A call for action in Nigeria

A call for action in Nigeria

VERBATIM:  Religious freedom advocates say it’s time for the U.S. to take concrete action to end Muslim attacks on Christians in that African nation.  Tens-of-thousands of believers have been murdered in recent years as the Nigerian government appears to be turning a blind eye.  Deedee Laugesen of Save The Persecuted Christians say ““The genocide will not end until the international community and the Nigerian government are compelled to address it.  MH REPORTING

A new poll asks Americans of faith about journalism

A new poll asks Americans of faith about journalism

VERBATIM:  The numbers come from the Public Religion Research Institute and they find that 45% of White Catholics and 44% of White mainline Protestants say they trust the country’s traditional mainstream news sources compared to just 29% of White Evangelical Protestants.  What’s of note here is that less than half of ANY of those groups trust the mainstream media and the poll also finds that large percentages of religious Americans don’t pay attention to the news at all.  MH REPORTING

Americans are worried about the birth rate

Americans are worried about the birth rate

VERBATIM:  A new poll from the Pew Research Center finds that 53% of adults believe that people choosing to have fewer children in the future will HURT the U.S.  That’s up six points from last year.  A growing number of experts have been drawing attention to the falling American birth rate.  Women if child bearing age need to average 2.1 kids to keep a country’s population steady.  The U.S. birth rate is 1.6 and headed down — a problem afflicting much of the industrialized world.  MH REPORTING

The governor of Virginia strikes a blow for women

The governor of Virginia strikes a blow for women

VERBATIM:  Republican Glenn Youngkin has signed an executive order barring males from using female restrooms, locker rooms or changing rooms in all public buildings across the state — including in the schools.  The order also bans boys from playing on girls’ sports teams.  The governor says “this administration is fighting tirelessly to prevent discrimination on the basis of sex and to protect the civil rights of our citizens under the constitution.”  MH REPORTING

A setback for religious freedom in Colorado

A setback for religious freedom in Colorado

VERBATIM:  A three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the state CAN force all participants in universal pre-K programs to abide by a so-called LGBT non-discrimination statement.  The Catholic Diocese of Denver and several parents took the state to court and might appeal this latest decision to the Supreme Court.  Since President Trump added several justices, the high court has been very supportive of religious freedom.  MH REPORTING

The man who tried to assassinate a Supreme Court justice has been sentenced

The man who tried to assassinate a Supreme Court justice has been sentenced

VERBATIM:  Nicholas Roske was arrested before he could kill Brett Kavanaugh and he could have gotten 30 years in prison.  Instead he received an 8 year term and U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman says she specifically took into account the fact that Roske is now living as a woman.  Boardman stated that in sentencing she was influenced by “The fact that she is a transgender woman and will be sent to a male-only prison facility.”  MH REPORTING

Doctors are urging the Supreme Court to protect women’s sports

Doctors are urging the Supreme Court to protect women’s sports

Charlie Kirk’s assassination has cast a pall over the nation

Charlie Kirk’s assassination has cast a pall over the nation

VERBATIM:  And it’s not just supporters of the conservative activist and prominent Christian.  A new Gallup poll finds that since Kirk’s slaying, the mood of the general public has darkened, with increased concerns about crime and national unity.  Eight percent of people now say crime and violence are America’s biggest problems — up from just three percent last month.  10% of adults say they are worried about national unity, up from 5% in August.  MH SRN NEWS

A complaint from the churches of England

A complaint from the churches of England

VERBATIM:  A coalition of denominations has issued a statement expressing dismay about the way that political groups and other secular organizations are co-opting Christian symbols — especially the cross.  The statement says “As Christians from different theological and political backgrounds we stand together against the misuse of Christianity.  Any co-opting or corrupting of the Christian faith is unacceptable.”  Legally, of course, the churches can’t do anything.  MH SRN NEWS

A Michigan transgender legal case will proceed

A Michigan transgender legal case will proceed.

VERBATIM:  A U.S. District Court will NOT quash a lawsuit filed by a couple who accuse the Rockford Public School District of helping their teenage daughter live as a boy in class — without their permission.  Alliance Defending Freedom is representing the parents and spokesman Kate Anderson says ““Parents have the right to direct the upbringing, education, and health care of their children—without government interference. Schools should never hide vital information from parents.”  MH SRN NEWS

Americans talk about Artificial Intelligence in a new poll

Americans talk about Artificial Intelligence in a new poll

VERBATIM:  It comes from the Pew Research Center and it finds that a lot of people are worried about AI and how it will be used by them and ON them.  Most certainly want the new technology limited in some way.  The Pew poll reveals that 73% of respondents believe AI should have NO role in advising people about faith in God and 66% do not want it to have any role in whether or not two people fall in love.  Overall, Americans are pessimistic about AI.  MH SRN NNEWS

Pastors advise pastors in a new LifeWay study

Pastors advise pastors in a new LifeWay study

VERBATIM:  The poll asks clergymen what other members of their profession should do to be successful in the ministry.  The number one piece of advice is NOT to neglect marriage and family.  Veteran pastors say there’s a big risk that a young minister will be so focused on his congregation that his wife and kids suffer, causing problems down the line.  The second most popular piece of advice is for pastors to always make time for personal study of the Bible.  MH SRN NEWS

Christians are preparing for the 2028 Olympics

Christians are preparing for the 2028 Olympics

VERBATIM:  It’s never too early to start working on a plan to reach the world for Christ when the world comes to your very door.  That’s the attitude of ministries that are hoping to spread the gospel during the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.  The group Sports Event Evangelism is already lining up volunteers to tell both spectators and competitors about Jesus.  SEE is also planning to make a big push at next year’s World Cup Soccer Tournament — also here in the U.S.  MH SRN NEWS

A new Gallup report on moral trends in this country

A new Gallup report on moral trends in this country

VERBATIM:  According to the respected polling organization, the number one issue that has seen a sea change in American’s perception of it is homosexuality.  In the year 2000 only 40% of respondents told Gallup that they considered gay relationships to be morally acceptable.  Today it is 64% — a swing of 24 points.  The Gallup study also finds large numbers of Americans now have no problem with fornication and having children out of wedlock.  MH SRN NEWS

A warning for pastors

A warning for pastors

VERBATIM:  It comes from a new poll conducted by the Pew Research Center, and it asks people how they would feel if they found out Artificial Intelligence was involved in something they are exposed to.  The survey did NOT ask about SERMONS, but it did reveal that 71% of people would dislike a candidate who gave a speech written with help from AI and 56% wouldn’t like a similar news story.  Suggesting that they ALSO will not welcome a SERMON with an AI assist.  MH SRN NEWS

A decency group has a request for Congress

A decency group has a request for Congress

VERBATIM:  The Parents Television and Media Council wants lawmakers to protect America’s children from the potential harms of Artificial Intelligence.  There are already several AI products on the market that critics say can harm children with everything from bad advice to inappropriate conversations  PTMC spokesman Melissa Henson says “Congress should pass the Kids Online Safety Act to hold tech accountable for designing their products to prioritize child safety.”  MH SRN NEWS

A lot of Americans are depressed

A lot of Americans are depressed

VERBATIM:  According to the latest Gallup Poll, 18% of adults say they are suffering from or being treated for depression.  That’s up eight points from 10 years ago — the first time Gallup started asking the question.  And who is most likely to be depressed?  Young people.  The poll reveals that 27% of those who are under the age of 30 are also struggling with depression.  These trends match the country’s move away from religious faith.  MH SRNN NEWS

The government abandons fetal tissue research

The government abandons fetal tissue research

VERBATIM:  Breitbart News has learned that under orders from President Trump, the National Institutes of Health is cutting off funding for 17 separate projects that involve the use of tissue from aborted babies.  A majority of those research programs were initiated during the Biden administration.  NIH tells Breitbart “We are guided by a commitment to valuing human life and ensuring that federally funded research is conducted responsibly.”  MH SRN NEWS

Jews around the world are counting down to the High Holy Days

Jews around the world are counting down to the High Holy Days

VERBATIM:  Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, will be celebrated from September 22nd through the 24th.  It will be followed by Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, on October 2nd.  These are tough times for Jews.  Anti-Semitism has been on the rise for some time around the globe and the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel turbo-charged it.  In Israel, the war with Hamas in Gaza drags on.  All this will color the Holy Day celebrations this year.  MH SRN NEWS

Can Christians disagree about President Trump?

Can Christians disagree about President Trump?

VERBATIM:  Evangelicals are one of Mr. Trump’s key blocks of support, but not every Christian in America voted for him.  And a new poll from the Pew Research Center finds that most believers don’t have any problem with that.  The survey reveals that 80% of self-described Christians say that followers of Christ CAN disagree about the president.  11% say opposing him is fundamental to being a Christian while 7% say SUPPORTING him is fundamental.  MH SRNN NEWS

A new map of where faith is declining

A new map of where faith is declining

A closer look at non-believers

A closer look at non-believers

VERBATIM:  It comes from the Pew Research Center and it focuses on the nones — who answer NONE when asked about their religious faith.  It’s the fastest growing cohort in many nations — including the U.S. — but the Pew survey finds that most nones are NOT atheists.   In this country, nearly HALF of the religiously unaffiliated DO believe in God, as do majorities of that group in Latin America.  Large percentages also believe in an afterlife.  MH SRN NEWS

Another lawsuit over transgenderism

Another lawsuit over transgenderism

VERBATIM:  Three female athletes at Jurupa Valley High School in California have filed suit against the state over its policy of allowing males to compete against females.  Advocates for Faith and Freedom is representing the girls and Chief Counsel Robert Tyler says ““Our daughters are being denied fair play and subjected to sexual harassment all because California insists on putting radical gender ideology ahead of common sense and safety.”  MH SRN NEWS

More bad news on the U.S. fertility rate

More bad news on the U.S. fertility rate