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Michael Harrington
Religion in the News Editor
A group of 17 Republican attorneys general take on the Biden administration
A group of 17 Republican attorneys general take on the Biden administration
VERBATIM: They have sent a letter to Washington, decrying a proposed rule that would require any foster child who identifies as LGBT be placed ONLY with parents who promise to affirm their lifestyle and “provide services necessary for their health and well-being”. That would include sex-change operations. The attorneys general point out that some states are banning those kinds of surgeries on children because of their devastating consequences. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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Religious organizations are no longer America’s most trusted charities
Religious organizations are no longer America’s most trusted charities
VERBATIM: The Better Business Bureau puts out an annual list of the wisest places to give your charitable dollars and for many years, churches and ministries were number one. This year, they fall to number three — behind veterans organizations and non-profit hospitals. Religious groups are still the most trusted by Americans in their 60’s and up, however, suggesting that younger people have less trust in those institutions than their parents and grandparents. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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Another poll finds people of faith are happier
Another poll finds people of faith are happier
VERBATIM: This one comes from the United Kingdom and it indicates that 76% of religious people there say they are happy and 73% describe their psychological well being as GOOD. Compare that to less than half of atheists who are happy and just 52% whose mental health is positive. The poll was released by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life, which notes — ironically — that many OTHER surveys show that more and Britons are quitting faith altogether. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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Europeans are giving up on the afterlife
Europeans are giving up on the afterlife
VERBATIM: According to a new poll, large percentages of people who live on the continent do NOT believe that there is any life after death. Only 42% of the people who live in England think that there is an afterlife. In France it’s 41%, in Germany — 39% and 36% in Finland. In fact, the only country in Europe where a high percentage of people believe in life after death is mostly-Muslim Turkey. 92% there, believe.
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Support for abortion in this country is soaring
Support for abortion in this country is soaring
VERBATIM: According to a new Wall Street Journal-NORC poll, 55% of respondents say a woman should be able to get an abortion for any reason — no questions asked. That’s one of the highest levels since analysts started asking the question back in the 1970’s. Democrats are the most pro-abortion with 77% supporting the procedure for any reason. The survey also reveals that 86% of Americans want access to abortion in cases of rape or incest. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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Another executive loses his job over the Bud Light transgender debacle
Another executive loses his job over the Bud Light transgender debacle
VERBATIM: It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Anheuser-Busch’s U.S. marketing chief Benoit Garbe will leave at the end of this year — the THIRD company officer who has paid the price for the decision to team up Bud Light with social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney, a man who is living as a woman. That decision tanked Bud Light sales and pulled Anheuser-Busch’s global profits down and it’s not clear if the company will recover any time soon — or ever. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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LGBT agenda comes to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The LGBT agenda comes to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
VERBATIM: Transgender and non-binary performers from two Broadway shows will be featured in the beloved holiday event, alarming a number of parents groups. One Million Moms has gathered more than 20,000 signatures on a petition of protest, saying “Shame on Macy’s for promoting and sponsoring this type of entertainment. It is clear that Macy’s does not have our children’s best interests in mind.” The parade begins at 8:30am on Thanksgiving Day. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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A Virginia school board allows prayer
A Virginia school board allows prayer
VERBATIM: Back in August, a local woman attended a meeting of the Suffolk Public Schools Board and during her allotted comment time tried to offer a brief prayer for the board members. She was quickly cut off by Board Chair Tyron Riddick, who said prayer was not allowed. This prompted a bunch of people in the audience to start reciting the Lord’s Prayer as the woman was kicked out. Christian legal groups got involved and now the Board says prayer will be allowed in the future. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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A new poll asks American voters about the LGBT question
A new poll asks American voters about the LGBT question
VERBATIM: The numbers come from the Public Religion Research Institute and they indicate that the gay agenda is a litmus test issue for 28% of respondents: That is to say that they will NOT cast a ballot for a candidate if he does not agree with them on LGBT matters. 35% of Americans say homosexuality is just one of many issues they consider and 36% say they don’t care about it one way or the other. Democrats more concerned than Republicans. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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A new poll asks Americans why they switch churches
A new poll asks Americans why they switch churches
VERBATIM: It comes from LifeWay Research and it finds that doctrine and the quality of the pastor are the top reasons that people leave one congregation for another. Other key factors include the authenticity of church members, worship style and how a congregation cares for its community. The LifeWay survey also finds that most people who switch churches spend months not going to worship at ALL before they find a new home. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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A new poll asks voters how important abortion is to them
A new poll asks voters how important abortion is to them
VERBATIM: According to the Public Religion Research Institute, 50% of Democrats say they will NOT vote for a candidate if he isn’t in favor of abortion. Republicans and Independents don’t feel so strongly. Only 38 and 35% of them, respectively, say they would not cast a ballot for a candidate if he doesn’t agree with them on the issue. Nearly half of Evangelical Christians and nearly half of non-religious people also say abortion is a litmus test for them. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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The Merchant Marine Academy embraces transgenderism
The Merchant Marine Academy embraces transgenderism
VERBATIM: Under a new policy, midshipmen who are scheduled to have a sex change operation can seek exemption from their military service requirement. Academy officials say they’re just complying with President Biden’s order that all military services avoid discrimination against transgender recruits. Some members of Congress are concerned Republican Jim Banks of Indiana says he has questions about the new Merchant Marine policy. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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40 Days For Life does it again
40 Days For Life does it again
VERBATIM: The biannual pro-life prayer vigil wraps up its fall campaign this Sunday and so far more than 200 women seeking abortions have decided NOT to. 40 Days For Life organizes silent prayer outside abortion clinics all across the U.S. and in several foreign countries. Since it all began in 2007, more than 26,000 unborn babies have been saved, 251 abortion clinic workers have quit their job and 145 clinics have shut down. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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Another defeat for the Satanic Temple
Another defeat for the Satanic Temple
VERBATIM: A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the group to block Indiana’s new pro-life law that places a near total ban on abortion. Members of the Satanic Temple argued that the law violates their religious freedom because they consider abortion to be a sacrament. This legal tactic also failed in Texas where a judge kicked the Satanists’ case out, back in July. The Temple is deeply invested in abortion — recently opening a clinic in New Mexico. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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Americans sound-off on the direction of the country
Americans sound-off on the direction of the country
VERBATIM: The latest poll from the Public Religion Research Institute finds 77% of the general population believes the U.S. is going wrong. That includes 90% of Republicans, 81% of Independents and 59% of Democrats. Most religious Americans also believe the country is going in the wrong direction — including 92% of White Evangelicals, 82% of Mainline Protestants and 79% of Catholics. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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The National Hockey League reverses course — again
The National Hockey League reverses course — again
VERBATIM: LAST year it was all-in on the LGBT agenda with Pride Nights at the arenas and compulsory rainbow uniforms and equipment. But some players and teams staged a rebellion, prompting the league to outlaw ALL gay promotions. THAT sparked complaints from LGBT pressure groups and so the NHL has introduced a compromise position: Any player WISHING to wear Pride gear can do so — but nobody is going to be FORCED to. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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New poll reveals what American teens believe about God and the Bible
A new poll reveals what American teens believe about God and the Bible
VERBATIM: The numbers come from the Cultural Research Center and they indicate that 69% of adolescents agree with the statement that “God exists and is the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect Creator and ruler of the universe.” However, only 35% believe that sin is real and just 36% think that the only solution to sin is Christ’s death on the cross. The national survey also indicates that only one-in-four teens believe the Bible is true. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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Clemson takes a step back from transgenderism
Clemson takes a step back from transgenderism
VERBATIM: The South Carolina University has decided to remove feminine hygeine dispensers from the men’s bathrooms on campus. This is a victory for the Clemson College Republicans club, which had been fighting to have the dispensers removed for the past year. Things got moving when Republican South Carolina State Representative April Cromer contacted school officials. The campus GOP club also got help from the South Carolina State Freedom Caucus. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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New poll charts connections between American Jews and Israel
A new poll charts the connections between American Jews and the state of Israel
VERBATIM: The vast majority of Jewish people in this country vote Democrat and are often critical of Israel. But that doesn’t mean they don’t love the Jewish state at a fundamental level. According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, 82% of American Jews say caring about Israel is essential to what being Jewish means to them. 60% say they have a lot in common with Israeli Jews and nearly half have visited the country at least once. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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California has another self-inflicted problem
California has another self-inflicted problem
VERBATIM: Some people expressed concern when Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom decriminalized “loitering with intent to commit prostitution”. Now a whole lot more people are complaining that — right on schedule — there has been a sharp up-tick in apparent prostitutes roaming the streets of California’s cities and towns. Local police don’t like it either, saying that Newsom’s move effectively ties their hands and makes it harder to prevent sex-trafficking. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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A you a resilient Christian?
A you a resilient Christian?
VERBATIM: The Barna Group says to qualify you have to 1. Have accepted Christ as your personal savior. 2. Attend church at least monthly and do more than just worship, 3. Trust in the authority of the Bible and 4. Desire to transform the broader society as an outcome of your faith. According to Barna, only 20% of people who identify as Christians meet all four of those criteria. Amongst young Christians, it’s just 10%. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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The National Hockey League bans gay tape
The National Hockey League bans gay tape
VERBATIM: Player apply heavy tape to their sticks to improve grip and protect the blade. Some teams have been forcing them to use rainbow colored tape to celebrate the LGBT community. That sparked something of a mutiny amongst players last season and now the NHL has put an end to the practice, stating that “Players shall not be put in the position of having to demonstrate personal support for any Special Initiatives.” Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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Another scientific discipline bows to wokeness
Another scientific discipline bows to wokeness
VERBATIM: An anthropological conference in Canada has removed a planned panel discussion about why biological sex remains necessary for scientific analysis. That is, when an athropologist digs up a skeleton, it’s important to identify if it belonged to a man or a woman. Organizers say the mere discussion of the idea that skeletons are either male or female would be damaging to the LGBT community and to the field of anthropology as a whole. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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A flag dispute is resolved in Illinois
A flag dispute is resolved in Illinois
VERBATIM: The city council of Galesburg voted 5-2 in favor of allowing a pro-life flag to be flown in front of city hall. A gay pride flag went up over the summer and pro-life advocates used that fact to make their argument. The Rainbow flag was actually on display for the entire month of June. Knox County Right to Life threw its weight behind the flag effort. The Supreme Court recently ruled that cities must offer equal access to their flag poles. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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