Global rise of religious discrimination

A new study has found that almost a third of the global population live in areas where restrictions on religious beliefs and practices increased between 2006 and 2009.

The study was commissioned by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life and operated under the idea that ‘restrictions’ includes both social hostilities and government restrictions. The study found that these restrictions increased in 23 of the world’s 198 countries (12 per cent), decreased in 12 countries (6 per cent) and remained unchanged in 163 countries (82 per cent).

Eight countries saw a substantial increase in restrictions while no countries experienced a substantial decrease. China, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, Thailand, Vietnam as well as France and the United Kingdom were listed as countries where religious people find it difficult to practice their faith.

The report found that Christians were harassed 130 countries, Muslims in 117 countries, Jews in 75 countries and Buddhists in 16 countries.

198 countries and territories were scored by the group based on government laws, policies and actions as well as acts of religious hostility, religious harassment and other religion-related intimidation or abuse.

"During the three-year period covered by the study, the extent of violence and abuse related to religion increased in more places than it decreased," the report stated.

"The number of countries in which governments used at least some measure of force against religious groups or individuals rose from 91 (46 per cent) in the period ending in mid-2008 to 101 (51 per cent) in the period ending in mid-2009. This violence was wide-ranging, including individuals being killed, physically abused, imprisoned, detained or displaced from their homes, as well as damage to or destruction of personal or religious properties."

Interestingly enough, 76 per cent of the measured countries provide for freedom of religion in the constitution or in basic laws, but this does not prevent 46 per cent of those countries from interfering with worship or other religious practices.

British PM vows to mend ‘broken society’

In the aftermath of the riots that tore across England’s major cities last week, Prime Minister, David Cameron, has promised to place healing Britain’s “broken society” right at the top of the Government’s agenda.

“The broken society is back at the top of my political agenda,” insisted Mr Cameron.

“I have an ambition, before the end of this parliament, we will turn around the lives of 120,000 most troubled families.

“We need more urgent action too, on the families that some people call ‘problem’, others call ‘troubled’. The ones that everyone in their neighbourhood knows and often avoids.”

The Prime Minister agreed with those who last week pointed to the disintegration of families and family life as being one of the main causes of the riots, and he also spoke of a “moral collapse.”

Mr Cameron said: “The question people asked over and over again last week was ‘where are the parents? … Well, join the dots and you have a clear idea about why some of these young people were behaving so terribly.

“Either there was no one at home, they didn’t much care or they’d lost control.”

Mr Cameron blamed an “indifference to right and wrong” and the “criminal disease” of gangs that have “infected streets and estates across our country”.

“Social problems that have been festering for decades have exploded in our face,” he said.

To try and counter the “very modern” problem of “alienated, angry young people”, Mr Cameron also announced plans to have 16-year-olds take part in non-military national service.

(Image shows damage done in the Clapham Junction area).

Texting your faith

Textify is a new ministry hoping to tap into youth and their fascination with mobile phones.

The campaign was launched by Hope Revolution, a U.K. based youth ministry, and it encourages young people to text about their faith.

Textify urges young Christians to spend seven days praying for three friends and then text them each a question or 'God thought' as a conversation starter.

Phil Timson, the Youth Director for HOPE said: “We understand that it can be tough for young people to talk about what they believe and there is a real element of courage needed to do this.

"However, what better way is there to get out of our comfort zone, and build up confidence together, than getting on our mobiles for Jesus and using them to Textify.

“This will be the start of more than just a conversation. Our vision is to see every Christian young person in the UK taking bold steps forward to share their hope with others through the way they live, what they say and what they do.

"Together we can see lives changed and communities transformed and the next generation will lead the way! Let’s declare the Gospel and demonstrate God’s love like never before.”

After making a beginning through text messaging, youths are being encouraged to use Facebook and Twitter to follow up with their friends and inspire others to join in.



Mike Pilavachi, Leader of Soul Survivor and HOPE Board member said: “I love using my phone, so Textify is a no brainer. Sharing our faith in Jesus is about our words and actions. It’s about all of our lives, and that of course includes our phones, Facebook and Twitter accounts.”

Find tips and resources at www.hope-revolution.com

Famine in Somalia worsens

The famine currently devastating the Horn of Africa is now being described as the worst in 60 years, with Somalia being the country most badly affected, as 3.9 million people are at risk of starvation.

The United Nations estimates that around 29,000 Somali children are believed to have died in the last 90 days alone. Horrific stories are emerging about parents forced to choose between children, between those they believe can survive and those that cannot.

The U.N has made an emergency appeal for $2.4 billion but only received $1.1 billion so far, with the United States being the biggest donor.

The situation in Somalia is worsened because the Shabab, an extremist group with Al Qaeda links, is fighting a weak Western-backed government and until this week, prevented aid groups from delivering food to the starving.

(Image is an Africa Drought Famine Refugee Concept Illustration).

London Riots: The Church of England offers support

The Church of England has called on Christians to pray for London, Birmingham, Manchester and other cities affected by the rioting.

The Church has issued a special prayer for church and personal use that has already been widely distributed via Twitter and Facebook.

The Prayer for Peace in Our Communities reads: 


Gracious God,
We pray for peace in our communities this day.
We commit to you all who work for peace and an end to tensions,
And those who work to uphold law and justice.
We pray for an end to fear,
For comfort and support to those who suffer.
For calm in our streets and cities,
That people may go about their lives in safety and peace.
In your mercy, hear our prayers,
now and always. Amen

The Church of England said many of their churches have thrown open their doors to communities in need, while bishops and priests have been visiting and listening to affected people, offering prayer and support.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Manchester has called for justice to be done after thugs tore through the city centre, vandalising and looting shops.

The Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch condemned the “sheer vandalism, thuggery [and] theft” in the city.

“There is absolutely no excuse for that,” he said.

“Justice now needs to be done, and seen to be done.”

In Birmingham, police have launched a murder investigation after three men were killed allegedly while protecting their community.

In Southall, hundreds of Sikh men rallied to protect their temple. In Stoke Newington, crowds of Turks successfully saw off rioters and gathered again on the streets last night armed with baseball bats and fire extinguishers to deter any would-be looters.

The Diocese of London appealed to Christians to pray “for the restoration of order and for peace”, and for “safety and understanding”.

The Bishop of Southwark and for Urban Life and Faith, the Rt Rev Christopher Chessun, said the images of violence and destruction on the television screens “do not represent the strong, hopeful and vibrant communities I know so well”.

“I want to appeal to those responsible for the disturbances to stop,” he said.

“Today, as many in our Diocese count the cost of the disturbances, I am deeply saddened to see the images of destruction in familiar places.

“I will in the days ahead visit those communities that have been at the centre of trouble and I continue to promise my support for, and solidarity with, all who seek to build positive and constructive engagement."

(Image depicts rioters in Birmingham)

London Riots: Vigil of Hope organised by churches

With the violent rioting that has recently scarred London, Christian leaders and politicians organised a vigil of hope at The High Cross on Monday night in response to the carnage.

The peace vigil was organized by the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, the Methodist Church, the United Reformed Church, as well as Pentecostal and independent churches.

The Bishop of Edmonton, local bishop for the Diocese of London, the Rt. Rev. Peter Wheatley said: “These events cannot be allowed to define the Tottenham we know and love. Many of us have worked in this community for many years and we know the loving, generous and openhearted people with whom we share our daily lives are not the rioters who have destroyed so much.

“What has happened will not conquer the hope which is set before us. We will continue to share that hope with our neighbours and friends as we move to rebuild in Tottenham.”

Church of England parishes in Tottenham have thrown open their doors to those affected and are offering practical help. Support has been given to those whose homes and businesses have been looted, while meals, hot water and phone charging facilities have been made available to those who were left without electricity.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected, including those who have been made homeless and local business owners whose livelihoods have been threatened,” the bishop added.

“Together, our churches already run a multitude of activities supporting all members of the community, irrespective of their faith, and these efforts will be continued and where possible extended.”

The London rioters represent a ‘broken’ generation

A leading Christian organisation has urged political and other community leaders to realise that the London rioters terrorising the city reveal aspects of British society that are “broken and detached”.

“The appalling scenes on the streets of London, and elsewhere in the UK, should be condemned unreservedly,” said Gavin Poole, executive director of The Centre for Social Justice.

“Yet we have to recognise that this mayhem also exposes a broken section of British society – utterly detached from the values and responsibilities we expect of our fellow citizens.”

Mr Poole pointed out that the disintegration of healthy family units have played their part in the chaos on the capital’s streets, and said that after order has been restored, there is need for a “deep rooted social reform.”

“As wrong and unacceptable as it is, [the rioters] project anarchy in public because it is what surrounds them at home,” he said.

“Many will have never known stable parenting or fatherhood role models. Such family breakdown and dysfunction has rendered countless young people damaged and directionless.

“We will find a high majority of these young people have failed in schools where truancy is normal, behaviour is often disruptive and boundaries are not established.

“Many of them face a life on benefits in ghettos scarred by poor housing and street gangs, completely devoid of aspiration. In such communities, they have been written off by society repeatedly.

“These are the actions of people who live in chaos, hopelessness and poverty. What they are doing is criminal, completely wrong and must be punished. But it is not entirely random; they believe they have nothing to lose and no one to answer to. Some even consider it normal.



“Yes, we need political leadership and a debate about policing techniques. But when the violence ends, we need deep rooted social reform which understands that a section of Britain is badly broken and needs to be rebuilt.”