UCB Broadcast - November 2005

Gareth Wallace, Parliamentary Officer is taking part in a regular Parliamentary Prayer Update on UCB Radio.

30 November 2005

Hello and welcome to the Parliamentary prayer update, my name is Gareth Wallace and I work in Westminster for the Evangelical Alliance Public Affairs Department.

Equality Bill

The House of Lords voted to reject the potentially restrictive crime of religious harassment in the Equality Bill debate on Wednesday 9th November. We are delighted that the Government has decided not to reinstate the harassment clause when the Bill goes to the House of Commons. However the Government also yielded to pressure to introduce sexual orientation discrimination into the Bill in the form of secondary legislation. Much campaigning remains to be done to protect religious liberty as this Bill enters the Commons.

Please pray that the government will find a way of adequately protecting reasonable expression of religious belief in public life. For more information about the Equality Bill please go to our website.

Racial and Religious Hatred Bill

The Government was heavily defeated in the House of Lords on the 25th November over plans to outlaw incitement to religious hatred. Peers voted by a majority of 149 to insert freedom of speech safeguards into the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill. The Government has now decided to separate race from religion and to find a compromise to enable the Bill to proceed.

Give thanks that the opposition to the Bill was successful and that the efforts of many groups together with the Evangelical Alliance managed to keep the issue in the public eye and helped to influence the Parliamentary outcome.

Please pray that as the Government Opposition front benches engage in negotiation that they will get the balance right in this Bill. Please consider writing to your MP to express your ongoing concerns about the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill. The Bill will have to return to the House of Commons for all the amendments to be approved. Please visit our website for more information and advice on writing to your MP.

Assisted Dying Bill

  Lord Joffe’s Assisted Dying Bill had its first reading in the House of Lords on the 9 November 2005. A provisional date for the Second Reading of the Bill has not been set yet but is expected soon. Please check our website for updates on the progress of the Bill. It is not too soon to be expressing your concerns to your local MP. A major campaign against the Bill is expected to be announced shortly.

Please pray for the campaign against what amounts to a ‘doctor assisted suicide bill’ which would change forever the relationship between the patient and the caring profession. Pray for the Peers who have spoken out tirelessly against these proposals and that they might be strengthened for the debate ahead.

Pray that the key arguments around the effectiveness of pain relief and palliative care, as well as the uncertainties of drug assisted suicide will become apparent as the Bill is discussed in Parliament.

International Development Event

Department for International Development Minister of State, Gareth Thomas MP has specially requested an opportunity to dialogue with Evangelical Christians on issues of international justice and disaster relief. This is part of a national tour of Faith groups being conducted by DFID. This is a great opportunity for those passionate about international relief and development issues, both in Christian organisations and local churches to demonstrate the key role that Evangelicals play.

The event will take place from 12 – 1.45pm on Tuesday 13th December 2005 at Canterbury Baptist Church, St George’s Place, Canterbury. Lunch will be provided for those who attend. This event is being organised by the Evangelical Alliance in conjunction with Global Connections, Tearfund and Speak.

The event will include a panel discussion with the Minister who will answer questions from the audience. Please come and ask questions about international development.

For more information please email Gareth Wallace at: pub-aff@eauk.org.

Please pray that this event will be a great opportunity to demonstrate what Evangelical Christians are doing to assist those who are less fortunate in the world. Pray for good relationships between Christian Development and Aid organisations and the Department for international development as we all seek to serve those who are suffering.

Further Prayer and Action

For further insights on these and other issues The Evangelical Alliance Public Affairs department produces a monthly parliamentary magazine, PQ, and a monthly ‘Prayer and Campaigns’ action and prayer sheet. Both of these are available on at www.eauk.org along with topical political briefing material. If you have any questions please e-mail the public affairs team at pub-aff@eauk.org.