Christians called to provide sex education for young people

In the week that a grandmother gave birth to her twin grandchildren, Oasis Esteem - the sexual health and relationships education programme run by Oasis Trust - has called on churches to provide young people with "life-changing" sex and relationships education in their local schools.

Through its one-day conference tour, entitled Sex Education - Getting it Right, Oasis Esteem aims to create an awareness of the opportunities for Christian volunteers and youth workers to be trained and resourced to deliver relevant sex education to young people in secondary schools.

Dr Patrick Dixon, a pioneer of Aids research and education in the UK - and a speaker at the conferences, said: "Many young people are heading for personal disaster. Growing numbers are affected by sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, drug addiction and severe emotional turmoil. Schools are looking for urgent help, accurate information, strong role models, values that encourage healthy living and practical ways to help pupils resist peer pressure."

Prolife charity, LIFE, said the case of the woman becoming a surrogate mother to her twin grandchildren would "disturb most right-minded people". Nuala Scarisbrick, LIFE trustee, said: "The welfare of these baby twins has been put last, after the wishes of the parents, the grandmother and the IVF doctor involved.

"These children will suffer psychological difficulties in the future as they try to work out just who their various 'carers' are. Once again the IVF industry has gone too far by changing the natural order of things beyond all recognition...to resort to asking one's own mother to give birth to your child is a step too far and one that most people will consider repugnant."

* The Sex Education - Getting It Right events will take place in Leeds (Church Institute) - 23 February; London (Church.co.uk centre) - 24 February; and Birmingham (Birmingham Christian Centre) - 26 February. More at www.oasistrust.org/esteem or on 0207 450 9033.

Teachers' spiritual life a workload casualty

A teacher's spiritual life is often the "first casualty" of a heavy workload - according to Rupert Kaye, chief executive of the Association of Christian Teachers.

He encouraged churches and Christians to get involved in Education Sunday this weekend (8 February), saying it was important to "get alongside those who learn and teach".

Rupert added: "I can't emphasis enough the need for teachers to be prayed for on a regular basis. Pray for them just before the school day starts that that teacher will have the strength and wisdom to be able to deal with any situation that's thrown at them that day".

Suggested prayers, readings, meditations and a sermon outline for Education Sunday are online at www.educationsunday.org.uk.

New cannabis law 'discriminates against children'

The Children's Society claims that children and young people will be unfairly treated under the Government's new cannabis reforms, where under 18s found in possession of cannabis will be arrested, while adults committing the same offence will not.

Kathy Evans, policy and practice manager at the charity, said: "Adults will be treated more leniently by the police, than a child or young person, for the same offence. This is a dangerous and discriminatory step, which turns on its head the existing principle that punishments for under 18s should be proportionately lighter than they would be for an adult committing the same offence.

"Being arrested and taken to a police station can be a traumatic experience for anyone - let alone a child. They could face getting a criminal record which could affect their future lives and chances of employment.

"Many young people are confused by the mixed messages around the Government's reclassification of cannabis and now think it is legal to use." Legislation to reclassify cannabis from a Class B to a Class C drug took effect from 29 January.

More at www.thechildrenssociety.org.uk

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.