Election of First Minister Hamza Yousaf “speaks to the values” of Scotland
In his acceptance speech as the First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf told the Scottish Parliament: “It speaks to our values as a country that I stand here as the first-ever Muslim to lead a western democratic nation. Try telling that to 16-year-old Humza Yousaf, who, post-9/11, was questioned constantly about his loyalty to this country. Collectively, we have come a long way..The years after 9/11 were not easy for Muslims growing up in Scotland or, indeed, elsewhere across the UK. I have lost count of how many times my identity or loyalty to Scotland—the only country that I have ever called, and will ever call, home—has been questioned over the years. There was a time not all that long ago when I felt that I simply did not belong here in Scotland. I hope that my going from there, to now leading the Government as Scotland’s sixth First Minister, sends a strong message to every single person out there who feels that they do not belong. No matter what anyone says, no matter who you are, no matter whether Scotland has been your home for a day or for 10 generations, no matter your ethnicity, no matter your gender, no matter your religion and no matter your sexual orientation, transgender identity or disability, this is your home”.
Christians in Nashville in shock as six people die in school shooting
Tributes are being paid to the six adults and children killed in a shooting spree at The Covenant School in Nashville, a private Christian school associated with the Covenant Presbyterian Church, for children up to the age of 12. The school explains its ethos is more than education, “helping children become who God intends them to be”, so they grow up with character that comes from “authentic faith in Jesus”. The adults killed, all said to be committed Christians, were the head Katherine Koonce, teacher Cynthia Peak and caretaker Mike Hill. One of the children who died was Hallie Scruggs, daughter of Covenant Presbyterian Church lead pastor Chad Scruggs, with whom the school is associated. The local Presbyterian church held a prayer service for mourners, and in a statement said: “We weep deeply for the unimaginable sorrow that our friends at Covenant Presbyterian Church and School are suffering and will continue to suffer”.
Census shows how religion is linked to health, housing, employment and education
The Office of National Statistics has released more information from the 2021 census for England and Wales on religion and housing, health, employment, and education. It shows that those who identified as Hindu had the highest percentage of their population reporting either very good or good health (87.8 per cent, compared with 82 per cent of the overall population. Muslims were nearly four times more likely to live in overcrowded homes and fewer than half lived in households that were owner-occupied. People who identified as Sikh were more likely to live in households that owned their home, at 77.7 per cent. The highest percentage of unpaid carers in 2021 was among people who identified as “other religion”. People who identified as Hindu and Jewish had the highest percentages in professional occupations. Hindus had the highest levels of qualification, while Christians were less likely to have a Level 4 or above (degree level) qualification. Full results are here.
Deadline today for monks to leave the Pechersk Lavra monastery in Kyiv
Five hundred monks, novices and theologians have been given until today to leave the Pechersk Lavra monastery in Kyiv, which is within the Ukrainian Orthodox church aligned with Moscow. But they are refusing to leave and the police are being called in, though they have promised not to use force. The Ukrainian culture ministry is also standing guard making sure no national treasures have been removed as the monks have already taken away icons and furniture in vans. The monastery is 1000 years old and is now state owned, covering a large area with chapels, dormitories and catacombs. Its leaders have refused to join the alternative Ukrainian church aligned with Constantinople because they say it is uncanonical, but there have been protests and suspicions that the monastery harbours Russian operatives. Times report here
People leaving Christianity because of attitude to LGBT issues and Trump
Baptist News Global has a story about an ad hoc social media questionnaire on why people have abandoned Christianity. Writer Brandon Flanery says that two years ago, the hashtag “#exchristian” had 696.7 million cumulative views on TikTok. In September last year, Pew found people in the United States identifying as Christian decreased from 90 per cent to 64 per cent in 30 years. He set out to ask people why and while acknowledging that his survey was not rigorously scientific, it indicated that the main reasons were around the behaviour and response from church leaders to LGBT issues and attitudes towards Trump. Among the benefits were freedom, being accepted and removal of guilt.
Church in Wales bishops do not accept breakaway bishop
Ten days ago, the Rev Stuart Bell, an evangelical Anglican vicar from Aberystwyth, was consecrated as bishop in the breakaway group the Anglican Convocation in Europe, which objects to liberal interpretations of the Bible and opposes same sex relationships. He had previously served in the Church in Wales, which agreed to allow same sex blessings in church in September 2021. Now it is reported that the archbishop and bishops in the Church in Wales have written to clergy, saying they should not receive communion held under the auspices of the breakaway group. Also they do not accept Stuart Bell’s ministry as a bishop. The letter was made public by GAFCON, the traditionalist global Anglican group, which says there are plans for a future together of “faithful Anglicans who remain in the Church in Wales”.
Guide to help Muslims give donations with confidence during Ramadan
The Muslim Charities Forum has issued a Give Smart Give Safe Guide, informing people about the Muslims charities they could choose to support during Ramadan, through their “zakat” alms giving. Their aim is to create a more accountable, transparent and efficient British Muslim charitable sector and the guide aims to build trust and ensure donors are confident that their money will be well spent. The Forum estimates that in 2022, British Muslims raised £150 million during the month of Ramadan alone for UK and international causes.
