Two Pentecostal denominations in the USA re-united into a single group last week. In the UK, there are two Pentecostal denominations (Elim and the Assemblies of God) whose key difference is over how ministers are appointed. In the USA, the two denominations were split on racial lines in 1917, reportedly after a black man was refused permission to go as a missionary to Africa on racial grounds.
The UK Government is to issue abortion providers with new guidance to make it clear that gender-selective abortions are illegal. It is not clear how this will mesh with proposed new guidance which was issued for consultation just before Christmas that doctors need not meet the pregnant woman, or even give any active thought to approving requests for abortions.
In Scotland, education committees are legally required to appoint three religious representatives. The Edinburgh Secular Society made a bid to have the practice stopped, but the Scottish Government rejected the call. A Church of Scotland spokesman said, “The Scottish Government clearly recognises the valuable role that churches have to play.”
Another US state has passed a law allowing businesses to refuse service to gays if it is based on “sincerely held religious beliefs.” Arizona already has laws protecting individuals and businesses from any state action which substantially interferes with their right to exercise their religion; the new resolution extends that protection to private transactions as well.
In cinema news, pre-screenings of the film “Noah”, starring Russell Crowe, are not proving popular amongst Bible believers due to Noah being portrayed as a ‘dark’ character and other liberties with the Biblical story. Another ‘Christian’ film about a pregnant teenager and the choices she faces has already been released, but “Gimme Shelter” has done very poorly at the box office. However, “Son of God” which is an edited version of the mini-series “The Bible” is due in March; and another film is to be released in the USA in April. “Heaven is for Real” is based on a true story about a 3 year old son of a pastor who came very close to death with a severe illness. Over the following weeks , the boy started recounting what he had apparently seen in Heaven during that time.
The one sport from the Winter Olympics which seems to have increased the most in popularity is curling. When Britain’s men won their semi-final match, cars stuck in traffic on the M25 started hooting horns and flashing headlights. The fact that most of the British competitors are young and good-looking, and aren’t hiding their looks under helmets and goggles like most competitors, has nothing to do with it, of course. The women lost their semi-final but were ecstatic to win the bronze medal match; the men compete in the final tomorrow.
And finally, a homeless Hungarian man who spent his last coins on a lottery ticket won almost 2 million pounds. He has already made a big donation to a hostel for the homeless, and says that he plans to open a foundation for addicts and women who have been abused.
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