Audio
Michael Harrington
Religion in the News Editor
Franklin Graham is angry
Franklin Graham is angry
VERBATIM: The popular evangelist is denouncing “Evangelicals For Harris” — a religious group that is trying to get the Democratic vice president elected in November. Graham has a problem with a new campaign ad that uses video footage of his famous father Billy to criticize former president Trump. Franklin Graham says “Maybe they don’t know that my father appreciated the conservative values and policies of President DonaldTrump in 2016.” MH SRN News.
Listen DownloadThe United Kingdom considers a blasphemy law
The United Kingdom considers a blasphemy law
VERBATIM: Do not adjust your radio. You heard that right. The new Labor government says it will introduce a law that will make it a crime to SAY anything that can be considered “Islamophobic”. This action follows protests against illegal immigration in the U.K. — most of the illegals are Muslims. A swelling chorus of voices — right, left and center — is being raised AGAINST the introduction of a law that would function not much differently than blasphemy laws in Muslim nations. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadPersecution flares up again in Nigeria
Persecution flares up again in Nigeria
VERBATIM: Muslim extremists have burned down another church in the restive African nation. This is actually the second time that the Redeemed Christian Church of God has been put to the torch. At least no one was hurt. Muslim terrorists have been killing Christians by the thousands in Nigeria for the last two decades and the government has been either unable or unwilling to address the problem. Some are calling for international intervention. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadA warning about religious freedom abroad
A warning about religious freedom abroad
VERBATIM: Foreign governments are spreading lies about Christians as a pretext for restricting their rights. So says the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Its latest report adds that “Government misinformation or disinformation can increase the risk of violence that targets religious minorities.” The Commission says the regimes of China, India and Russia are three of the worst purveyors of religious disinformation. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadA new effort to protect Christian college students
A new effort to protect Christian college students
Somebody is burning churches in southern Ohio
Somebody is burning churches in southern Ohio
A victory for religious freedom in North Carolina
A victory for religious freedom in North Carolina
VERBATIM: A franchiser who owns several IHOPs in the state has agreed to pay 40,000 dollars in a settlement with a cook who had refused to work on Sundays because of his Christian faith. The company accommodate him for a few months, but when new management took over the man was told he would have to work Sundays. He refused and was fired. The Supreme Court has ruled repeatedly that employers must accommodate workers’ religious convictions. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadNicaragua is going after the Catholic Church again
Nicaragua is going after the Catholic Church again
VERBATIM: President Daniel Ortega — a Communist — doesn’t like Catholic leaders speaking out against his dictatorial reign and so he’s putting a lot of them in jail. A dozen more priests have been locked up in the latest violation of religious liberty in the Latin American country that’s drawing international outrage. Other priests have been expelled from Nicaragua over the protests of the Vatican and warnings from several governments. MH SRN News.
Listen DownloadMethodists are fighting over Nigeria
Methodists are fighting over Nigeria
VERBATIM: There are nearly 600,000 members of the United Methodist Church in that African country and now that the denomination is splitting, it’s not clear who governs all those people. The more liberal UMC says it still has authority over Nigeria but the more conservative Global Methodist Church says a majority of members have voted to join it. The UMC is splitting over issues including gay marriage, homosexual ordination and the authority of the Bible. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadSix Christians are arrested at the Olympics
Six Christians are arrested at the Olympics
VERBATIM: They are members of a conservative group based in neighboring Spain and were driving around in a bus bearing a sign saying “Stop attacks on Christians”. It also bore a picture of the drag queen satire of Da Vinci’s “Last Supper” painting that featured in the opening ceremonies of the Summer Games and sparked international controversy. It’s unclear what laws the protesters violated but they all spent a night in jail before being released. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadJ.D. Vance takes aim at transgenderism
J.D. Vance takes aim at transgenderism
VERBATIM: Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate is not afraid to call out Democrats on the issue — unlike a number of Republican candidates who seem a bit shy about it. At a recent rally Vance said bluntly “We think it’s weird that Democrats want to put sexually explicit books in toddlers’ libraries. We think it’s weird that the far-left wants to allow biological males to beat up women in boxing.” Some Evangelicals say the GOP needs to talk about transgenderism more. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadA plot to bomb churches in Indonesia is foiled
A plot to bomb churches in Indonesia is foiled
VERBATIM: A 19-year-old member of a Muslim terror group has been arrested and charged with plotting to plant explosives at two houses of worship in East Java. The man was recruited by an ISIS-affiliate on-line and was planning to unleash the explosives soon. Indonesia is 83% Muslim and while Christians have long lived there is peace, the atmosphere has been changing lately, with the introduction of radical Islamic groups. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadThe ACLU is suing a Christian school
The ACLU is suing a Christian school
Major retailers are urged to reject abortion pills
Major retailers are urged to reject abortion pills
VERBATIM: A broad coalition of Christians has sent a letter to national chains such as Walmart, Costco and Kroger, asking them NOT to begin selling drugs that will allow a woman to end her pregnancy at home. The legal firm Alliance Defending Freedom facilitated the campaign and spokesman Jeremy Tedesco says ” Retail pharmacies are there to serve the health and wellness of their customers. Abortion drugs undermine that mission.” MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadA lot of Americans don’t like the First Amendment
A lot of Americans don’t like the First Amendment
VERBATIM: A new poll from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression finds that 53% of adults believe the Amendment “goes too far”. 47% say the Amendment “does not describe my thoughts at all.” Most people associate the First Amendment with freedom of speech, when in fact it guarantees FIVE freedoms — and the first one listed is freedom of religion. It also protects freedom of assembly, freedom of petition and freedom of the press. MH SRN NEWX.
Listen DownloadAn atheist group goes after a religious organization
An atheist group goes after a religious organization
VERBATIM: The Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed a formal complaint with the Internal Revenue Service, seeking to have the tax exempt status of the Catholic League revoked. The Foundation accuses the League of dabbling in politics because of a series of social media posts that point out Vice President Kamala Harris’s support for abortion and the LGBT agenda. The League says it has First Amendment rights, and will not stop posting. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadIowa’s heartbeat law is now in effect
Iowa’s heartbeat law is now in effect. SRN’s Jeremy House reports.
VERBATIM:
Pro-life leaders are applauding Iowa’s new 6-week abortion ban, which went into effect Monday. Republican Governor Kim Reynolds said ”there is no right more sacred than life.” Marjorie Dannenfelser with SBA Pro-Life America called it “a historic day for Iowa.“ There are now 18 states nationwide with a law in effect protecting unborn children who have a heartbeat.
Best-selling author and pastor has new temporary assignment
A best-selling author and pastor has a new temporary assignment. SRN’s Greg Clugston reports.
VERBATIM:
Max Lucado is now serving as the interim teaching pastor at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, and will continue in the role through the end of the year. He remains a pastor at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio and will preach at both locations this fall. Lucado steps in at Gateway following the recent resignation of founding pastor Robert Morris. He left earlier this summer over allegations that he sexually assaulted a young girl decades ago.