-
European Union
EU member states have to block international surrogacy, says instruction from Parliament
The European Parliament has decided to make international surrogacy part of human trafficking. The new directive that was accepted in Strasbourg on Tuesday afternoon with an overwhelming majority makes it possible to fight against surrogacy as a Union together. The French MEP François-Xavier Bellamy had already organised a meeting to…
Read More » -
European Union
Analysis: Will abortion enter into the treaties after the EP vote?
The European Parliament voted to adopt abortion to become a basic right in the European treaties on Thursday. On the one hand, this vote is symbolic. On the other hand, there is no doubt that this will have influence. For some, it might sound strange. The European Convention on Human…
Read More » -
European Union
Documentary shows: Christian students are reluctant to reveal their faith
Yes, I kept my mouth shut when I had to speak. All nine students admit it in the new documentary “Self-Censored”. The Christian faith is vital to all of them. But talking about it with non-believers is sensitive. Let alone witnessing. The nine students are at universities in seven European…
Read More » -
Northern Europe
“Finnish bishops introduce false teaching on marriage”, critical cleric says
False teaching. Actually, no less than heresy. That is what the independent Lutheran bishop Juhana Pohjola says about the proposal from the Finnish church to open the way for same-sex marriage.The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (ELCF) leaves the Biblical teaching about marriage. All priests who conduct those relations betray…
Read More » -
Christian Life
Jesus could read but very slowly; scanning did not yet exist
A child needs less than a year to learn to read. But it took centuries for mankind to develop the reading technique. Would it be something that we could unlearn as well? Prof. Joel Halldorf can not only read; he also writes about it. During a drive in Sweden, he…
Read More » -
European Union
Tension between EU and Israel on the rise
The European Union puts more pressure on Israel. The longer the war against Hamas takes, the more criticism Israel receives from Brussels. How will this develop? “Time is not on Israel's side.” After October 7th, the European support for Israel was “unprecedented”, Tomas Sandell says. He is the founding director…
Read More » -
Christian Life
Coming to Budapest for hope in education
This week’s education conference in Budapest has many purposes. But for co-organiser Paul Madsen, just one thing makes him happy. “School leaders are really able to connect and have fellowship with each other.” Madsen works at the office of ACSI Europe in Budapest. That Hungarian capital is the place for…
Read More » -
Central Europe
Analysis: Czech gays can have partnership; marriage is reserved for heterosexuals
Many had expected that Czechia would embrace entire same-sex marriage. However, the parliament only extends the existing partnership for homosexual couples. The decision shows that even in a secular country such as the Czech Republic, homosexuals do not have a self-evident monopoly. On Wednesday evening, the Czech parliament voted against…
Read More » -
Eastern Europe
Evert's comment: Two years into the war, Kyiv's church politics are still a threat to Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelensky must remember to defend all freedoms. One of them is religious liberty. Ukraine will never be really free without the Orthodox church – even when it belongs to the Moscow Patriarchate. As a candidate for EU membership, Ukraine must be measured by Western standards. First, it has to…
Read More » -
Eastern Europe
Church leaders see spiritual awakening in Ukraine
On Sunday morning, churches in Ukraine welcome newcomers. Even on weekdays, more people come to the evening prayers. Is there an evangelical revival two years after the Russian invasion? Or is it an awakening? Many Protestant leaders see more spiritual need. “Where shall we start?” asks Yuri Kulavkevich, foreign affairs…
Read More »