement, Christians are called to consider the broader picture.”
The prayers form the latest addition to a regularly updated selection on the Church of England’s website.
The page also offers a prayer for the emergency situations in China and Burma.
The Church has launched several similar ventures in recent months, including a selection of “back to work” prayers released in September 2007 that attracted 10,000 viewings. Prayers for those affected by debt have been viewed 7,500 times since they went online in January.
Surveys conducted in recent years indicate that about two thirds of adults pray, leading the Church of England’s head of research and statistics, the Rev Lynda Barley, to describe prayer as “one of the best-kept secrets in modern Britain”.
The prayers can be found at www.cofe.anglican.org/prayers.
Give us this day
Prayers for primary school pupils
“Dear Lord, even when things seem impossible, help me to trust you. Please give me friends I can rely on and help me listen to adults I can trust. Amen.”
Prayers for secondary school students
“We are in the midst of stressful times. Give us grace to see that it is the making of our success, the making of our characters, the making of our selves.”
Adapted from the collective resource produced by the Culham Institute in association with the National Society
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article3964810.ece
Students sitting exams who think they do not have a prayer have been given a message of hope: they do now.
Mindful of its mission to bring divine inspiration to all corners of modern life in these testing times, the Church of England has published a series of prayers online to help students and teachers to cope with exam stress.
Students may find peace in the prayer that gives thanks for “stories in the Bible that show us that being worried and afraid are common feelings”. They may take heart at the appeal for divine intervention “when things seem impossible”. They may even find the inner grace to “celebrate with all our classmates, families and friends as they fail or as they succeed”.
However, they are less likely to find reassurance in the prayer for teachers that begins: “I don’t suppose you have time for this, Lord”, which laments the tendency of pupils to forget “things that normally they know, like their names and the date” and ends with the words “at this moment they really need your help”.
Related Links
School standards have stalled, says Ofsted
The Rev Janina Ainsworth, chief education officer for the Church of England, said that the prayers were intended for use in assemblies but could easily be adapted for personal use by students and teachers seeking peace. “Everyone involved in education knows the pressures of the exam season,” she said. “Whatever one thinks about league tables and the relevance of academic achievement, Christians are called to consider the broader picture.”
The prayers form the latest addition to a regularly updated selection on the Church of England’s website.
The page also offers a prayer for the emergency situations in China and Burma.
The Church has launched several similar ventures in recent months, including a selection of “back to work” prayers released in September 2007 that attracted 10,000 viewings. Prayers for those affected by debt have been viewed 7,500 times since they went online in January.
Surveys conducted in recent years indicate that about two thirds of adults pray, leading the Church of England’s head of research and statistics, the Rev Lynda Barley, to describe prayer as “one of the best-kept secrets in modern Britain”.
The prayers can be found at www.cofe.anglican.org/prayers.
Give us this day
Prayers for primary school pupils
“Dear Lord, even when things seem impossible, help me to trust you. Please give me friends I can rely on and help me listen to adults I can trust. Amen.”
Prayers for secondary school students
“We are in the midst of stressful times. Give us grace to see that it is the making of our success, the making of our characters, the making of our selves.”
Adapted from the collective resource produced by the Culham Institute in association with the National Society
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article3964810.ece
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Catching My Tail!
I spent last weekend at the annual conference of Wycliffe Associates and I'm longing to write about it but instead I'm trying to catch my tail to catch up with all sorts of things - not least finding prayers and pictures and various types of crosses for our Prayer Day 'Wayfaring', to help participants coming through the room
'homecoming' (after 'the Fall' in the previous room). Our housegroup is responsible for the 'homecoming' room. Then I've got deadlines to meet in my capacity of media publicist, and I will also need to press on with drafting the Prayer Guidelines for June or they won't be published in time.
My spirits have been lifted today though by the tremendous amount of work that the gardening team of three put in to clear away the debris left by the early bulbs and plant out all my geraniums that have been wintering in my front porch. (Oh,dear! All the front garden will need watering tomorrow - unless it rains.) With the back borders weeded and all the lawns neatly cut, I catch my breath at such beauty whenever I look out of the window, back or front. It's my favourite flowering time of the year just now in the back garden, which is a mass of multi-coloured aquilegia alongside the blossom on the Cox's Orange Pippin tree.
The greenhouse hasn't been doing so well this year. Perhaps it's been too cold, but at last the runner beans are big enough to be planted out next week and the peas that we'd almost given up on are just peeping through. There are three very good tomato plants and two marrows (all given to me by a neighbour) but my own sowing of tomato plants are much smaller than they should be for the time they've been
a-growing! However, I have some magnificent broad beans outside, with tiny beans and lots more flowers so I shall have a surplus of broad beans soon. I cooked three tiny ones in their shells today to celebrate.
I'm also being pressed to search all my cupboards and drawers for old church magazines and photographs (as soon as possible) so that one of our members who is the archivist at the main Reading Library can write a book for the church's Millennium next year. This always takes longer than you think it will. That's one disadvantage of having lived such a long life!
'homecoming' (after 'the Fall' in the previous room). Our housegroup is responsible for the 'homecoming' room. Then I've got deadlines to meet in my capacity of media publicist, and I will also need to press on with drafting the Prayer Guidelines for June or they won't be published in time.
My spirits have been lifted today though by the tremendous amount of work that the gardening team of three put in to clear away the debris left by the early bulbs and plant out all my geraniums that have been wintering in my front porch. (Oh,dear! All the front garden will need watering tomorrow - unless it rains.) With the back borders weeded and all the lawns neatly cut, I catch my breath at such beauty whenever I look out of the window, back or front. It's my favourite flowering time of the year just now in the back garden, which is a mass of multi-coloured aquilegia alongside the blossom on the Cox's Orange Pippin tree.
The greenhouse hasn't been doing so well this year. Perhaps it's been too cold, but at last the runner beans are big enough to be planted out next week and the peas that we'd almost given up on are just peeping through. There are three very good tomato plants and two marrows (all given to me by a neighbour) but my own sowing of tomato plants are much smaller than they should be for the time they've been
a-growing! However, I have some magnificent broad beans outside, with tiny beans and lots more flowers so I shall have a surplus of broad beans soon. I cooked three tiny ones in their shells today to celebrate.
I'm also being pressed to search all my cupboards and drawers for old church magazines and photographs (as soon as possible) so that one of our members who is the archivist at the main Reading Library can write a book for the church's Millennium next year. This always takes longer than you think it will. That's one disadvantage of having lived such a long life!
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