AUSTRALIAN PRAYER NETWORK NEWSLETTER

January 18, 2010

* CHRISTIAN CHURCHES ATTACKED IN MALAYSIA OVER USE OF THE WORD ALLAH

* AMERICAN NEWS ANALYST URGES TIGER WOODS TO TURN TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

* MIDDLE EAST CHURCHES MOVE TO ORDAIN WOMEN

* ITALIAN CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OVERRULES EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS’ COURT

* CARDINAL SAYS EUROPE HAS ITSELF TO BLAME FOR ISLAMISATION

* ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT SAYS COUNTRY SHOULD MAINTAIN CHRISTIAN IDENTITY

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CHRISTIAN CHURCHES ATTACKED IN MALAYSIA OVER USE OF THE WORD ALLAH

A number of churches have been attacked in Malaysia in an act linked to a High Court ruling to allow the use of the word Allah in Christian publications. Muslim groups unhappy with the court’s decision have held nationwide protests which have resulted in the churches being attacked. No one has been injured in the attacks but the incidents have caused a stir of unease throughout the country. Muslim groups are concerned that the usage of Allah in bibles will cause confusion to Muslims as to who God is.

The word Allah had been used since pre-Islam times as a translation for “God”, according to the Bible Society of Malaysia. It said that Christians in countries in contact with the Arabic language use the word Allah to refer to the “Creator God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In the Malay and Indonesian languages, the word Allah has been used continuously whilst in Borneo, indigenous Christian tribes use Allah in their bibles. The National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF) says, “Across Malaysia, many churches conduct services in Malay.

NECF has urged all parties to uphold the court’s decision and not turn the issue into a religious debate. Malaysia is a multi-racial country with a constitution that protects freedom of religion, whilst acknowledging Islam as the official religion. It also has a dual judicial system, with the federal courts operating alongside Syariah (Muslim) courts. Matters relating to a Muslim’s religion are often referred to the Syariah court. Under Syariah law it is very difficult to leave the religion. Christians make up about 10% of the population.

Since the attack, one Church, The Metro Tabernacle, in Kuala Lumper has received messages of sympathy, including a number from politicians and Muslim groups. The Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak condemned the attacks during his visit to the church describing them as “heinous”. The King has asked people of this multi-racial country to stay calm and respect places of worship. Police had been ordered to beef up security in places of worship. The church has been offered a substitute venue to hold its services.

The leaders of Metro Tabernacle have issued a statement forgiving the perpetrators of the crime and thanking the government for condemning the attacks. Opposition politicians have visited churches to reassure Christian Malaysians. The government plans to hold a series of dialogues between religious leaders. Despite the sympathy, Malaysian Christians remain concerned for their personal safety and freedom to worship. Please continue to lift our brothers-and-sisters-in-Christ in the region in prayer.

Please pray:

1. that the Body of Christ in Malaysia would rise up and stand in the gap for peace, order and calmness in the nation. Pray for the diffusion of all confusion and speculation and that all voices that promote unrest and tension would be subdued.

2. that Church leaders and the wider Body of Christ would be clear-minded and filled with His love, wisdom and courage in the midst of intimidation.

3. for forgiveness and conviction on the part of those responsible for the violence.

4. for protection upon all churches and Christians in the nation.

5. upholding the Prime Minister, Home Minister and leaders of the country for wisdom to handle the current situation, and for God’s will to prevail.

Source: The Malaysian Insider

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AMERICAN NEWS ANALYST URGES TIGER WOODS TO TURN TO THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

Fox News USA political analyst Brit Hume, has created a storm by offering advice to Tiger Woods. His comments were made during an on air discussion on how, since the revelations of his affairs, Woods had lost his family, his reputation and has taken a huge hit to his character. Said Mr. Hume, “Tiger is said to be a Buddhist, I don’t think that religion offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith. So, my message to Tiger would be, ‘Turn to the Christian faith, and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.’”

Since his remarks, Hume has received a plethora of feedback, some praising his honest statement and other comments rebuking him for “belittling Buddhism.” In explaining his advice to the troubled golfer Hume said “Tiger Woods is somebody I’ve always had a deep respect for but he is paying a frightful price for these revelations. He needs something that only Christianity provides and that is redemption and forgiveness. Jesus Christ can offer Tiger Woods something that he badly needs.” Hume noted that the name of Jesus Christ always seems to bring debate.

The Bible warns us that offences will come because of His name. Hume said he was “not surprised” by the media backlash over his remarks to Tiger Woods. There is a “double-standard” when it comes to speaking publicly about Christianity versus other religions, he said. “If I had said, for example, that what Tiger Woods needed to do was become more deeply engaged in his Buddhist faith I doubt anybody would have said anything.” Hume continued “In the secular west today the most controversial two words you can ever utter in a public space are ‘Jesus Christ,’”

When asked about the reasons for the media’s vitriolic attacks on Christianity, Hume said, “I think that Christianity makes an extravagant claim that the Son of God came into this world, lived, suffered, and died for the remission of our sins, and then rose again. This is a huge claim, and a lot of people have trouble believing it. But if you do believe it, the implications are pretty staggering” Hume said. “I believe in great part the level of anti-Christian bigotry is also due to the conservative views of many Christians on matters such as abortion and homosexuality.”

The Rev. Pat Mahoney, of the Christian Defence Coalition said, “Critics of Hume are denigrating his conservative political point of view. Commentators should be able to freely speak on any subject, including their faith.” The absence of public outrage over atheists who have become “increasingly dogmatic and aggressive” in expressing their contempt for Christianity is an obvious double standard. The backlash towards Hume’s comments is a reaction against conservative sexual mores because the cultural elites in our society don’t want to be told ‘no’ by anyone.

Source: FoxNews.com

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MIDDLE EAST CHURCHES MOVE TO ORDAIN WOMEN

Delegates at the Fellowship of the Middle East Evangelical Churches (FMEEC) have voted unanimously to adopt a statement supporting the ordination of women as pastors within their member Churches. The statement was drafted in response to a report by the fellowship’s theology committee, which found no biblical or theological reasons to oppose female ordination. The vote occurred at the Sixth General Assembly of the Fellowship of the Middle East Evangelical Churches, an association of evangelical (Anglican, Lutheran and Reformed)

churches of the Middle East.

The report inspired lively debate, with delegates expressing support for it as well as concern for how it would be accepted by their congregations. Dr. Mary Mikhael, Professor of Christian Education at the Near East School of Theology, acknowledged the obstacle presented to the Church by societal traditions but asked, “Who should reform who?” Finally, conference leaders agreed to reconvene after drafting a short statement in support of the report and of female ordination. It passed unanimously among the fellowship’s 29 voting delegates, including two women.

FMEEC’s president Bishop Munib Younan, developed the statement which in part read: “The Sixth General Assembly supports the ordination of women in our churches to the position of ordained pastor in an equal decision making role with men.” Speaking later, Younan said the vote was in keeping with the Middle Eastern evangelical tradition of leading the way in ministry. The fellowship’s action means its 16 member churches are urged to open the doors to women’s ordained ministry, he added.

The vote resonated with the remarks with which Younan opened the conference the previous day. “If we have any influence in the Middle East, it is the theology of grace,” he said. To a world that values work, achievement and ritual, “Jesus Christ gave us the theology of grace that we may influence the community that we live in,” he said. FMEEC was formed in 1974. Its purpose is to strengthen the mission and ministry of its member churches through training and formation of leadership and laity, both women and men, and promoting unity through joint work and education.

Source: Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches

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ITALIAN CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OVERRULES EUROPEAN HUMAN RIGHTS’ COURT

Italy’s Constitutional Court has asserted the supremacy of Italian law over the orders of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). An order by the ECHR that all crucifixes must be removed from Italian state schools has caused outrage in Italy. Legal experts warn that the decision would undermine both religious freedoms and national sovereignty in all European Union member states. But the Italian High Court has said that where rulings by the ECHR conflict with provisions of the Italian Constitution, such rulings “lack legitimacy.”

The Catholic Family Institute said the decision was intended to warn the European Court against overstepping its jurisdiction with ideologically-motivated rulings. A bill is now before the Italian Senate, regulating the display of crucifixes in state schools. The bill requires crucifixes to be displayed, “given the religious culture of the Italian people.” but also deals with the issue of parents taking offence at the presence of a crucifix by also allowing other religious symbols to be displayed, or for the crucifix to be removed in cases where agreement cannot be reached.

The original ECHR decision was made in response to a complaint by a Finnish woman with Italian citizenship that her children having to view a crucifix every day in the state school they attended was a violation of their religious freedom. The ECHR ruling said, “The compulsory display of a symbol of a given confession in premises used by the public restricted the right of parents to educate their children in conformity with their convictions.” The decision of the ECHR spurred national outrage among Italians, making front page headlines for weeks.

The Italian government will appeal the decision, claiming it breaches the Italian constitution. Legal counsel said the ECHR ruling disregarded the “cultural sovereignty of each EU member state” and the Italian Court ruling shows that Italy may be prepared to break with the ECHR if the government loses its appeal. The ECHR ruling could have widespread effect on religious freedom in Europe. The ruling received negative responses from both Greece and Poland who have also said that there would be no removal of crucifixes or other religious symbols in their countries.

Source: LifeSiteNews

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CARDINAL SAYS EUROPE HAS ITSELF TO BLAME FOR ISLAMISATION

The Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Vlk, said Muslims were well placed to fill the spiritual void created “by Europeans emptying the Christian content of their lives.” Europe will pay dearly for having left its spiritual foundations and there may only be a short time left to do something about it. “Muslims have many reasons to be heading here, one of which is to bring spiritual values to the pagan and atheistic lifestyle of Europe. Unless Christians wake up, life may be Islamised and Christianity will not have the strength to imprint its character on the life of people.”

The 77-year-old cardinal made his remarks in an interview to mark his retirement after spending 19 years as the leader of the Czech Church. He said he did not blame Muslims for the crisis as Europeans had brought it upon themselves by exchanging their Christian culture for an aggressive secularism that embraced atheism. “Europe has denied its Christian roots from which it has risen which could give it the strength to fend off the danger that it will be conquered by Muslims, which is actually happening gradually,” he said.

“At the end of the Middle Ages Islam failed to conquer Europe with arms. “Today, when the fighting is done with spiritual weapons, the fall of Europe is looming.” He called on Christians to respond to the threat of Islamisation by living their own religious faith more observantly. Italian Cardinal Giacomo Biffi also urged the Italian government to give priority to Catholic migrants over Muslims in order to protect his country’s religious identity. The Vatican has also opposed Turkey joining the European Union partly because it does not share the continent’s Christian heritage.

Source: Telegraph UK

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ZAMBIAN PRESIDENT SAYS COUNTRY SHOULD MAINTAIN CHRISTIAN IDENTITY

Zambian President Rupiah Banda said that the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation should be retained in the Republic’s Constitution. In a speech marking the 18th anniversary celebration of the country’s Christian declaration, Banda said, “It is my passionate desire that my government continue to access the prosperity which comes from the living God. I know you, my fellow Zambians, share this belief with me that in this covenant lies the wisdom of God.” Banda also said that people should not take Zambia’s peace for granted but rather see it as a gift from God.

Several political and religious officials indicated their support for Banda’s position, including Heritage Party president Godfrey Miyanda, who said “Being a Christian nation does not mean we are perfect but that we need to work hard to live up to the declaration as followers of Christ.” The Rev. Gibson Nyirenda made several suggestions for strengthening Zambia’s Christian identity including constituting a ministry of Christian and religious affairs as well as marking December 29, (the anniversary of the declaration as a Christian nation), a public holiday.

Source: The Christian Post

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