Christian Weekly News 19/03/10

Stories of fundamental significance to Christians and our Nation. To equip you to pray and act. To put the hope of Christ at the centre of our Nation. Click on titles for full stories     Election 2010, Petition, Conference, Abortion, Bioethics, End of Life, Equality, Family, Islam, Religious Freedom, Sexual Orientation, Social   Election 2010   CCFON: Launch of Christians and Candidates 2010.   CCFON: George Hargreaves for Parliament.   The Times: Lib Dem candidate Anna Arrowsmith to go from pornography to Parliament.   BBC News: Campaign set up to get Muslims to vote.   CCFON interviews Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali on why and how Christians should engage in Politics   CCFONtv, 11 Mar 10 (4m 17s)     Petition   On 2 March 2010, the House of Lords voted to change the law on civil partnerships, enabling them to take place in churches (see CCFON report).  This change will undermine marriage and ultimately remove religious freedom. The Petition will be delivered next week as the Equality Bill reaches its final stages in the House of Lords.   Please sign our petition to Gordon Brown & Harriet Harman opposing the changes.     Conference   Awake, Arise O Church!   There are still spaces available for our conference tomorrow; please register online at http://www.ccfon.org/awake.php     Saturday, 20 March 2010 (tomorrow), 10am-4.30pm, Emmanuel Centre, London, SW1P 3DW.     Abortion   Daily Mail: Polish women advised to travel to Britain for free abortion.   CCFON: Marie Stopes Own Online Survey shows 94% AGAINST legalising Abortion in Ireland     Bioethics   CCFON: Outrage at British Fertility Clinic’s human egg raffle.   Wales Online: We should let parents keep cord blood, says mother of a blind toddler.     End of Life   CCFON: Dr Nitschke in UK, despite serious opposition, holding workshops showing people how to commit suicide.   The Times: Debbie Purdy: I suck the marrow out of life, I'm not ready to die.   BBC News: No assisted suicide charge for son of Sir Edward Downes.   Sydney Morning Herald: Euthanasia talks banned at Irish venues.     Equality   CCFON: Police banned from asking ‘Christian’ names to avoid offending other faiths.   Daily Mail: Health clubs warning women not to lift heavy weights face prosecution under equality laws.     Family   CCFON: Act now to protect Parents’ Rights.: Act now to protect Parents’ Rights.   CCFON: Traditional image of marriage is eroded by homosexual unions, says top family lawyer.   BBC News: Black fathers urged to be more involved with children.   Daily Mail: Commentary: Getting divorced was the biggest mistake of our lives.   FSM News: Commentary: The Marriage Paradox.     Islam   CCFON: Muslim gangs imposing sharia law in British prisons.   Daily Telegraph: Row over funding for police faith groups.   Guardian: Fears over non-Muslim’s use of Islamic law to resolve disputes.   This is Staffordshire: Letter: Muslims must live by our laws and not try to change them.   Europe News: Muslim website calls for Sharia Islamic law in Ireland.   CBN News (Video): Muslims clash with Coptic Christians in Egypt.   Boston News: Internet video: Muslims must rise up against Christians in Nigeria.   The Times: Islamic violence in Jos.   First Things: Barnabas Fund exposes media cover-up of massacres of Christians in Nigeria.   Europe News: Hamas: Rome will be conquered by Islam.     Religious Freedom   CCFON: Pray for Faith-Based Adoption Agencies   CCFON: Homosexual adoption: Judge backs church over freedom of conscience.   Daily Telegraph: Catholic adoption agency wins homosexual rights exemption ruling.   Telegraph blog: Thank God for Catholic adoption agencies.   Daily Telegraph: Third of people believe religious freedoms are being restricted.   Spero News: India: Police demand Christians to cease distributing literature.   BBC News: Morocco defends expulsion of Christian workers.     Sexual Orientation   CCFON: Last Chance to act on Civil Partnership Amendment. Last Chance to act on Civil Partnership Amendment.   Daily Telegraph: Episcopal Church approves consecration of first lesbian bishop.   Daily Mail: Homosexuals in Dutch army responsible for Bosnian genocide, says former NATO commander at US Senate.     Social   Medical News: Christian groups combat high health premiums by paying each other’s bills.   Guardian: Concern as Leeds teenage pregnancy rates increase.   Daily Telegraph: Teenage mothers 'to get life coaching', under government plans.   Daily Mail: Tories to criminalise under-16s who have sex, says shadow children’s minister.   This is Hampshire: Highest rate of teen pregnancy in county