There are growing numbers of humanist funerals and Humanists UK are campaigning for equal rights for Humanist marriages 60% of marriages in the UK are now civil ceremonies, not religious Although in the 2011 census 59% described themselves as Christian this was down from 72% in 2001. In a 2006 MORI poll, "religious groups and leaders" topped the list of domestic groups that people said had too much influence over politicians Examples Notes Prayer 2015 Cinema ban for Church ad promoting prayer. Digital Cinema Media policy forbids promoting religion A Christian (Caroline Petrie) was suspended from her job and faced the sack for offering to pray for an elderly patient's recovery from illness. Accused of failing to demonstrate a "personal and professional commitment to equality and diversity". Equality and Human Rights Commission clarified that the ad was not against any laws. The patient said they were uncomfortable being prayed for, and asked Petrie to stop promoting her religion. Petrie denied she had done this. She was later reinstated Wearing religious symbols British Airways worker Nadia Eweida was suspended for not covering up her crucifix at work Nurse, Shirley Chaplin, was told not to wear a crucifix at work as it might be unsafe and/or spread disease Both cases were taken to the European Court of Human Rights as examples of religious discrimination. Eweida won her case, Chaplin lost UK government argued that wearing a was not a religious requirement, unlike a turban or hijab (which are allowed by law) ECHR supported the right to wear a crucifix where there was no evidence of harm to others. Same-sex partnerships and marriage Gary McFarlane - marriage counsellor for Relate - dismissed for saying he might object to giving advice to gay couples Lilian Ladele - marriage registrar in Islington - disciplined after refusing to conduct civil partnerships Hazelmary and Peter Bull owned a B&B - refused to let a gay couple share a room Ashers Bakery in N. Ireland refused to make a cake with a slogan supporting gay marriage McFarlane and Ladele lost their cases at the ECHR who ruled their actions were discriminatory and against equal rights legislation The Bulls and Ashers were found to have acted unlawfully and were made to pay damages to those they discriminated against
learning about the power of the spirit in the believers life – IT IS LIKELY THAT YOU HAVE DISCOVERED THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT! What does ‘Charismatic’ mean? Charismatic comes from the Greek word charismata meaning ‘gifts of grace’ This is the word the Apostle Paul uses to to special qualities that Christians receive through the holy spirit There are several lists of these spiritual gifts in the NT - the lists don’t necessarily agree with each other and it does not seem that Paul and others were trying to present a standardised list but drawing attention to the many different ways that Christian believers could express God’s grace New Testament passages that mention spiritual gifts Romans 12: 6 – 8 1 Corinthians 12: 8 - 11 1 Corinthians 12:28 Ephesians 4:11 1 Peter 4:11 Prophecy Serving Teaching Exhorting Giving Leadership Compassion Word of wisdom Word of knowledge Faith Healing Miracles Prophecy Discernment of spirits Tongues Interpretation of tongues Apostles Prophets Teachers of power Healing Serving Leadership Tongues Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors Teachers Speaking for God Serving Main beliefs and implications for Christian practice in the experience of believers and Christian communities in the Charismatic movement believe that Christians outside of their movement can have a much fuller experience of the Holy Spirit. Through speaking in tongues This is when a person is speaking in a language either human or divine that is unknown to the speaker. This is known as xenolalia. This is a language that is not consciously learnt. Most Pentecostal and Charismatic churches see tongues as a divine prayer language that to to making a incomprehensible babbling kind of noise whilst simultaneously feeling closer to God Through prophecy We normally associate the term prophecy with some foretelling of the future. However, in the Bible a prophet is someone who conveys the word of God in a direct way. Sometimes this has to do with foretelling the future but often it has to do with speaking a message that will bring a greater loyalty to God, increased morality of a more worshipful attitude. This is the same for the contact of the charismatic movement. It is the message that inspires confidence and obedience amongst believers Through healing Through inspiration in worship