Audio
Michael Harrington
Religion in the News Editor
How do you decide right and wrong?
How do you decide right and wrong?
A warning about global persecution
A warning about global persecution
VERBATIM: Dr. John Eibner is president of Christian Solidarity International and he says the world needs to wake up. He points to a recent rash of deadly attacks on believers in Nigeria and Syria. Then there’s on-going persecution of Christians in Azerbaijan. Eibner says “This slaughter, like so many others of Christians and other non-Muslims, has been met mainly with indifference by the political and religious leadership of an increasingly post-Christian Western world.” MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadSomething new at libraries in Sacramento
Something new at libraries in Sacramento
VERBATIM: You can get books, magazines, movies, ebooks, audiobooks, games and NOW — contraceptives. 12 libraries in the Sacramento system are now giving away contraceptives in a partnership with Planned Parenthood. Those items are out in plain view on a shelf which includes information aimed at children and QR codes that they can use to link to the Planned Parenthood website. Officials say the program will probably expand to more libraries soon. MH SRNN NEWS
Listen DownloadArkansas strikes a blow for religious freedom
Arkansas strikes a blow for religious freedom
VERBATIM: Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has signed a bill that will allow Christian adoption and foster care agencies to place children ONLY with heterosexual couples. In other states the government won’t do business with any agency that refuses to place kids with homosexuals and Arkansas is taking a stand against that. Alliance Defending Freedom says Arkansas is to be commended adding “Every child deserves a loving home that can provide them stability.” MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadMake that 71 pro-life sanctuary cities
Make that 71 pro-life sanctuary cities
New polling released on personal Christian faith
Finally, some good news
VERBATIM: It comes from the Barna Group — a new poll that indicates 66% of Americans say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus that is still important in their life today. That’s up 12% from just four years ago. And the report goes on to say that “Among the biggest drivers of the Jesus resurgence are younger generations—particularly Gen Z and Millennials. Since the pandemic, they have shown significant increases in commitment to Christ. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadHoly Week is here
Holy Week is here
VERBATIM: It started with Palm Sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumphant arrival in Jerusalem. Some Christian denominations mark each day in some fashion, but most single out Maundy Thursday in honor of the Last Supper and of course Good Friday, marking the day Christ was crucified. It all culminates with Easter Sunday, when most of the 2.4 billion Christians on earth will celebrate the resurrection. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadThe Merchant Marine Academy wants Jesus back
The Merchant Marine Academy wants Jesus back
VERBATIM: Two years ago, complaints by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation prompted the removal of a large painting of Jesus watching over mariners in a lifeboat, which had been on display in the school’s administrative building since 1947. It has since languished in the basement. But during a recent speech to the graduating class, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy urged the Academy to restore the painting, prompting a standing ovation and cheers from the midshipmen. MH SRNN NEWS
Listen DownloadThe killing continues in Nigeria
The killing continues in Nigeria
VERBATIM: Another 60 Christians have been slain by radical Muslim Fulani herdsman in the country’s restive North where believers have been under siege for more than a decade. In addition to the dead, nearly 400 homes were destroyed by the Fulani and 1,000 people displaced. In fact, TWO Muslim radical groups are operating in Nigeria these days and between them they have killed tens-of-thousands of Christians while the government seems incapable of responding. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadA South Carolina church receives an honor
A South Carolina church receives an honor
VERBATIM: First Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Bluffton was founded during the Civil War by a former slave named Abraham Murchison. The small congregation ministered to freed slaves during its early years and now the state government has granted it a historical marker so passers-by can quickly learn its history. Current Pastor Bennie Jenkins tells WJCL-TV “This marker will stand as a testament to our commitment to God and our mission to share His love with all mankind.” MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadA gambling summit for pastors
A gambling summit for pastors
Older Christians are more faithful than younger ones
Older Christians are more faithful than younger ones
Should a merchant be able to deny service based on his faith?
Should a merchant be able to deny service based on his faith?
Georgia has a new religious freedom law
Georgia has a new religious freedom law
VERBATIM: Modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, the legislation bars state and local governments from impeding on someone’s religious rights in most cases and stops the enforcement of laws that conflict with an individual’s religious expression. Greg Chaufen of Alliance Defending Freedom says “This law provides a sensible balancing test for courts to use when reviewing government policies that infringe upon the religious freedom rights of Georgians.” MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadPresident Trump restores federal funding to a pair of pro-life states
President Trump restores federal funding to a pair of pro-life states
A British pro-lifer is convicted
A British pro-lifer is convicted
VERBATIM: 64-year-old Livia Tossici-Bolt stood silently outside an abortion clinic in Bournemouth holding a sign that read “Here to talk, if you want”. But that was enough to get her arrested for violating England’s new buffer zone law that bars any pro-life expression within 500 feet of a clinic. Bolt has now been convicted and ordered to pay 20,000 pounds in court costs. Pro-life advocates say the buffer zones are a clear violation of free speech and religious expression. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadAmerica remains a nation divided by faith and geography
America remains a nation divided by faith and geography
VERBATIM: A new poll brings the same old results: Namely, that Christianity is the strongest in the South and Midwest — and the weakest everywhere else. 68% of people in the South say they are believers as do 64% of those in the Midwest. In the Northeast only 58% of the populace calls itself Christian — 55% in the far West. The latter two regions also contain the largest percentages of people who are atheists, agnostics or followers of no particular faith. SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadMore states are fighting back against on-line pornography
More states are fighting back against on-line pornography
Jews around the world are preparing to celebrate Passover
Jews around the world are preparing to celebrate Passover
VERBATIM: It begins at sundown on Saturday, April 12th and will run through the end of April 20th. Passover is one of the biggest holidays on the Jewish calendar, marking God’s protection of his people in Egypt when he unleashed the angel of death on the first-born sons of the country. Jews might well be meditating on deliverance in these troubled times with anti-Semitism on the rise and Israel fighting a war against Muslim terrorists on its border. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadNew abortion numbers from the Public Religion Research Institute
New abortion numbers from the Public Religion Research Institute
VERBATIM: The poll indicates that 63% of Americans want abortion to remain legal in all or most cases. 34% want the procedure to be ILLEGAL in all or most cases. 85% of Democrats favor abortion versus just 39% of Republicans. Majorities of most major faith groups also want abortion to remain legal in all or most cases. The exceptions are White Evangelical Protestants, Hispanic Protestants and Mormons. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadA new look at faith groups in the U.S
A new look at faith groups in the U.S
VERBATIM: In a new book by three academics entitled “Secular Surge”, the population is divided into four groups: Religionists, Nonreligionists, Secularists and Religious Secularists. Religionists — all people of faith — are 41% while Secularists — who have NO faith are 27%. The book lists Religious Secularists at 14% — they have faith but secular political views while Non-religionists — 18% — have no specific faith but are open to spiritual things. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadA new poll looks at faith and gender differences
A new poll looks at faith and gender differences
VERBATIM: It comes from the Pew Research Center, and it indicates that 59% of men in the U.S. identify as Christian versus 31% who say they are followers of no particular religion. Most Christian men are Evangelical Protestants — 23%. Amongst women, 66% identify as Christian against 27% who are unaffiliated. Most Christian women are also Evangelical Protestants — 24%. Women attend church more than men do and they pray more as well. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadChristian parents are worried about their kids
Christian parents are worried about their kids
A new poll tracks religious switching around the world
A new poll tracks religious switching around the world
VERBATIM: The Pew Research Center has been studying the phenomenon of people leaving the faith they were brought up in for a different belief system — or none at all. Religious switching is MOST prevalent in South Korea, where HALF of adults have abandoned the faith of their youth. In the U.S., 28% have done so. The Pew report also indicates that MOST of the people who switch faiths are swapping the religion they grew up with for NO religion. MH SRN NEWS.
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