A man was killed and then decapitated by two armed attackers Wednesday on a street in Woolwich, located in the southeast section of the London.

The attack, which is being regarded as an Islamist terrorist attack, happened around 2 p.m. local time and witnesses described that the man was first struck by a car and then attacked by two men. The attackers used a large knife and a meat clever to sever the man's head.

Police responding to the attack shot both of the suspected assailants and both of the attackers were taken to local area hospitals, where they are being treated. more >>

The Church of Scotland's General Assembly voted Monday to allow congregations the choice of accepting openly gay ordained ministers, while allowing other parishes to opt out if their congregants disagree with the gay lifestyle.

Although the General Assembly's 700 commissioners did vote in approval of openly gay ministers on Monday, the vote must still pass a series of hurdles and will not be finalized for at least another two years.

After a six-hour debate on Monday at the annual assembly meeting in Edinburg, the commissioners voted to maintain their "current doctrine and practice in relation to human sexuality," meaning they still maintain their traditional view on homosexuality and same-sex marriage, but they compromised in providing more liberal congregations to allow gay ministers to lead their parish. more >>

Ahead of a same-sex marriage debate in parliament on Monday, a group of Christian leaders in the U.K. said that changing the definition of marriage can have a "chilling effect" on young people seeking careers as teachers and doctors.

"These young people, from teenagers to 30-year-olds, will suffer discrimination, and will face new risks to their career and future," the group writes in a letter, signed by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Southwark, the Most Rev. Peter Smith.

"If the Bill passes into law without much clearer protections for freedom of speech and freedom of belief, teachers, and public sector workers will have to choose between their conscience and their career; many will be deterred from a public service career and from charity involvement." more >>

Arguments offered in support of the British Government's push to redefine marriage illustrate the illogical foundation on which the endeavor rests. In fact, the government's own arguments show the true danger that marriage will face if those trying to redefine it are successful.

For instance, Labour MP Kate Green says:

By recognizing and extending the definition of marriage to reflect today's greater openness towards, and recognition of, same-sex relationships, the legislation does not weaken the institution of marriage. On the contrary, it takes it forward, it strengthens it. It helps to perpetuate it. more >>

A Christian-run medical facility in London, which is part of Britain's publicly funded healthcare system, was criticized for exercising the freedom not to prescribe the morning-after pill to patients on grounds of conscience.

The Links Medical Practice, which is a National Health Service (NHS) general practice (GP) surgery in the Mottingham area of south London, has a message put up on its door telling patients they should go to a local clinic or chemist if "a consenting doctor is not available" to prescribe contraception, according to U.K.-based The Independent.

"I know the law allows doctors to do this but I don't think it should," a patient who decided to leave the facility was quoted as saying. more >>

Former megachurch pastor Rob Bell appeared in a recent radio discussion with Christian British minister Andrew Wilson to discuss his new book, What We Talk About When We Talk About God, and grew frustrated when pressed by Wilson to explain his theological reasons for affirming homosexuality and same-sex relationships.

Bell and Wilson appeared on the U.K. faith debate program "Unbelievable?" hosted by Justin Brierley on Premier Christian Radio. Wilson is a published theologian and elder at Kings Church in Eastbourne, East Sussex. The men, moderated by Brierley, started the discussion by debating various issues during the hour-plus program, but it was during their discussion on homosexuality that Bell appeared to grow visibly upset.

"Do you believe that this is an area where actually God is ahead of the church, that affirming same-sex partnerships is actually a God thing and that we will eventually all get to see that in the course of time?" Brierley asked Bell of comments he made in March. more >>