Pro life vigils go ahead despite government pressure...
... and do smartphones harm a child's faith?
Apologies for the long gap. I have been busy researching an in-depth article about the under-reporting of Christian persecution around the world, which should be out shortly in Premier’s Christianity magazine, with a few follow-up articles. I then had a flurry of work which also should be out soon.
Two articles have recently been published:
The first is reporting on the 40 Days for Life campaign in the UK. Despite all the pressure from the authorities, including prosecutions and the imposition of “buffer zones,” the twice-yearly vigils are going ahead this Lent, and campaigners are upbeat. The official vigils stay outside the buffer zones. Although individuals acting on their own behalf have entered and have been prosecuted for silently praying, this hasn’t stopped the official work to try to offer support to women in crisis, and to pray for changed hearts. Read more in the Catholic News Agency.
The other is the question of whether smartphones are harming the faith of our children. Much has been said of their effect on mental health and there has been some discussion of the effect on cognitive skills and education. But what does this say about whether smartphones harm a child’s ability to catch the Christian faith?
Meanwhile the podcast about the right wing slant of the recent renewal in faith from Justin Brierley is out, with an interview with yours truly in the first two episodes.
