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Michael Harrington
Religion in the News Editor
A new poll asks voters how important abortion is to them
A new poll asks voters how important abortion is to them
VERBATIM: According to the Public Religion Research Institute, 50% of Democrats say they will NOT vote for a candidate if he isn’t in favor of abortion. Republicans and Independents don’t feel so strongly. Only 38 and 35% of them, respectively, say they would not cast a ballot for a candidate if he doesn’t agree with them on the issue. Nearly half of Evangelical Christians and nearly half of non-religious people also say abortion is a litmus test for them. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadThe Merchant Marine Academy embraces transgenderism
The Merchant Marine Academy embraces transgenderism
VERBATIM: Under a new policy, midshipmen who are scheduled to have a sex change operation can seek exemption from their military service requirement. Academy officials say they’re just complying with President Biden’s order that all military services avoid discrimination against transgender recruits. Some members of Congress are concerned Republican Jim Banks of Indiana says he has questions about the new Merchant Marine policy. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen Download40 Days For Life does it again
40 Days For Life does it again
VERBATIM: The biannual pro-life prayer vigil wraps up its fall campaign this Sunday and so far more than 200 women seeking abortions have decided NOT to. 40 Days For Life organizes silent prayer outside abortion clinics all across the U.S. and in several foreign countries. Since it all began in 2007, more than 26,000 unborn babies have been saved, 251 abortion clinic workers have quit their job and 145 clinics have shut down. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAnother defeat for the Satanic Temple
Another defeat for the Satanic Temple
VERBATIM: A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the group to block Indiana’s new pro-life law that places a near total ban on abortion. Members of the Satanic Temple argued that the law violates their religious freedom because they consider abortion to be a sacrament. This legal tactic also failed in Texas where a judge kicked the Satanists’ case out, back in July. The Temple is deeply invested in abortion — recently opening a clinic in New Mexico. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAmericans sound-off on the direction of the country
Americans sound-off on the direction of the country
VERBATIM: The latest poll from the Public Religion Research Institute finds 77% of the general population believes the U.S. is going wrong. That includes 90% of Republicans, 81% of Independents and 59% of Democrats. Most religious Americans also believe the country is going in the wrong direction — including 92% of White Evangelicals, 82% of Mainline Protestants and 79% of Catholics. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadThe National Hockey League reverses course — again
The National Hockey League reverses course — again
VERBATIM: LAST year it was all-in on the LGBT agenda with Pride Nights at the arenas and compulsory rainbow uniforms and equipment. But some players and teams staged a rebellion, prompting the league to outlaw ALL gay promotions. THAT sparked complaints from LGBT pressure groups and so the NHL has introduced a compromise position: Any player WISHING to wear Pride gear can do so — but nobody is going to be FORCED to. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadNew poll reveals what American teens believe about God and the Bible
A new poll reveals what American teens believe about God and the Bible
VERBATIM: The numbers come from the Cultural Research Center and they indicate that 69% of adolescents agree with the statement that “God exists and is the all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect Creator and ruler of the universe.” However, only 35% believe that sin is real and just 36% think that the only solution to sin is Christ’s death on the cross. The national survey also indicates that only one-in-four teens believe the Bible is true. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadClemson takes a step back from transgenderism
Clemson takes a step back from transgenderism
VERBATIM: The South Carolina University has decided to remove feminine hygeine dispensers from the men’s bathrooms on campus. This is a victory for the Clemson College Republicans club, which had been fighting to have the dispensers removed for the past year. Things got moving when Republican South Carolina State Representative April Cromer contacted school officials. The campus GOP club also got help from the South Carolina State Freedom Caucus. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadNew poll charts connections between American Jews and Israel
A new poll charts the connections between American Jews and the state of Israel
VERBATIM: The vast majority of Jewish people in this country vote Democrat and are often critical of Israel. But that doesn’t mean they don’t love the Jewish state at a fundamental level. According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, 82% of American Jews say caring about Israel is essential to what being Jewish means to them. 60% say they have a lot in common with Israeli Jews and nearly half have visited the country at least once. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadCalifornia has another self-inflicted problem
California has another self-inflicted problem
VERBATIM: Some people expressed concern when Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom decriminalized “loitering with intent to commit prostitution”. Now a whole lot more people are complaining that — right on schedule — there has been a sharp up-tick in apparent prostitutes roaming the streets of California’s cities and towns. Local police don’t like it either, saying that Newsom’s move effectively ties their hands and makes it harder to prevent sex-trafficking. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA you a resilient Christian?
A you a resilient Christian?
VERBATIM: The Barna Group says to qualify you have to 1. Have accepted Christ as your personal savior. 2. Attend church at least monthly and do more than just worship, 3. Trust in the authority of the Bible and 4. Desire to transform the broader society as an outcome of your faith. According to Barna, only 20% of people who identify as Christians meet all four of those criteria. Amongst young Christians, it’s just 10%. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadThe National Hockey League bans gay tape
The National Hockey League bans gay tape
VERBATIM: Player apply heavy tape to their sticks to improve grip and protect the blade. Some teams have been forcing them to use rainbow colored tape to celebrate the LGBT community. That sparked something of a mutiny amongst players last season and now the NHL has put an end to the practice, stating that “Players shall not be put in the position of having to demonstrate personal support for any Special Initiatives.” Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAnother scientific discipline bows to wokeness
Another scientific discipline bows to wokeness
VERBATIM: An anthropological conference in Canada has removed a planned panel discussion about why biological sex remains necessary for scientific analysis. That is, when an athropologist digs up a skeleton, it’s important to identify if it belonged to a man or a woman. Organizers say the mere discussion of the idea that skeletons are either male or female would be damaging to the LGBT community and to the field of anthropology as a whole. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA flag dispute is resolved in Illinois
A flag dispute is resolved in Illinois
VERBATIM: The city council of Galesburg voted 5-2 in favor of allowing a pro-life flag to be flown in front of city hall. A gay pride flag went up over the summer and pro-life advocates used that fact to make their argument. The Rainbow flag was actually on display for the entire month of June. Knox County Right to Life threw its weight behind the flag effort. The Supreme Court recently ruled that cities must offer equal access to their flag poles. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadThe fastest growing Southern Baptist churches aren’t southern
The fastest growing Southern Baptist churches aren’t southern
VERBATIM: According to the latest numbers from Life Way Research, SBC congregations in New England grew by one percent over the last five years, while churches in all other SBC regions shrunk. There aren’t very many Southern Baptist congregations in New England, but those that ARE there are getting bigger. The nation’s largest Protestant denomination has re-asserted its commitment to church-planting this year in every part of America. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadMost Americans don’t want kids viewing pornography at school
Most Americans don’t want kids viewing pornography at school
VERBATIM: A new poll released by WPA Intelligence to the Christian Post finds 90% of registered voters say the graphic pictures and text in a book such as Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer” are NOT appropriate for children to be looking at in the public schools. Republicans are more likely to feel this way, but the survey indicates that more than 80% of Democrats ALSO believe that book should NOT be made available to students. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA warning for America’s churches
A warning for America’s churches
VERBATIM: It comes from Aaron Earls of Life Way Research in a new post that crunches a lot of the polling data that his ministry has been compiling in the last year or two. Earls says the country’s Christian congregations face some challenges: For one thing, a record number of churches are seeing membership decline and many also have an aging pastor and no sucession plan in place. Another problem — pastor burn-out — no matter HOW old he is. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadMainline clergymen are out of step with their congregations
Mainline clergymen are out of step with their congregations
VERBATIM: According to a new study by the Public Religion Research Institute, the pastors of America’s seven Mainline Protestant denominations overwhelmingly belong to the Democratic Party — 49% versus just 14% who are Republicans. But the folks in the Pews are a lot more balanced in their political affiliations: 34% are Republicans, 30% are Democrats and 26% Independents. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadChristians are finding an unlikely ally in the battle over the gay agenda
Christians are finding an unlikely ally in the battle over the gay agenda
VERBATIM: Muslims. They don’t see eye to eye with Christians theologically, but they beginning to join them in efforts to curb the LGBT advance — especially in the schools. Earlier this year the city of Hamtramck, Michigan — whose city council is ALL-MUSLIM — voted to ban the display of the rainbow flag in all public spaces. This presents a real problem for gay activists, who have always aligned themselves with minority groups, without considering what those minorities believe. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA new poll provides insight into non-Christians and their beliefs about God
A new poll provides insight into non-Christians and their beliefs about God
VERBATIM: It comes from the Barna Group and it reveals that amongst non-believers in this country, 58% have faith in some kind of higher power. Only 21% of non-Christians state categorically that there is NO God. In fact, nearly 30% agree with the statement that God is “the all-powerful, all-knowing perfect creator of the universe who rules the world today.” Barna researchers say the number indicate that many non-believers would be open to the gospel. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA battle over transgenderism in Indiana
A battle over transgenderism in Indiana
VERBATIM: The Vigo County School system wanted a male middle school P.E. teacher to supervise the boys locker room where a girl, who is living as a boy, would be undressing. The teacher objected and got no where until he received help from Liberty Counsel, a Christian legal group. Under threat of a lawsuit, the school system has reassigned the teacher, but Liberty Counsel says it is STILL letting the girl dress with the boys and hasn’t told parents. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadPromise Keepers is getting canceled
Promise Keepers is getting canceled
VERBATIM: The popular Christian men’s organization is having trouble finding places to hold its events. In June, a planned Promise Keepers event at Belmont University in Nashville was canceled when the private Christian school expressed concern over the fact that Promise Keepers rejects the LGBT agenda. Hope Church in Cordova, Tennessee, and The Fountain of Praise Church in Houston have also canceled Promise Keepers events for similar reasons. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAmerica’s mothers call out Viacom
America’s mothers call out Viacom
VERBATIM: The group One Million Moms are demanding changes from the entertainment giant, after it aired the MTV Video Music Awards on Nickelodeon last week. The VMA’s are one of the most reliably filthy shows on TV and Nickelodeon is a network aimed at kids. One Million Moms says “The sexually explicit content on this program is inappropriate for anyone — especially children.” The group says parents might want to rethink Nickelodeon altogether. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA damning investigation of the web’s biggest pornography site
A damning investigation of the web’s biggest pornography site
VERBATIM: Sound Investigations has released undercover video of a man who identifies as an employee of Mind Geek — parent company of Porn Hub — admitting that rapists and human traffickers are doing brisk business on the site. He says its because of a loophole in Porn Hub’s verification process. The man also tells Sound Investigations that Mind Geek isn’t very motivated to fix the problem because they don’t want to lose business. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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