The Bulletin (March 2007)
Welcome to the fourth issue of The Bulletin, which is published by Affinity’s Social Issues Team in order to keep evangelical churches and individual Christians up to date with the latest developments in the field of social issues and public policy, all viewed from a biblical perspective. The Bulletin not only reports the facts of recent events, published intentions or actual legislation, but considers the implications for Bible-believers. Readers are helped to understand issues and to know how to respond to them n a biblical way.
In this issue there is an analysis of the implications of the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007. These are the Regulations which have led to the publication by Affinity of An Affinity Declaration which has been circulated to the press and media and to every Member of Parliament. They represent a watershed in British law, overturning the regard in which the values of liberty of conscience and freedom of religion had previously been held. The Bulletin sets out Affinity’s declaration, summarises the Regulations, and traces the gradual change in British society and its legal framework which has taken place over the last 50 years.
Also in this edition, The Bulletin tackles the vital subject of ageism. With more and more elderly surviving longer with more and more needs, we address the subject of what had become known as the “demographic time-bomb.” There are serious implications. The cost of care is soaring out of reach. There are fewer working people to pay the tax which meets the cost of caring for the elderly. What if they resent that? Euthanasia is the dark shadow which is never far away. Is there a biblical alternative with regard to how we should view the elderly?
The government is committed to the concept of “faith schools.” This is because they tend to be reliable schools giving good results, and popular with parents. They tend not to have attendant social problems and therefore save the nation money. In this issue, we look at the opportunities and challenges facing faith schools.
We also report on the aftermath of the controversial Gay Police Association advertisement published in The Independent last year; comment on the latest marriage and civil partnership statistics; and bring the latest news on life, education and disability issues.
As usual there is more material than space, and so there is again a further file of news and information to consult on the web site entitled, additional news and reports (March 2007).
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