Church News

• SNP church ban deemed unlawful.  Scotland's church ban during lockdown has been deemed unlawful after 27 Scottish church leaders - from a range of mainly smaller evangelical denominations - launched a judicial review. The criminalisation of worship was deemed unconstitutional, disproportionate and infringed on human rights. It is believed to be the first successful legal case brought against lockdown rules in Britain. The judge ruled that that it was not for the Scottish Ministers to "dictate that worship is to be conducted online" because online worship was not real Christian worship. The ruling is seen as setting a precedent for churches during future lockdowns. Read more here and here.
• A Renewed Hope: Parliamentarians tell the Easter story. A group of Christian MPs and Peers from across the political parties have come together to share a message of renewed hope this Easter, through a recording of the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The short inspirational video can be watched here.

Society & Politics

• The EU now officially a ‘LGBTI Freedom Zone’. The European Parliament last week overwhelmingly adopted a resolution declaring the entire 27-member European Union a “freedom zone” for LGBT people. The resolution came largely in reaction to developments over the past two years in Poland, where over 100 local communities have declared themselves free of LGBT ideology. The Polish government has denounced the EU resolution, arguing that it has the right to defend its traditional family values. Same-sex relationships are illegal in Poland, and same-sex couples cannot adopt children. Hungary has a similar anti-LGBT ideology stance. Read more here and here.
• Delight and alarm over developments in abortion legislation in NI. A bill which seeks to amend the law in Northern Ireland to prevent abortions in cases of non-fatal disabilities, including Down's Syndrome, has been backed by the Legislative Assembly. It will now go forward for scrutiny at Stormont's health committee. Meanwhile, pro-life groups have responded with anger over planned new powers for NI Secretary Brandon Lewis that will enable him to force Stormont to expand abortion access across the province. Right to life groups warned that the development not only threatens the lives of unborn children, but could spell the end to local democratic government. The regulations effectively override NI's devolved institutions. Conservative MPs have warned Lewis that his new powers are “putting the Union at risk”.
• Government seeks views on ‘vaccine passports’. The UK government has launched a “call for evidence” as part of its review of proposed Covid-19 vaccine passports, seeking input from organisations and private individuals with relevant expertise, as well as interested members of the public. Many welcome a vaccine passport for the part it would play in reopening the UK’s economy, easing restrictions on social contact, and improving public safety. Many, however, believe they would prove extremely discriminatory, invasive of personal privacy, and restrictive of freedom. The government’s response form is available here, and must be completed by Monday 29th March.

World Events

• Alarming rise in rate of forced marriages. An Open Doors report of countries with the highest level of Christian persecution shows that forced marriages of women have increased by 16%. Indeed, as many as 90% of countries featured in the 2021 World Watch List reported incidents of forced marriage. Abduction of young girls, rape, and the deeply alarming issue of human trafficking are among the acts of persecution experienced by women and girls in religious minority communities.
• Canadian father jailed after refusing to affirm daughter as ‘male’. Robert Hoogland was found in contempt of court and jailed after repeatedly calling his 14-year-old girl his “daughter”, despite the court forbidding it. As a pupil, the school counsellor changed the daughter’s name without informing her parents. He also reportedly advised Hoogland’s daughter to take testosterone. Hoogland’s ex-wife is proceeding with their child's transitioning. Hoogland said he would be ok with a transition if his child were older and more prepared to make an informed decision about a life-altering procedure. “I had a perfectly healthy child a year ago, and that perfectly healthy child has been altered and destroyed for absolutely no good reason,” Hoogland added, referring to it as “state-sponsored child abuse.” Read more here and here.

Israel & the Middle East

• Israeli election stalemate. With very poor turnout, the result of Israel's fourth election within two years is yet again a stalemate. The pro-Netanyahu camp has 52 of the 120 Knesset seats – nine short of the threshold. The anti-Netanyahu camp has 57. In a surprise development, the conservative Islamic Ra’am party attained four seats, and, at the time of writing, could hold the balance of power. If neither bloc succeeds in gaining a majority, the country could face its fifth election since 2019, as Israeeli politics moves "from farcical to the surreal", according to one Israeli commentator.
• Rise in Israel’s international popularity. Over the past year Israel has received more praise internationally than usual. Two reasons are prominent: 1) peace agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco, and 2) Israel’s successful vaccination policy.  A YouGov survey shows that Israel’s popularity in France has increased by 50%, in Germany by 17% and in Britain by 25%. In Europe as a whole, Israel’s popularity has increased by 8%. Respondents also expressed great respect for the Jewish state’s contribution to science, technology, water and tourism. Read more here.

Upcoming Events

• Invitation – Issachar Ministries Free Zoom Event – Sunday, 28 March at 15.45
  After months of lockdown, we are looking forward to regaining our freedoms, but what kind of freedom do we really need? Is any one of us truly free? On 28 March, Palm Sunday, we are meeting to consider these questions. This year Palm Sunday coincides with the first day of Passover, the celebration of God’s deliverance of his people. Join us to consider what those events mean for us. We are very much looking forward to welcoming you, whatever your background or beliefs, to this free Zoom event. You will not be required to speak or do anything, but we very much hope you will join in the discussion breakout groups at the end – you are also welcome just to listen.
  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.issacharministries.co.uk
  Topic: Issachar Community Open Gathering. Time: 15.45 on Sunday 28 March 2021
  Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83109130606?pwd=eG1ZQ0V4eG00STNwM3NhdDZVY1RWQT09   Meeting ID: 831 0913 0606 – Passcode: 410577