News

NEWS EXTRA

'Review abortion law' says 1 million-strong Evangelical Alliance

The Evangelical Alliance has called for an open debate on lowering the legal limit on abortions, in the light of new scientific research and public disquiet over the current law.

Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance said: "Evidence proves current thinking on abortion laws is not in line with existing research. As it stands babies of similar age that have the same chances of survival do not have equal rights when it comes to living. One can be aborted if inside the womb, the other can receive full neonatal care if outside it. This is not fair or right."

The Alliance, together with its partner organisations Christian Medical Fellowship and CARE believe it's time the public looked again at the abortion facts. Abortion is legal in the UK until 24 weeks for reasons of preserving the mother's 'mental health' and right up until the time of birth for 'serious handicap'.

Peter Saunders, General Secretary of CMF said: "Recent research carried out at the University of Minnesota published in the journal Paediatrics in 2004 found that two out of three [66%] babies born at 23 weeks during 1996-2000 survived with good neonatal care. It is incomprehensible that abortions are carried out at this age in the UK for often what amounts to purely social reasons. We have now reached a situation in the UK where many doctors and nurses would welcome a further reduction over and above the 20 week limit being mooted. We know that many in the medical profession feel uncomfortable performing late abortions and most over 18 weeks are contracted out by the NHS to the private sector."

Roger Smith, Head of Public Policy at CARE said: "Rowan Williams is right when he speaks of 'anguished decisions' regarding abortion. Each day, our pregnancy advice centres see women who feel trapped by their circumstances and who believe they have no choice other than to abort. Women ask for support and accurate information so that all the options can be considered, including keeping the child or placing the child for adoption. More public debate about the choices available to women is vital."

Election policies offer ‘golden opportunities’ in schools, says CARE for Education

As the winds of change blow through Britain’s education system after the general election, they will uncover ‘golden opportunities’ for Christian teachers and others who work in schools.

However, these ‘frontline missionaries’ will need the pastoral and practical support of local churches while they are busy influencing the curriculum and mentoring young people.

These are among the key points in a special study by Mike Simmonds, Head of CARE for Education - published in the latest edition of their journal Education Update.

In his study Mike explores key party policies that will affect everyone in schools. "Education is being treated as a political football," he said, "and it appears that the match is nowhere near finished!"

While Labour boast that there are now 28,000 more teachers than in 1997, the media continue to report the ‘disturbing fact’ that teachers continue to leave the profession ‘at alarming rates’.

Mike quoted Liberal Democrat MP Phil Willis’ concern over a lack of qualified teachers, stress on children – and of both Labour and the Conservatives giving parents an ‘illusion of choice’.

Discipline is a major issue – with the Conservatives branding disruptive children as ‘troublemakers’. Their response would be to set up strict regimes for them in ‘Turnaround Schools’.

So will the coming election guarantee peace in schools? Mike issued a resounding ‘no’. Teachers should stand by for a fresh round of changes. The key will be how to respond:

· Pray for politicians, teachers and governors
· Question local parliamentary candidates
· Discuss opportunities for ministry

The challenges offer openings for churches. "There are huge opportunities for Christians to influence young lives," Mike said. "Mentoring has become a ministry for school visitors."

The present Government has already launched a new strategy for the primary sector. ‘Excellence And Enjoyment’ encourages such schools to shape their own curriculum.

"Here is just one of those golden opportunities for Christian teachers to influence the curriculum…to embrace a holistic approach that develops children for life – not just work."

Whoever next holds the reins at the Department for Education and Skills, "there will continue to be significant change," Mike added.

That is guaranteed by such developments as the Government’s five-year strategy for children and learners, and the new 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper on the future examination system for young people.

"The range of likely changes in the future make it probable that some teachers will still be leaving the profession," Mike warned. "Only a ‘deep sense of vocation’ will keep some in their jobs.

"It is surely the responsibility of the Church to provide pastoral and practical support - to enable frontline missionaries in the classroom to fulfil God’s call upon their lives."

© 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.


		NEWS EXTRA 'Review abortion law' says 1 million-strong Evangelical Alliance The Evangelical Alliance has called for an open debate on lowering the legal limit on abortions, in the light of new scientific research and public disquiet over the current law. Joel Edwards, General Director of the Evangelical Alliance said: "Evidence proves current thinking on abortion laws is not in line with existing research. As it stands babies of similar age that have the same chances of survival do not have equal rights when it comes to living. One can be aborted if inside the womb, the other can receive full neonatal care if outside it. This is not fair or right." The Alliance, together with its partner organisations Christian Medical Fellowship and CARE believe it's time the public looked again at the abortion facts. Abortion is legal in the UK until 24 weeks for reasons of preserving the mother's 'mental health' and right up until the time of birth for 'serious handicap'. Peter Saunders, General Secretary of CMF said: "Recent research carried out at the University of Minnesota published in the journal Paediatrics in 2004 found that two out of three [66%] babies born at 23 weeks during 1996-2000 survived with good neonatal care. It is incomprehensible that abortions are carried out at this age in the UK for often what amounts to purely social reasons. We have now reached a situation in the UK where many doctors and nurses would welcome a further reduction over and above the 20 week limit being mooted. We know that many in the medical profession feel uncomfortable performing late abortions and most over 18 weeks are contracted out by the NHS to the private sector." Roger Smith, Head of Public Policy at CARE said: "Rowan Williams is right when he speaks of 'anguished decisions' regarding abortion. Each day, our pregnancy advice centres see women who feel trapped by their circumstances and who believe they have no choice other than to abort. Women ask for support and accurate information so that all the options can be considered, including keeping the child or placing the child for adoption. More public debate about the choices available to women is vital." Election policies offer ‘golden opportunities’ in schools, says CARE for Education As the winds of change blow through Britain’s education system after the general election, they will uncover ‘golden opportunities’ for Christian teachers and others who work in schools. However, these ‘frontline missionaries’ will need the pastoral and practical support of local churches while they are busy influencing the curriculum and mentoring young people. These are among the key points in a special study by Mike Simmonds, Head of CARE for Education - published in the latest edition of their journal Education Update. In his study Mike explores key party policies that will affect everyone in schools. "Education is being treated as a political football," he said, "and it appears that the match is nowhere near finished!" While Labour boast that there are now 28,000 more teachers than in 1997, the media continue to report the ‘disturbing fact’ that teachers continue to leave the profession ‘at alarming rates’. Mike quoted Liberal Democrat MP Phil Willis’ concern over a lack of qualified teachers, stress on children – and of both Labour and the Conservatives giving parents an ‘illusion of choice’. Discipline is a major issue – with the Conservatives branding disruptive children as ‘troublemakers’. Their response would be to set up strict regimes for them in ‘Turnaround Schools’. So will the coming election guarantee peace in schools? Mike issued a resounding ‘no’. Teachers should stand by for a fresh round of changes. The key will be how to respond: · Pray for politicians, teachers and governors · Question local parliamentary candidates · Discuss opportunities for ministry The challenges offer openings for churches. "There are huge opportunities for Christians to influence young lives," Mike said. "Mentoring has become a ministry for school visitors." The present Government has already launched a new strategy for the primary sector. ‘Excellence And Enjoyment’ encourages such schools to shape their own curriculum. "Here is just one of those golden opportunities for Christian teachers to influence the curriculum…to embrace a holistic approach that develops children for life – not just work." Whoever next holds the reins at the Department for Education and Skills, "there will continue to be significant change," Mike added. That is guaranteed by such developments as the Government’s five-year strategy for children and learners, and the new 14-19 Education and Skills White Paper on the future examination system for young people. "The range of likely changes in the future make it probable that some teachers will still be leaving the profession," Mike warned. "Only a ‘deep sense of vocation’ will keep some in their jobs. "It is surely the responsibility of the Church to provide pastoral and practical support - to enable frontline missionaries in the classroom to fulfil God’s call upon their lives." © 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.