Global:Discussion on gay marriage
The Australian parliament is about to have a federal debate on a bill allowing gay marriage. Meanwhile in the UK 300,000 people used an online poll telling a parliamentary inquiry what they think about two pieces of legislation to legalise same-sex marriage. The Scottish Government’s consultation on redefining marriage revealed widespread opposition. See this weeks British Isles article 7. Tokyo advocacy groups for Gay Rights responded positively to American President Barack Obama’s public announcement of support for same sex-marriage in the US. Asian gay rights issues have started slowly but surely moving into the public domain. see: Denmark, the first country to allow gay couples to enter into civil unions now allows homosexuals to have full wedding ceremonies at church. Eight out of the eleven countries with legalised same-sex marriage are situated in Europe. Fourteen European countries have legalised civil unions.
Pray: against a growing deluge of proposed concessions to redefining marriage.(Lev.18:22)
Gaza Strip: Israeli raids after rockets
Israeli warplanes carried out three raids against the Gaza Strip Wednesday after militants pounded Israel with rockets. The raids targeted a training centre for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas at Rafah in the south of the Strip, a ‘workshop’ in Gaza City and Hamas naval police installations in the north. The Brigades fired 45 rockets in 24 hours at Israeli territory injuring four border guards, one seriously, after a direct hit on a border police outpost. The rocket attacks on Israel came after six Palestinians were killed and five others injured in a series of air strikes across the coastal strip. In a rare show of force, militants from the armed wing of the ruling Hamas movement said they would continue firing unless the air strikes ended. There has been a sharp increase in rocket fire recently. An anonymous Gaza Palestinian official said Egypt was making efforts to restore calm between the Palestinian movements and Israel.
Pray: God would protect the innocent, repair the broken hearts, renew the minds of those in pain, and infuse hope and life into minds set on retribution. (Job 8:6)
Major study shows children need love from fathers as much as mothers
A major study has confirmed that the absence of a father figure can be damaging to a child’s life, and that the love of a father is equally important to the emotional well-being of children as that of a mother. The study, which reviewed 36 studies from around the world, found that the absence of fatherly love in a child’s life can have serious psychological consequences which persist into adulthood, since rejection in childhood has the most ‘strong and consistent effect on personality and development’. The study suggests that rejection from a father can cause long-term problems for children that last for decades, including anxiety, insecurity and low self-esteem. The study found that such children tend to shut themselves off emotionally, and consequently find it harder to build relationships later in life. Andrea Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said: ‘The study confirms what has been known for decades - that two natural parents in a life-long marriage provide the ideal conditions for raising children.
Pray: for wider recognition of the importance of stable families with a mother and a father especially by government. Also pray for those who are in single parent families particularly those who are unsupported in any way. (Eph.6:1-4)
Mental health 'shockingly' under-treated, claims report
Only a quarter of people under 65 with mental health problems are receiving care, according to a landmark report that is highly critical of the lack of access to therapy. The authors of the report, led by academics at the London School of Economics, say those who cannot get treatment are essentially being discriminated against. They say that mental health now accounts for almost half the total burden of ill health suffered by people under 65. However, they found that only a quarter of children and adults of working age received treatment, due in part to poor provision. Ministers have promised to raise the profile of mental health services - using such slogans as ‘no health without mental health’, but the report’s authors want them to back up their words with action. They say: ‘The under-treatment of people with crippling mental illnesses is the most glaring case of health inequality in our country.
Pray: for all those affected by such illness and their needs may be better met. (3Jn.1:2)
