Norwich pastor under investigation for "homophobic" language
A Norwich pastor is under investigation for using "homophobic" language after sending an email expressing his disapproval of the city's gay pride event, held in June this year. Dr Alan Clifford sent the message to the organisers of Norwich Pride, which subsequently reported his comments to the police as a "hate incident". The police has now referred his case to the Crown Prosecution Service, which will decide whether or not to act on the complaints made against him. Writing in the Spectator, academic and theologian Adrian Hilton said: "Dr Clifford may exercise his freedom of speech – especially in regard to religious liberty and preaching the Word of God – even if this might cause offence. I find myself now feeling not much less than contempt for those gays who persecute and prosecute elderly hotel owners and B&B proprietors, or call in the police when they receive ‘Good News for Gays’ in their inbox. It is deeply and profoundly intolerant."
Pray: for Dr Clifford and that the CPS will recognise his freedom of speech. (2Ti.2:24-26)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/religious-freedom/norwich-pastor-under-investigation-for-homophobic-language
Churches welcome government's decision on Syria
Leaders from the United Reformed Church, the Methodist Church in Britain and the Baptist Union of Great Britain have given thanks for the decision of the UK Parliament to reject military action in Syria. Leaders from the three churches said: "We are thankful that our MPs carefully considered the difficult matter of military intervention in Syria - and decided to reject it. Our prayers now are that all diplomatic means are used to bring government and opposition leaders to the negotiating table and that divided parties are encouraged to seek a future they can inhabit together. We also urge that priority is given to a quick and effective humanitarian response to the thousands of Syrian people affected by the violence."
The Revd Roberta Rominger, General Secretary of the United Reformed Church
The Revd Ruth Gee, President of the Methodist Conference
The Revd Stephen Keyworth, Faith and Society Team Leader, Baptist Union of Great Britain
Pray: for the United Kingdom to unite in prayer for Syria and for our leaders to be granted the wisdom to do the right thing. (1Co.14:33a)
More: http://www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-events/news-releases/churches-welcome-governments-decision-on-syria
Methadone bigger killer than heroin in Scotland
Methadone has killed more people in Scotland than heroin for the second year running, according to the latest Government figures. The findings come after a review commissioned by the Scottish Government raised concerns about the £36 million methadone programme. Methadone, the heroin substitute, caused 237 deaths last year, amounting to 41 per cent of all drug-related fatalities. Methadone is provided by medics to addicts as a legal substitute for heroin, funded by the taxpayer. It is supposed to reduce dependency on heroin, but critics say users just become “parked” on methadone instead. The review chaired by Dr Brian Kidd, an addictions expert, said they found little evidence of a “real impetus” for addicts using methadone to recover. A Times newspaper investigation in 2010 concluded that addicts were pleading with the Government to help them get off drugs completely instead of just parking them on the heroin substitute.
Pray: for an effective programme to help addicts quit drugs completely. (Php.4:13)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/methadone-bigger-killer-than-heroin-in-scotland/
Pakistan Taliban in Syria
Armed group says first batch of fighters have arrived and have set up a command and control centre to begin operations.
The Pakistani Taliban has said its first batch of fighters has arrived in Syria to fight alongside rebels battling the regime of President Bashar al-Assad…
More than two years since the start of the anti-Assad rebellion, Syria has become a magnet for foreign Sunni fighters who have flocked to the country to what many see as a holy war against the regime.
Operating alongside armed groups such as the al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria and a US-designated terrorist organisation, they mainly come from nearby countries such as Libya and Tunisia.
Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said the Taliban claimed that "Arab fighters in Syria had requested their help, that hundreds of their fighters were preparing to go there, or were already in Syria, through unfrequented roots".
The announcement further complicates the picture on the ground in Syria, where rivalries have already been intense between the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and groups seeking to implement Islamic law…
It also comes at a time when Assad's forces, with backing from Shia fighters from Hezbollah and Iran, have been making gains on the Syrian battlefield.
The Pakistani Taliban, known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban, operate mainly from Pakistan's ethnic Pashtun areas along the Afghan border - a long-standing stronghold for armed groups including the Taliban and their al-Qaeda allies.
Taliban fighters in Pakistan, who are linked to their Afghan counterparts, are mainly fighting to topple Pakistan's government and to impose their version of Islam, targeting the military, security forces and civilians.
Source: Al Jazeera and agencies
Please keep Syria and its ongoing conflict in your prayers. Some local Christian leaders are gathering there shortly for a united prayer initiative. Pray that they will be led by the Lord in confessing the sins of the nation, working for reconciliation among themselves and praying unitedly for His healing and deliverance for this embattled and suffering nation. There are also huge numbers that have left their homes and become refugees both within Syria and in nearby nations, causing a potentially catastrophic humanitarian situation. Pray for their needs to be supplied quickly and generously by the host governments, the international community and humanitarian and church organizations.
