Congress addresses Title Nine

Congress addresses Title Nine

The landmark 1972 law bars discrimination based on sex, but lately transgender people have been trying to use it to allow males into female restrooms, locker rooms and onto female sports teams.  Now Republicans in Congress are moving to address the problem, advancing a bill that would clearly define male and female for purposes of interpreting Title Nine.  The legislation has reached the House floor — if passed it would go next to the Senate.

Finally, some good news from Iran

Finally, some good news from Iran

VERBATIM:  Despite some of the worst persecution in the world, the underground church in that country is growing by leaps and bounds.  A new report from International Christian Concern reveals that there are more believers in Iran now than there were before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which brought with it an unprecedented wave of persecution.  ICC says “Some estimates point to a million or more Iranian converts to Christianity.  These converts come from all sectors of society.”  MH REPORTING

A new report on family from a British organization

A new report on family from a British organization

VERBATIM:  The Centre for Social Justice says marriage is good for kids.  It has released a study indicating that family stability is greatly enhanced when moms and dads marry because those who do are a lot less likely to split up than those who just live together.  The CSJ points out that when parents break up, their children suffer in a number of ways — emotionally, financially and physically.  Marriage seems to be a pretty good antidote.  MH REPORTING

A liberal group has some advice for Democrats

A liberal group has some advice for Democrats

VERBATIM:  With the midterm elections looming, the Center for American Progress has issued a statement encouraging politicians to steer clear of social issues.  Specifically, the CAP is arguing that lawmakers have no right to ban men from using women’s restrooms or locker rooms, nor should they prevent them from playing on women’s sports or bar children from getting sex change operations.  Some political analysts say that’s about the worst advice the Democrats could possibly be given.  MH REPORTING

Israel is making preparations for a big Christian event

Israel is making preparations for a big Christian event

VERBATIM:  2030 is considered to be the 2,000th anniversary of the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River and Israel’s Foreign Ministry says it’s laying the groundwork now for a major celebration.  Thousands of Christians visit the Jordan every year and the government expects a huge surge in 2030.  Foreign Minister Gideon Saar says he will seek to “deepen dialogue with churches and Christian leaders worldwide and prepare for the arrival of the pilgrims.”  MH REPORTING

Christian leaders debate artificial intelligence

Christian leaders debate artificial intelligence

VERBATIM:  At the Missional AI Summit in London, attendees concluded that the faith community must seek to shape the future of the technology before none-believers do so.  But how?  That’s where leaders differ.  Some summit speakers argued that Christians need to get educated about AI so they can use it wisely.  Others said the focus must be on warning society about the dangers of the technology, reminding people that AI is neither human nor is it God.  MH REPORTING

A Trump administration nominee talks abortion

A Trump administration nominee talks abortion

VERBATIM:  Dr. Erica Schwartz is the president’s selection to head the Centers for Disease Control and during confirmation hearings this month he said it’s important for the agency to get accurate and exhaustive data on abortion.  Asked by Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley about CDC data shortfalls Dr. Schwartz said “Senator, you have my commitment.  Abortion surveillance is an absolutely critical component of what the agency is currently doing.”  MH REPORTING

The State Department promotes life

The State Department promotes life

VERBATIM:  One of the first tasks Secretary Marco Rubio says he has been assigned by President Trump is eliminating all U.S. aid dollars going to any foreign organization or group that promotes abortion.  Rubio has announced sweeping restrictions on funding for overseas abortion NGOs which will impact up to 30 billion dollars in aid. These new restrictions build on the work that American pro-life groups have been doing for years in Africa.  MH REPORTING

The prime minister of Iraq wants Christians to come home

The prime minister of Iraq wants Christians to come home

VERBATIM:  Ali al-Zaidi is urging believers who have fled the country over the past 20 years to return, promising land, health care and education.  But critics say what’s really needed is security.  A tiny fraction of Iraq’s pre-war Christian community remains and its members complain that they face incessant persecution from their Muslims neighbors, many of whom collaborated with ISIS when it ran the country.  Some think the prime minister is merely trying to curry favor with the U.S>  MH REPORTING

A pro-family group is erecting billboards across the U.S.

A pro-family group is erecting billboards across the U.S.

VERBATIM:  You may have seen them.  They say “No child has two dads. No child has two moms.”  They are the work of an organization called Them Before Us and are designed to promote Biblical marriage and discourage adoption by gay couples.  The group says “In a culture that puts adult desire above child rights, we want to advocate for something better. When culture reflects the truth that moms and dads aren’t optional or interchangeable, children will be protected and thrive.”  MH REPORTING

Americans are still generous

Americans are still generous

Persecution is on the rise

Persecution is on the rise

VERBATIM:  International Christian Concern has released its 2026 report and it finds that religious freedom is under siege in a lot of places.  The report states that “Governments are increasingly tightening their grip on religious expression while transnational repression, displacement, and systemic discrimination continue to impact vulnerable communities. At the same time, Western technologies and markets are being leveraged to enable or sustain persecution”  MH REPORTING

Canadians are angry about the census

Canadians are angry about the census

VERBATIM:  The government in Ottawa wants to know a lot about its citizens and some of the questions are sparking controversy.  The Canadian census form asks people to select a gender from a list of seven different options.  It also asks “What was your sex at birth”.  Canadians are also asked to tell the government about their religious affiliate, which has upset both Christians and atheists.  There’s a potential 500 dollar fine for failing to fill out the census.  MH REPORTING

Another look at religious persecution around the globe

Another look at religious persecution around the globe

VERBATIM:  Many are killed, beaten or jailed for their faith.  But how many are forced into exile?  The Pew Research Center has been adding up the number of people who have been driven from their homes because of their religious beliefs.  In 2023, 58 countries saw some amount of displacement caused by persecution.  It was the worst in the Middle East and North Africa where 60% of countries saw displacements.  44% in the Asia-Pacific region.  MH REPORTING

A major university promotes transgenderism to kids

A major university promotes transgenderism to kids

VERBATIM:  The medical school at the University of Minnesota is selling dolls for what it calls “transgender and gender diverse children”.  The dolls are aimed at youngsters ages four-to-10 and are intended for what the university calls therapeutic play.  Apparently the toys can be modified with different outfits and hairstyles to mix male and female characteristics.  Critics are decrying the dolls as a grooming tool and question the funding for the project.  MH REPORTING

A new snapshot of America’s religious affiliations

A new snapshot of America’s religious affiliations

VERBATIM:  It comes from the Pew Research Center and it reveals that 40% of adults in this country identify as Protestant Christians.  21% are Catholics and nine percent belong to all other faith groups.  The poll also finds that 28% of respondents are atheists, agnostics or followers of no particular religion.  That is the highest percentage Pew has ever reported for that group which has been growing exponentially over the past 20 years.  MH REPORTING

Youth group works

Youth group works

A close call for the Church of England

A close call for the Church of England

VERBATIM:  Britain’s state church has rejected a motion that stated ““committed, faithful, intimate same-sex relationships are entirely compatible with Christian discipleship and ministry”.  But the vote was very close.  In fact, the Anglican clergy and laity each voted in FAVOR of the motion with the bishops vetoing it by just three votes.  Observers say the motion will likely come up again later this year and due to turnover in the House of Bishops, it might well pass.  MH REPORTING

A bizarre and troubling case out of Canada

A bizarre and troubling case out of Canada

VERBATIM:  Some might call it a sign of the times:  A homosexual couple is suing the surrogate mother they employed for refusing to abort their baby because tests indicated the child might have a cleft lip and other birth defects.  The two men have filed suit against the woman in what amounts to a “wrongful birth” case.  In fact, the child was born healthy with only one minor birth defect and is expected to live a healthy life.  The two men are seeking 600,000 dollars in damages.  MH REPORTING

Abortion groups plan to flip Congress in November

Abortion groups plan to flip Congress in November

VERBATIM:  This month Planned Parenthood announced millions in donations to try and elect Democrats at the midterms.  Now Reproductive Freedom for All has gone all-in, promising two million dollars to try and flip nine Republican seats in the House of Representatives.  That’s on top of 23.5 million for an RFA nationwide campaign called “My Body My Ballot”, designed to get out the vote for pro-abortion candidates everywhere.  All House seats and one third of the Senate is at stake.  MH REPORTING

Americans weigh-in on God and country

Americans weigh-in on God and country

VERBATIM:  The Public Religion Research Institute has been asking this question:  Has God granted the U.S. a special role in human history?  Amongst the general public, 44% say YES, God has given this country a special responsibility in the world — 52% say NO.  The survey also reveals that amongst people of faith, only White Evangelicals, Hispanic Protestants and Black Protestants believe in the special role.  In 2012 ALL faith groups believed it.  MH REPORTING

The Pew Research Center asks Americans about the 10 Commandments

The Pew Research Center asks Americans about the 10 Commandments

What do pastors need?

What do pastors need?

VERBATIM:  According to a new study from the Barna Group, clergymen facing burnout most want to find more time for personal spiritual practices.  The second most common cure that pastors long for is just some time off — a vacation or maybe a long weekend.  Others would like to see somebody else in the congregation lift a few responsibilities off their shoulders.  Barna finds a lot of American clergymen are worried about their mental and physical health.  MH REPORTING

The Pew Research Center takes a look at the Philippines

The Pew Research Center takes a look at the Philippines

VERBATIM:  There are few Christians in Asia.  Believers make up less than 10% of the population in that vast part of the world.  But the Philippines is a notable exception.  According to the Pew Research Center’s latest global survey of faith, 92% of Filipinos identify as Christian.  The poll also finds that 99% of adults say they believe in God and 80% report that they pray every day.  Amongst countries with the largest Christian populations on earth, the Philippines ranks 7th.  MH REPORTING