- US study: divorce never good for children3 February 2012, 4:00 pm
Children always suffer from divorce, and the idea of a ‘good divorce’ is just wishful thinking, according to new research from the US. An analysis of almost 1,000 families found that children with divorced parents suffer, even if the split was ‘amicable’. Researchers at Pennsylvania State University called on marriage counsellors to do more to [...] ...
- MPs back Sentamu’s warning against redefining marriage3 February 2012, 3:00 pm
The Archbishop of York’s warning against redefining marriage has received backing from both Labour and Conservative MPs. Labour’s Jim Dobbin warned that David Cameron’s plans to rewrite the definition of marriage could be opposed by more than 100 MPs. He also cautioned that such a move would have ramifications for what is taught in the [...] ... - NHS funds puberty-delaying drugs for sex-confused kids3 February 2012, 2:05 pm
A group of children who think they were born the wrong sex are to be given drugs by an NHS group to halt the onset of puberty while they decide if they want sex change surgery. The drugs, which will be administered by monthly injections, will give the children a “window” in which to decide [...] ... - Call for ban on sexualised images in the media3 February 2012, 12:00 pm
Newspapers should not be allowed to print pictures of women that would not be shown on pre-watershed television an inquiry into press standards was told. Four groups challenged the objectification of women by the media and called on Lord Justice Leveson to back a ban on sexualised images in newspapers, claiming that such images would [...] ... - Mum, I love you: Paralysed man’s first words in 19 years3 February 2012, 9:25 am
A 37-year-old paralysed man has spoken for the first time in nearly 20 years – and told his mum “I love you”. The news comes amidst pressure to change the law so that people in a similar position can have their lives ended by euthanasia. Simon Ellis was told he would never talk again after [...] ... - Scots Tory leader under fire over gay marriage pledge2 February 2012, 5:30 pm
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson is facing a backlash after she controversially signed a pledge calling for the redefinition of marriage. Earlier this week Miss Davidson joined the leaders of Holyrood’s other opposition parties in signing a pledge saying that they would “campaign to beat the ban on same sex marriage”. The move was criticised [...] ... - Boris backs parents’ right to smack2 February 2012, 4:30 pm
Mayor of London Boris Johnson has backed the right of parents to smack their children, bolstering comments last week from a senior Labour MP. Listen to Boris Johnson speak about the issue on BBC Radio 5 Live Mr Johnson told BBC Radio 5 Live that he believed the current law was “confusing” and warned that [...] ... - Bishop investigated for ‘hate crime’ for upsetting humanist2 February 2012, 2:30 pm
A Roman Catholic Bishop in Ireland is being investigated under ‘hate crime’ laws for delivering a homily that upset a humanist. The Bishop’s unremarkable comments warned of “the arrows of a secular and godless culture” and that only believers “know in general terms that their life will not end in emptiness”. Humanist John Colgan complained [...] ... - Scots opposition leaders sign pledge to redefine marriage2 February 2012, 12:25 pm
The leaders of Holyrood’s opposition parties have committed themselves to “campaign” for the redefinition of marriage, despite widespread opposition to any change. The leaders of the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green parties signed a pledge calling for the change at an event at Holyrood yesterday. But John Deighan, of the Roman Catholic Church in [...] ... - Monogamous societies are safer, reveals study1 February 2012, 10:41 am
Societies where monogamy is the norm are safer than polygamous ones, new research has revealed. Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that polygamous cultures have higher levels of robbery, rape, kidnapping, fraud and murder. Professor Joseph Henrich, one of the report’s authors, warned that the crimes were primarily driven by pools of unmarried [...] ... - Atheists clash over plans to build ‘temple’ in London31 January 2012, 1:00 pm
Two of the country’s most prominent atheists have clashed over plans to build a £1 million “temple for atheists” in the City of London. Alain de Botton, a philosopher and writer, wants to build a 46-metre tower to celebrate atheism as a positive force. He says the structure would celebrate “new atheism” and act as [...] ... - US state could vote again on homosexual marriage31 January 2012, 11:07 am
An American state which rejected homosexual marriage in a 2009 public referendum could have another vote on the issue. Last week a coalition of pro-homosexual campaigners in Maine announced they had secured enough signatures on a petition to force a second ballot, which now must be certified. But opponents said a second vote would only [...] ... - Govt has no right to redefine marriage, warns Sentamu30 January 2012, 2:55 pm
Marriage must remain a union between one man and one woman, the Archbishop of York has warned. Dr John Sentamu, in an interview with The Daily Telegraph, warned ministers not to ride roughshod over centuries of tradition by changing the definition of marriage. He cautioned that such a move would face fierce opposition from bishops [...] ... - Palin calls on airline to reverse ‘offensive’ prayer cards decision30 January 2012, 10:16 am
Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has called on an American airline to reverse its decision to remove “offensive” prayer cards from in-flight meals. For 30 years Alaska Airlines has placed a card with a quote from the Psalms on its meal trays. But it has decided to call a halt to the practice following some [...] ... - People have less integrity and it is harming society27 January 2012, 4:10 pm
British people have significantly less integrity than ten years ago, and it risks harming civic mindedness, new research claims. Adultery, lying and underage sex have all become more acceptable, according to the findings published by Professor Paul Whiteley. He blames the bad examples set by footballers cheating on their wives, the phone hacking scandal, and [...] ...
- Bishop investigated for ‘hate crime’ for upsetting humanist2 February 2012, 2:30 pm
A Roman Catholic Bishop in Ireland is being investigated under ‘hate crime’ laws for delivering a homily that upset a humanist. The Bishop’s unremarkable comments warned of “the arrows of a secular and godless culture” and that only believers “know in general terms that their life will not end in emptiness”. Humanist John Colgan complained [...]... - Atheists clash over plans to build ‘temple’ in London31 January 2012, 1:00 pm
Two of the country’s most prominent atheists have clashed over plans to build a £1 million “temple for atheists” in the City of London. Alain de Botton, a philosopher and writer, wants to build a 46-metre tower to celebrate atheism as a positive force. He says the structure would celebrate “new atheism” and act as [...]... - Palin calls on airline to reverse ‘offensive’ prayer cards decision30 January 2012, 10:16 am
Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has called on an American airline to reverse its decision to remove “offensive” prayer cards from in-flight meals. For 30 years Alaska Airlines has placed a card with a quote from the Psalms on its meal trays. But it has decided to call a halt to the practice following some [...]... - Oxford professor: equality trumping religious freedom25 January 2012, 4:05 pm
A senior academic from the University of Oxford has said courts in the West are putting equality issues before the right to religious freedom. Professor Roger Trigg, a leading figure in the University’s philosophy and theology faculties, made the claim after studying recent cases in the UK, USA, Canada and mainland Europe. He identified a [...]... - Sharia is good for women, claims Muslim lawyer24 January 2012, 9:52 am
“Sharia law itself is inherently positive towards women”, the head of a law firm’s new Sharia division has claimed. The comment coincides with a Bill before Parliament which seeks to tackle the discrimination suffered by women under Sharia law in England and Wales. The Arbitration and Mediation Services (Equality) Bill would remove any doubt that [...]... - Landmark US court ruling for church freedom19 January 2012, 2:30 pm
In a landmark ruling the US Supreme Court says churches, not the Government, should control the employment of ‘ministers of religion’. The unanimous ruling is a blow to President Obama, whose administration wanted the ruling to go the other way. The case centres around a former teacher at a church school who was dismissed for [...]... - Section 5 amendment needed to ‘roll back’ offence culture19 January 2012, 10:23 am
The Public Order Act must be reformed because of its “corrosive” effect on free speech, according to a senior figure at a civil liberties organisation. Mike Harris, head of advocacy at Index on Censorship, said it was not the role of police officers or magistrates “to protect citizens from insult”, and called on Government ministers [...]... - Punished: Mayor who criticised Halloween18 January 2012, 4:30 pm
A church-going former mayor in Warwickshire who declined to take part in a Halloween event has been found in breach of equality rules for upsetting pagans. Tom Wilson, who is a member at Manor Court Baptist Church in Nuneaton, said he believed Halloween was a “pagan festival” and that he did not want to be [...]... - Bishops slam shops for failing to stock Christian Easter egg16 January 2012, 3:22 pm
Two Church of England bishops have criticised retailers for failing to support the country’s only Christian Easter egg, despite evidence of widespread demand. The chocolate egg comes in a box which carries an explanation of the resurrection. It is thought that supermarkets may be reluctant to stock it because of its Christian message. Reports indicate [...]... - Report: Costs of Equality Act ‘far outweigh’ any benefits13 January 2012, 3:20 pm
Supposed financial benefits of the Equality Act will be far outweighed by costs, a report published by a think-tank has said. Statistician Nigel Williams asserts that instead of bringing in savings of £65 million a year, the Equality Act will actually cost £10m a year. Mr Williams analysed the previous Government’s impact assessment of the [...]... - Christian radio station will be allowed to challenge ad ban11 January 2012, 1:13 pm
A Christian radio station which was banned from airing an advert on Christian marginalisation has been given permission to go to court and challenge the decision. Premier Christian Radio wanted to run an advert on Christians being sidelined in the workplace but it was banned for being “politically motivated”. The group wanted to air the [...]... - Govt consultation on public order law closes next week6 January 2012, 3:46 pm
Concerned citizens have until next Friday to respond to an official consultation on amending a controversial law which criminalises the use of insulting words. You can respond to the consultation here. Section 5 of the Public Order Act outlaws “insulting” words or behaviour. Many groups believe that it intrudes on free speech and has caused [...]... - ‘Religious literacy’ lacking in public life, bishop warns5 January 2012, 5:00 pm
Britain’s Christian heritage is no longer understood in the “corridors of power” the former Bishop of Rochester has said. The Rt Revd Michael Nazir-Ali made the comments as he reflected on the Prime Minister’s recent speech on the place of the Bible and Christianity in national life. While the Bishop welcomed much of what David [...]... - US nurses retain right to refuse to assist abortions5 January 2012, 10:54 am
A group of nurses in America has won a major court battle against the hospital which tried to force them to help with abortions. A policy change in September 2011 at a New Jersey hospital required all nurses to participate in abortions, despite state law saying: “No person shall be required to perform or assist [...]... - PM: Bible gives us values and morality worth standing up for19 December 2011, 4:48 pm
David Cameron has said Britain is a “Christian country” and “we should not be afraid to say so”, as he marked 400 years of the King James Bible. The Prime Minister said the Bible has helped to give Britain values and morals which “we should actively stand up and defend”. And he also criticised the [...]...
Stay Updated by E-mail