Institute Update Issue 2 - May 2002

Personal contact with supporters

Many of our supporters write to us or telephone us for information and advice on matters they are concerned about. Our supporters are very important to us. We try to respond to requests for assistance, though we can’t always help everyone.

It has become increasingly evident to us that local campaigns are a good way of promoting Christian truth.

The campaign against controversial Scottish sex and drugs education materials is a good example. People contacted us to tell us what was being promoted by their local authority. We advised and informed them how they could press their councillors to change their policy. So far, four local councils have banned some or all the materials – largely due to the efforts of a handful of local Christians. This has all fed back to the Scottish Executive, who are concerned by the local campaigns. A source close to the Executive has told the Scottish Daily Mail that the Executive will stop backing the controversial materials. However, there has been no official confirmation of this.

Some issues can only be fought at a local level. Last year a supporter who wanted to fight plans for a sex shop in Cornwall contacted us. The Christian Institute was able to advise and support him. Simon Calvert, the Institute’s Deputy Director travelled down to Cornwall to speak on behalf of many of the objectors. Camborne Council, after reading the many letters of objection that they had received and after listening to the arguments, refused to grant a licence.


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