A new poll examines churches and the opioid crisis

A new poll examines churches and the opioid crisis

VERBATIM:  Life Way Research reports that a lot of Protestant pastors are seeing the effects of the problem in their congregations and communities.  45% say at least one of their parishioners has been affected by the opioid crisis and 64% say at least one family member of a parishioner has been.  However, the Life Way poll also finds that the percentage of churches that are providing support and outreach to opioid victims has actually declined over the last five years.  MH SRN NEWS.

Something new at the Museum of the Bible

Something new at the Museum of the Bible

VERBATIM:  Some call it the greatest discovery in Christian history since the Dead Sea Scrolls.  The Megiddo Mosaic is an 1800-year-old decorated floor from a Christian worship space just south of Haifa in Israel.  It includes text that refers to Jesus Christ as God and is being displayed in the United States for the first time ever at the Museum of the Bible here in Washington DC.  Curators say the public will be able to view the mosaic from now until July of next year.  MH SRN NEWS.

A leading atheist organization attacks an iconic Christian ministry

A leading atheist organization attacks an iconic Christian ministry

Chuck Swindol is stepping down

Chuck Swindol is stepping down

VERBATIM:  He will turn 90 years old in October and he says it’s time for him to retire from his post as pastor of the Stonebriar Community mega-church in Frisco, Texas.  Swindol will NOT be giving up his iconic radio program — Insight For Living.  In a statement on the church website, Swindol says “While my role may be changing, my commitment to the mission and vision we uphold will never fade. This will always be our church family.”  MH SRN NEWS.

A major gathering of Christians in South Korea

A major gathering of Christians in South Korea

VERBATIM:  About 5,000 people are attending Lausanne 4 this week in Incheon, strategizing ways to further the spread of the gospel around the globe.  200 countries are represented and 50 speakers will address the gathering.  Dr. Michael Oh, the Lausanne global executive director, says the church needs to rise to the challenge of a world where evil is “more vocal and visible.”  Polls indicate Christianity is in general decline in the West and persecution is up elsewhere.  MH SRN NEWS.

Christian refugees are trying to get to this country

Christian refugees are trying to get to this country

The Southern Baptist Convention takes on sexual abuse

The Southern Baptist Convention takes on sexual abuse

VERBATIM:  The denomination’s Executive Committee has voted to establish a department whose only purpose will be to prevent and root out abuse in local congregations.  Spokesman Jeff Iorg tells Baptist Press “We have had two task forces that have done difficult and hard work.  “But it’s time to stop talking about what we’re going to do and take an initial, strategic step of action that puts into place an administrative response to this issue.”  MH SRN NEWS.

A warning from a Catholic priest

A warning from a Catholic priest

VERBATIM:  Calvin Robinson used to lead a parish in his native England, but he recently moved to the U.S. and brings a dire admonition for this country.  Pastor Robinson tells the Christian Post “Please don’t do what we did.  Don’t just sit back and let the liberals deteriorate the rest of everything that you know and love.”  He says faith has collapsed in the United Kingdom and now society itself is collapsing.  Less than half the population calls itself Christian and nearly 40% have no faith at all.  MH SRN NEWS.

Canadians prepare a major demonstration

Canadians prepare a major demonstration

A victory for religious freedom in Oregon

A victory for religious freedom in Oregon

VERBATIM:  The city of Brookings will pay 400,000 dollars in legal fees and has agreed to stop trying to restrict St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church from ministering to the homeless.  City officials had tried to limit the church to providing food and water to homeless people just two days of the week.  Pastor Bernie Lindley tells Oregon Public Broadcasting “It certainly didn’t have to come to this, but we had to stand up for our religious freedoms.”  MH SRN NEWS.

Evangelical leaders are praying for Donald Trump

Evangelical leaders are praying for Donald Trump

VERBATIM:  After TWO assasination attempts, the former president is the object of renewed petitions for safety.  Franklin Graham says “this is a strong reminder that we need to pray for this man.”  Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Fellowship says he was relieved to hear that Mr. Trump was unharmed, adding “We need a return to civility in our public discourse. Most importantly, America needs to turn back to God.”  Other leaders called for greater protection for the former president.  MH SRN NEWS.

Pornography is bad for your mental health

Pornography is bad for your mental health

VERBATIM:  A new poll from the Institute for Family Studies finds that young adults who view porn frequently are more likely to feel lonely and suffer from depression.  A control group of people who do NOT look at pornography had much better mental health.  A growing number of states are passing laws designed to keep children from accessing porn and getting hooked on it.  The major on-line pornographers, including PornHub, are fighting any and all restrictions in court.  MH SRN NEWS.

Pope Francis does it again

Pope Francis does it again

VERBATIM:  The pontiff has sparked outrage within and without the Catholic Church by stating that “all religions are a path to God” during his recent visit to Singapore.  Francis explained that the various different faiths are just different “languages to arrive at God.”  The pope has already stirred up trouble in the church with what many see as his embrace of homosexuality and gay marriage.  Both conservative Catholics and Protestant leaders are criticizing his latest comments.  MH SRN NEWS.

Maryland parents are going to the Supreme Court

Maryland parents are going to the Supreme Court

A new report on Christian schools and Planned Parenthood

A new report on Christian schools and Planned Parenthood

A Senator issues a warning

A Senator issues a warning

There’s not much for families to watch on popular streaming services

There’s not much for families to watch on popular streaming services

VERBATIM:  The Parents Television and Media Council has conducted a study and it reveals that the vast majority of programs produced by on-demand companies are aimed at mature audiences only.  Of all the original shows available to stream, more than 540 are rated Mature, versus less than 60 that are G-rated.  On Netflix, for example, 62% of programs are for mature audiences, six percent are PG rated and one percent are G-rated.  MH SRN NEWS.

Some bad news on giving

Some bad news on giving

VERBATIM:  According to data from Infinity Concepts and Grey Matter Research, Evangelical Christians are tithing less to churches these days.  The report says “The proportion of Evangelicals giving to a church fell from 74% to 61% over the last three years and the percentage who gave to a nonprofit or ministry outside of church fell from 58% to 50%.”  Meanwhile, the proportion who supported didn’t give anything went from 19% to 31%.  MH SRN NEWS.

Supreme Court justices in bulletproof vests

Supreme Court justices in bulletproof vests

A religious freedom battle in Michigan

A religious freedom battle in Michigan

VERBATIM:  Bethany Christian Services used to work for the state government helping resettle refugees.  But Michigan officials have killed all contracts with BCS because the ministry requires that employees abide by its statement of faith.   So BCS is going to court, releasing a statement that says “Federal law is clear, and the courts have repeatedly affirmed that nonprofit organizations like ours, can hire staff and select leaders who share the organization’s faith mission.”  MH SRN NEWS.

Religious Americans back Trump

Religious Americans back Trump

VERBATIM:  With Election Day looming, the Pew Research Center has released a new poll that indicates that a majority of both Protestants and Catholics are more inclined to vote for the former president than they are for Vice President Kamala Harris.  61% of Protestants are in the Trump camp, including 82% of White Evangelicals.  52% of Catholics support the Republican nominee including 61% of White Catholics.  Jewish people and atheist lean toward Harris.  Michael Harrington, SRN News.

TV shows are pushing abortion

TV shows are pushing abortion

VERBATIM:  As millions of voters in multiple states prepare to decide whether or not to enshrine the procedure in their constitutions this fall, Hollywood is churning out more and more shows that deal with abortion.  Episodes of several popular programs have featured abortion stories lately — and in each case a woman’s decision to terminate her pregnancy is portrayed as beneficial and praise-worthy.  At least 10 states have abortion votes scheduled for November.  MH SRN NEWS.

A California city fights back

A California city fights back

VERBATIM:  Huntington Beach says it will sue the state over a new law that bars teachers from informing parents if their child is living as the opposite sex in school.  Huntington Beach city attorney Michael Gates tells the Daily Signal that legal action is necessary because “the state has been overreaching beyond constitutional bounds for years, and it’s about time that somebody or someone stands up against it.  We are going to do everything in our power to our children.”  MH SRN NEWS

There’s a new study of church attendance

There’s a new study of church attendance

VERBATIM:  It might be summed up by saying “the more you go, the better you will feel.”  The report from the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion finds that attending worship services improves people’s mood — but only if they go regularly.  Those who only dark the door of the local church a couple of times a year don’t enjoy any improvement in their emotional wellbeing.  Sadly, other polls indicate that regular church attendance continues to decline in the U.S.  MH SRN NEWS