Key Quotes for 2014

A world perspective in bite-size chunks
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Last update: Wednesday 25th March
 
North Korea is preparing to try two American tourists on charges of ‘perpetrating hostile acts’ against the country – one apparently because a Bible was left behind in his hotel room – it was reported in June. North Korean state media said that one of the men entered the country in April with a tourist visa but tore it up at the airport, declaring that he wanted to seek asylum.
World IssuesEvangelicals Now, August 2014
 
A Christian man appeared in court on June 24 under Egypt’s blasphemy law for ‘liking’ a Facebook page that local Muslims deemed offensive to Islam; the case prompted attacks by Islamists on Christian property. Kerolos Shouky Attallah (29) from a village near Luxor, was charged with showing disdain or contempt for a heavenly religion, which carries a penalty of between six months and five years in prison, or a fine. The Facebook page is run by a group of converts from Islam.
Religious PersecutionEvangelicals Now, August 2014
 
Teachers should replace he or she, him or her and his or hers with new pronouns xe, xem and xyr to refer to children who believe they are transsexual, according to school rules passed in Vancouver in late June. The new words were sanctioned to be used as alternatives to regular pronouns if required by pupils. Training is also being backed for teachers to develop a ‘gay-friendly’ curriculum and states that children ‘have the right to dress in a manner consistent with their gender identity or gender expression’.
Social IssuesEvangelicals Now, August 2014
 
Same sex marriage has been rejected in Finland for the second time in less than two years, it was reported in mid-June. Following last year’s rejection of same sex marriage, a pro-same sex marriage group launched a petition, called a Citizens’ Initiative, which gathered 166,000 signatures. As a result of the action, parliament was forced to discuss the issue. The legal affairs committee rejected the same sex marriage Bill by 10 votes to 6, compared to a 9-8 vote by the same committee in March 2013.
Social IssuesEvangelicals Now, August 2014
 
It was reported in mid-June that the Ministry of Justice has written to The Christian Institute and confirmed that the new Serious Crime Bill will not criminalise religious parents who teach their children biblical principles. Conservative MP Damian Green told the Institute that the Bill, which partly aims to deal with child neglect, would only target ‘cruelty likely to cause physical or psychological suffering or injury’ to children.
FamilyEvangelicals Now, August 2014
 
When Mosul fell to the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIS) on 6th June, the city’s last remaining Christians, who are thought to have numbered around 35,000, were reported to have fled the city. As open war between the Shia and Sunni Islamic factions takes place, Christians are one among a number of groups who have found themselves caught up in the turmoil.
Religious PersecutionChristianity, August 2014
 
The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev John Sentamu, has called on the government to cut the number of low-paid workers by one million, describing the aim as ‘the litmus test of a fair recovery’. Dr Sentamu is chair of the Living Wage Commission, whose final report was published recently and argues that the government has a crucial role to play in implementing the living wage. Distinct from the legal minimum wage, the living wage is defined as what it actually costs to enjoy a basic but socially accepted standard of living. While more people are at work in the UK than ever before, average incomes have fallen for the last five years. The report estimates that 5.2 million people currently earn less than the living wage.
Work/EmploymentChristianity, August 2014
 
In 2013 the world witnessed the largest displacement of religious communities in recent memory, according to the US State Department International Religious Freedom Report.
Religious PersecutionChristian Today - 29th July 2014
 
Half a million people who volunteer in their local community should be given council tax rebates, the Local Government Association has recommended.
Social IssuesCivil Society News - 29th July 2014
 
The average online donation to a UK charity has risen by 31.8% over the past four years, according to analysis of its customers’ online fundraising pages by Blackbaud, the software and services firm for charities and not-for-profits. In 2010 the average was £52.87: in 2013 the average was £69.70.
MoneyFundraising UK Ltd - 31st July 2014
 
The Salvation Army’s trading arm has donated over £10.1m this year to the charity from the profit it has generated from its charity shops and reuse and recycling activities. This is an increase of five per cent year on year and a record sum for The Salvation Army Trading Company Ltd (SATCoL).
MoneyFundraising UK Ltd - 31st July 2014
 
The Welsh voluntary sector contributed £3.8bn to Wales' economy last year, which is 8 per cent of the country's gross domestic product, according to WCVA's annual statistical resource.
MoneyCivil Society News - 31st July 2014
 
Macmillan Cancer Support raised £186.9m in 2013 - an increase of £34.1m on the previous year, according to the charity's latest annual report.
HealthCivil Society News - 31st July 2014
 
Half of hospices in England have had their statutory funding from the NHS either cut or frozen this year, a survey by Help the Hospices shows.
HealthCivil Society News - 31st July 2014
 
The penalty for using a mobile phone while driving could be doubled from the current three points. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin’s suggestion comes after Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe called for offenders to get six points on their licence. The increased sanctions would mean that a driver could be banned if they were caught twice in three years. A Government spokesman said it was “considering a number of options”. Offenders are currently given three points on their license and an initial £100 fine.
The LawThe Sentinel, July 17, 2014
 
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