Israel & the Middle East

• Dozens of new Dead Sea Scroll fragments found in Israel. The fragments of biblical text were discovered in the Judean Desert, south of Jerusalem, and were thought to have been hidden during a Jewish revolt against Rome 1,900 years ago. The fragments include lines of Greek text from the biblical books of Zechariah and Nahum and were radiocarbon dated to the 2nd century AD. This is the first item discovered from an archaeological dig in the Judean Desert in more than 60 years. Other items found in the cave include a 10,000 year old woven basket and the skeleton of a young girl. Read more here.

Society & Politics

• Vatican will not bless same-sex unions. The Vatican issued a statement last week declaring that the Catholic Church won’t bless same-sex unions because God “cannot bless sin…. It is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships, or partnerships, even stable, that involve sexual activity outside of marriage”, the statement reads. This removes any doubt about both Pope Francis’s and the Vatican’s position on this topic. One British celebrity has hit out at what he calls the Vatican’s hypocrisy over the issue. Many others have also aired their responses to the statement, not least a group of Austrian priests who have declared their intention to defy the ban, which "deeply appalled" them.
• Compulsory atheism lessons introduced in Wales. Humanists have expressed their delight as the Welsh Parliament voted to scrap R.E. and replace it with a new subject including compulsory lessons on humanism and atheism. There will also be no limit on the percentage of time devoted to these subjects, meaning teaching about Christianity could be marginalised. This despite the fact that in the last census only 815 people said they were humanists in the whole of Wales. The new law also abolishes a number of decades-old safeguards preventing unsuitable materials from being taught. Meanwhile, in ironic contradistinction, Muslim-majority Egypt has approved the introduction of teaching about Christianity and Judaism in schools, highlighting “common values” with Islam as part of religious education.
• Student banned for saying ‘Rule Britannia’. A 19-year old student has been banned from student union buildings at Aberdeen University for two weeks after one of her peers was offended when she wrote 'Rule Britannia' during an online debate. Elizabeth Heverin made the comment during a discussion over whether the British Army should be allowed on campus to recruit students. Following an investigation by the Students' Association, Heverin was told that quoting the 18th century piece could be viewed as potentially discriminatory and that it constituted “foul or abusive language”. Read more here and here.
• Continuing row over banning ‘conversion therapy’. During a parliamentary debate on Monday, MPs renewed their calls for the Government to ban sexual orientation conversion therapy in the UK, following a petition with over 200,000 signatures. Some PMs had argued that even where a person seeks out support over unwanted same-sex attraction, prayer support should be legally outlawed. The Evangelical Alliance has written to the Prime Minister to express its concern over the Government's plans. The letter triggered a strong reaction on social media from Christian LGBT supporters, including Steve Chalke and Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse. Others, however, have decried the "monoculture of intolerance" surrounding so called conversion therapy.
• Speculative vaccine concerns? Earlier this month, Geert vanden Bossche, an independent virologist, wrote an open letter to the World Health Organisation, sharing his concerns about Covid vaccines. His arguments have since been strongly rebutted by some other health professionals. Read more here.

World Events

• Church of Brazilian pastor who prayed 'for another Holocaust' raided by police. This raid follows film footage showing Tupirani da Hora Lores, leader at the Pentecostal Generation Jesus Christ Church, publicly crying out: "Massacre the Jews, God, hit them with your sword, for they have left God, they have left the nations .... God, what you have done in World War II, you must do again, this is what we ask for in our prayers to you: Justice, justice, justice!". Legal actions have also been taken against da Hora Lores. Read more here.
• Allegations of anti-Semitism in academia and the army. The University of Bristol is investigating a member of its faculty over allegations that he made anti-Semitic remarks. David Miller, Professor of Political Sociology, is reported to have said that Israel seeks to "impose (its) will all over the world". Jewish News reports that Professor Miller also asserted that Jewish students were “pawns of a racist regime engaged in ethnic cleansing”. Meanwhile, there is evidence that an army reservist facing charges for participating in January’s Capitol Hill riots has a long history of anti-Semitic and racist rhetoric.
• Killing and kidnaps in 3 African nations. Attacks by Islamic militants in all corners of the African continent continue unabated. Very recent reports reveal the attack and slaughter of 24 Christians, including two ministers, by armed militants in western Ethiopia on Sunday 7 March. The BBC has reported that children as young as 11 are being beheaded by militants linked to the Islamic State in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province. Meanwhile, in what may be financially rather than ideologically motivated, at least 30 students, most of them Christians, are missing after gunmen attacked a college in northwest Nigeria last Thursday, marking the third mass kidnapping from an academic institution in northern Nigeria this year.

Upcoming Events

• 'God I'm Sorry': Zoom Prayer Meeting. Saturday, 20th March at 06.00
  A full-morning prayer meeting is being organised by Robin Jegede-Brimson for Saturday 20th March, from 6 am till noon. The theme of the meeting is Prayers of Repentance and Worship. Prayer sessions will be led by Lynda Rose (repentance in the Church), Dr Clifford Hill (repentance in the nation), among others. Register here.
• 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