A Rapid Reading Review of the media – short reports and web links – including : UK needs reforms to protect the rights of Christians; BBC director general admits Christianity gets tougher treatment; Clergy told by Diocese of Bristol to ‘review safety’; New web site to promote the AnglicanCovenant; UK consumers go bananas for Fairtrade
Britain failing to stand up for Christians, say MPs
Telegraph – Britain is failing to protect the rights of Christians to follow their faith, a committee of MPs and peers has concluded. A report from a cross-party parliamentary group will this week warn that there is a widespread lack of “religious literacy” among the country’s judges, politicians and officials. It also claims that the rights of homosexuals take precedence over those of Christians.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9105996/Britain-failing-to-stand-up-for-Christians-say-MPs.html
http://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/archives/005388.html
We need reforms to protect the rights of Christians, MP’s
Telegraph – Two backbenchers, Jim Dobbin and Gary Streeter, explain the findings of a six-month inquiry into the ‘marginalisation’ of Christians in Britain.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/9106059/We-need-reforms-to-protect-the-rights-of-Christians.html
Equality law ‘should cover faith’
BBC News – A report on the status of Christianity in the UK recommends extending equality laws to cover people with religious beliefs.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17174860
BBC director general admits Christianity gets tougher treatment
Telegraph – The BBC director general Mark Thompson has claimed that Christianity is treated with less sensitivity than other religions because it is “pretty broad shoulders”. In a wide-ranging interview about faith and broadcasting, Mr Thompson disclosed that producers were faced with the possibilities of “violent threats” instead of normal complaints if they broadcast certain types of satire.
Clergy told by Diocese of Bristol to ‘review safety’
BBC – Clergy and church workers have been urged to review measures to protect their safety following the stabbing to death of the vicar of Thornbury. The Archdeacon of Bristol, the Venerable Christine Froude, has written to clergy in the diocese following the killing of the Reverend John Suddards.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17183211
YES to the Covenant
New web site to promote the Anglican Covenant
http://www.yestothecovenant.org/
Women in the Church of England
Article from The Independent and press release from Women and the Church (WATCH) concerning motion in parliament today at 9.30 am.
http://www.thinkinganglicans.org.uk/archives/005387.html
UK consumers go bananas for Fairtrade
Guardian – Sector bucks trend of retail decline by reaching value of £1.32bn last year, compared to £1.17bn in 2010. Sales of fairly traded products have bucked the trend of decline in the UK retail market to grow by 12% in the last year. The value of Fairtrade products sold through shops reached £1.32bn in 2011, compared to £1.17bn in 2010, according to figures from the Fairtrade Foundation, as it launches its annual marketing fortnight yesterday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/feb/27/uk-consumers-go-bananas-fairtrade