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CFT's bi-weekly CHRISTIAN NEWS 29 February 2000 * EUTHANASIA BILL TABLED IN SA PARLIAMENT - The South African Law Commission's report on Euthanasia was tabled in Parliament on 2 March 2000. The Mercury (3 March) reports that it includes a draft Bill which gives doctors the authority to practise "passive" euthanasia by ceasing medical treatment of patients whose life functions are being maintained artificially. Doctors may also cease treatment of terminally ill patients who are not mentally competent if it is in accordance with the wishes of the patient's family. One of the most divisive clauses is one giving a doctor the power to relieve a patient's suffering by prescribing higher dosages of pain-killers, even if this would have the "secondary effect" of shortening the patient's life. The commission's report includes three options for dealing with active euthanasia. Rev Ian Thompson of `Christians for Life' told Christian News that he is concerned that the if the Bill is passed it will result in many of the aged and terminally ill choosing to die because they are "in the trough of depression". Instead, they should be reassured about their intrinsic worth. Rev Thompson said that the "emphasis should be on palliative care". * WORLD VISION 40-HOUR FAMINE TO HELP CHILDREN - The South African Office of World Vision, a Christian Relief and Development Agency working in over one hundred countries throughout the world, recently launched a large, youth driven fundraising event in South Africa - The World Vision 40-Hour Famine. "Thousands of young people will go without food for 40 hours on 17,18 and 19 March,... while family, friends and neighbours sponsor them with pledges, to identify with those who are hungry, or simply are `without' some of the luxuries we take for granted in our daily lives." In 1997 more than 500,000 American young people raised over $5 million through a similar project. World Vision sees The Famine as more than a youth fund-raising event - "It is a time when all across our nation we can join as one to seek the heart of God in prayer, intercession and fasting for the poor and for our families, our community, our nation and the nations of the World - especially for our youth. (World Vision Press Release, 18 February) * PUBLIC OPINION OF BRITISH VICARS - Anglican bishops and clergy are seen by most people in Britain as white-haired, middle-class men who wear dresses and "are always after your money", according to new research commissioned by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. The report, cited in Wednesday's editions of The Times, paints a picture of the public perception of the Church of England as an exclusive and out-of-date club with strange practices and rituals and dull services. The Times predicted it could lead to radical changes in church dress and practice. The research showed that young people in particular would respond better to a more masculine image from male clergy. The report, entitled "Hope and Dreams for a Future church", shows that young people feel the main hope of eternity the Church can offer is in services that are "boring and go on and on". Church spokesmen were painted as "meek and weak", and the church was criticised for "constantly trying to tear itself apart". (Sapa-DPA, 1 March) * POLISH PARLIAMENT APPROVES BAN ON ALL PORNOGRAPHY, BOTH SOFT AND HARD-CORE - It still has to be approved by President Alexander Kwasniewski but correspondents say that if it is, it would be one of Europe's toughest anti-pornography laws. The measure was backed by conservatives in the governing Solidarity party but opposed by MPs from parliament's liberal and left wings. Those found guilty of importing, distributing or selling pornography would face fines and jail terms of up to two years - or up to five years in cases of pornography involving children, animals or the use of force. Parliament also set the penalty for rape at two to 15 years imprisonment. Leading Solidarity politician Stefan Niesiolowski said: "I am very happy. This means that pornography, which is disgusting, demeaning to women, and leads to violence, evil and human suffering, will completely disappear from Polish stores." Moralists amid the ruling coalition have been eager to respond to Church calls for curbs on pornography in Poland, where it has become freely available in sex shops and kiosks since the fall of communism in 1989. (BBC) * AGONY OF ECSTASY - A Durban father has been determined that his son's funeral will shock the city of Durban into saying no to drugs. Ricky Husband, 16, died an agonising death earlier this month after taking at least seven Ecstasy pills and an undisclosed amount of heroin at a rave at Durban's Playhouse. He suffered convulsions, excessive bleeding and three massive heart attacks. His father, Jimmy Husband, has requested that those attending the funeral at New Forest Congregational Church will not be spared the torture of looking at his son's tormented face in an open coffin. "I want the coffin to be open so that everyone can see exactly what drug abuse does to young people. Something has to be done to warn kids out there that drugs are dangerous... I want to know how my son managed to get into an over-18 party and take drugs at an event that advertised a strict no-drugs policy". A close friend said Ricky had been trying to beat his own record of seven Ecstasy pills at a New Year's Eve party. (Sunday Tribune, 20 February) * UK MILLENNIUM BASH ABORTIONS UP 20% - Festivities to ring in the year 2000 led to a 20% rise in abortions in Britain, a family planning charity said yesterday. Marie Stopes International said the impact of the Christmas and New Year festivities - especially boisterous and inebriated for the millennium - is just beginning to be seen in thousands of unwanted pregnancies. Experts also blamed the lack of access to emergency contraception such as the morning-after pill over the extended millennium holiday period. In January and February this year 6900 women had abortions at the organisation's seven clinics in Britain, compared with 5759 for the same period in 1999. (Natal Witness, 2 March) * BUDDHISTS REPENT - According to the Asian Minorities Outreach 300 monks have turned to Jesus. "In 1998, a Buddhist monk died. A few days later, his funeral was held, at which he was to be cremated. From the smell, it was obvious that his body had already started to decompose - he was very clearly dead!" according to the report from missions agency AMO. "We have attempted to verify this report which reached us from a number of sources, and are now convinced that it is accurate," they write. "Hundreds of monks and relatives of the dead man attended the funeral. Just as the body was about to be burned, the dead monk suddenly sat up, shouting 'It's all a lie! I saw our ancestors burning and being tortured in some sort of fire. I also saw Buddha and many other Buddhist holy men. They were all in a sea of fire!' 'We must listen to the Christians,' he continued emphatically, 'they're the only ones who know the truth!' The events shocked the whole region. Over 300 monks became Christians and started to study the Bible. The resurrected man continued to warn everyone to believe in Jesus, because he is the only true God. Tapes of the monk's report were distributed throughout Myanmar. The Buddhist hierarchy and the government were soon alarmed, and they arrested the monk. He has not been seen since, and it is feared that he was killed to keep him silent. It is now a serious crime to listen to the tapes, because the government wants to dampen the sensation." (Asian Minorities Outreach, BOX 17, Chang Klan P.O., Chiang Mai 50101, Thailand, fax (+66) 53 801 487, e-mail amo@cx.org) * ABSTINENCE SEX EDUCATION - Utah lawmakers have approved a bill restricting sex education to teaching about abstinence before marriage. It also requires students to learn about the failure rate of contraceptives and about laws that forbid extramarital sex, the Associated Press said. The measure goes to Gov. Mike Leavitt, who has not indicated whether he will sign it. (Religion Today) * UNBORN BABIES PROTECTED FROM SMOKE - In a press release on 23 February the South African Health Department makes mention of measures to be taken to protect the health of passive smokers. "One way of educating smokers about dangers of smoking, protecting non-smokers and the vulnerable such as children, pregnant women and their unborn babies is the government's regulation to print warnings of the dangers on every packet legally obtained in South Africa." Regulations restricting smoking in public places and the workplace are also planned. "Tobacco advertising will only be allowed where tobacco is sold and sports sponsorships will be phased out gradually. This will bring to an end the misconception that tobacco is associated with glamour, success and prosperity." Statistics serve to prove that a smokers's smoke poses a greater danger to his/her non-smoking companions than to the smoker himself. "Cancer deaths are expected to double in developing countries over the next 25 years, mainly because of smoking. 70% of future deaths from smoking will be in developing countries." (Department of Health Media Release, 23 February) * WHOOO'S SORRY FOR KILLING AN OWL - "At least poachers have the decency to shoot something to eat. You murdered the owl in cold blood," a Pretoria magistrate scolded two accused when he sentenced them to five years' community service. This included 300 hours of cleaning at the Pretoria Zoo. The .22 rifle used in the killing was forfeited. Frans Els, a law student, and Isak van Zyl, a professional hunter, were found guilty of hunting an endangered species, hunting at night and for shooting the owl. Els claimed that if he had known a barn owl was protected and that it was illegal to hunt with a .22 rifle, he would not have done so. The magistrate, Peet van Vuuren, reasoned as law student Els should have "known that owls are necessary fo harmony in nature". (The Mercury, 28 January) * WITH THIS RING I ME WED - Janet Downes thinks she has found the secret for a happy marriage: she's marrying herself on her fortieth birthday. The Bellevue, Nebraska, woman says the wedding ceremony celebrates that she is "happy with herself," and plans to exchange vows with herself in the mirror. The ceremony will include a wedding gown, flowers, a traditional cake, and a choir. (Reuters) (Ed: The ultimate in slavery to self.) |
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