Prayer and pastoral care online, workshops, Instagram humor, are some of the responses to the first days of confinement.
Christians face the challenge of acting creatively as millions enter phase of confinement. “It might shape some of the future offers of our churches”.
Martin Luther encouraged believers to obey quarantine orders, fumigate their houses, and take precautions to avoid spreading the sickness. Anything less was ‘tempting God’.
Eight European countries have already declared the state of emergency, banned or strongly restricted the entrance of foreigners, and asked citizens to stay at home.
Worship songs are heard in balconies, online communities are organised, and a Day of National Prayer has been called for next Sunday.
Schools and other public services have been closed. Hundreds of thousands confined in some regions. Evangelicals suspend all services and meetings and call to pray according to Psalm 91.
Norbert Valley had been previously condemned for breaking the Foreigners Law for offering lodging to a Togolese man. “We must work to change the law”, the pastor said as he left the courts.
Overall, only 57% of Europeans see religious freedom as a “very important” right, much behind fair judiciary (87%), gender equality (85%), free internet (69%) and others.
I lead a congregation in Rome that thrives on handshakes, greet kisses, and physical contact. This winter, the coronavirus has taught Italians the cautions of distance and isolation.
“Religious freedom, must include recognition of the right to protect life and to advocate against its termination, both in words and deeds”, the WEA says at the UN Human Rights Council.
Germany, France, Portugal, Finland and Luxembourg agreed to receive unaccompanied minors stuck in Greek refugee camps, in the midst of the Turkey-Greece border refugee crisis.
Pastors of the Chinese Christian Church in Spain explain how they handle the Covid-19 crisis. “At work, we notice discrimination. Many think that the Chinese are carriers of the virus”.
The alarming trends among teenagers have forced experts to raise their voice. Evangelical author Olof Edsinger: “Of course, there is a theological truth, but science really goes a long way in challenging the queer and trans ideology”.
Covid-19 deaths rise to over 360 as Italy becomes the second most affected country in the world. Italian evangelical leaders advice churches to follow the recommendations of the authorities and pray for “a spiritual and social revival with lasting effects”.
The country with more abortions is France (224,000). England and Wales reached their highest figures. Germany and Spain increased the number of abortions below 2%.
The last decade has seen a worsening of the working conditions which affect “family relationships”, says Jonathan Tame. The near future will probably be shaped by the ‘gig economy’ and the re-balancing of global capitalism.
A newspaper report accuses an evangelical entity of harassing women when they go to abortion clinics. They deny it: “We respect people and if they don't want to talk, we don't insist”.
The Director of the Jubilee Centre (Cambridge) analyses the impact of the financial crises on families, and the future of the workplace in a connected world, from a Christian perspective.
In the Bible, the concept of measurements and weight are intricately connected to the idea of judgement.
Finnish politician Päivi Räsänen was interrogated by the police for five hours on his booklet on Bible and sexuality. “I categorically deny that my writing might be hate speech or defamation or slander of minorities”.
They are cooperating with the authorities and complying with the precautionary measures of the Spanish Health Ministry.
The Constitution “includes a right to a self-determined death”, the court says. Protestant and Catholic leaders issued a joint statement lamenting the decision.
Franklin Graham and mass evangelism in a post-Christian UK.
Greece deploys the army and uses tear gas to stop the crowds. Europe could face soon a crisis similar to that of 2016, analysts say.
The proposal has been rejected internationally. “It is not a peace agreement, but just a ‘vision’ or ‘plan’, and that does not mean much to Israel”, a Israeli professor of international relations says.
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