Snow "catastrophe" in the south, survey shows Christian decline, and Christmas sermon by text.

Welcome to the final Weekly News Review from a Christian Viewpoint.  Patrick Woodward talks to Russ Bravo, (pictured) editor of Inspire Magazine, about the latest news from a Christian standpoint.  Today, as snow blankets the south, why does everything stop? A new survey of religious beliefs highlights decline in Christianity, and a Christmas sermon in 160 characters.

Story Links:

Snow:

guardian.co.uk Snow strands passengers at Gatwick and Luton

bbc.co.uk  Travellers hit by snow disruption

uk.reuters.com Snow hits commuters, cancels some flights

Survey:

ekklesia.co.uk New UK research shows significant decline in institutional Christianity

dailymail.co.uk  ‘Sharp decline’ in faith as number of Christians in Britain falls to half

Text sermon:

inspiremagazine.org.uk Christmas Day sermon – text version

This is the final Weekly News Review. Thank you for listening and downloading.  Happy Christmas to all our readers and listeners.

Russia to Teach Religion in Schools | 11th Nov 09

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has announced pilot project that will require school children to take classes in religion or secular ethics, the Associated Press reported. They will be offered the choice of studying the dominant Russian Orthodox religion, Islam, Buddhism or Judaism, or of taking an overview of all four faiths, or course in secular ethics. The proposal is believed to be part of Kremlin effort to teach young Russians morals in the wake of turbulent period of uncertainty following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Medvedev insisted that the proposal is “only” for the four faiths excluding other faiths, especially Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, which the Orthodox Church accuses of proselytising.

Over 80 percent of Russians are believed to be members of the Russian Orthodox Church, although only about 15 to 20 percent regularly attend church. Earlier this year, the appointment of Aleksandr Dvorkin – who is critical of non-Orthodox Christians – as chair of the Expert Council on Religious Studies raised concerns for non-Orthodox Christians, fearing that Russia might return to a “Soviet era” persecution. The move prompted the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to add Russia to its watch list for the first time in ten years.

Source: Christian Post

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 37:7

PRAY: That true followers of Jesus in Russia may have wisdom and grace to face this new trial, and that many young people be lead to seek the Truth.

Russia to Teach Religion in Schools | 11th Oct 09

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has announced pilot project that will require school children to take classes in religion or secular ethics, the Associated Press reported. They will be offered the choice of studying the dominant Russian Orthodox religion, Islam, Buddhism or Judaism, or of taking an overview of all four faiths, or course in secular ethics. The proposal is believed to be part of Kremlin effort to teach young Russians morals in the wake of turbulent period of uncertainty following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Medvedev insisted that the proposal is “only” for the four faiths excluding other faiths, especially Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, which the Orthodox Church accuses of proselytising.

Over 80 percent of Russians are believed to be members of the Russian Orthodox Church, although only about 15 to 20 percent regularly attend church. Earlier this year, the appointment of Aleksandr Dvorkin – who is critical of non-Orthodox Christians – as chair of the Expert Council on Religious Studies raised concerns for non-Orthodox Christians, fearing that Russia might return to a “Soviet era” persecution. The move prompted the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to add Russia to its watch list for the first time in ten years.

Source: Christian Post

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 37:7

PRAY: That true followers of Jesus in Russia may have wisdom and grace to face this new trial, and that many young people be lead to seek the Truth.

Australian’s Surprise Faith in Christ | 25

A new survey has encouraged Australian church leaders. It found that nearly half of Australians who do not consider themselves born-again Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead. The Centre for Public Christianity in Sydney surveyed 2,500 people and found that 45 percent of those who do not identify themselves as born-again, including those of other religions, believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“We are staggered,” said John Dickson, co-director of the research centre, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. “We thought the survey would show the profound scepticism of Australians. Instead it shows there is a base-level assumption among the Australian public that accepts the Jesus story even if it has no relevance to their lives.”

The research sought to explore the beliefs of those who do not attend church, loosely identify with Christianity, are non-religious,  or identify with a non-Christian religion. In addition to belief in the resurrection, half said they believe Jesus was a real figure with divine powers; 39 percent said he was real but without divine powers; and only 11 percent said Jesus was not a real figure. Only 4 percent confused Easter with Christmas.

Source:
Christian Today – Australians not so Sceptical about Jesus, Survey Finds
Revival Media

Other Links:
Christian Post – Nearly Half of Non-Born-Again Australians Believe in Resurrection

BIBLE STUDY:  John 20:1-19

PRAISE: God for the underlying acknowledgement of Jesus.Pray that church leaders may know how to use this to lead many into true, saving faith.