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NEWS

Our schools are teaching 'sex lies' say campaigners

Between 1995 and 2003, the number of new HIV cases in Britain more than doubled while diagnoses of other sexually transmitted infections also rose rapidly - gonorrhoea increased by over 130%, chlamydia by over 190%, and syphilis by over 1,000%.

These shocking statistics were the spur for a Parliamentary consultation titled The Sexual Health Crisis in the United Kingdom, organised by the Maranatha Community and held in the House of Commons last month.

Dennis Wrigley, Leader of the Maranatha Community, said: “We’re here because Christians all over the country are profoundly concerned that we’re reaching a stage now where there is almost child abuse within the education system and society as a whole.

“We believe that children and young people are being given a lie. They’re being sold wrong ideas about human relationships. We believe we have a responsibility starting in Parliament to reverse this.”

One of the speakers, Dr Trevor Stammers, stressed the importance of parental involvement in teaching teenagers about sexual matters.

He said: “Unless we are serious about helping to engage with their children and teenagers about sexual issues, we are not going to see a major impact in terms of reduction of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

“We know from a whole wealth of research that where families are either broken, or where there are two parents, but they’re too embarrassed to talk about these issues, the likelihood of their children engaging in early intercourse is increased.”

Other speakers at the consultation were: Dr Angela Robinson, President of the British Association for Sexual Health & HIV, and David Paton, Professor of Industrial Economics at Nottingham University.

“The experiments of the past 30 years have been an abysmal failure,” said Dennis Wrigley. “What we’re looking for now is a U-turn. We’re looking for a change of direction, both in terms of Government policy and national morality.”

Service for stabbed teenager promotes peace

Young people made a stand against gun violence and knife crimes when they gathered to celebrate the life of Charlotte Polius, the 15-year-old teenager who was fatally stabbed at a party in Ilford in April this year.

Members of The ARC, the church Charlotte attended alongside her family, held the special service to commemorate her life on 1 July. It featured a music concert and anti-violence message from Bishop Wayne Malcolm, leader of Christian Life City in Walthamstow, East London.

Rev Peter Nembhard, leader of The ARC, served as Charlotte’s pastor for several years. During the past few months, he has provided pastoral support and care to several young people who have visited The ARC to aid them in their attempt to come to terms with Charlotte’s tragic death.

He said: “Many young people are still hurt and traumatised by the mindless killing of Charlotte and felt that a celebration of her life would be one vehicle that would help them come to terms with her death. We hope that by having this celebration we’ll be sending out a very positive message and if we deter at least one young person from carrying a knife or gun, it will be worth it.”

Christian domestic abuse prolific

The Methodist Conference has adopted a report calling for more action to deal with domestic abuse.

The Conference heard that a current or former partner kills each week two women in England and Wales, with domestic violence within the Church almost as common as within society as a whole: about one in four women and one in nine men report suffering abuse from a partner as an adult. The conference stood to make its vote as a sign of its commitment to strive for justice and an end to abuse.

Margaret Sawyer, Secretary of the Methodist Women’s Network, said: “It has long been the case that churches view domestic abuse as a serious matter, and one that in church terminology, we would call ‘sin’. Abuse is sinful behaviour, and as such needs also to be held within a framework of repentance, forgiveness and redemption.”

© 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 Our schools are teaching 'sex lies' say campaigners Between 1995 and 2003, the number of new HIV cases in Britain more than doubled while diagnoses of other sexually transmitted infections also rose rapidly - gonorrhoea increased by over 130%, chlamydia by over 190%, and syphilis by over 1,000%. These shocking statistics were the spur for a Parliamentary consultation titled The Sexual Health Crisis in the United Kingdom, organised by the Maranatha Community and held in the House of Commons last month. Dennis Wrigley, Leader of the Maranatha Community, said: “We’re here because Christians all over the country are profoundly concerned that we’re reaching a stage now where there is almost child abuse within the education system and society as a whole. “We believe that children and young people are being given a lie. They’re being sold wrong ideas about human relationships. We believe we have a responsibility starting in Parliament to reverse this.” One of the speakers, Dr Trevor Stammers, stressed the importance of parental involvement in teaching teenagers about sexual matters. He said: “Unless we are serious about helping to engage with their children and teenagers about sexual issues, we are not going to see a major impact in terms of reduction of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. “We know from a whole wealth of research that where families are either broken, or where there are two parents, but they’re too embarrassed to talk about these issues, the likelihood of their children engaging in early intercourse is increased.” Other speakers at the consultation were: Dr Angela Robinson, President of the British Association for Sexual Health & HIV, and David Paton, Professor of Industrial Economics at Nottingham University. “The experiments of the past 30 years have been an abysmal failure,” said Dennis Wrigley. “What we’re looking for now is a U-turn. We’re looking for a change of direction, both in terms of Government policy and national morality.” Service for stabbed teenager promotes peace Young people made a stand against gun violence and knife crimes when they gathered to celebrate the life of Charlotte Polius, the 15-year-old teenager who was fatally stabbed at a party in Ilford in April this year. Members of The ARC, the church Charlotte attended alongside her family, held the special service to commemorate her life on 1 July. It featured a music concert and anti-violence message from Bishop Wayne Malcolm, leader of Christian Life City in Walthamstow, East London. Rev Peter Nembhard, leader of The ARC, served as Charlotte’s pastor for several years. During the past few months, he has provided pastoral support and care to several young people who have visited The ARC to aid them in their attempt to come to terms with Charlotte’s tragic death. He said: “Many young people are still hurt and traumatised by the mindless killing of Charlotte and felt that a celebration of her life would be one vehicle that would help them come to terms with her death. We hope that by having this celebration we’ll be sending out a very positive message and if we deter at least one young person from carrying a knife or gun, it will be worth it.” Christian domestic abuse prolific The Methodist Conference has adopted a report calling for more action to deal with domestic abuse. The Conference heard that a current or former partner kills each week two women in England and Wales, with domestic violence within the Church almost as common as within society as a whole: about one in four women and one in nine men report suffering abuse from a partner as an adult. The conference stood to make its vote as a sign of its commitment to strive for justice and an end to abuse. Margaret Sawyer, Secretary of the Methodist Women’s Network, said: “It has long been the case that churches view domestic abuse as a serious matter, and one that in church terminology, we would call ‘sin’. Abuse is sinful behaviour, and as such needs also to be held within a framework of repentance, forgiveness and redemption.” © 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.