United Kingdom

A member of the British Parliament is urging the country’s government to ban Christian churches from performing marriages if they refuse to also perform same-sex unions.

Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove, wrote a letter Aug. 21 to Prime Minister David Cameron saying, “As long as religious groups can refuse to preside over ceremonies for same-sex couples, there will be inequality.”

The 2004 Civil Partnership Act legalized same-sex unions in the United Kingdom but prevented couples from marrying in religious venues. Weatherley wrote that the law only acted as an “uneasy truce between those wishing to preserve the religious significance of marriage and those fighting for equality.” more >>

A British man has failed in his attempt to set a new world record, only making it through 24 hours straight in his attempt to read the Bible out loud before he started losing consciousness – and neither the books of Leviticus nor Numbers were to blame.

David Bathrust, 51, set off on his new world record attempt on Aug. 24, a Wednesday. By Thursday night, however, things started going awry for the accomplished reader during his feat at St. Mary's Church in Barnham in South England.

In order to break the current world record for reading out loud, which stands at just over 113 hours, the Englishman had to read for five days and nights. According to the Church Times publication, Bathurst was allowed 20-minute naps every four hours. more >>

Prince William and Kate Middleton have donated the Land Rover they received as a wedding present to a mountain rescue team in the Lake District, UK.

Custom dictates that royal couples can only accept wedding presents from family members and close friends. Any other gifts are donated to charities or organizations in need.

The Glossop Mountain Rescue Team was selected out of 26 groups to receive the vehicle through a raffle that was drawn by Prince Harry. The rescue team has expressed its gratitude for the donation as well as its pressing need for a new mode of transportation. more >>

A United Kingdom-based mobile phone retailer has gotten one of its advertisements banned by an advertising watchdog group for using a cartoon image of Jesus to sell its products.

The Phones4U ad depicts Jesus smiling, winking and giving a thumbs-up just above text that reads, “Miraculous deals on Samsung Galaxy Android phones.” The image appeared as a part of a national ad campaign that the retailer ran around Easter time.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), a watchdog group that ensures decent and honest advertising in the United Kingdom, says they received 98 complaints saying that the advertisements (there were two of them) were offensive. more >>

A Christian man studying MBA at University of Westminster and living with a wife and two kids has started a project that involves living on less than $1 a day to raise money for an orphanage in India and spread awareness about the lives of the poor around the world.

In the first 13 days of his monthlong $1-a-day “fast,” Nathan Adair, a Baptist, has saved $229 just by cutting down the cost of daily meals, according to his blog. And he is urging others to join him for a weeklong fast beginning Monday.

Adair, who attended the First Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, during his early years, wants to fund a solar power micro-enterprise project that will provide electricity to a community in need and sustainable revenue to an orphanage and mission in India. more >>

Insisting that it is only a hobby and all for sport, a young British boy was celebrating his victory in an annual drag queen competition in his home village, and his parents were celebrating right along with him.

Redvers Stoke, 12, donned women's clothing, make up, a wig, and a pair of high heels for the drag queen contest in his village in Cornwall.

Performing as "Naughty Nora," Stoke impressed judges with his routine, which involved singing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and a few tunes from Dolly Parton. His performance led to him being crowned Carnival Drag Queen. more >>