Dear reader,
Male/Female Creation upside down
A fierce battle is raging worldwide over how to value and define life, family and freedom. For example, Western countries are trying to use the UN to add a new term to categories protected by nondiscrimination policies. This term is "sexual orientation and gender identity" (SOGI). Proponents would like to define gender as a feeling, a self-chosen identity, and not as a biological distinction. This new gender ideology denies the Biblical creation order.
Signing controversial treaty postponed again
Another example is the controversial treaty between the EU and 79 African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Once again its signing has been delayed by 4 months. In addition to growing and increasingly vocal concerns on the ACP side, the EU itself cannot reach unanimity. Countries like Poland and Hungary have fundamental problems with the treaty from the beginning. The new postponement became clear during meetings in Brussels from June 19-28 of more than 100 parliamentarians from ACP countries in Brussels. The first days were in the EU-funded ACP secretariat, then jointly with a number of European colleagues in the European Parliament. Christian Council International attended as an accredited organization.
The flames fanned at EU-ACP meeting
The closing address by the Vice President of the European Parliament, also co-chairing the parliamentary LGBT intergroup, swept away any remaining doubts about European intentions and fanned the flames. Among other things, he stated that LGBT rights are non-negotiable human rights, that ACP countries "must" engage in this fight for universal decriminalization of homosexuals and trans identity, and praised the fact that the treaty is legally binding. This norm-claiming stone in already turbulent pond full of ACP representatives did not miss its mark. In furious fashion, parliamentarians from various countries reacted, demanding respect for African values and sovereignty. In tumultuous fashion, the meeting came to an end, as you can see in the video below. To be continued.
Victory promised
Please read further in this newsletter the reports of our Africa policy director and our representative at the UN as well as our board member's article in the US on Christianity vs. culture. I finish here with the concluding words from his article: Christians can expect opposition. But they can also expect victory, not because of their strength but because He has promised to be faithful to His own. May the Lord bind us together in our unsettled day and grant that we might find refuge in Him.
With warm regards,
Henk Jan van Schothorst
Directeur Christian Council International
Confrontation caused by EP (and LGBT intergroup) vice president with Uganda/ African delegates: