Judge Upholds National Prayer Day | 303 | Report 30

A Denver federal court recently upheld a Colorado proclamation recognising the National Day of Prayer as a lawful expression of an individual’s right to practice religion.
Judge R. Michael Mullins dismissed a lawsuit asserting that Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat, violated the state constitution by issuing a state proclamation recognising the National Day of Prayer, which is observed every year on the first Thursday of May. Colorado Attorney General John Sutters praised the judge’s ruling in a statement saying, “I was pleased to see the judge’s well reasoned and persuasive order upholding this commonplace practice.” Secular organisation Freedom From Religion Foundation had filed the lawsuit in support of the separation of church and state.

Source: The Christian Post

BIBLE STUDY: Daniel 6:23-28

PRAISE: God that the judge, State Governor and Attorney General have all upheld the Day of Prayer.

Triumph for Bibles in British Hospital | 303 | Report 29

A ban on bedside Bibles considered by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS that feared the Bibles could spread germs has been rejected. The trust decided against banning the book in bedside lockers, opting instead to keep copies in holders and protective plastic covers that can be easily cleaned after each patient has used them.
Jenny Leggott, the Trust’s director of nursing, said: “We have been speaking to our patients, staff and members of the public over the last few months to get their views on where Bibles should be kept on our wards. Most people would prefer Bibles to remain in bedside areas as they provide “an important and familiar source of comfort for patients during their stay in hospital”, she added.

Source: The Press Association

BIBLE STUDY: 1 Peter 1:24-25

PRAISE: God that a prominent NHS Trust has taken a lead. Pray that many patients may read God’s Word.

Can the Apostasy Laws be Abolished? | 13th Mar 2010

Islam is a one-way street. You can convert TO Islam, but you are not allowed to convert FROM Islam. Apostasy is seen as a “crime” against the rest of the Muslim community – often it is the family of the convert – not the State – that imposes the death penalty. This can happen even in non-Muslim nations where sizeable Muslim communities live.
“Hannah”, in Britain, has been forced to move house 45 times since she was converted to Christ at the age of 16. The reason? Her Muslim family has vowed to kill her unless she “returns to the fold.”
But things can change. On 22 August 2007 Christian and Muslim groups in Norway signed a joint declaration affirming the right to convert from one faith to another without fear of harassment or violence. Barnabas Fund has been campaigning hard to see an end to these attitudes the world over. It won’t be easy – old attitudes die hard! But, since the Norway declaration, others have begun to follow suite:
In 2008 a group of British Muslim academics and religious leaders began meeting in Cambridge to consider traditional views of Islam and certain aspects of Sharia. In October 2009 they published a report, Contextualising Islam in Britain. It reflects a strong and very encouraging commitment on the part of mainstream Muslim leaders in Britain to an adapted and modern Islam.
Islam does not normally distinguish between religious sins and crimes against the State. But the report argues that this distinction must be drawn and even apostates must not suffer discrimination. These are positive beginnings; it remains to be seen whether they will gradually take hold, particularly as more Muslims are absorbed into Western societies.

Source: Barnabas Trust; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Matthew 22:21

PRAISE: God for small signs of change. Pray that these may snowball, and that Christians may know how to reach out to Muslims with the love of Christ.

http://revivalmedia.org/2010/03/12/can-the-apostasy-laws-be-abolished-13th-mar-2010

Can the Apostasy Laws be Abolished? | 13th Feb 2010

Islam is a one-way street. You can convert TO Islam, but you are not allowed to convert FROM Islam. Apostasy is seen as a “crime” against the rest of the Muslim community – often it is the family of the convert – not the State – that imposes the death penalty. This can happen even in non-Muslim nations where sizeable Muslim communities live.
“Hannah”, in Britain, has been forced to move house 45 times since she was converted to Christ at the age of 16. The reason? Her Muslim family has vowed to kill her unless she “returns to the fold.”
But things can change. On 22 August 2007 Christian and Muslim groups in Norway signed a joint declaration affirming the right to convert from one faith to another without fear of harassment or violence. Barnabas Fund has been campaigning hard to see an end to these attitudes the world over. It won’t be easy – old attitudes die hard! But, since the Norway declaration, others have begun to follow suite:
In 2008 a group of British Muslim academics and religious leaders began meeting in Cambridge to consider traditional views of Islam and certain aspects of Sharia. In October 2009 they published a report, Contextualising Islam in Britain. It reflects a strong and very encouraging commitment on the part of mainstream Muslim leaders in Britain to an adapted and modern Islam.
Islam does not normally distinguish between religious sins and crimes against the State. But the report argues that this distinction must be drawn and even apostates must not suffer discrimination. These are positive beginnings; it remains to be seen whether they will gradually take hold, particularly as more Muslims are absorbed into Western societies.

Source: Barnabas Trust; Revival Media

BIBLE STUDY: Matthew 22:21

PRAISE: God for small signs of change. Pray that these may snowball, and that Christians may know how to reach out to Muslims with the love of Christ.