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In the News

  • Christianity Today: How to Counter the Economic Argument for Abortion
    May 17th, 2017

    Lori Szala's recent op-ed in the New York Times tells a beautiful story. When she became pregnant as a senior in high school, she decided to keep her baby despite intense pressure from many around her to have an abortion. Having a child wasn't economically viable or socially responsible, she was told. She went so far as to schedule the procedure, but when a friend who'd previously had an abortion told her of the depression and suicidal thoughts she experienced afterward, Szala canceled the appointment.

    That's when her family and community stepped in. With daunting challenges facing her as a young mom—finishing high school, enrolling in college, and supporting herself and her new son—caring people came alongside her to help weather the challenges. "While my time as a single parent was not easy," she writes, "we got by, and today my life is nothing like the one predicted by that chorus of pessimism 29 years ago."

    Read more.

  • Premier: Rowan Williams: Don't fear the future
    May 17th, 2017

    The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has called on people not be frightened or cowed by the General Election or Brexit.

    In a statement marking the 60th Anniversary of Christian Aid week, the charity of which he is chair, he defended Britain's foreign aid budget and urged the country to look outwards as the UK prepares to leave the European Union.

    He said: "Britain's political and social landscape is in flux. We face great choices about the soul and future of our nation. For many it is a time of uncertainty and fear, for others an opportunity for change and optimism."

    Read more.

  • NY Times: Austrian parliament bans full face veils in public
    May 17th, 2017

    Austria has banned wearing a full facial veil in public places, the latest move by a European country to restrict expressions of Muslim identity viewed as contrary to Western secular values. The decision immediately drew criticism from rights advocates and from representatives of Austria’s Muslim community.

    Under the new legislation, approved by Parliament on Tuesday, women who wear clothing that covers their faces, such as burqas or niqabs, in places like universities, public transportation or courthouses will face fines of 150 euros, or about $167. The measure will take effect in October.

    The ban is part of legislation aimed at improving the integration of immigrants, according to Muna Duzdar, a state secretary in the office of Chancellor Christian Kern. Other elements of the legislation include mandatory integration courses, German-language lessons and requirements that asylum seekers do unpaid work while awaiting the processing of their claims. Under the new law, migrants who do not meet the requirements could see their welfare benefits slashed.

    Read more.

  • Schools Week: Liberal Democrat manifesto schools policies
    May 17th, 2017

    The Liberal Democrats have published their education manifesto. Here is a full list of the party's schools policies.
    Stop the education cuts – fair funding for all schools

    1. Reverse cuts to frontline school budgets, protecting per pupil funding in real terms

    2. Introduce a fairer national funding system with a protection for all schools

    3. Protect the pupil premium

    Teachers – our biggest asset in education

    4. End the 1 per cent cap on teachers' pay rises

    Read more.

  • ITV: Gender non-binary couple in heated GMB debate
    May 17th, 2017

    A gender non-binary couple have taken part in a fiery debate on Good Morning Britain (GMB) as they defended their identities.

    Just days after a top London private school announced it was considering introducing its first gender neutral uniform, Northamptonshire Police unveiled a gender-neutral cap, and on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, Fox and Owl appeared on GMB to explain what it means to be gender non-binary.

    Fox Fisher was assigned the gender of female at birth and later began undergoing a gender transition but "realised I was going from one set of expectations to another set of expectations, because there are extreme expectations for men and women in this world."

    Read more.

  • Standard: Lib Dems deny being anti-abortion after Tim Farron comments emerge
    May 17th, 2017

    The Liberal Democrats have been forced to deny claims they are against abortion after comments emerged from party leader Tim Farron saying the practice was "wrong".

    Mr Farron, a practising Christian, gave an interview to a Salvation Army publication in 2007, saying: "Take the issue of abortion. Personally I wish I could argue it away. Abortion is wrong," The Guardian reported.

    He added: "Society has to climb down from the position that says there is nothing objectionable about abortion before a certain time. If abortion is wrong, it is wrong at any time."

    Read more.

  • Telegraph: Cage director charged under Terrorism Act for 'failing to disclose his passwords'
    May 17th, 2017

    A irector of the controversial campaign group Cage has been charged under the Terrorism Act, after refusing to give police his computer passwords.

    Muhammad Rabbani was detained at Heathrow Airport under counter terrorism stop-and-search powers and declined to give his logins as he returned from a foreign trip last year.

    The 36-year-old international director of the group attended Bethnal Green police station in east London with his lawyer to answer bail and was charged with seeking to frustrate a search under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

    Read more.

  • Dr Peter Saunders: Brilliant Resources to help Christians engage with the General Election on 8 June
    May 17th, 2017

    On 8 June the UK goes to the polls for the general election. Whoever assumes power will have a profound influence in shaping public policy in matters which affect us, our families, churches, patients and colleagues.

    Some claim that politics and religion should not mix – 'We don't do God', famously said spin doctor Alistair Campbell. But God is intimately involved in politics. He is sovereign over the rise and fall of nations. He establishes governing authorities, and holds them ultimately accountable. As Christians, we should both pray for our political leaders and be subject to them.

    But God has also given us a part to play in who actually exercises civil authority. Each of us, before God and in good conscience, must make our own decisions about voting; but we have a duty before God to ensure that we exercise our votes wisely, thoughtfully and in an informed way.

    Read more.

  • Dr Peter Saunders: Brilliant Resources to help Christians engage with the General Election on 8 June
    May 17th, 2017

    On 8 June the UK goes to the polls for the general election. Whoever assumes power will have a profound influence in shaping public policy in matters which affect us, our families, churches, patients and colleagues.

    Some claim that politics and religion should not mix – 'We don't do God', famously said spin doctor Alistair Campbell. But God is intimately involved in politics. He is sovereign over the rise and fall of nations. He establishes governing authorities, and holds them ultimately accountable. As Christians, we should both pray for our political leaders and be subject to them.

    But God has also given us a part to play in who actually exercises civil authority. Each of us, before God and in good conscience, must make our own decisions about voting; but we have a duty before God to ensure that we exercise our votes wisely, thoughtfully and in an informed way.

    Read more.

  • NY Times: Australian swimming centre begins offering 'ladies only' swimming hours for Muslim women
    May 17th, 2017

    A swimming center in Western Sydney, Australia, has installed a curtain so it can cordon off one of its three pools into a "ladies only" swimming area on Sunday afternoons between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Richard McIntosh, the manager of Auburn's Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre, has said that the move was made with the objective of encouraging more modest women to take up swimming. Muslim women and girls in particular, he said, would feel more comfortable swimming in a "ladies only" environment.

    According to Yusra Metwally, who founded the group Swim Sisters (formerly Burkini Babes) last year in response to the French Burkini ban, women wearing full-body swimsuits during public pool hours can be subjected to "questions, comments or stares."

    "I remember when I was younger I was told by a lifeguard that my clothes weren't appropriate for the pool," she recalled. "You feel like you are being policed and that you stand out."

    Read more.