The WorldView in 5 Minutes

It’s Friday, May 17th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Muslims kill 11 Christians in Congo, Africa At about 8 p.m. on Monday, May 13, members of the Allied Democratic Forces carried out a brutal attack in the Ituri Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Islamic extremist group killed 11 Christians, kidnapped several others, and set houses on fire, reports International Christian Concern. A survivor said, “This horrific attack has left a trail of devastation and despair, with the loss of life and destruction of property reaching catastrophic proportions.” German church holds blasphemous Taylor Swift-themed service An historic German church in Heidelberg held a blasphemous Taylor Swift-themed worship service on Sunday, reports Christian Headlines. According to the news website Deutsche Welle, The Church of the Holy Spirit, a well-known church in Heidelberg that meets in a 600-year-old building, put on a service titled "Anti-Hero — Taylor Swift Church Service" in an effort to draw young people into the church. More than 1,200 were in attendance, most of them young women, for the service. Pastor Christof Ellsiepen said, "The Church of the Holy Spirit has always been a place of encounter and exchange. That's why a pop-music religious service fits so perfectly. With it, we are giving space to the questions and issues that occupy the younger generation." The Christian Post reports that the pastor also said that the service focused on the seemingly Christian themes in Swift’s music to address contested topics including women's rights, racism, and gender equality. However, Evangelical leaders have rightly expressed profound concern about Swift’s latest album, entitled The Tortured Poets Department, that mocks God and Christians alike. Sadly, Pastor Vincenzo Petracca was tone deaf, claiming "Theologically speaking, [Taylor Swift] points to the justness of God.” A pro-homosexual rainbow banner behind the church’s musicians stated that the church welcomes "all sizes, all [colors], all cultures, all sexes, all beliefs, all religions, all ages, all types, all people." Last time I checked, there were only two sexes. Indeed, in Mark 10:6, Jesus said, "From the beginning of creation, God made them male and female." Title IX rules threaten women’s safety and fairness The Biden administration would have Americans believe that feelings trump biological reality by prioritizing someone’s self-ascribed “gender identity” over their sex, explains Alliance Defending Freedom. But denying the truth that God made us male and female—different, yet equal—has harmful consequences. Adaleia is a 15-year-old athlete from West Virginia, and she knows this all too well. Because she was forced to compete against a male student who identifies as a female, she lost her spot to compete in a conference championship meet, reports Fox News. But that’s not all. She had to change in the girls’ locker room in the presence of the male athlete while she endured the vulgar, sexual harassment that the student directed toward her. Adaleia was made to suffer humiliation and indignity that no one should have to endure. But, according to the Biden administration’s recent attempt to rewrite Title IX, women and girls must surrender their rights to safety, privacy, and fairness in places of education. And faculty and students must embrace lies by treating children as the opposite sex—boys as girls, and girls as boys. Anti-Israel Duke protestors walk out of Seinfeld’s graduation speech Dozens of students walked out of Duke University’s commencement ceremony this past Sunday because of their objection to the guest speaker, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, a Jew who has been supportive of Israel, reports The Guardian. Figures in robes and caps, some waving Palestinian flags, filed out of crowds of graduates assembled on the grass in the North Carolina university’s football stadium. STUDENT PROTESTORS: (audio of booing Seinfeld) Others shouted “Jerry! Jerry!” as the actor received an honorary degree. STUDENTS: “Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!” To his credit, in his graduation speech, Seinfeld underscored the importance of having an ethical framework in which to live. SEINFELD:  “What I like is we're smart enough to invent AI, dumb enough to need it, and still so stupid we can't figure out if we did the right thing.” And he offered this analysis. SEINFELD: “We're embarrassed about things we should be proud of and proud of things we should be embarrassed about.” NFL player vs. President Biden And finally, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is facing the wrath of the National Football League. He recently delivered a commencement address at Benedictine College, a private Catholic school in Kansas.  He affirmed the vocation of his wife as homemaker and took issue with homosexuality, reports FaithWire.com. Plus, he challenged President Joe Biden, a self-professed Catholic, who supports abortion. BUTKER: “Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but, at the same time, is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally. He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I'm sure, to many people, it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.” By contrast, Exodus 18:21 describes civil magistrates as “able men who fear God, men of truth.” In response, the official Twitter account of the city of Kansas City doxed his personal information, revealing the city where he lives, and now he’s facing a raging and seething mob of woke activists, reports the New York Post. Shockingly, 100,000 people have signed a petition calling for Butker to be fired. The petition declares,  “We call upon the Kansas City Chiefs management to dismiss Harrison Butker immediately for his inappropriate conduct.” Jonathan Beane of the NFL said, “Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.” Christian talk show host Todd Starnes said, “The NFL has an interesting definition of the word ‘inclusive.’ Their definition does not include players who are pro-life, pro-family, or pro-Catholic. And, if the NFL is so inclusive, why aren’t there any female linebackers or quarterbacks in the league?” Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, May 17th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Thursday, May 16th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Rising persecution of Latin America Christians International Christian Concern reports that churches in Latin America are facing increasing levels of persecution.  Thousands of Christians face attacks for their faith in countries like Cuba, Haiti, Mexico, and Nicaragua. These attacks often come from communist regimes, drug cartels, and violent gangs. For example, Cuba passed a law last year, putting restrictions on religious expression that criticizes the government. Pastors who speak out for religious freedom in Nicaragua face arrest. And Christians in Mexico and Haiti are facing more oppression with the rise of the drug cartels as well as gang violence. British pro-lifers march against birthday abortions Yesterday, hundreds of pro-lifers rallied outside Parliament in London. Lawmakers are considering two pro-life amendments as well as two pro-abortion amendments. The latter two would allow abortion up to birth. Lynda Rose, head of Voice for Justice UK, said, “A nation that indiscriminately and without cause seeks to kill its unborn up to birth is destroying itself. … With our callous disregard of the right to life, the United Kingdom is rapidly becoming a kingdom of death. For the future wellbeing of all, these evil amendments must be defeated.” Pro-life protestors are imprisoned In the United States, judges are handing out prison sentences for pro-lifers targeted by the Biden administration.  On Tuesday, a federal judge sentenced Lauren Handy to nearly five years in prison for peacefully blocking access to an abortion mill. Yesterday, the judge sentenced Jonathan Darnel to nearly three years in prison for his participation. A total of five activists have faced trial for the 2020 blockade in Washington, D.C. The pro-lifers’ defendants are fighting back. Steve Crampton with the Thomas More Society said, “We eagerly look forward to appealing for [their] freedom, so that the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act can never again be weaponized by the Department of Justice against its ideological opponents.” Proverbs 17:15 says, “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.” George teachers banned students from sharing Bible verses Public school teachers in Georgia banned students from sharing Bible verses. Two nine-year-old students were planning on sharing Easter eggs that contained the verses earlier this year. In response to the ban, the American Center for Law and Justice stepped in to defend the students. The Christian legal group reports they have now achieved victory for the students. They said, “The school has agreed to recognize our clients’ constitutional rights to distribute religious materials, such as Easter eggs, candy canes, and anything else – even Bible verses.” Trump and Biden to debate on Thursday, June 27th President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are set to debate each other ahead of the presidential election this year. Both agreed to a debate invitation from CNN for Thursday, June 27. They also agreed to an invitation from ABC for September 10th. If Biden and Trump follow through on this debate in June, it will be the earliest debate between general election candidates on record. Inflation down slightly Inflation cooled down slightly last month. Consumer prices rose 0.3% percent from March to April, down from 0.4% the previous month. Year-over-year, inflation fell from 3.5% to 3.4% last month, the first decline this year. Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, said, “The fight against inflation is not yet over, but the worsening trend observed in the first quarter of 2024 may have ended.” Drug overdose deaths dropped 3% Preliminary data suggests that drug overdose deaths in the U.S. fell for the first time in five years in 2023. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the data yesterday.  Nearly 108,000 people died from drug overdoses last year. That’s down about 3,500 deaths from 2022.  The 3% drop follows a 30% increase in overdose deaths at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Massive solar flare And finally, the sun produced a massive solar flare on Tuesday.  It’s the largest flare in the current 11-year solar cycle and the largest since 2005. This follows a week of significant solar flare activity which made the northern lights visible to people further south than usual.  Such geomagnetic storms can even cause disruptions to power and communication systems on Earth. Thankfully, the latest flare emitted from a part of the sun facing away from our planet. Psalm 8:3-4 asks, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, May 16th, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Wednesday, May 15th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark New Zealand churches might lose tax-exempt status Churches have enjoyed tax-exempt status in New Zealand for hundreds of years. However, the country’s government is considering a plan to revoke the tax exempt status of churches. Not surprisingly, churches provide many forms of social and spiritual support to their communities for free. Removing their tax-exempt status would result in fewer people receiving help. International Christian Concern is circulating a petition to keep the church in New Zealand tax free. You can sign it through a link in our transcript today at TheWorldview.com.  76 million displaced people The Internal Displacement Monitoring Center reports more and more people are facing displacement in their own country. Conflicts and natural disasters led to 76 million internally displaced people last year. Violence caused 90% of the displacements, and over half of them were in sub-Saharan Africa. The number of internally displaced people increased by 50% over the last five years. And, over the last 10 years, the number has roughly doubled.  Brazilian flooding kills 143 people Speaking of displacement, flooding in Brazil has triggered landslides and flash floods, displacing over half a million people and killing 143 people. Electricity has been cut off to more than 1.4 million Brazilians. The flooding came after torrential rains at the end of last month in the country’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. Churches across Brazil are providing shelter and care for those affected by the flooding. U.S.-based aid groups are also stepping in to help. On Sunday morning, May 12th, a DC-8 aircraft, funded by Samaritan’s Purse, departed the Greensboro Airlift Response Center in North Carolina bound for Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil in a second airlift transporting relief to the flood-ravaged region. The flight carried shelter tarp and other relief supplies. Also on board were relief staff deploying to the area. Onboard the May 11th Samaritan’s Purse flight were personal water filtration systems, hygiene kits, blankets, and solar lights. They also supplied ten community water filtration systems, each capable of supplying clean drinking water for up to 10,000 people per day. Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse said, “Please continue praying for all those whose lives have been devastated by this flooding as even more heavy rains are on the way.” You can make an on-line donation through Samaritan’s Purse to help the people in flood-ravaged Brazil through a special link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com. California school district agrees to pay FCA $6 million A California school district agreed to a nearly $6 million settlement with a Christian high school student group recently. A Fellowship of Christian Athletes student group had been operating at Pioneer High School in San Jose. The group required leaders to agree with its statement of faith which included saying that marriage is between one man and one woman. The high school stripped the FCA group of its official status.  Now, after years of litigation, Christian students are free to operate the group according to their beliefs.  Biden puts pro-abortion spin on Pregnant Workers Act Congress passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act back in 2022. Now, the Biden administration is trying to make the law pro-abortion. Last week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced a new rule that would require employers to make accommodations for abortion. Multiple attorneys general from states across America are already challenging the rule. Louisiana’s Republican Attorney General Liz Murrill said, “This new action ... is another example of bureaucrats rewriting acts of Congress to their own liking, and it’s unconstitutional. We will continue to challenge this administration’s overreach and protect pregnant women.” Isaiah 59:6-7 says, “Their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood.” Trump is leading in five of six battleground states A new poll from The New York Times found that former President Donald Trump leading President Joe Biden in battleground states. Ahead of the presidential elections this year, Trump is leading in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Georgia, and Nevada. Of six key states, Biden was only leading in Wisconsin. He won all six states in 2020. The poll found young, non-white voters were not satisfied with Biden. And Trump received record support of 20% of black voters. Target eager to promote sexual perversion AGAIN Target, once again, announced its plans to celebrate sexually perverted lifestyles during so-called “Pride Month” this year. The retail giant will included “pride” merchandise at stores. However, it will only be a handful of stores based on “historical sales performance.” And Target won’t be selling such apparel for children.  Target appears to be scaling back such merchandise after huge boycotts last year over the issue. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” You can sound off against Target for promoting sexual perversion by writing a letter to the CEO, Brian Cornell, Target, 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Pastor thanks God for sparing congregation in tornado And finally, a church in Pennsylvania is giving thanks to God after surviving a tornado during a worship service over the weekend. An F1 tornado struck the church building of Crossroads Ministries, tearing off the roof. Nearly 100 people were in the building, and no one was severely injured. Pastor Ken Barner  called it a miracle.  Listen. BARNER: “We had a tornado come and hit the wing of our church. The tornado came up the hill at about 6:14pm, and it took the roof off of that building, and it sent it into the woods. I just have to tell you: God was with us. The steeple got knocked out. Cars were damaged. Nobody was injured. “There's a few cuts and bruises and bumps, as you might imagine, but nobody had to be hospitalized, that we know of. We're just so thankful for that. And folks, I just want you to know that we're standing on the promises of God right now.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, May 15th, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Tuesday, May 14th, A.D. 2024,. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Myanmar military’s martial law forbids church The Myanmar military junta has placed seven townships in the Chin State under martial law, forbidding church gatherings in this Christian-majority area of the country. Military authorities are also requiring pastors to submit lists of church congregants. Pray for persecuted believers in Myanmar. Pakistani court annulled forced marriage of Christian girl to Muslim man Good news! A Pakistani court has annulled a forced marriage of a Christian girl who was abducted on her way home from school in 2019. Reeha Saleem was forced into a marriage by her Muslim abductor. She has forthrightly denied conversion to the Islamic faith, and still holds to the Christian faith, according to Alliance Defending Freedom International, which supported her case. U.K.’s growing Chinese Christian community The Chinese Christian community is the fastest-growing church in the United Kingdom, according to a report published by the Bible Society. The community has grown by 25,000, or 28%, over the last three years, largely driven by immigration from Hong Kong into the United Kingdom. The report stated that these believers have a much higher view of the Bible than other groups. Church of England’s plummeting attendance Church of England attendance has fallen to 654,000 as of last year. By these numbers, the Chinese church-attending population makes up a full 15% of the total attendees of the Church of England services.    Another survey found that people of color constitute 14% of the United Kingdom’s population, and yet they make up 25% of the practicing Christians there. In the words of Psalm 22:27, “All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You.” Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. affirms abortion on demand Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the independent candidate for President of the United States, affirmed his stand for abortion. He opposed the reversal of Roe v. Wade, and supported the federal legalization of abortion up to full term. He stated his position last Wednesday on the Sage Steele podcast. Steele asked Kennedy if he preferred leaving abortion “up to the states.” STEELE: “Keeping it as is, with Roe v. Wade having been overturned, and leaving it up to the states to determine if and when a woman can have an abortion?” KENNEDY: “No, I wouldn’t leave it to the states.” STEELE: “You wouldn’t? Right.” KENNEDY: “We should leave it to the woman. We shouldn’t have government involved.” STEELE: “Even if it’s full-term?” KENNEDY: “Even if it’s full-term.” STEELE: “I know there is no simple answer. As a Catholic, it would be okay to allow a woman to do that.” (inaudible) KENNEDY: “I don’t think it’s ever okay.” STEELE: “It would be allowed. It would be allowed.” KENNEDY: “I think we have to leave it to the woman, rather than the state.” Subsequently, Kennedy tweeted that he learned that “Sometimes, women abort healthy, viable late-term fetuses. These cases of purely ‘elective’ late-term abortion are very upsetting. Once the baby is viable outside the womb, it should have rights and it deserves society’s protection. … “I support the emerging consensus that abortion should be unrestricted up until a certain point. I believe that point should be when the baby is viable outside the womb. Therefore, I would allow appropriate restrictions on abortion in the final months of pregnancy.” In recent polls for the 2024 presidential election, Kennedy is holding anywhere from 8-11% of the vote.  America’s low-level commitment to unborn babies The American electorate’s commitment to the pro-life vote is still low. Only 10% of Americans call themselves pro-life AND would avoid voting for a pro-abortion candidate. On the other hand, there are 17% of Americans who call themselves pro-abortion AND would avoid voting for a pro-life candidate, according to a recent Gallup poll.    The 2023 poll found that 44% of Americans call themselves pro-life and 52% call themselves pro-abortion.  Higher educated people swing pro-abortion in a 66%-29% ratio, while those without a college education swing pro-life in a 54%-41% ratio. Young people, between the ages of 18 and 29, are more in favor of killing babies by a huge 64%-29% ratio. And women also skew pro-abortion in a 55%-41% ratio. Six states encourage gold and silver investments Six states have enacted sound money legislation for those who move their money into gold and silver. So far, Arkansas, Arizona, Utah, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Kentucky will not charge state income tax on gains realized in gold and silver investments. These states recognize sound money as a means of protecting savings from the ravages of inflation. States considering similar legislation in 2024 include Iowa, Georgia, Oklahoma, Missouri, West Virginia, and Kansas. Gold has increased in value by 30% in two years. By contrast, the official Consumer Price Index for inflation shows a 10% increase over the same two years.  10 states have legalized euthanasia Ten states have legalized physician-assisted suicide in this country thus far. And New York may be the eleventh. The state’s House and Senate versions of the bill have 84 sponsors collectively. Sadly, the legislation is reportedly gaining traction. The Medical Society of the State of New York recently reversed its longstanding opposition to the Medical Aid in Dying Act, according to Politico. Since 2002, nine nations in the world have legalized euthanasia, including Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Ivy League’s antisemitism might lead to joblessness A recent Forbes survey has identified some resistance on the part of the business world to Ivy League Schools—most likely following the antisemitic activism on these campuses. A third of employers are less likely to hire Ivy League graduates than they were five years ago, and 7% are more likely to hire them. 90% of Fortune 500 companies are “woke” The latest Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index is out. The pro-homosexual/transgender group must be thrilled with the results. The Index monitors corporations turning woke. It turns out that 90% of Fortune 500 companies are “woke” now. And 73% are “super woke.” That’s up from 0% in 2002, and 3% in 2009.  God has confounded the astronomers And finally, astronomers are confounded with the discovery of a ring of galaxies located 6.9 billion light years from our planet. A presentation on the spectacular ring provided during the 243rd meeting of the American Astronomical Society in January concluded by saying that there is no explanation for this phenomenon “in our current understanding of the universe.” Psalm 33:6 reminds us that, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host.”  Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, May 14th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Monday, May 13th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Imprisoned Chinese leaders face serious illnesses Since two leaders of the Ganquan Church in Hefei, Anhui Province in China were arrested last fall, their wives and members of their church family have pleaded for their release. Those pleas have grown more urgent after the two leaders developed serious health problems while in prison, reports International Christian Concern. In November 2023, Communist authorities detained Pastor Zhou Songlin, Elder Ding Zhongfu, and 14 other members of the house church. Pastor Zhou and Elder Ding are the only church members who remain in prison.  Pastor Zhou is suffering from an unspecified “serious illness” that his doctors say cannot be properly treated while he is incarcerated. And Elder Ding is experiencing high blood pressure, chest pain, dizziness, and insomnia.  The Ganquan Church is an underground church that refuses to come under the state-controlled Three-Self Patriotic Movement which is China’s only legal church. As a result, Ganquan is considered illegal and cannot purchase property. That’s why Pastor Zhou and Elder Ding used church funds to purchase two properties in their own names to secure property for worship and other church activities. Biden gets pushback over claim “We leave no one behind.” President Joe Biden faced a wave of pushback from GOP lawmakers in response to a post on the @POTUS X account that said, "On my watch, when we make promises, we keep them. And we leave no one behind." Blaze.com reports that multiple Republicans challenged the president's claim. Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan tweeted, "Afghanistan. Israel. Haiti. All Joe Biden does is leave Americans behind," And Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin tweeted, "This would be hilarious if it was not tragic. Biden has abandoned Americans around the world and wants you to forget about them. I never will. Remember in November." Stephanie Clifford took stand in Trump’s “hush money” trial Last Tuesday, Stormy Daniels, a disreputable actress whose real name is Stephanie Clifford,  took the stand in the so-called “hush money” trial of former President Donald Trump, reports The Epoch Times.  She claimed that she had a tryst with Trump in 2006 at which time he had been married to his third wife, Melania, since January 22, 2005. NBC News noted that Clifford, who was 27 at the time, boosted her credibility by describing the flooring of the hotel suite. Trump has categorically denied the encounter ever took place. Prosecutors say that President Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid $130,000 to Clifford during the 2016 campaign in a bid to buy her silence about the alleged affair. At issue is the nature of the payments. They have argued that the payments should have been marked as campaign-related expenses since her silence helped assure his election. The former president has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the case. He has argued that the trial is merely an attempt to keep him off the 2024 campaign trail. In Clifford’s testimony, she recalled that the former president told her in the hotel room that she “should go on his television show,” referring to the “Celebrity Apprentice” program that he hosted and starred in. She claimed she asked him. “What if I lose on the first episode?” She also made claims about visiting Trump to break the Seventh Commandment at his hotel in Lake Tahoe, California, during a golf tournament. Exodus 20:17 says, “You shall not commit adultery.” Top 10 most dangerous states While the violent crime rate in America fell for two years in a row after an increase in 2020, property crime – which covers infractions such as vehicle theft and burglary – appeared to increase in 2022 for the first time in two decades. Here is a list of the top 10 most dangerous states, reports U.S. News & World Report in order from the most dangerous at number 1. The top 10 most dangerous states include New Mexico, Louisiana, Colorado, Arkansas, Washington, Tennessee, Alaska, Oregon, California, and Missouri. 16-year-old anti-Israel protestor arrested for vandalizing NYC statues An anti-Israel, pro-Hamas teen protester, accused of shamefully vandalizing a hallowed World War 1 memorial in Central Park, New York last Monday, was ratted out by his own father for his despicable actions, reports the New York Post. The 16-year-old suspect, who was videotaped and photographed spray painting graffiti including the words “GAZA” and “Free Palestine,” got a buzz cut and wore a keffiyeh scarf on his head for court to hide his identity. He was arraigned on felony criminal mischief and misdemeanor graffiti charges. Not only was he identified defacing the World War 1 memorial dedicated to Manhattan’s 107th Infantry Regiment, but also a statue of Civil War Union General William Tecumseh Sherman as well. Police went to the boy’s home — and spent hours negotiating with his parents. The parents finally agreed to walk the teen the two blocks to the 121st Precinct station house, where he was arrested. Missionary William Carey published influential evangelism book And finally, we celebrated an important milestone in Christian history just yesterday. On May 12th, 1792, William Carey, the Father of Modern Missions, published his highly influential book on the importance of evangelism. The title is anything but pithy.  Ready?  Carey’s book is entitled, An Enquiry into the Obligations of Christians, to use means for the Conversion of the Heathens in which the Religious State of the Different Nations of the World, the Success of Former Undertakings, and the practicability of Further Undertakings, are Considered.   Despite that long title, the passionate content of his book led to the founding of the English Baptist Missionary Society. A Baptist from 1783, Carey served for several years as a pastor in Moulton, Northamptonshire, where he also taught school and continued his trade as a shoemaker.  In 1789, he transferred to the Baptist church at Leicester.  Then, in 1793, Carey and John Thomas, a doctor, went to Calcutta, India. Carey became a lifelong missionary to India. In fact, he has been called the “father of Bengali prose” for his grammars, dictionaries, and translations. William Wilberforce, the English abolitionist, described the English Baptist Missionary Society as “one of the chief glories” of the British nation. In Romans 10:14, the Apostle Paul asked, “How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Close And that's The Worldview on this Monday, May 13th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Friday, May 10th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Muslims attacked praying Catholic students On Sunday, May 5th, two young women were slightly wounded when a mob of Muslims assaulted a group of 15 Catholic students who were praying at a rented house in Banten Province, on the Indonesian island of Java, reports Morning Star News. Enraged at the Catholic group praying in a home rather than in a church building, the local neighborhood head incited area Muslims to break up the meeting and injure the two female students in a suburb of Jakarta at about 7:30 p.m. Some of the assailants were reportedly armed with long machetes, sickles, knives, and blocks. One of the young women suffered a slight wound near her nose while another sustained a minor wound in the stomach, in spite of efforts by some local Muslims to protect them. The conflict began when the leader, identified as Diding, peeped into the house where the students were praying, and then intruded in, confronting the students for prayer, and ultimately dispersing them. Chicago Teachers Union demanding abortion coverage, gender-neutral bathrooms The Chicago Teachers Union is demanding $50 billion in its contract negotiations to pay for a 9% wage increase, abortions, illegal immigrant services and "gender-neutral bathrooms" for every school district, according to leaked documents, reports The Christian Post. Earlier this year, local news outlet WLS reported that Chicago teachers requested $2,000 for each of the 5,000 illegal immigrant students recently enrolled in the district, including more bilingual teachers and full tuition coverage for teachers to obtain a bilingual certificate. The list of demands also included a series of sexual perversion provisions, with the Chicago Teachers Union calling for every school in the district to have at least one "gender-neutral restroom" and annual homosexual/transgender training for educators. No wonder the number of homeschooled children continues to skyrocket. Student newspaper: "Hitler's got some good ideas." The student newspaper at McClatchy High School in Sacramento, California is facing a big time controversy. The Prospector student newspaper published an anonymous quote in the most recent edition praising Adolf Hitler.  A student said, “Hitler’s got some good ideas.” It was part of a story about “weird things” overheard in the school’s hallways, reports CBS News. The student staff later posted a statement saying the quote did not reflect their ideals or beliefs. But they were glad it sparked a conversation on how students choose their words. The principal fired off a message to families saying the newspaper’s actions were “deeply offensive.” And the newspaper’s faculty adviser has been placed on paid leave, which angered journalists across the state. Steve O’Donoghue, director of the California Scholastic Journalism Initiative, said, “They have the right to print it. They’re not advocating for it, they’re just quoting what a student said.” Christian talk show host Todd Starnes wrote, “It’s worth noting that a recent survey showed that 63 percent of Millennials and Generation Z did not know that 6 million Jews were killed in the Holocaust. That’s what happens when public schools whitewash history. The kids are ignorant of great atrocities in world history and the next thing you know – the McClatchy High School student newspaper is singing Hitler’s praises.” Ultra-processed food leads to weight gain, heart issues, & depression Research published in The British Medical Journal shows that eating a lot of ultra-processed foods such as sugary cereals, frozen meals, and sodas has been linked to poor mental health and a greater risk of dying from heart issues, reports The Telegraph. Ultra-processed foods are usually higher in fat, sugar and salt and contain chemicals, colorings, sweeteners and preservatives that extend shelf life. And thanks to Dr. Chris van Tulleken, author of the bestselling book Ultra-Processed People: The Science Behind Food That Isn’t Food, it’s a term now popping up everywhere. Dr. van Tulleken explains that ultra-processed foods are not only “high-fat, high-salt and high-sugar, but these ingredients have been combined into industrial products with exotic additives, which can’t really be described as food. They’re ultra-processed foods, a set of edible substances that are addictive for many and which are now linked to weight gain, early death and, yes – depression.” In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, the Apostle Paul asked, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” Hero saves 11-month-old baby from blazing fire And finally, an Ohio man is being hailed a hero after risking his life to save an 11-month-old baby trapped inside a burning home, reports FaithWire.com. John Stickovich, age 62, was on his way to work at the time and jumped out of the car after he saw smoke billowing out from a house. STICKOVICH: “The mother was sitting on the tree lawn with her one baby.  I asked her if she was all right and she said, ‘My baby is still in the house.’” He told WJW-TV that he repeatedly went inside the house to try to find the baby in the haze of smoke and fire. Emergency workers were not yet on the scene, so he acted fast. He crawled through an open door into the kitchen and started searching for the child. At first, Stickovich couldn’t find the baby, so he went back outside to ask the mother for guidance. STICKOVICH: “Came back out, asked her where the baby way. She told me: ‘Next to the kitchen, by the baby gate.’” Then, he bravely entered the inferno once again. STICKOVICH: “It was getting so bad in there, I was getting ready to leave actually. And then the baby cried or made a sound. You know, I’m thinking to myself: ‘The baby is right here.” So, I just lurched forward and my arm went across his leg, I grabbed him by the leg, and we were both out.” Firefighters, who said the home was fully engulfed in the inferno by the time they arrived, are now dubbing Stickovich a hero and crediting him for saving the baby’s life. The man was simply grateful he was able to assist. STICKOVICH: “I feel wonderful that I could save the baby. That mother doesn’t have to mourn her baby. That baby gets to live today. I mean I would do it for anybody — it doesn’t matter. And I would hope that somebody would do it for me.” John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Or, in this case, for a complete stranger who happens to be 11 months old. Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Friday, May 10th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Thursday, May 9th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Algerian pastor faces prison for “unauthorized worship” A pastor in Algeria, Africa is facing a year in prison. Authorities charged Pastor Youssef Ourahmane with practicing “unauthorized worship.” A court upheld his conviction last Thursday. He is known for his work with several churches and Bible schools as well as the Evangelical Protestant Association of Algeria. He came to Christ out of Islam and has ministered for over three decades. Christianity has existed in the country for centuries where Protestants are the fastest-growing group. However, harassment against Christians is common in the North African country.  Open Doors ranks Algeria, Africa as the 15th most dangerous country worldwide in which to be a Christian. United Kingdom might require separate male and female toilets The United Kingdom is considering legislation that will require new buildings to have separate male and female toilets. The measure is aimed at stemming the tide of gender-neutral bathrooms. A government consultation has noted how women, the elderly, and people with disabilities have faced unfair disadvantages because of the gender-neutral toilets. Transgender groups are defending gender-neutral bathrooms. But Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch said, “These regulations will guide organizations to design unisex and single-sex toilets, ending the rise of so-called gender-neutral mixed sex toilet spaces, which deny privacy and dignity to both men and women.” In Matthew 19:4, Jesus asked, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female?” U.S. in top 8 most pro-abortion countries The Charlotte Lozier Institute released a report last week, comparing abortion laws in the U.S. with other countries. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the infamous pro-abortion ruling of Roe v. Wade in 2022, America is relatively permissive of abortion. The report noted, “Of 193 [United Nations] countries, the United States is one of eight countries that allows, at the federal level, abortion on demand without any gestational limits along with Australia, Canada, China, Guinea-Bissau, Mexico, South Korea, and Vietnam. … With no federal gestational limit on abortion and abortion on demand past 15 weeks in 29 states, U.S. abortion law is far more permissive than that of most countries in the world.” GOP Congressman objects to FBI’s “woke” agenda A Republican Congressman launched an inquiry into the diversity, equity, and inclusion practices of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio is the chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. He sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray on Monday.  Jordan wrote, “The FBI's hyper-fixation on hitting Biden administration-imposed DEI initiatives, rather than qualifications that make the best federal law enforcement candidates and officers, has created a climate within the FBI that puts the American public and American civil liberties at risk.” M.I.T. wakes up from “wokeness” Speaking of the “woke” program of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has woken up from “the wokeness.” It will no longer require faculty hires to write diversity statements. The elite private university is the first to drop the requirement which has become common in higher education.  Sally Kornbluth, the president of MIT, said, “We can build an inclusive environment in many ways, but compelled statements impinge on freedom of expression, and they don’t work.” Majority of renters think buying a home would be difficult The Federal Reserve Bank of New York released a housing survey this week. The results found 75% of renters believe buying their own home would be somewhat or very difficult, up 8.5% from 2023. Currently, only 13.4% of renters see themselves owning a home. The median price for a single-family home is $388,700, down slightly from 2023. And the average monthly payment stands at $2,040. Tornadoes pummel America Tornadoes struck parts of Michigan on Tuesday, destroying homes and injuring several people. April to June is the peak of tornado season. CNN reports tornadoes have been reported every day since April 25. That’s 13 days in a row as of Tuesday. Over that timeframe, the National Weather Service reported 287 tornadoes. April saw 300 tornadoes, the second most on record. Psalm 135:7 says the Lord “causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the Earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries.” American Bible Society founding anniversary And finally, this week is the anniversary of the founding of the American Bible Society. American Protestants founded the group on May 11, 1816 in New York City. Its early leaders included prominent figures like Elias Boudinot -- a President of the Continental Congress, John Jay -- the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and Francis Scott Key -- the author of the U.S. national anthem.  Since then, the American Bible Society has distributed hundreds of millions of Bibles in thousands of languages around the world. Consider sending them a much-needed donation through the website www.AmericanBible.org. Every $5 you donate will place a Bible into the eager, waiting hands of: Someone who has never had God’s Word in their language before An orphan or an at-risk child A patient Chinese Christian A U.S. military member who is defending our freedom Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, May 9th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Wednesday, May 8th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Religious Freedom Commission warns State Dept about 17 countries The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom released its annual report last Wednesday. The commission makes recommendations to the U.S. State Department about which nations should be designated as Countries of Particular Concern. Such countries are considered the worst violators of religious freedom. The latest report recommends 17 countries for the designation, including China, India, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). The Religious Freedom Commission lamented that the State Department has still not designated India as a Country of Particular Concern. Christians faced at least 687 incidents of violence last year in India.  Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” Thousands of Columbians march for life Over the weekend, thousands of people joined the 18th National March for Life across over 100 cities and towns in Colombia. In 2022, the Constitutional Court of the South American country ruled in favor of killing unborn babies up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. This follows a trend of South and Central American countries caving to international pressure by decriminalizing abortion. Jesús Magaña with United for Life attended the recent march. He said, “We are unwilling to remain silent and stand by in the face of the largest massacre in the country.” 15 GOP-led states oppose Biden’s sexually perverted agenda In the U.S., more and more states are opposing the Biden administration’s support for sexually perverted lifestyles.  New regulations from the Education Department protect students on the basis of their so-called gender identity and sexual orientation.  At least 15 Republican-led states challenged the regulations in court. And at least seven say they will not follow the new rules. Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote in an executive order, “The Biden administration’s facially absurd redefinition of sex in Title IX turns back the clock on women’s opportunities, erodes student privacy, threatens women’s sports, and erases women.” Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.” Southern Baptist membership dropped by 241,000 The Southern Baptist Convention released its Annual Church Profile this month.  Membership in the largest U.S. Protestant denomination fell by 241,000 people last year. Membership is now below 13 million for the first time since the 1970s. It’s also the 17th year of decline in a row. However, weekly service attendance increased to 4 million last year. And baptisms were up 26%. California witnessed a 248% increase in baptisms over the previous year. Boy Scouts changes name to “Scouting America” The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time since its founding in 1914.  The organization is rebranding to Scouting America after facing bankruptcy and abuse scandals.  The Boy Scouts allowed girls to join in 2019. This followed allowing homosexual youth and scout leaders. The organization has dropped to just over one million members, down from over two million in 2018. 2,000 anti-Israel college students arrested Police have arrested over 2,000 protesters in recent weeks at universities across America.  Demonstrators are supporting Palestinians and opposing Israel’s response to the October 7th attack by Hamas, the Muslim terrorist group. Protestors formed tent encampments at colleges and even took over parts of school buildings. One of the schools was Columbia University in New York City. Thirteen federal judges accused the school of becoming an incubator of bigotry, antisemitism, and violence. The conservative judges said they would not be hiring law school students from Columbia University.  Federal Reserve won’t cut interest rates The Federal Reserve decided against cutting interest rates last week. The central bank left its short-term borrowing rate at 5.25%-5.5% which is the same rate it has been since July 2023.  The Fed noted, “The Committee does not expect it will be appropriate to reduce the target range until it has gained greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably toward 2 percent.” Boy survives getting sucked 25 feet into sky by tornado And finally, a Texas family is giving thanks for an absolute miracle. A tornado struck their home recently, reports KWTX-TV. Wes and Kasey Lambert, along with their daughter, Allie, and son, Lane, took cover in a closet. During the commotion, Lane got sucked up 25 feet in the air by the tornado.  KASEY: “I remember hearing glass break. And then I remember hearing bricks coming down, and they were coming down on top of us. At that point, the suction became so strong it sucked Lane from Wes’ arms.” The 7-year-old boy told the TV station what the tornado did to him. LANE: “It picked me up about 25 feet!" In God’s providence, the family found him on top of some insulation in another part of the house after the tornado passed. Lane suffered a dislocated shoulder and had severe injuries to his face and eyes which caused heavy bleeding. They believe a brick might have hit him during his airborne experience. While Wes and Kasey suffered other minor injuries and the house is considered a total loss, they are thankful to God to be alive. Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, May 8th in the year of our Lord 2024, my 58th birthday. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Tuesday, May 7th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)    By Kevin Swanson Pakistani Muslims attacked Christian family Last month, a Pakistani Christian, Ashraf Yousaf, and his two brothers and two sisters were attacked by Muslim neighbors in the Punjab District.  The Muslim attackers confiscated their wheat crop. Thus far, the police have done nothing to help them. In fact, their attackers have filed charges against the Christian family. Ashraf told The Christian Post that “We have lost everything: our livelihood, our money, and most of all, the hope of getting justice.” Russian saber rattling More saber rattling from Russia this week. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced that the Russian Defense Ministry will conduct tactical nuclear weapons drills in the near future. This comes after what the Russians referred to as “provocative statements and threats against Russia [made by certain Western officials.]” The tests involve any or all deployments short of a nuclear explosion.  England sends $4 billion to Ukraine Late last week, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron promised Ukraine $4 billion of annual support for the war, reports Reuters. He acknowledged the weapons could be used to strike targets inside of Russia. Warren Buffet addressed his mortality The sixth richest man in the world spoke to his own mortality at the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting in Omaha, reports CNBC. Warren Buffet, age 94, told the gathering that “I shouldn’t be taking on any four-year employment contracts, like several people are doing in this world, at an age when you can’t be quite that sure where you’re going to be in four years.” Buffet’s foundation: The largest single abortion funder Warren Buffet and his foundation, named after his late wife, constitutes the most powerful non-governmental, pro-abortion advocate in the world.  Indeed, Forbes.com lists the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation as “the largest single donor supporting abortion rights in the U.S.” According to the World Health Organization’s Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation provides half a billion dollars per year to pro-abortion causes. That’s about equivalent to the entire U.S .government funding of Planned Parenthood. And 20 times the income of the five largest pro-life groups in America — 40 Days for Life, Americans United for Life, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, National Right to Life, and American Life League. Psalm 37:35-36 speaks of this. “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a native green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more. Indeed, I sought him, but he could not be found.” Survey: Disney should return to wholesome programming The Rasmussen Reports national survey discovered that 71% of American adults agree with the statement that, “Disney should return to wholesome programming and allow parents to decide when their children are taught about sexuality.” Only 22% disagree with the statement.   Also, the survey found that only 33% of Republicans view Disney in a favorable light, and only 46% of Americans overall have a favorable view of Disney.  Nonetheless, this seemingly impregnable entertainment giant’s annual revenues topped $89 billion in Fiscal Year 2023, up from $83 billion in FY 2022, and $67 billion in FY 2020.  Saudi Arabian bank loans money to anti-“gay” Uganda First, the World Bank suspended loans for the nation of Uganda because of its stand against homosexuality. And now, Uganda’s government has announced obtaining a sizable loan of $295 million for infrastructure from Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Development Bank, reports Reuters. Indeed, over the last decade, Arabic countries have invested $100 billion into Africa.  In addition, over the last two decades, China has invested $170 billion into Africa. Pro-homosexual “mainline” Protestant denominations are dying Pro-homosexual religious denominations in the U.S. have lost membership. The United Methodists have dropped from 11 million to 5.4 million, with only 1.5 million attending in 2022.  The Presbyterian Church USA has dropped from 4.5 million to 1.1 million as of 2022.  And the Evangelical Lutheran Church has dropped from 5.6 million to 2.9 million, with only 500,000 attending weekly. In total, only 3 million remain attending these mainline denominations. That’s just 1% of the U.S. population, compared to 21% of Americans who claim to be Evangelical. As The Worldview reported on May 2nd, the United Methodist General Assembly struck down its longtime ban on homosexual clergy last week by a vote of 447 to 233. It also removed the ban on performing faux weddings for homosexual men and lesbian women living in unnatural relations with one another, by a vote of 479 to 203. In John 15:5-6, Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” Gun jams when church gunman attempts to kill pastor And finally, during a Pennsylvania church worship service on Sunday, a gunman stepped into the aisle, took aim at the pastor, and pulled the trigger. But, by the mercies of God, the gun jammed, and several congregants tackled 26-year-old Bernard Junior Polite, reports CNN. It’s not clear why the suspect tried to shoot the pastor. In fact, Pastor Glenn Germany said he had never seen the gunman before. Pastor Germany said he was “thankful to God that I’m still here, because he definitely pulled the trigger.” GERMANY: “I forgive him for what he did. I just mainly thank God that nobody got hurt.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Tuesday, May 7th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Monday, May 6th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Nigerian Muslims murder pastor on way to church conference Armed Muslims shot and killed Reverend Manasseh Ibrahim on April 23 in Kaduna State, Nigeria as he traveled to a church conference, reports International Christian Concern. The reverend served under the Evangelical Church Winning All Kaduna Central District Church. Violence in Kaduna State, often directed toward Christians, has left thousands of believers in a state of fear. Yahaya Kinge, chairman of the local Christian Association of Nigeria, said, “Christians who are direct victims of banditry and insurgency in Kaduna state are fed up with the inability of the Nigerian government to find a lasting solution to the incessant killings of innocent Christians.” Terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province, and Islamic Fulani militants have caused countless atrocities throughout northern Nigeria in the last decade, causing the deaths and kidnappings of thousands. According to Open Doors, Nigeria is the sixth most dangerous country worldwide in which to be a Christian. Revelation 6:9-10 says, “When [Jesus] opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until You judge the inhabitants of the Earth and avenge our blood?’” More Chinese illegals caught at border in 2 days than all of 2021 More Chinese-based illegal immigrants were encountered at the U.S. southern border in just two days than in all of fiscal year 2021, reports WorldNetDaily.com. According to what a Customs and Border Protection source told Fox News’ Bill Melugin, there were approximately 262 Chinese illegals caught by Border Patrol at the San Diego sector on May 1, as well as 223 on May 2. By contrast, only 323 Chinese nationals were apprehended by Border Patrol at the southern border throughout all of fiscal year 2021, according to Customs and Border Protection data. IRS about to roll out new audits The Internal Revenue Service says it is about to ramp up audits as it cracks down on tax cheats and seeks to deliver more revenue into the U.S. Treasury's coffers, reports Yahoo Finance. But not every group of taxpayers will face more scrutiny, according to IRS commissioner Danny Werfel. The IRS has been bolstered by $80 billion in new funding directed by the Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law in 2022 by President Joe Biden. The idea behind the new funding was to help revive an agency whose ranks have been depleted over the years, leading to customer service snarls, processing delays, and a falloff in audit rates. Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs repeals state’s near-total abortion ban Last Thursday, Arizona Democrat Governor Katie Hobbs signed into law a formal repeal of the state’s near-total abortion ban, undoing one of the strongest preborn protections in the country with the help of a handful of Republicans, reports LifeSiteNews.com. Last month, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled 4-2 that the law, which dates back to before Arizona gained statehood in 1912 and was codified in 1913, was legally enforceable after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. The Arizona Supreme Court rejected claims that Arizona’s more recent 15-week abortion ban was intended to invalidate it. The decision meant that abortion was set to become illegal in the Grand Canyon State for any reason except when allegedly “necessary” to save the life of the mother. Direct abortion is always gravely immoral and never needed nor ethically justified to save a mother’s life. Hobbs and Arizona’s Democrat Attorney General Kris Mayes vowed not to enforce any of the state’s abortion restrictions, while the ruling elicited national outrage from the abortion lobby as well as criticism from Republicans who feared it might impact their political popularity. The members of the GOP who downplayed the Arizona pro-life law including former President Donald Trump, U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake, and Fox News primetime personality Sean Hannity. But Abby Johnson, who has had two previous abortions which she regrets and was featured in the movie “Unplanned,” said, “I’m a conservative Christian and millions like me across the country are frustrated with this.” She said it sounds like Trump “just doesn’t want to ban abortion at all,” since he opposes both federal limits and state laws. Pastor Jack Graham affirms a Biblical worldview And finally, in an interview with The Christian Post, Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, said a Biblical worldview is the foundation for the Christian. GRAHAM: “We talk a lot about Biblical worldview. At one point, we talked about liberal/conservative or conservative/progressive. But what we talk about is worldview. How do you the world? Do you view the world through the lens of Scripture? Or do you view the Scripture  through the lens of the world?  And, of course, we choose to view the world through God’s Word. “When you do that, the Bible applies to every life situation. Obviously, the family is the foundation of civilization, as God made it. People want to know what the Bible says to my family, to my children, how do I raise my kids?’” Out of concern for the faithfulness of the next generations, Graham believes that the church must equip young people with Biblical answers to the world’s toughest questions. GRAHAM: “We're seeing young people grow up in church and then potentially abandon their faith. So, what we want to do is to do ‘preventative medicine.’ “We have a gentleman in our church, Dr. Kenneth Cooper, who is ‘the father of aerobics’ and the father of Preventative Medicine, healthwise, physically.  I believe the church, right now, needs to be on the cutting edge of preventative work in terms of our children, preparing them to answer the big questions that are coming their way. And to equip parents to be able to answer their children's questions so that when their children leave home, they'll have a faith to live by and not to abandon.” Because the Word of God is authoritative, the church should not cave to the world’s embrace of the acceptability of sexual perversion. GRAHAM: "The Bible is clear on 'male and female, He created them.' So, we are not going to be flying rainbow flags in the church that’s reaching families for Christ because it is in opposition to the Bible.” Proverbs 30:5 declares, “Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Monday, May 6th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Friday, May 3rd, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Open Doors ministers to Ethiopian woman who lost everything Desta Alemu knows what it’s like to be hated and cast out for her faith in Jesus. After all, she has the ashes of her burned home and business to prove it. She and her family were caught up in violence in their community in Ethiopia. She said, “When we left our home, it was very difficult. We couldn’t even find a way to get out; we hid in a neighbor’s house three houses down. I can’t explain the pain and worry I felt in the chaos. Our possessions were destroyed; we lost everything.” Thankfully, Open Doors was able to help her with both immediate needs—and long-term trauma care. Desta explained, “Because I came [to the trauma care seminar], countless things have changed in me. I’ve learned about humility, and how Jesus was also persecuted. … Jesus was also hated, and He was also cast out.” In John 15:18-19, Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” Open Doors lists Ethiopia as the 32nd most dangerous country worldwide in which to be a Christian. Chinese Bible distributor sentenced to 5 years in prison In April 2021, Chinese authorities arrested 10 Christians for selling and distributing Bibles in Hohhot, the capital city of Inner Mongolia — an autonomous region in northern China. Just last month, a judge sentenced one of these believers to prison. On April 15, 2024, Ban Yanhong was sentenced to five years in prison for “illegal business operations.” That’s how the Communist government describes the distribution of Bibles to Christians in Inner Mongolia. Originally, the 10 Hohhot Christians purchased the Bibles legally from a church in Nanjing associated with the Three-Self Patriotic Movement. These churches are the only legal churches in China and are controlled by the Communist government. In Ban’s case, prosecutors argued that even though the Bibles were initially purchased legally in Nanjing, selling and distributing them in Inner Mongolia by unregistered house church members was illegal. Supreme Court agrees with Texas’ age requirement for porn Great news! The United States Supreme Court has rejected a request to block enforcement of a Texas law that requires porn sites to verify the age of its users. This will ensure that far fewer minors will have access to these ungodly images. In a one-sentence miscellaneous order released Tuesday that included no dissents, the Supreme Court declined to issue a stay in the case of Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton. This allows a ruling from a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit that upheld the age verification law to remain in effect. Last June, Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1181, which requires porn sites to verify a user's age. Any company found violating the requirement faces a fine of as much as $10,000 per day. Additionally, a porn company can be fined $250,000 if a minor sees explicit content because their age was not properly verified. Second Boeing whistleblower died unexpectedly A second Boeing whistleblower has died unexpectedly as the company faces scrutiny over safety failures on its passenger jets, reports Fox News. Joshua Dean, a quality inspector for the Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, died this week after a surprise infection left him in critical condition for days. The cause was MRSA, an antibiotic-resistant staph infection, according to what his aunt Carol Parsons told the Seattle Times, which first reported the death. The 44-year-old lost his job in 2023 and filed a retaliation complaint with federal labor officials, alleging that he was only fired for speaking out. Dean had been deposed in connection with a shareholder lawsuit and had reported dangerous faults in components of Boeing’s 737 MAX plane — a model linked to a number of catastrophes in recent years. John Barnett, age 62, is the other Boeing whistleblower.  He had sued Boeing, claiming that he had been retaliated against, harassed, and spied on by the company. He never showed up for his second day of depositions. Barnett was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on March 9 outside his Charleston, South Carolina hotel the day after he gave a deposition in connection with his own retaliation lawsuit. “Unsung Hero” is a must-see Christian movie And finally, Joel and Luke Smallbone, the Australian duo that make up the Grammy Award-winning group for King and Country, and their older sister, artist Rebecca St. James, are widely known in music circles. But their family’s backstory — and unlikely rise to fame — hasn’t been told in-depth and in all its glorious messiness, until now.  The Christian movie, “Unsung Hero,” explores the remarkable journey of the Smallbone family as they relocate from Australia to America in search of new beginnings, reports The Christian Post. After the collapse of his music business, David Smallbone, portrayed by a bespectacled Joel Smallbone, finds himself in a challenging position. Together with his pregnant wife, Helen, the “unsung hero” portrayed by Daisy Betts and their six children, they embark on a transcontinental journey, armed with little more than their luggage and a steadfast belief in their musical dreams. The company behind it also released “Jesus Revolution,” “I Can Only Imagine” and “Ordinary Angels.” A wholesome, faith-based film, “Unsung Hero” focuses largely on the power of prayer. In Philippians 4:6, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” “Unsung Hero” also underscores the necessity of a vibrant church community, and the importance of family sticking together against all odds.  James Smallbone, David’s father, reminds his son, “Your family isn’t in the way, they are the way.” I saw it with my bride, Amy, and our three children Tuesday night.  It is terrific and very moving. I urge you to get your tickets ASAP since it will only be in the theaters through Wednesday, May 8th. Watch the trailer through a special link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com and visit the website, UnsungHero.movie. Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Friday, May 3rd in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Thursday, May 2nd, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark May 2, 2024 is National Day of Prayer Today is the National Day of Prayer as designated by the U.S. Congress. Global Christian Relief is calling on Christians to pray for their persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. Hundreds of millions of believers still face attacks, arrests, and imprisonment for their faith. The Christian aid group is hosting a Facebook livestream prayer event today and sharing a free prayer guide. Both are linked in our transcript today at TheWorldview.com.  Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.” 10 million babies killed in United Kingdom The U.K. Abortion Act went into effect on April 27, 1968. Since then, over ten million unborn babies have been killed through abortion in England, Scotland, and Wales.  Abortions have risen in England and Wales, in particular, since the introduction of ‘DIY’ home abortions in 2020. Pro-life Kansas legislature overrides Democrat Governor’s vetoes In the United States, Kansas lawmakers overrode Democrat Governor Laura Kelly’s veto of multiple pro-life laws on Monday. The bills expand tax credits for adoption and pregnancy centers and continue $2 million in funding for pro-life centers. One of the bills makes it a felony to use physical or financial threats to coerce a woman into getting an abortion. However, state lawmakers failed to override the governor’s veto of a transgender-related bill. The measure would ban mutilating drugs and surgeries for minors. Marjorie Taylor Greene vs. House Speaker Mike Johnson U.S. House lawmakers are trying to oust the Speaker of the House again. Yesterday, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia announced she will force a vote to remove Republican Speaker Mike Johnson next week. Greene criticized Johnson for supporting Ukraine funding and U.S. surveillance programs. Only one other House Republican supports the ouster. And Democrats said they would not vote Johnson out presently. Anti-Israel college protests vs. Liberty University’s pursuit of God Last month, student protests broke out at campuses around the country in support of Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war. Authorities have arrested protestors at over 20 colleges. New York police arrested nearly 300 people alone this week, including over 100 at Columbia University. The academic lawn of the largest Christian university in the U.S. made for a contrasting view last week. Students at Liberty University gathered to worship, sing, and hear the Word of God. Jonathan Falwell, the university’s chancellor, wrote, “While so many college campuses are erupting in anger, hatred and violence; it is refreshing to see Liberty University students worship King Jesus.” United Methodist Church affirms sexual perversion On Tuesday, the United Methodist Church voted in favor of sexually perverted lifestyles.  The denomination no longer prohibits funding for groups that promote such lifestyles. They will also consider homosexuals for ministry and allow ministers to perform homosexual ceremonies. The United Methodist Church has faced division over these issues for years. Between 2019 and 2023, over 7,000 congregations left the denomination. Many joined theologically conservative denomination called the Global Methodist Church. 130 tornadoes hit Midwest Over 130 tornadoes tore across the Midwest last week, killing at least five people. Nebraska’s National Weather Service in Omaha issued 48 tornado warnings in one day alone.  One Nebraska man, Nate Hutchison, survived an EF-3 tornado that tore through an industrial building in Lincoln. He told KLKN-TV he prayed to God as he and 70 others hunkered down. HUTCHISON: “There's nothing I can do right now, except literally pray to God that I don't die, because I'm not in control of anything at this point. It's just literally hopefully I just don't get crushed.” Anniversary of Athanasius And finally, today marks the anniversary of the death of Athanasius in the year A.D. 373. Athanasius of Alexandria was an early church theologian. He is known for his stand for biblical teaching on the divinity of Christ.  The church’s first ecumenical Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325 affirmed this teaching. Many church leaders and emperors would continue to embrace Arianism which taught that Jesus was not eternally divine. However, Athanasius stood for the truth, risking his life many times. For this reason the epitaph on his grave is said to have read, “Athanasius contra mundum,” meaning “Athanasius against the world.” John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, May 2nd in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.  

It’s Wednesday, May 1st, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Swiss abandon Christ The population of Switzerland is moving away from Christianity, despite the country once being at the center of the Protestant Reformation, led by Ulrich Zwingli. Three quarters of the Swiss live in cities. Of those, nearly one in three say they do not belong to any religion. The mainline Protestant church makes up only 19% of the city population, down from 49% in 1970. Roman Catholicism makes up 31%, down from 45%. And Islam has remained stable at 6%. Texas teacher ordered not to pray International Christian Concern warns that persecution is cropping up in America and the West, not just in other parts of the world. Just one example is the case of Staci Barber. She is a Texas school teacher who has been silenced for her faith after praying with other teachers at a school flagpole. She has been ordered not to pray.  Jeff King, President of International Christian Concern, told The Christian Post, “Basically, we are frogs in the kettle, and the bubbles keep coming up under us. ... People learn that you do not stick your head up, and you start being quiet because ‘the process’ is the punishment. ... We desperately need revival, and that all starts with us personally looking to the Lord.” Zechariah 1:3 says, “Return to Me, says the LORD of hosts, and I will return to you.” 5 GOP states won’t comply with Biden’s transgender executive order Five Republican states are suing the Biden administration in a transgender case. The administration is trying to expand a federal civil rights law to include protection for students living sexually perverted lifestyles in public schools. Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott told the Texas Education Agency to ignore the new federal rule. He wrote to President Joe Biden, “This ham-handed effort to impose a leftist belief onto Title IX exceeds your authority as president.” Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis also pushed back, saying, “Florida rejects Joe Biden’s attempt to rewrite Title IX. We will not comply, and we will fight back.” Florida’s Heartbeat Law protects unborn babies at 6 weeks Meanwhile, a new Heartbeat Law goes into effect in the Sunshine State today. The law bans the killing of unborn babies with detectable heartbeats but with some exceptions. The law goes into effect after the Florida Supreme Court upheld it last month. The court also upheld a 15-week abortion ban. Once a destination in the southeast for abortion, Florida may see thousands of fewer abortions due to the Heartbeat Law. FCC fines AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon for privacy breach The Federal Communications Commission is fining big wireless companies for sharing customer data without consent. AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon face nearly $200 million in fines. Jessica Rosenworcel with the FCC said, “These carriers failed to protect the information entrusted to them. Here, we are talking about some of the most sensitive data in their possession: customers’ real-time location information, revealing where they go and who they are.” People concerned with crime despite drop in crime U.S. adults are becoming more concerned about crime. However, Pew Research reports crime rates are falling. Based on data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, violent crime fell 46% between 1993 and 2022. Property crime fell by 59%.  The Bureau of Justice Statistics records even steeper declines with violent and property crime falling 71% over the same period. Meanwhile, 77% of Americans think crime is up nationally compared to 47% in 2000. And 55% think crime is up in their area compared to 34% in 2000. 10 perspectives that conflict with Biblical worldview Dr. George Barna released another survey on worldview in America. He identified 10 of the most common perspectives widely embraced by adults that conflict with a Biblical worldview. These views were influenced by other worldviews like secular humanism, pantheism, animism, Mormonism, and Judaism. One of the top beliefs was that married couples can be bonded to each other for eternity. Other top beliefs were that people are born neither good nor bad and that morality is determined by our own reason and emotions. In Ephesians 4:14-15, the Apostle Paul encourages us to “no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ.” Unique nova explosion in the skies set for August And finally, NASA reports yet another once-in-a-lifetime cosmic event will be visible this year. Sometime before September, scientists are expecting a nova explosion in a star system about 3,000 light years from Earth. The stellar explosion results from the interaction between a massive star, known as a red giant, and a white dwarf—a star about the size of Earth. This particular nova happens about every 80 years and will likely be visible to the unaided eye. Close And that's The World View in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, May 1st in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldView.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Tuesday, April 30th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus.  (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson TikTok bans around the globe TikTok bans are spreading. India banned the app in 2020. Nepal did so last November as well as Afghanistan and Iran among others. As of last week, the U.S. government moved to ban TikTok within a year unless the app is sold. America has the most TikTok users of any country in the world — estimated to be between 135 and 170 million users.  Trump beating Biden in polls – especially with third party candidates CNN is reporting that Donald Trump is well ahead in the 2024 presidential race. The news agency’s recent poll puts the former president ahead 49%-43%.  When third party candidates -- like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., People’s Party Cornel West, and Libertarian Dr. Jill Stein -- are put into the mix, Trump is ahead 42% to 33%.  Kennedy is at 16%, West is at 4%, and Stein is at 3%. The same CNN poll found that only 39% of voters see the Biden presidency as a success, while 55% consider the previous Trump presidency a success. American taxpayers send billions to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan Another $61 billion has been assigned in the recent U.S. spending bill for the Ukrainian war against Russia. Thus far, the U.S. has underwritten $72 billion in Ukrainian aid. In addition, the European Union has spent about $107 billion on the war over the last two years. That accounts for about 30 times Ukraine’s annual military budget. Israel is also slated to receive $14 billion of the package — a sizable increase from the average of $4 billion per year given to Israel over the last 20 years. Israel’s military budget has averaged around $23 billion per year.   The $95 billion foreign aid package, signed by President Biden last week, represents a sizable increase from the $45 billion of foreign aid handed out in 2020. The package is intended to support American allies of Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel against Russia, China, and Hamas. Taylor Swift’s new album: explicit, blasphemous, and anti-Christian In pop culture news, Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poet’s Department album made almost a billion album streams last week, breaking all previous records. That included almost two million vinyl, cassettes, and CD sales. Adele still holds the top spot for most records sold in one week. However, six out of the top fifteen album sales of all time belong to Taylor Swift. The Christian Post notes that 11 of the 31 songs contain an "E" under the album's description listing, which stands for "explicit." Shane Pruitt, the Southern Baptist Next Gen director, was upset that Swift mocks God and Christians. He asked, "As Christians, who are filled with the Spirit, should we be entertained by, sing with, and expose our kids to lyrics that aren't just different than what you believe, but are actually mocking what you believe?" Southern Baptist pastors more conservative than laity There is a major disconnect between Southern Baptist pastors and the laity. That’s the conclusion of a Lifeway survey conducted earlier this year.   In fact, 62% of key leaders believe America has become a secular nation, but only 11% of the laity hold that position. In addition, 80% of the leaders surveyed consider themselves conservative, while only 56% of the church attendees would claim the label. And seven times the percentage of the laity would call themselves liberal, as compared to the Southern Baptist pastors.  Catholic and Mainline Protestant pastors more liberal than laity By contrast, research has found that Catholics and mainline Protestant denominations show an opposite trend. For example, 49% of Catholic laity voted for Donald Trump in the 2016 elections, while only 24% of Catholic clergy voted for the Republican candidate. About the same ratios applied to mainline Protestants. Plummeting U.S. fertility rate America’s fertility rate fell once more in 2023. It’s now well below the replacement rate at 1.62 children per woman in this country, according to the Centers for Disease Control.  That’s the lowest level in U.S. history. Not surprisingly, states with slightly higher birth rates are Republican — North Dakota, Nebraska, Louisiana, Utah, and Texas. Lowest birth rates occur in Democrat-controlled states, reports LifeSiteNews.com. We are warned in Deuteronomy 28:15, 18-19 -- “But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all His commandments and His statutes. … Cursed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out.” Guiness World Record-setting pastor for serving 74 years A pastor who held the Guiness Book of World Records for pastoring in the same church the longest has died at 94 years of age.   Since the year 1950, Pastor D.N. Benford Sr. served almost 74 years at Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church in Texas City, Texas. Chuck Norris honors his 103-year-old mother And finally, actor and martial arts expert Chuck Norris shared a tribute to his 103-year-old mother this week on WorldNetDaily.com.   She raised three boys as a single mom, and prayed for Chuck his whole life — especially that he wouldn’t lose his soul to Hollywood. Wilma Norris Knights’ best advice to her son and the rest of us is: “Don’t be surprised by fiery trials.  Don’t worry. Trust God.  Live within your means.  And seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”  That’s Matthew 6:33. Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Tuesday, April 30th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.  

It’s Monday, April 29th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Nigerian Muslims kill 3 Christians in Benue State Fulani Muslim herdsmen killed three Christians last week in Benue State, Nigeria, reports Morning Star News. Alfred Omakwu, a local city councilman, said the herdsmen killed one Christian on April 20th in Otukpo County, after killing two other believers on April 18th in the Entepka District. Andrew Mamedu, country director of Action Aid, an international humanitarian organization, said that the incessant attacks on Christians in Benue State, Nigeria have displaced 1.4 million people. He said, “With what is happening in Benue state, people may not have villages to retire to when they grow old. If we fail to act now, I am afraid that by 2030 we would have lost a generation, and it may take 50 years to recover from it.” According to Open Doors, Nigeria is the sixth most dangerous country worldwide in which to be a Christian. Stabbed Orthodox bishop denounces Australian censorship Assyrian Orthodox Bishop Mar Emmanuel,  who was stabbed whle preaching on April 15th in Sydney Australia by a 15-year-old Muslim young man who yelled “Allah Akbar,” has joined his voice with Elon Musk in demanding that the video of the attack be kept online, reports LifeSiteNews.com. On April 22, an Australian federal court ordered X, formerly Twitter, to remove all posts that contained the viral video of the Islamic attack on the Orthodox bishop, granting the request of Australia eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, who had demanded that the video be taken down worldwide. On Wednesday, the injunction against showing the video was extended by Justice Geoffrey Kennett until May 10 when a final hearing will be held to determine whether the content can be prohibited permanently worldwide. Musk has taken issue with the injunction, although following it temporarily. According to the tech giant, the Australian regulator had demanded that X “globally withhold these posts or face a daily fine of $785,000.” On Tuesday, Musk addressed the overreach of the Australian government and claims that the video was somehow “misinformation.”   He said, “The Australian people want the truth.  X is the only one standing up for their rights. Our concern is that if ANY country is allowed to censor content for ALL countries, which is what the Australian ‘eSafety Commissar’ is demanding, then what is to stop any country from controlling the entire internet? We have already censored the content in question for Australia, pending legal appeal, and it is stored only on servers in the USA.” Rumble CEO Chris Pavlovski said he “stands united” with Musk and X in the fight against the Australian censorship of the video. Biden poked fun at Trump Appearing at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, President Joe Biden addressed his age and made Donald Trump, his Republican presidential opponent, the target of a number of his jokes, reports CNN. BIDEN: “The 2024 election is in full swing. And yes, age is an issue. I'm a grown man running against the six-year-old. “I really feel great. I'm campaigning all over the country, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina. I've always done well in the original 13 colonies. “Age is the only thing we have in common. My Vice President actually endorses me.” (cheers) Saturday Night Live comedian roasted Biden and media Colin Jost, the co-host of “Weekend Update” on NBC’s Saturday Night Live and the headliner for the event, took aim at President Biden in a couple of his jokes. JOST:  “I was excited to be up here on stage with President Biden tonight, mostly to see if I could figure out where Obama was pulling the strings from.  (laughter) “I have to admit it's not easy following President Biden. I mean, it's not always easy following what he's saying, like. (laughter) “My Weekend Update co-anchor, Michael Che, was going to join me here tonight. But, in solidarity with President Biden, I decided to lose all my Black support.” (laughs and jeers) And Jost made fun of the White House correspondents, most of whom seem more committed to liberal ideology than a balanced pursuit of the truth. JOST: “Like many of you here tonight, I pretend to do news on TV.” (laughter and jeers) Pro-Life Democrat runs ‘graphic’ abortion ad during ‘Today’ show Last Wednesday, a pro-life Democrat running for president aired an eye-opening ad on national television exposing NBC’s “Today” show viewers to the horrors of late-term abortion. Terrisa Bukovinac, president and founder of Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising, confirmed Wednesday via X that her ad, which included disturbing footage of late-term aborted infants, aired on NBC, reaching seven million people. (You can see it for yourself through a special link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com.) Listen to the audio. BUKOVINAC: “I'm a secular progressive activist. Last year, I recovered the remains of these five babies from an all-term abortion center in Washington, DC. These are the faces of a genocide supported by Joe Biden and my own Democratic Party. “We can provide for the working class and resist this extremism. I am challenging you to never vote for a pro-choice Democrat again. I'm Terrisa Bukovinac, pro-life Democrat running for President of the United States. And I approved this message.” Psalm 127:3 says, “Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from Him.” Bukovanic, a self-described atheist, told The Christian Post that she never intended to win the Democratic presidential nomination. Rather, she launched her long-shot bid so she would have a platform to expose the evils of abortion to her fellow liberals. Comedian Russell Brand got baptized And finally, actor and comedian Russell Brand announced on April 26th that he planned to get baptized as a Christian on April 29th, reports Fox News Digital. BRAND: “This Sunday, I'm taking the plunge. I'm getting baptized, an opportunity to leave the past behind and be reborn in Christ's name, like it says in Galatians. “I know a lot of people are sort of cynical about the increasing interest in Christianity, and the return to God. But, to me, it’s obvious. As meaning deteriorates in the modern world, as our value systems and institutions crumble, all of us become increasingly aware that there is this eerily familiar awakening and beckoning figure that we've all known all of our lives. … For me, it's very exciting.” Galatians 3:26 says, “So, in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Monday, April 29th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Friday, April 26th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Muslims set fire to Christians’ homes in Egypt On Tuesday, April 23rd at 11:00 p.m., Islamic extremists set fire to several homes and shops owned by Coptic Orthodox Christians in Egypt’s Minya Governorate, reports International Christian Concern. Shockingly, as the flames grew, the Muslims attempted to prevent the Christians from leaving their burning homes.  Extremists later shared a video on social media showing Coptic homes on fire as a song, praising the attack, played in the background. The attack occurred after word spread that residents of the village, which is home to 3,000 Christian families, had obtained a permit to construct a church building. Some associated with the church received threats after the building permit was issued. Despite promises of safety from security forces, the cries of help from the archbishop and the local Coptic community went unanswered as the attack unfolded. Security forces arrived only after the attack, leaving a yet unknown number of Christians to perish in their burning homes.  According to Open Doors, Egypt is the 38th most dangerous country worldwide in which to be a Christian. America to militarily withdraw from Niger, Africa Niger, Africa has demanded that the United States militarily withdraw from the country, reports CNN. In response, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell met with Niger’s Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine on Friday to put those plans in motion. The major drawdown will significantly impact the U.S. troop presence on the continent of Africa. The move comes amid serious U.S. concerns about the country’s deepening relationships with Russia and Iran. Haitian Prime Minister resigns Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned on Thursday as a new council was sworn in to lead the country gripped by deadly gang violence, reports the BBC. He agreed to step down last month after armed groups blocked his return to Haiti. Gangs now control most of Port-au-Prince, the capital. Teen suspended for “Only Two Genders” t-shirt A Catholic teenager has been suspended from his Ontario public high school for wearing a sweatshirt that said, “There are only two genders,” reports LifeSiteNews.com. Malachy O’Kane, age 16, was suspended on April 18, the second day he decided to wear his gender critical shirt to the Granite Ridge Education Centre in Sharbot Lake, a village near Kingston, Ontario. He was excluded from school for six days, beginning Friday, April 19. O’Kane was first told to remove his shirt by the school’s vice-principal, Wojtek Czermak, after the teenager was called out of his classroom about 30 minutes after the school day began. When the student asked what the problem was, a school counselor said, “It’s considered hate speech.” In Genesis 1:27, the Bible says, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Harvey Weinstein’s rape conviction is overturned Yesterday, New York’s highest court threw out Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction because the trial judge unfairly allowed testimony against Weinstein based on allegations that were not part of the case, reports The Associated Press. The ruling shocked and disappointed women who celebrated historic gains during the #MeToo era and left those who testified in the case bracing for a retrial against the ex-movie mogul. Weinstein, age 72, will remain in prison because he was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 of another rape. But the New York ruling reopens a painful chapter in America’s reckoning with sexual misconduct by powerful figures — an era that began in 2017 with a flood of allegations against Weinstein. Youth need (1) the truth and (2) connection to intergenerational relationships John Stonestreet, president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, warned an audience that young people today are "untethered" from the truth and disconnected from meaning and purpose, reports The Christian Post. Last month at City Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, he said, “Students today, just quite simply, need two things. They need, first of all, to hear the truth. … We live in a world that's detached itself from the source [of truth]." Stonestreet quoted a British survey conducted over a decade, which found that initially, 13 years ago, 90% of young people, aged 18-28, believed that life had meaning. However, when the same question was asked 10 years later, only 10% of respondents reportedly felt that life had meaning. He said, "There's never been a generation so untethered from God. Even in generations past, when we fooled around with ideas about whether God exists or not, we still lived in a culture where family was the norm and largely stable.” According to Stonestreet, the solution is the reintroduction of truth through intergenerational relationships and mentoring. God’s meteor shower And finally, every year from April 15 to April 29, dozens of shooting stars streak through the sky in this spectacular show from God, reports Business Insider. The Lyrid meteor shower is in full swing this week. Unfortunately, the bright supermoon could make it harder to see it. The meteor shower was most active from Sunday night to Monday morning, but it will remain visible for the next week. In the Northern Hemisphere, the best time to see the Lyrids is during the early morning hours after the moon sets and before the sun rises. Psalm 19:1 declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Friday, April 26th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Thursday, April 25th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark How Indian Hindus are endangering Christians in Nepal International Christian Concern reports that Christians are facing more persecution in the Hindu-majority nation of Nepal. The increased persecution appears to be bleeding over the border from India where Christians face high levels of persecution.  Hindu nationalists in India are now sending funds into Nepal, leading to more violence against Christians.  This has only made the work of Christian evangelism more dangerous across the country.  Argentina celebrates Evangelicals Last week, Argentina’s Senate approved a law to make October 31 a National Day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches. The South American country is about 15% Evangelical and has over 25,000 Protestant churches. Christian Hooft is the President of the Christian Alliance of Evangelical Churches of the Republic of Argentina. He said, “To declare October 31 as the 'National Day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches' is to recognize the importance of this religious tradition in Argentinian history and society.” On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Catholic church in Wittenberg, Germany, objecting to the 95 ways the Catholic church had strayed from Biblical teaching. That was a milestone moment that marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. 67% of Christians live in South America, Africa and Asia The Global Christian Forum held its fourth gathering in Ghana, West Africa last week with hundreds of participants from 60 countries. The conference noted the geographical shift in the center of Christianity. In 1900, 82% of Christians lived in the Global North across countries in North America and Europe. Now, 67% of Christians live in the Global South across countries in South America, Africa, and Asia. Plus, 44% of Protestants now hail from Africa. Psalm 22:27-28 says, “All the ends of the Earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For kingship belongs to the LORD, and He rules over the nations.” Biden signed $95 billion foreign aid bill In the United States, the Senate passed a $95 billion foreign aid bill yesterday. President Joe Biden signed it within hours of passing. The package gives $60 billion to Ukraine, $26 billion to Israel, and $8 billion to U.S. partners in the Indo-Pacific like Taiwan. The legislation also moved to ban TikTok, a social media app owned by a Chinese parent company. The United States is giving the company a year to sell the app or it will be banned in America. Supreme Court hears another abortion case Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in an another abortion case. The Biden administration is challenging Idaho’s law banning nearly all abortions. The administration is trying to argue that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act allows abortions in medical emergencies. However, justices appeared skeptical that state abortion bans violate the federal law. A decision is expected in June. More Americans cannot retire A new survey from the American Association of Retired Persons found about a quarter of U.S. adults do not think they will be able to retire. Many older Americans are staying in the work force due to a lack of retirement savings.  AARP noted, “Everyday expenses continue to be the top barrier to saving more for retirement, and some older Americans say that they never expect to retire.” Proverbs 23:5 says of toiling for wealth, “When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward Heaven.” Tennessee Governor bans discriminatory de-banking Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Lee signed a bill recently to ban discriminatory de-banking. The law prohibits major banks and insurance companies from closing someone’s account simply for their political or religious views. Tennessee State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson said, “We will not allow big corporate banks to … discriminate against consumers for their religious or political views. This troubling trend will not be tolerated in Tennessee.” House Majority Leader gives glory to God And finally, the U.S. House Majority Leader gave glory to God in a recent interview. Steve Scalise, the Republican Congressional leader from Louisiana, returned to the House in February after battling blood cancer. During a Tuesday interview on EWTN News Nightly, he said the cancer is in remission. SCALISE: “For so many people that are watching that said prayers and offered just true, genuine support, I can't thank everybody enough. Because you feel that, you know, when you're going through things and, thank God, you know, God performed a lot of miracles and answered a lot of prayers.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, April 25th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Wednesday, April 24th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark Sudanese Muslim militants have damaged 150 churches Last April, a civil war broke out between factions in Sudan’s military government.  The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom reports the conflict has damaged or destroyed over 150 church buildings. Combatants are targeting houses of worship and religious leaders. Pastors and congregants have faced threats over their faith and even death. Evangelical Pastor Kowa Shamal noted that both military factions dislike Christians. Combatants threatened the pastor and even killed his nephew. Shamal recounted, “[My nephew] refused to remove the cross he wore around his neck, so the [fighters] killed him.” Revelation 2:10 says, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested. …  Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” According to Open Doors, Sudan, Africa is the eighth most dangerous country worldwide in which to be a Christian. Scotland no longer gives puberty blockers to gender-confused kids Scotland is halting new prescriptions of puberty blockers for children with gender confusion. The move comes after England’s National Health Service released a report it commissioned on the issue. The report found that medical evidence surrounding so-called transgender treatments for children is “remarkably weak.”  England already halted new prescriptions of transgender drugs for children last month. Belgium and the Netherlands are also questioning the use of the drugs following England’s report. Scottish buffer zone around abortion mills Speaking of Scotland, the country is considering a bill to create buffer zones around abortion mills. Pro-life advocates who try to persuade abortion-minded women not to kill their babies would face hefty fines. A Scottish Parliament consultation on the issue received nearly 6,000 submissions from the public. Seventy-seven percent of submissions disagreed with the buffer zone, and only 22% agreed. Catherine Robinson with Right To Life UK warned, “This Committee has totally ignored the overwhelming opposition to this bill and instead is supporting the introduction of the world’s most extreme [abortion clinic] buffer zone law in Scotland.” California Governor wants to kill more babies In the U.S., California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing for more abortions. Arizona’s Supreme Court upheld a near total abortion ban earlier this month. In response, Newsom proposed legislation allowing Arizona abortionists to come into California to kill more unborn babies. On Monday, a day after Newsom’s proposal, thousands of people joined the fourth annual March for Life California in Sacramento.  Biden includes sexual preference and gender identity under Title IX Last Friday, the Biden administration announced changes to Title IX. The 1972 civil rights law protects people from discrimination based on their sex. The new rule requires schools to protect children from sex discrimination. And it expands the meaning of sex discrimination to include discrimination based on so-called “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” The new protection for students living sexually perverted lifestyles goes into effect in August.  Isaiah 10:1-2 says, “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, who write misfortune, which they have prescribed to rob the needy of justice, and to take what is right from the poor of My people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless.” Trump stands with House Speaker Johnson Former President Donald Trump issued support for Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson this week. This comes after several Republicans in the House called on Johnson to resign for supporting a $1.2 trillion spending bill.  On Monday, Trump supported Johnson during an interview with radio host John Fredericks. Listen. TRUMP: “We have a majority of one. Okay? So, it's not like he can go and do whatever he wants to do. I think he's a very good person. It's a tough situation when you have one [person in the GOP Majority]. I think he's a very good man. I think he's trying very hard. And again, we've got to have a big election.” Florida greenlights volunteer school chaplains Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 931 into law last week. Now, schools in the state can have volunteer chaplains.  DeSANTIS: “It's totally voluntary for a parent or a student to participate. No one's being forced to do anything. But to exclude religious groups from campus, that is discrimination. You're basically saying that God has no place. That's wrong. That's not what our Founding Fathers intended!” Texas authorized a similar chaplain program last year. Spiritual State of Nation survey And finally, Coral Ridge Ministries released its 2024 Spiritual State of the Nation Survey last week.  The survey of hundreds of evangelical Americans showed broad support for religious liberty and human life. When asked about the three most critical issues facing the new Congress and presidential administration, 56% of respondents included immigration. Other issues were America’s sovereignty at 33%, abortion at 32%, federal spending at 30%, and religious freedom at 24%. Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, April 24th in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Tuesday, April 23rd, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Hinduism threatens Christians in Nepal Hindu nationalism is spreading into Nepal, threatening Christians in that country.   International Christian Concern reports that protesters demanding a Hindu state, marched on the parliament building in Kathmandu last week. The protest turned violent after participants clashed with police. Ethiopia bans imported non-electric vehicles Ethiopia has become the first nation in the world to ban the import of non-electric vehicles. However, most Ethiopians cannot afford the $25,000 price tag for a Chinese-manufactured electric vehicle. Kenya reduced accessibility to fuel, electricity, and fertilizer Kenyan President William Ruto has also recently reduced accessibility of fertilizer, fuel, and electricity in his country in an attempt to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, reports The Epoch Times. Christian economists, like Calvin Beisner of the Cornwall Alliance, are concerned that reducing access to fossil fuels and fertilizer will seriously hamstring Africa’s economic progress in the future. Beisner considers “the most harmful policy” is that the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the U.S. Agency for International Development are “refus[ing] to do loans or other funding for coal, natural gas, or oil-based electric generating stations in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia and Latin America.” Capitol Bible Reading Marathon begins The Washington D.C. Capitol Bible Reading program kicks off this week. The 5-day marathon takes place in seven other state capitols around the nation. According to the program’s website, the stated goal of the ministry is to “exhort our nation to return to God's precepts. It is our desire to publicly read God’s Holy Word on the steps of the national and state Capitols, every year, for ninety consecutive hours.” Deuteronomy 17:18-20 requires that each king ruling Israel would “write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites.  And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes.” Japan, Singapore and America guilty of growing debt the most The nations with the largest increases in government debt as a percentage of the economy since 2010 are Japan, Singapore, and the United States, in that order. Singapore’s debt-to-Gross Domestic Product doubled.  Japan’s debt-to-GDP increased by 185%. And the United States’ debt-to-GDP grew by a whopping 226%. Commercial real estate foreclosures up Commercial real estate foreclosures are approaching a 10-year high this spring. California, New York, Florida, Texas, and New Jersey, in particular, are facing accelerating rates in foreclosures. More young women working outside the home A record percentage of young women 25-54 years old, are working outside of the home, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2023, that percentage swelled to a high of 77.8% compared to 89.1% for men. In 1950, the ratio was 34% to 91%. The Christian Science Monitor reports that the main driver of women entering the work force is college-aged women with young children. The ratio of female to male graduate college students has reached 1.5. That’s up from 0.45 in 1970. Anti-Israel protests at top colleges Anti-Israel protests are swarming over America’s elite colleges. Fox News reported student protests on the campuses of Columbia, Yale, NYU, MIT, and Emerson College. In some cases, police had made arrests. Pastor to Tucker Carlson: We need to repent of our sin Conservative commentator Tucker Carlson invited Pastor Douglas Wilson from Moscow, Idaho on to his online platform for an hour-long conversation last week to discuss the subject of Christian Nationalism.   In addition, Wilson explained to Carlson that there is no political solution for the ills that face the United States. Listen. WILSON: “We're in such a mess that there is no political solution. We're beyond hope. The next election, however happy it might make us for 10 minutes, is not going to fix everything.” CARLSON: “That's right.” WILSON: “Our disease is radical and it's spiritual. We've got a radical leprosy. The United States needs to repent of its sin, to use an old-fashioned term. We need to repent of our sins, our arrogance, and turn back to God. That's what is necessary. And we need preachers who are willing to tell them to do that.” Plus, Wilson pointed out that the American system was sustained in the past by “a shared moral consensus.”  But now, he fears, it is devolving into “anarchy and disruption.”  An 8-minute clip of the interview has already collected 7.7 million views. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, the Lord told Solomon, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Tuesday, April 23rd in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It’s Monday, April 22nd, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Bible-tweet case to be heard at Finnish Supreme Court Päivi Räsänen, Finland’s former Minister of Interior and a sitting Finnish parliamentarian, will stand trial for a third time for her Bible-verse tweet, as confirmed by the Supreme Court of Finland, reports Alliance Defending Freedom.   Despite the Christian grandmother of 11 being acquitted unanimously of “hate speech” charges before both the Helsinki District Court, and the Court of Appeal, the State prosecutor appealed the case. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear that appeal on a date to be set in the future. Räsänen stands criminally charged for sharing her Biblically-based views on marriage and sexual ethics, in a 2019 tweet, and in a 2004 pamphlet which she wrote for her church, cantered on Genesis 1:27 which explains that God created men and women.  Commenting on the Supreme Court’s decision, Räsänen said, “This was not just about my opinions, but about everyone’s freedom of expression.” Paul Coleman, Executive Director of ADF International, is supporting Räsänen’s legal defense. He said, “This is a watershed case in the story of Europe’s creeping censorship. In a democratic Western nation in 2024, nobody should be on trial for their faith – yet throughout the prosecution of Päivi Räsänen and Bishop [Juhana] Pohjola, we have seen something akin to a ‘heresy’ trial, where Christians are dragged through court for holding beliefs that differ from the approved orthodoxy of the day.  “The state’s insistence on continuing this prosecution after almost five long years, despite such clear and unanimous rulings from the lower courts, is alarming. The process is the punishment in such instances, resulting in a chill on free speech for all citizens observing.”  House Passes $95 Billion Foreign Aid Package On Saturday, the House of Representatives passed legislation that would give financial assistance to American partners in the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine, and Israel, reports The Epoch Times. This comes as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) faces growing discontent among conservatives, particularly over the billions in funding for Ukraine and its lack of border security measures. The House passed the $61 billion aid package for Ukraine in a 311–112 vote. The $8 billion measure providing for Indo-Pacific and Taiwanese security passed in a 385–34 vote. Another bill funding $26 billion for Israel passed 366–58. JOHNSON: “The world is destabilized and it's a tinderbox. It's a dangerous time. Three of our primary adversaries -- Russia and Iran and China -- are working together and they're being aggressors around the globe. They're a global threat to our prosperity and our security. Their advance threatens the free world and it demands American leadership. If we turn our backs right now, the consequences could be devastating.” Now that it’s been passed by the House, the legislation will go to the Senate as a single package, where it’s expected to easily pass. Former Congresswoman: American Democrats have joined Team Hamas & Iran In an interview on “Understanding the Times with Jan Markell,” former Republican Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann bemoaned the fact that President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and others in American political leadership, have seemingly abandoned Team Israel and joined Team Hamas. BACHMANN: “Now, we're seeing a shift with the White House, with the President and the Vice President, with the leading Jew in the United States, which would be Chuck Schumer, the head of the United States Senate, with our Secretary of State Antony Blinken, with Nancy Pelosi, who is essentially the head of the House of Representatives, as far as the Democrats are concerned. “They all came out one after another, just in this last two weeks, and they've come one by one to condemn Israel, and to tell Israel, ‘You're going to lose this war. You're going to pull back.’ They've gone so far as to embrace and move from Team Israel to Team Hamas. And, what's worse, the Democrat Party has embraced Team Iran!” Congresswoman Bachmann elaborated on Iran’s goal. BACHMANN: “And the goal of Iran is very clear. The Ayatollah – [Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei] -- made it very clear himself when he wrote his book in 2015. He said, ‘If Muslims and Palestinians unite and fight, the Zionist regime will not be in existence in 25 years.’  He wrote that, and he means it. Benjamin Netanyahu said, ‘I believe the sincerity of the Ayatollah,’ knowing that no statement has changed that. “We just saw they were screaming ‘Death to America! Death to Israel!’ They're following Islamic law. They believe that within a very short period of time they will realize their dream of killing every Jew in Israel and taking over the land.” Members of Kennedy Family endorse Biden over Kennedy Some members of the Kennedy family are backing President Joe Biden re-election bid even as their own relative, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., runs as an independent presidential candidate, reports The Blaze. RFK Jr.'s brother, Chris Kennedy, has gone as far as describing Biden as "the RFK of his generation." CHRIS KENNEDY: “When I think of modern politicians in our country in this century, I think Joe Biden is the RFK of his generation.” And Rory Kennedy, a sister of RFK, Jr, described Biden this way. RORY KENNEDY: “This is a president who embodies the Kennedy legacy.” Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has 10 siblings, is the son of the late U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968. In response to his siblings’ endorsements of Joe Biden for president, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. tweeted, “I hear some of my family will be endorsing President Biden today. I am pleased they are politically active — it’s a family tradition. We are divided in our opinions but united in our love for each other. ... My campaign, which many of my family members are working on and supportive of, is about healing America.” Australian bishop forgives his Muslim stabber And finally, the Australian bishop, who was stabbed in the middle of a sermon during a church service on Monday and is recovering in the hospital, has forgiven his alleged attacker, reports the Christian Post. Bishop Mari Emmanuel, age 53, has been in the hospital since he was stabbed by a 15-year-old male while in the middle of a livestreamed service at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church in Wakeley. A 39-year-old priest was also allegedly stabbed after attempting to intervene. Other churchgoers were hurt in the scuffle as well. All are expected to make full recoveries. The bishop is now asking his supporters to emulate Jesus, through "Christlike" behavior, rather than engaging in vengeful words or actions following the attack. In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Close And that's The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Monday, April 22nd in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.