Franklin Graham is packing his bags

Franklin Graham is packing his bags

VERBATIM: He will be visiting the United Kingdom this month for several gospel festivals. Graham will preach in London beginning August 26th, just a year after he toured the U.K. for the first time in years. The popular evangelist says “We saw hundreds of people turn to Jesus Christ in faith last year, and we believe this is God’s timing for many more people to hear the message of God’s great love for them.” Thousands of churches are helping organize the event. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

The Women’s World Cup has its first transgender player

The Women’s World Cup has its first transgender player

VERBATIM: Or does it? Canadian midfielder Quinn is a biological woman, who calls herself “they” and identifies and non-binary and ALSO identifies as transgender. But if a person is non-binary, can she BE transgender — a designation which acknowledges the two genders? And if Quinn IS transgender, shouldn’t she be playing in the MEN’S World Cup — which she’s not going to do, because she’s actually a woman? We live in complicated times. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Michigan Democrats seek to enforce the LGBT agenda

Michigan Democrats seek to enforce the LGBT agenda

VERBATIM: Under a bill being considered by state lawmakers, any action that “threatens by word or act” gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person would be punishable by up to five years in jail and a 10,000 dollar fine. But critics wonder what kind of WORDS would trigger that punishment? They say quoting from the Bible or refusing to use a transgender person’s preferred pronouns might cross the line under this new legislation. Michigan Democrats say — don’t worry about it. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Can a robot be a Christian?

Can a robot be a Christian?

VERBATIM: It’s not just a silly question. The Pentagon admits that the day is coming when it will have weapons systems that are guided by artificial intelligence and an Air Force spokesman says those weapons will likely have programming that give them a “Judeo-Christian” value system. Lieutenant General Richard Moore says smart weapons that have to make life-and-death decisions in combat will have to be provided with a moral compass of some kind. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Some states are expanding their suicide laws

Some states are expanding their suicide laws

VERBATIM: Lawmakers in both Oregon and Vermont have dropped the requirement that a person be a state resident before he can seek physician-assisted suicide. That’s seen as a move to attract people from neighboring states where the procedure remains illegal. So far, 10 states offer physician-assisted suicide and pro-life advocates warn that there are groups seeking to expand it further. They nearly succeeded in Nevada, before the governor issued a veto. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Americans still like Christian radio

Americans still like Christian radio

VERBATIM: According to the latest from the Pew Research Center, one-in-every-four adults in this country listens to religious radio stations. Compare that to the 15% who listen to religious podcasts — the technology that some thing will replace radio in American life. The Pew study also finds that 34% of the general population reads religious books, versus 20% who spend time watching religious videos on line. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Belief in God is on the decline in this country

Belief in God is on the decline in this country

VERBATIM: 20 years ago, 90% of Americans professed faith in a higher power. Today, a new Gallup poll finds only 74% still feel that way. In fact, belief in the supernatural is in decline generally. Only 67% of the general population thinks that heaven exists, and just 59% believe in hell. And when it comes to Satan — only 58% believe. These trends match a corresponding decline in America’s Christian faith. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

A new poll on morality

A new poll on morality

VERBATIM: The Gallup organization reports that 78% of Americans feel that divorce is morally acceptable. 72% also have no problem with fornication and 70% believe it is morally o.k. to have a child out of wedlock. 64% of respondents say homosexuality IS moral — but that’s down from 71% one year ago. What do most people think is NOT morally acceptable? Adultery. Just 12% say that’s o.k. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Pornhub has a complaint

Pornhub has a complaint

VERBATIM: The most popular pornography site on the internet doesn’t like laws being passed in some states that require it to verify that its customers are 18-year-of-age or older. Pornhub has now blocked access to people in Mississippi, Utah and Virginia rather than comply with the law. Child protection advocates point out that American kids are accessing pornography at younger and younger ages, and they need to be protected. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

The Chinese Communist Party is rewriting the Bible

The Chinese Communist Party is rewriting the Bible

VERBATIM: It sounds like a bad joke, but it’s true: Chinese officials are working on a version of the scriptures that is subservient to their goals. A sneak-peak reported by Fox News includes a change to the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. In the Communist version, Jesus stones the woman Himself. The CCP also plans to rewrite the Koran, but right now party members are focusing on the Bible — which is seen as the greatest threat to their rule. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Big business and governments aren’t the only ones giving in to China

Big business and governments aren’t the only ones giving in to China

VERBATIM: Pope Francis has decided to accept the Communist Party’s unilateral appointment of a new bishop in Shanghai and formally recognize the installation of Shen Bin. The Vatican says Francis decided to accept the bishop “for the greater good” of the faithful in Shanghai. China has made no secret of its plan to subjugate all forms of religion to the Party and persecution of Protestant Christians is at an all-time high. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

The FDA has approved America’s first over-the-counter birth control pill

The FDA has approved America’s first over-the-counter birth control pill

VERBATIM: Opill is made by the giant pharmeceutical company Perrigo and it will arrive in your local drug store or grocery in January or February of 2024. It will have NO age restrictions. Pro-life groups are expressing concern about making the drug available without a doctor’s prescription and without any limitation on how young a girl can be when she takes it. Advocates warn of health complications as well as moral ones. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Are kids being pressured into being transgender?

Are kids being pressured into being transgender?

VERBATIM: A new poll from the Public Religion Research Institute asks that question and it finds 43% of American say YES, peer pressure has a lot to do with the rising number of teenagers who are living as the opposite sex. 75% of White Evangelical Protestants agree, as do 74% of Republicans. The survey also reveals that 62% of the general public think people spend too much time talking about their gender and their pronouns. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

A Canadian healthcare system is reminding seniors that they can kill themselves

A Canadian healthcare system is reminding seniors that they can kill themselves

VERBATIM: The Daily Mail has obtained a Power Point that has been sent to various senior groups in British Columbia by the Fraser Health Authority. The show presents a lengthy euthansia package as part of the seniors’ pension plans. The Canadian government is already under pressure over instances of soldiers coming home with PTSD and being advised of suicide as an option. The number of Canadians who are taking their own lives is at an all time high. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

A trigger warning for the Lord’s Prayer

A trigger warning for the Lord’s Prayer

VERBATIM: It comes from Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York and the second most powerful man in the Church of England. At a recent gathering, Cottrell told other clergymen that they should be aware that the words “Our Father, who art in heaven, ” can be “problematic for all of us who have laboured rather too much from an oppressively, patriarchal grip on life.” The Church of England is currently debating the use of gender-neutral pronouns for God. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Americans don’t have much confidence in their institutions

Americans don’t have much confidence in their institutions

VERBATIM: And that includes the church. The latest Gallup poll of institutional confidence finds only 32% of respondents believe strongly in organized religion. But a lot of other institutions fared far worse. Confidence in Congress stands at eight percent and just 26% for the presidency. Also on the low end of the scale are big business, big tech and big journalism. Americans have the MOST confidence in small business and the military. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Georgia’s new pro-life law is working

Georgia’s new pro-life law is working

VERBATIM: According to numbers from the state’s health department — the abortion rate is down nearly 50% since a new measure that bars abortion as soon as an unborn baby’s heartbeat can be heard. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that last year there were about 4,000 abortions a month in Georgia — now there are less than 2200. Other states with strong pro-life statues are also reporting sharp declines in the number of abortions. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Celebrities call for censorship on social media

Celebrities call for censorship on social media

VERBATIM: More than 250 Hollywood types have signed a letter to Facebook, Twitter and other platforms urging them to prevent anyone from criticizing transgenderism, sex-change operations or puberty-blockers for kids. Hailey Beiber, Ariana Grande, Judd Apatow, Kristin Chenoweth and others say social media must censor “malicious disinformation about trans healthcare.” Ironically, many of the signers also describe themselves as First Amendment defenders. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

A new poll charts support for abortion around the world

A new poll charts support for abortion around the world

VERBATIM: It comes from the Pew Research Center and it reveals that most people in Western Europe want the procedure to be legal in all or most cases. By contrast, abortion is not at ALL popular in Africa, the Middle East or parts of the Far East. The Pew poll also reveals that the more religious a country is, the LESS likely it is to want abortion to be legal. Here in the U.S., the people are about evenly split on the issue. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

A new report on religious persecution around the globe

A new report on religious persecution around the globe

VERBATIM: Aid to the Church in Need has released its annual survey and it finds that nearly two-thirds of the people on the planet live in countries where they can be punished for their faith. In its 2023 World Religious Freedom Report, ACN goes on to say “Culprits of religious freedom violations range from armed terror groups to authoritarian governments, but the rule continues to be one of impunity for attackers who are rarely, if ever, brought to justice.” Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Texas Christian University will teach you how to be a drag queen

Texas Christian University will teach you how to be a drag queen

VERBATIM: The course is called “The Queer Art of Drag” and for the price of nearly 7,000 dollars — three credit hours at TCU — you can take it this fall through the school’s Department of Women and Gender Studies. At the end of the semester, all the students will have the opportunity to dress in drag and perform in a campus show. TCU was founded in 1873 in Fort Worth, Texas by a pair of pastors and is affiliated with the Christian Church Disciples of Christ. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

A new poll on abortion

A new poll on abortion

VERBATIM: It’s being released by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and it reveals that 77% of voters agree with at least some limits on the procedure by 15 weeks of pregnancy. SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser says a lot of states have passed new laws, but adds “Americans strongly agree that Congress has a role to play in protecting babies from brutal late-term abortions when they can feel pain.” Michael Harrington, SRN News.

A new ranking of the 50 states

A new ranking of the 50 states

VERBATIM: At issue is religious freedom — how free is your state? Napa Legal Institute, a Washington D.C. non-profit, says Alabama is the state where religious liberty is most respected and protected — scoring 86%. Number two is Texas, followed by Mississippi, Kentucky, New Mexico and Kansas. At the other end of the spectrum, the state where religious freedom is LEAST protected in Nevada, followed by Maryland and Michigan. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

White House is embarrassed over LGBT topless episode

The White House is embarrassed. President Biden held a big party to celebrate Gay Pride earlier this month that included drag queens and all kinds of LGBT activists — including Rose Montoya, a man who is living as a woman. Montoya and others posed for photos with the president. Later, with the White House in the background, Montoya posed topless. When the pictures hit the web, the White House had to issue a statement saying Montoya was acting “inappropriately”.