Audio
Michael Harrington
Religion in the News Editor
A victory for religious freedom in New York
A victory for religious freedom in New York
VERBATIM: The state has agreed to end its legal fight aimed at making a group of Catholic nuns and other faith-based organizations offer abortion coverage in their health insurance programs. Lori Windham of the Becket Fund, which represented the plaintiffs, says “The Supreme Court has made it abundantly clear that religious groups shouldn’t be bullied for staying true to their faith. We are glad that New York finally agreed.” MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAnother 10 Commandments monument goes up in Texas
Another 10 Commandments monument goes up in Texas
VERBATIM: This one stands in the lawn of the Tarrant County Courthouse in downtown Fort Worth. Kelly Shackleford of the Christian legal group First Liberty cheered the monument saying “Displaying Commandments on public grounds in Texas is consistent with Supreme Court decisions that recognize our religious heritage and the best of the nation’s history and traditions. The Ten Commandments are a symbol of law and moral conduct.” MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAn Idaho medical facility makes a pro-life choice
An Idaho medical facility makes a pro-life choice
VERBATIM: Memorial Hospital in Weiser has installed a Safe Haven Baby Box. It’s a device that allows a woman to give away an unwanted infant without abandoning the child in a location where it might die. The hospital will ask no questions of any woman using the box and the child will be cared for. The city of Weiser sits right on the border with neighboring Oregon — one of the most pro-abortion states in the country. Oregon Right to Life is praising the hospital. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadIs America having a revival?
Is America having a revival?
VERBATIM: The answer is a resounding MAYBE. There are a lot of small polls that indicate an uptick in the percentage of young people who are reading the Bible and going to church. It started after Charlie Kirk’s assasination last year. However, the big national polls still indicate a broad decline in Christianity in the U.S. with non-religious people now accounting for more than 25% of the population. More religious young people could change that picture — eventually. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadNations around the world are moving to keep kids safe online
Nations around the world are moving to keep kids safe online
VERBATIM: At the behest of parents, clergymen and advocates, governments are slowly taking action. Polish lawmakers are working on national digital safety legislation that would beef up protections for minors. The French prosecutor’s office is widening an ongoing investigation of various platforms to include sexually explicit deep fakes. And the Indian government has ordered X to take down all “unlawful content”. Americans wish Congress would do more. MHREPORTING
Listen DownloadAlliance Defending Freedom unveils its legislative agenda
Alliance Defending Freedom unveils its legislative agenda
VERBATIM: The Christian legal group hopes lawmakers at the federal and state level will take action on a number of issues in 2026. ADF is calling for efforts to curb the sale of abortion pills, stop the promotion of transgenderism and protect the right of parents to raise their kids in accordance with their religious beliefs. Senior Counsel Matt Sharp says, “We still have a long way to go, but we are hopeful that we can continue to achieve lasting victories this legislative season.” MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadThe center of global religious persecution is shifting
The center of global religious persecution is shifting
VERBATIM: Open Doors US puts out an annual list of the places where it is most dangerous to be a Christian and in decades past it used to be the Middle East — plain and simple. But over the last 10 years or so, Sub-Saharan Africa has become a growing problem. Checking the 2026 World Watch List reveals that seven of the top 20 worst countries for Christians are in Africa, versus six that are in the Middle East. Muslim terrorism is the problem in ALL of them. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA prediction about artificial intelligence and faith
A prediction about artificial intelligence and faith
VERBATIM: It comes from historian and public intellectual Yuval Harari. He thinks that before too much longer AI will take over religion. Speaking at the World Economic Forum this week, Harari told an audience that “anything made of words will be taken over by AI. If religion is built from words, then AI will take over religion. This is particularly true of religions based on books, like Islam, Christianity, or Judaism.” He also warns that AI will “lie and manipulate.” MHREPORTING
Listen DownloadA leading Evangelical issues a warning
A leading Evangelical issues a warning
VERBATIM: Dr. Albert Mohler is president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and he’s concerned about the invasion of a Minnesota church by anti-ICE protesters. Writing in World Magazine Mohler says Christians should not minimize the incident, adding “A signal has been sent. The left is now willing to invade and intimidate Christian congregations that violate their progressivist agenda. This time it was over immigration policy, next time it could be over anything. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadThe 10 Commandments are back in court
The 10 Commandments are back in court
VERBATIM: The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has heard arguments this week over whether Louisiana can require public schools to post the decalogue in all classrooms. The ACLU and various atheist groups are challenging the Louisiana law and most observers believe no matter what the 5th Circuit decides — this case is going to the Supreme Court. Texas has a similar 10 Commandments law and it also faces a legal challenge. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadChristians are under siege in Rwanda
Christians are under siege in Rwanda
VERBATIM: According to a wide-ranging study from Global Christian Relief, the government of that African nation is cracking down on believers, closing their churches and seeking to control their worship. More than half of Rwanda’s 13,000 churches have been closed so far and many others are at risk. GCR says “Recent requirements that pastors hold a seminary degree—which is unaffordable for many—has also led to a shortage of pastors approved by the state.” MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadMost pastors are going it alone
Most pastors are going it alone
VERBATIM: According to a new poll from the Barna Group, 52% of America’s Protestant clergymen do not seek help from any outsider in doing their job. Amongst those who DO seek help, 22% say they have a personal mentor and 17% have engaged a spiritual adviser. Others see a therapist or a life coach, and a very few see a marriage counselor. The Barna poll also finds that most pastors prioritize leadership and finances over personal development. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA Maryland jurisdiction abandons prayer
A Maryland jurisdiction abandons prayer
VERBATIM: The Wicomico County Council says it will no longer open meetings by reciting the Lord’s Prayer for fear of being sued. The Freedom From Religion Foundation has been threatening the council and a spokesman for lawmakers says “Legal counsel advised that any challenge would likely require litigation through the U.S. Supreme Court level, with no reasonable expectation of success.” Many small counties cannot afford a lengthy legal battle. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA landmark ruling for women in the United Kingdom
A landmark ruling for women in the United Kingdom
VERBATIM: A court has ruled that the country’s National Health System cannot allow males to use female restrooms, locker rooms or other changing areas. The Employment Tribunal found that the NHS transgender policy is “unlawful and violates the rights of female staff.” The Christian Legal Center filed suit on behalf of nurses in Durham and Darlington, who were told by the NHS that if they didn’t want to change clothes with men, they would have to find other accomodations. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadVirginia Democrats pass an abortion amendment
Virginia Democrats pass an abortion amendment
VERBATIM: The measure would enshrine the procedure in the state constitution and allow for abortion up to the moment of birth. All that remains is for voters to approve the amendment in the fall — which isn’t a sure thing — but in a purple state like Virginia, is a pretty good bet. Pro-life activists are vowing to campaign hard against the amendment this year. So far 11 states have enshrined abortion in their constitutions and three others may do so this year. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadThe annual March For Life takes place this week
The annual March For Life takes place this week
VERBATIM: Hundreds of thousands of people from all across the nation are expected in Washington D.C. on Friday for the event. It commemorates the 1973 Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in all 50 states, and despite the fact that Roe versus Wade has now been overturned, the March goes on. Organizers say “the necessary work to build a culture of life in the U.S. is not finished. The goal of the March is to ultimately make abortion unthinkable.” MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadThe two biggest nations on earth are unfriendly to Christians
The two biggest nations on earth are unfriendly to Christians
VERBATIM: Some say the future belongs to India and China because they represent more than one-third of the global population. But they also BOTH appear on the Open Doors US World Watch List this year — an annual ranking of nations where religious persecution is the worst. India comes in number 12 overall thanks to a Hindu nationalist majority that persecutes Christians. China is number 17 for his constant persecution and repression of believers. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadReligious people weigh-in on sex-change operations for kids
Religious people weigh-in on sex-change operations for kids
VERBATIM: The poll comes from the Public Religion Research Institute and it finds that White Evangelical Protestants are the group most likely to support state laws barring children from undergoing such procedures in order to live as the opposite sex — 67%. But the numbers drop from there. Only 51% of White Mainline Protestants favor bans on child sex-change operations, as do 50% of White Catholics and 44% of Black Protestants. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadOpen Doors US has released its World Watch List
Open Doors US has released its World Watch List
VERBATIM: It’s an annual ranking of the countries where it’s most dangerous to be a Christian. North Korea is number one, followed this year by Somalia, Yemen, Sudan and Eritrea. Rounding out the top 10 are Syria, Nigeria, Pakistan, Libya and Iran. Open Doors also reports that nearly 400 million Christians around the world suffer high levels of persecution for their faith. That’s one-in-seven believers worldwide, one-in-five in Africa and two-in-five in Asia. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadMore churches are closing than are opening
More churches are closing than are opening
VERBATIM: A new study from LifeWay Research reveals that for 2024 — the last year for which all the data is in — about 3,800 new Protestant churches opened in this country. However, that same year, roughly 4,000 churches closed their doors. LifeWay spokesman Scott McConnell finds a silver lining, however, saying “Given recent declines in Americans identifying as Christians, churches show a remarkable ability to remain open, even with fewer attendees.” MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA critical religious freedom case is underway in Canada
A critical religious freedom case is underway in Canada
VERBATIM: Assisted-suicide is legal in the country, but religious hospitals and pro-life hospice facilities do NOT want to participate. But a family in British Columbia is suing, demanding that such healthcare providers be FORCED to help people kill themselves. The Supreme Court of British Columbia is taking testimony in the case the rest of this month and is expected to deliver a verdict this year. That decision could affect religious freedom all across Canada. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadThe eyes of Christians around the world are on Iran
The eyes of Christians around the world are on Iran
VERBATIM: The country’s failing economy has triggered weeks of protests to start the new year and the Islamic government has responded by killing hundreds and jailing thousands. Some experts think the regime will fall and that could change Iran’s status as one of the most dangerous places to be a Christian. Evangelical leaders in the U.S. and in other nations are urging believers to be in prayer for Iran and its Christian minority as the protests continue. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadInternational Planned Parenthood is feeling the pinch
International Planned Parenthood is feeling the pinch
VERBATIM: Now that President Trump has cut 87 million dollars in U.S. funding to the giant abortion business, it has begun to cut staff. IPPF reports that nearly 1,000 staffers around the world have been laid off and nearly 1,400 facilities of various sizes have shut their doors. The cuts have had a major impact here in the U.S., with Planned Parenthood closing scores of abortion clinics or putting aside plans to open new ones. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadThe Heritage Foundation issues a warning
The Heritage Foundation issues a warning
VERBATIM: The influential conservative think-tank says the family is in decline in this country and if that isn’t reversed, the U.S is headed for calamity. Heritage President Kevin Roberts says, “Our country will not survive if families continue to crumble at this rate.” The report urges federal government action, including 2,500-dollar investment accounts for every newborn, child tax credits and marriage boot camps designed to strengthen relationships. MH REPORTING
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