Audio
Michael Harrington
Religion in the News Editor
Christian countries are on the wane
Christian countries are on the wane
VERBATIM: According to the Pew Research Center Christian nations — defined as those where a majority of people identify as Christians — make up 120 of the 201 countries and territories on earth. But that’s DOWN from 124 in 2010. The four countries that fell OUT of the majority Christian ranks over the past 15 years are the United Kingdom, France, Australia and Uruguay. Everywhere, the ranks of the religiously unaffiliated are growing. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadA new poll asks pastors about politics
A new poll asks pastors about politics
VERBATIM: The LifeWay Research survey wanted to know how many Protestant pastors were experiencing conflict in their churches over political matters. Amongst Mainline Protestant clergy, 31% say politics has been causing problems in their congregation. But for Evangelical pastors the percentage drops to NINE, as it does for pastors of Black churches. The numbers seem to suggest that politics might not be as big a problem as many observers fear. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadA Canadian lawmaker fights assisted suicide
A Canadian lawmaker fights assisted suicide
VERBATIM: 15 years ago Andrew Lawton tried to take his own life and nearly succeeded. But he got help and has since overcome his mental illness and as a member of the Canadian parliament he’s warning his fellow lawmakers NOT to expand assisted-suicide. There’s a bill under consideration that would allow mentally ill people who do NOT suffer from a terminal disease to take their own lives and Lawton says if such a law existed 15 years ago — he would be dead. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadKaiser Permanente will stop doing sex-change operations on children
Kaiser Permanente will stop doing sex-change operations on children
VERBATIM: The healthcare giant makes the announcement under pressure from the Trump administration which is threatening to withhold federal funding for any organization that performs such operations on boys or girls under the age of 18. However, Kaiser says it will continue to administer puberty-blocking hormones to kids who are trying to live as the opposite sex. Kaiser is just the latest in a growing number of healthcare providers that are pulling back on transgenderism. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadThe Pew Research Center has been asking Americans about religious faith
The Pew Research Center has been asking Americans about religious faith
VERBATIM: The latest poll finds a lot of us still identify as Christians — 41% say they are Protestants. However, the next largest faith group is those who have NO faith. Atheists, agnostics and followers of no particular religion now account for 28% of the U.S. population. Rounding out the rest of the nation are Catholics at 19% and all other religions at 10%. People of no faith remain the fastest growing group in the United States. MH SRBN NEWS
Listen DownloadA new study asks American Muslims which political party they like
A new study asks American Muslims which political party they like
VERBATIM: The Pew Research Center’s latest poll finds that followers of Islam favor the Democrats over the Republicans — but not by very much. The study also reveals that what Muslims like MOST about the GOP is its opposition to the LGBT agenda and its focus on encouraging traditional families. They particularly believe that the acceptance of transgenderism in the U.S. is a bad thing. President Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris split the Muslim vote evenly last year. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadAn unusual response to drug problems in Toronto
An unusual response to drug problems in Toronto
VERBATIM: Officials in the Canadian city are responding to a surge in narcotics use by handing out so-called harm reduction kits. They include syringes for shooting drugs and pipes for smoking drugs and some contraceptives as well. Pro-family groups and clergymen are decrying the kits, but Toronto officials say they believe the program will keep people who use drugs safer while using them. The kits do NOT contain any information about how to get OFF drugs. MH SRN NNEWS
Listen DownloadA British school redefines masculinity
A British school redefines masculinity
VERBATIM: Streatham Wells is a primary school outside London and in selecting male role models for its little boys, it is promoting Canadian actor Elliot Page. The problem is, Elliot Page was born ELLEN Page and is actually a woman who is living as a man. School officials say they are promoting Page in an effort to teach their male students that masculinity can take many forms. They are also promoting pop star Harry Styles, who frequently wears a dress. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadAnother city takes a stand for life
Another city takes a stand for life
VERBATIM: Hooks, Texas has become the 59th municipality to declare itself a sanctuary city for the unborn. Lawmakers in Hooks have voted to outlaw all abortions within their borders and make it illegal for anyone to transport a girl from Hooks to another location for an abortion. The state of Texas has an abortion ban of its own. The idea for unborn sanctuary cities came from liberals who had taken to declaring their localities sanctuary cities for illegal aliens in recent years. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadFlorida’s abortion ban is working
Florida’s abortion ban is working
VERBATIM: Critics of the repeal of Roe versus Wade say it won’t stop abortion in the U.S. Supporters of the decision say its purpose was only to allow pro-life states to act on their beliefs — and the numbers indicate that the supporters have it right. The latest from Florida, where the procedure is banned as soon as an unborn baby’s heartbeat can be detected, indicates that abortions are down 40%. Other pro-life states are reporting similar declines in their abortion rates. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadIs Texas changing?
Is Texas changing?
VERBATIM: The Lone Star State has been reliably conservative and typically Christian for a long time. But new studies — including one from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University indicate that Texas are becoming progressively LESS Christian these days. The CRC says the trend may be fueled by the large number of people from more liberal states who are moving to Texas for financial reasons. Experts say over time, that may change the character of the state. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadThe Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has modified its suicide hotline under orders from President Trump.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has modified its suicide hotline under orders from President Trump.
VERBATIM: Under President Biden, the agency added an extension where young people could call to discuss their gender identities and how they might carry out a so-called gender transition. The controversial hotline somehow cost taxpayers more than 33 million dollars in just three years. Mr. Trump has ordered it shut down.
Listen DownloadSomething new from Planned Parenthood
Something new from Planned Parenthood
VERBATIM: The nation’s largest abortion business is heavily into sexual education, seeking to influence the way public schools teach the subject. Planned Parenthood is now offering a program for teachers to learn how to teach sex-ed called “Sex Ed To Go” and amongst its most troubling assertions is that “children are sexual from birth”. This discredited idea denies scientific fact and has been employed by some to argue for the decriminalization of pedophilia. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadFranklin Graham visited the Pentagon this month
Franklin Graham visited the Pentagon this month
VERBATIM: The popular evangelist spoke at the monthly prayer service held there by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Writing on Facebook Graham says “It was encouraging to visit with the Secretary and witness his bold faith amongst and in front of the entire Pentagon team. I shared with the audience that my prayer for the US Military and its leaders is that Jesus Christ would be their “Rock”.” Graham is urging all Americans to pray for the military. MHN SRNN NE
Listen DownloadThe World Health Organization releases its abortion numbers
The World Health Organization releases its abortion numbers
VERBATIM: 73 million. That’s how many abortions the WHO says took place all around the globe in 2024. 73 million is more than the population of the United Kingdom. It’s more than the population of France and twice the population of Poland. The WHO also reports that about 60% of unintended pregnancies result in abortion. Of course the WHO itself is one of the biggest promoters of abortion on the planet, pressuring pro-life countries to change their laws. MH SRN NNEWS
Listen DownloadMost Christians give to their church the old fashioned way
Most Christians give to their church the old-fashioned way
VERBATIM: According to the latest from LifeWay Research, 53% of those who attend worship services regularly do their giving by using the offering plate on Sunday morning. Most put cash — some a check. Only 23% of parishioners do their tithing through the church website and just 7% use an app. That’s probably why the vast majority of pastors still pass the plate at services or provide a box near the door where people can make their donations. MH SRNN NEWS
Listen DownloadFaith impacts attitudes about abortion
Faith impacts attitudes about abortion
VERBATIM: According to a study by the Public Religion Research Institute, the more a person engages in Christian religious practices, the LESS likely he is to support abortion. In states where people are more religious — Louisiana, Tennessee and Alabama for instance — support for abortion is LOW. In places where people have turned away from faith — Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont — support for abortion is very HIGH. MH SRNN NEWS
Listen DownloadAnother poll indicates trouble with America’s men
Another poll indicates trouble with America’s men
VERBATIM: It comes from the Gallup organization and it reveals that a lot of this country’s young males are lonely. 25% of men between the ages of 15-and-34 admit that they are lonely and that’s the highest percentage of any age group — male OR female. In fact, the Gallup poll finds that young American men are more likely to be lonely than their peers in any of the major industrialized nations. They also experience more worry than other groups. MH SRNN NEWS
Listen DownloadAmericans weigh-in on politics and the pulpit
Americans weigh-in on politics and the pulpit
VERBATIM: The IRS announced this month that churches will no longer lose their tax-exempt status if the pastor endorses a political candidate by name from the pulpit. But even though that act is now permitted — it’s not necessarily welcome. According to a poll from the Pew Research Center, large majorities of all religious groups OPPOSE clergymen endorsing specific political candidates — including nearly two-thirds of White Evangelical Protestants. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadA look at what teenagers are saying about social media
A look at what teenagers are saying about social media
VERBATIM: Adults have been worried about TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, etc for some time — and apparently with good reason. A new poll from the Pew Research Center reveals that 48% of teens believe that social media is having a negative effect on them and their peers, while nearly half admit that they spend far too much time on it. Experts have been warning for years that such platforms introduce kids to porngraphy, erode their self-esteem and make them anxious. MH SRNNNEWS
Listen DownloadThe NEA breaks with the ADL
The NEA breaks with the ADL
The National Education Association — America’s biggest teachers union — is cutting all ties with the Anti-Defamation League, accusing it of exaggerating the levels of anti-Semitism in the country. NEA spokesmen also accuse the ADL of being biased against the Palestinians. The ADL has responded by saying “ “We will not be cowed for supporting Israel, and we will not be deterred from our work reaching millions of students with educational programs every year.”
Listen DownloadAmericans weigh-in on abortion pills
Americans weigh-in on abortion pills
VERBATIM: Specifically, whether it’s o.k. for women — even those in states where abortion is banned — to receive the drugs through the mail. The Public Religion Research Institute poll finds that 68% of the general population says YES — abortion pills in the mail are fine. The survey also reveals that majorities of nearly ALL religious groups also approve of abortion by mail, and amongst White Evangelical Protestants, a surprising 50% approve. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadSome new statistics on pornography
Some new statistics on pornography
VERBATIM: The numbers come from the research group Wifi Talents and they reveal that 35% of ALL web data on EARTH is porn. The global pornography industry generates nearly 100 billion dollars every year. Here in the U.S., the average age that a child is first exposed to porn is 11 years old. Wifi Talents also reveals the astounding fact that approximately 28,000 Americans visit pornographic websites every SECOND. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadThe governor of Missouri has signed a batch of education laws
The governor of Missouri has signed a batch of education laws
VERBATIM: Republican Mike Kehoe put his signature on one particular measure that keeps Christian clubs in colleges and universities from being forced to allow people who are non-believers into leadership positions. Alliance Defending Freedom is cheering the legislation, saying “Universities should encourage freedom of speech and religion, not shut it down. That includes safeguarding the ability of belief-based student organizations to associate with those who align with the organization’s mission. MH SRN NEW
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