News

Prison for home-schooling parents?

Local education authorities in Germany are threatening to jail a Christian couple 10 days for home-schooling their children.

The Baptist parents have refused to pay a fine of about £350 for not sending their children to a state registered school. In April, a home-schooling mother was imprisoned for six days.

In the federal state of North Rhine Westphalia alone 26 parents are facing legal conflicts because they want to educate their children at home. Efforts are underway to establish a private evangelical state registered school in the district.

Home-schooling is illegal in Germany, even if parents object to institutional education for reasons of faith or conscience. (IDEA)

Church says no to ‘Sinsations’ near primary school

An Edinburgh church is leading a campaign to stop a sex shop opening just yards from a primary school.

Angela Santoro, minister of the World Conquerors Christian Centre, said the 400-strong congregation had launched a petition that has been backed by community leaders and local politicians.

“We are protesting against the idea of this kind of shop being in the area,” she said. “There is a primary school just around the corner and it is just not the right place for it. This is a very family-orientated area.”

An application for a licence to open Sinsations sex shop on Leith Walk has been submitted to Edinburgh City Council’s licensing committee.

But locals claim the shop, close to Lorne Primary School, is unsuitable for the area. A group of protesters have launched a campaign against the shop, which operated as a launderette before standing empty for two years.

Leith Community Council, the Leith and Lorne Community Safety Panel and local councillor Phil Attridge are also set to object to the application. Councillor Phil Attridge said he would lend his support to the protesters adding: “I think this site is inappropriate.”

Autism support day success

Christian disability charity Through the Roof recently hosted 14 families with autistic children on a special day to give members of its internet support group, CARING-UK (Christian Autism Resource Internet Group - UK) an opportunity to meet together for a day of relaxation.

The event was held at a school at Ashtead in Surrey and a team of volunteers laid on crafts, a puppet show, football, rounders and a family barbecue. The school pool was a huge success with most of the 40 children (including 16 on the autistic spectrum) having a swim.

One parent of an autistic child said: “It’s great to be somewhere with people where I don’t have to explain about my child.”

Through the Roof director Paul Dicken said: “Families with autistic children often feel under siege and totally unsupported. It was great to make a difference to these families, even if just for a day.”

© 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.


		Prison for home-schooling parents? Local education authorities in Germany are threatening to jail a Christian couple 10 days for home-schooling their children. The Baptist parents have refused to pay a fine of about £350 for not sending their children to a state registered school. In April, a home-schooling mother was imprisoned for six days. In the federal state of North Rhine Westphalia alone 26 parents are facing legal conflicts because they want to educate their children at home. Efforts are underway to establish a private evangelical state registered school in the district. Home-schooling is illegal in Germany, even if parents object to institutional education for reasons of faith or conscience. (IDEA) Church says no to ‘Sinsations’ near primary school An Edinburgh church is leading a campaign to stop a sex shop opening just yards from a primary school. Angela Santoro, minister of the World Conquerors Christian Centre, said the 400-strong congregation had launched a petition that has been backed by community leaders and local politicians. “We are protesting against the idea of this kind of shop being in the area,” she said. “There is a primary school just around the corner and it is just not the right place for it. This is a very family-orientated area.” An application for a licence to open Sinsations sex shop on Leith Walk has been submitted to Edinburgh City Council’s licensing committee. But locals claim the shop, close to Lorne Primary School, is unsuitable for the area. A group of protesters have launched a campaign against the shop, which operated as a launderette before standing empty for two years. Leith Community Council, the Leith and Lorne Community Safety Panel and local councillor Phil Attridge are also set to object to the application. Councillor Phil Attridge said he would lend his support to the protesters adding: “I think this site is inappropriate.” Autism support day success Christian disability charity Through the Roof recently hosted 14 families with autistic children on a special day to give members of its internet support group, CARING-UK (Christian Autism Resource Internet Group - UK) an opportunity to meet together for a day of relaxation. The event was held at a school at Ashtead in Surrey and a team of volunteers laid on crafts, a puppet show, football, rounders and a family barbecue. The school pool was a huge success with most of the 40 children (including 16 on the autistic spectrum) having a swim. One parent of an autistic child said: “It’s great to be somewhere with people where I don’t have to explain about my child.” Through the Roof director Paul Dicken said: “Families with autistic children often feel under siege and totally unsupported. It was great to make a difference to these families, even if just for a day.” © 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.