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Michael Harrington
Religion in the News Editor
A lot of American churches are looking to their security
A lot of American churches are looking to their security
VERBATIM: A new poll of Protestant pastors from Life Way Research indicates that they are employing a lot of different methods to keep their congregations safe. 57% have set up an active shooter plan and 54% are using armed church members for safety. Others are hiring armed security guards and some are installing metal detectors. Attacks on churches have been on the rise of decades — about half take place in the South. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadMost Americans do not accept transgender ideology
Most Americans do not accept transgender ideology
VERBATIM: The latest Rasmussen Report asks a simple question: “How many genders ARE there?” 71% of respondents say ONLY TWO, male and female. That number has held steady since last year, suggesting that most Americans had decided where they stand on the issue. Rasmussen also reports that a strong majority of people support laws that bar anyone under the age of 18 from obtaining a sex change operation. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAnother religious freedom battle — this one in Minnesota
Another religious freedom battle — this one in Minnesota
VERBATIM: Despite several recent Supreme Court rulings that found government cannot treat religious institutions WORSE than everybody else, Minnesota lawmakers has passed a bill that bars Christian schools from a program that helps high school students earn college credit at no cost. The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty is taking the state to court, stating that the new restriction is “not only patently anti-religious; it is also against the law.” Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadWhen it comes to evangelism, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
When it comes to evangelism, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
VERBATIM: When you ask self-identified Christians about sharing the gospel — as Life Way Research did — they’re all for it. 93% of believers say they are open to having a conversation about Christ with a friend and 81% say they would also talk to a stranger. But real life is different. The same poll finds only about half of Christians have shared their faith with a loved one in the past six months and just 40% did so with somebody they didn’t know. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA new poll asks Americans what they think about God
A new poll asks Americans what they think about God
VERBATIM: It comes from NORC at the University of Chicago and it reveals that 50% say they believe in God with NO DOUBTS. 16% tells pollsters that they believe with some doubts and five percent “believe sometimes”. The survey also finds that 14% of Americans think there’s some kind of higher power out there, but not necessarily God. 8% say they don’t know and seven percent say they do not believe in any God of any kind. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadTarget is at the heart of a new storm of controversy
Target is at the heart of a new storm of controversy
VERBATIM: The giant retailer has decided to roll out a line of women’s swimsuits that can be modified so men can wear them too. CEO Brian Cornell is a vigorous supporter of the LGBT agenda and Target was the first major national chain to announce that men would be allowed to use women’s restrooms in all stores. Meanwhile, some Target managers in Southern states say they will move the offending items to the back of the store, in hopes of limiting outrage. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA Christian TV show is going big time
A Christian TV show is going big time
VERBATIM: Lionsgate, the giant Hollywood distribution company, has bought the rights to “The Chosen” — a crowd-funded series about the life of Jesus that against all odds has become an international phenomenon. Lionsgate, which produced the movie “Jesus Revolution” this year, will translate all three seasons of The Chosen into 600 languages — making it available to billions of people around the world. Season four of series is currently in production. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadMost Americans like Jesus
Most Americans like Jesus
VERBATIM: According to a new poll from the Barna Group, 71% of the general population has a positive view of Christ. This includes 58% of people who follow a non-Christian faith, and even 40% of atheists, agnostics and people who don’t adhere to any religion. However, the survey also reveals that Americans have a much more NEGATIVE view of Christianity, local churches, local pastors and in particular, celebrity pastors. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA new ranking of American businesses
A new ranking of American businesses
VERBATIM: It comes from Alliance Defending Freedom and it measures corporate respect for religious freedom and free speech. The news is not good. ADF reports that of the 75 major corporations evaluated, only two scored over 25% out of 100% possible in their respect for speech and religion. Some of the worst offenders include such behemoths as JPMorgan Chase, PayPal, Microsoft, Alphabet — the parent company of Google, and Meta — which owns Facebook. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAnother iconic American brand suffers for embracing transgenderism
Another iconic American brand suffers for embracing transgenderism
VERBATIM: Sports Illustrated is being slammed for adding a man to the rotation of women to be featured on the cover of the magazine’s swimsuit issue. Kim Petras is a German singer who began living as a female when he was five years old. He underwent surgery when he was just 16-years-old. One critic suggested on Twitter that SI “didn’t take the hint from Bud Light”. That brand has suffered a month-long sales crash since teaming up with a transgender influencer. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAn atheist group is going after some Texas churches
An atheist group is going after some Texas churches
VERBATIM: The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling on the IRS to investigate three congregations for their involvement in the race for Abilene City Council. Fountaingate Merkel Church, Remnant Church and Hope Chapel Foursquare Church donated a few hundred dollars to the campaign of a local pastor who was running for a seat on the council. The Foundation admits that the pastor has since returned the money, but is still calling for the IRS to intervene. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAre you passing your faith on to your kids?
Are you passing your faith on to your kids?
VERBATIM: A poll released by the Pew Research Center finds that only about one-third of moms and dads in this country think it’s important for them to bring up their children in the faith to which they ascribe. Of course some groups care more than others. The Pew survey indicates that 70% of White Evangelicals say it is important for their children to hold similar religious beliefs. The report also finds most kids brought up by parents of one faith — stick to that faith as adults. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadWashington state has a new transgender law
Washington state has a new transgender law
VERBATIM: Up to now, if your child runs away to a licensed shelter in Washington, the people operating that facility have 72 hours to let you know that your kid is there. But under the new measure, cooked up by Democrats, IF that youngster says he wants a sex-change operation, the shelter DOESN’T have to tell mom and dad where he is. Lawmakers in Washington seem to be saying that helping a child live as the opposite sex trumps all parental rights. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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