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Michael Harrington
Religion in the News Editor
The Canadian Supreme Court redefines cruel and unusual punishment
The Canadian Supreme Court redefines cruel and unusual punishment
VERBATIM: The government wants to impose a minimum one-year jail term for anybody found to possess child pornography. But the Canadian high court, in a 5-4 decision, says one year behind bars amounts to cruel and unusual punishment and is therefore unconstitutional. The justices defended their ruling by saying that “must be recognized that child pornography offences can be committed in different ways, under different circumstances and by different offenders.” MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA warning about sports gambling
A warning about sports gambling
VERBATIM: Betting on games has exploded in this country over the past five years and college-age men are doing more of it than anybody else. Josh Hollinger, a professor of economics at Dordt University — a Christian school in Iowa — is concerned. He tells the Gospel Coalition ““I get the sense that it’s quite common, even among Christian college students. When something is legalized and then is normalized by your peers, it feels safer to take part in.” MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadEvangelical group to celebrate America’s birthday with the Bible
An Evangelical group is planning to celebrate America’s birthday with the Bible
VERBATIM: The country turns 250 years old in 2026 and Christian Engaged wants to remind the nation where it got its founding principles from. In April the ministry will host a week-long event in Washington D.C. during which national leaders will read from the scriptures. The White House Faith Office is involved along with organizations such as Turning Point USA, Samaritan’s Purse and Prison Fellowship. The reading will take place at the Museum of the Bible. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAre people good or bad?
Are people good or bad?
VERBATIM: A new poll released by the Family Research Council finds Americans split on the question. 31% say human beings are all born sinful and only Christ can redeem them. 32% think people are born NEITHER good nor bad, but become one or the other based on how they live their life. 22% of respondents believe no one is good or bad — they are what they are, and 10% say human beings are born good, but become corrupted by society. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA new poll asks Americans about abortion pills
A new poll asks Americans about abortion pills
VERBATIM: It comes from the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute and it reveals that 70% of likely voters say they believe a woman should have to see a doctor before being granted a prescription for abortifacient drugs — and that includes nearly 60% of voters who identify as liberal. 70% of voters also think that it would be a good idea for the FDA to restore the safe-guards applied to the distribution of abortion pills which President Biden rescinded. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadChristian relief groups are in the Caribbean
Christian relief groups are in the Caribbean
VERBATIM: Hurricane Melissa lashed Haiti and Jamaica this week leaving dozens dead and a wide path of destruction. World Relief, Operation Blessing and Samaritan’s Purse are amongst the faith-based ministries responding to the disaster with food and other emergency supplies. Cuba has also been hard-hit and despite its hostility toward Christians a Southern Baptist relief group is shipping in generators and other necessities as people begin the recovery process. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAn unusual amicus brief has been filed with the Supreme Court
An unusual amicus brief has been filed with the Supreme Court
VERBATIM: Legal groups and special interests file all the time, but this latest brief is the work of 24 philosophy professors. The academics are urging the high court to uphold state bans on men playing sports against women. The brief states that “Organizing sports around the sex categories is fully justified,” and it bears the signatures of professors from Notre Dame, Oxford and several other schools. The signatories say they want America to know that not all academics support transgenderism. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAbortion legislation is surging through the Pennsylvania legislature
Abortion legislation is surging through the Pennsylvania legislature
VERBATIM: A total of seven bills, each designed to promote abortion and its attendant industry, are under consideration by lawmakers in the Keystone State. One of the measures would allow women to terminate their pregnancies right up to the moment of birth while another one would shield abortion doctors from legal action. If all or most of the legislation is passed, it would make Pennsylvania one of the most liberal states when it comes to abortion anywhere in the country. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA senator calls for sanctions on China
A senator calls for sanctions on China
VERBATIM: Republican Ted Budd of North Carolina has written a lengthy article in The Hill pointing out the details of Beijing’s latest crackdown on Christians. Budd says it’s time for the U.S. to punish the Communist Party for its increasing violations of International Religious Freedom states, adding “ Any Chinese official who is responsible for or has directly carried out abuses against religious groups must face strict U.S. sanctions.” He has also introduced a sanctions bill in the Senate. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadSamaritan’s Purse is on the ground in Gaza
Samaritan’s Purse is on the ground in Gaza
VERBATIM: Now that President Trump has worked out a peace deal there, the giant Christian relief agency has flown in supplies for local people. Using a brand new Boeing 767 cargo plane it just purchased, Samaritan’s Purse has delivered 50 tons of food, blankets, solar lanterns and other items for Gaza residents caught in the middle of the war between Israel and Hamas. The Muslim terror group sparked the conflict with its 2023 attack on Israel. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadWill Graham is in Florida this week
Will Graham is in Florida this week
VERBATIM: The popular evangelist, son of Franklin Graham and grandson of Billy, began a four-city tour of the Sunshine State on Sunday in Tallahassee. He will also preach the gospel in Sarasota and Pompano Beach. Jeremy Camp and other Contemporary Christian artists are performing along the way. Graham is preaching the gospel each night and encouraging Floridians to put their faith in Christ. Any army of local churches are providing support. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadDo America’s pastors understand America’s families?
Do America’s pastors understand America’s families?
VERBATIM: According to a new survey from the Barna Group, half of the country’s church-going Christians are not sure that clergymen fully grasp the way that family has changed. In fact, the nuclear family — mom, dad, kids — is no longer the dominant arrangement in the U.S., with the growth of single-moms, blended families and those that now include older relatives who cannot be on their own. Barna says 90% of pastors still live in a nuclear family. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAmericans weigh in on the Bible and social issues
Americans weigh-in on the Bible and social issues
VERBATIM: According to a new poll of CHURCH-GOING ADULTS released by the Family Research Council, just 47% believe that the scriptures offer clear guidance on the morality of homosexuality and only 40% think this about transgenderism. The survey also finds that just 51% of Americans who attend worship services regularly say the Bible is clear and decisive on the question of abortion. 59% think the Bible is clear about religious freedom. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadCongress receives a letter
Congress receives a letter
VERBATIM: It comes from Susan B Anthony Pro-life America and has been signed by more than 100 other pro-life organizations. The letter calls on Republican lawmakers to stop taxpayer-funded abortions from being granted via Obamacare. As Susan B Anthony put it, “The more Washington funds abortions, the more unborn children lose their lives. This pro-life Congress must not extend the Obama-Biden legacy of taxpayer-funded abortion. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAnti-Christian incidents are on the rise in Europe
Anti-Christian incidents are on the rise in Europe
VERBATIM: A new report from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe indicates that while the problem is being clearly documented mainstream media outlets are ignoring it. Christians on the Continent are increasingly the victims of violence attacks and their churches are being vandalized. The OSCE report urges European journalists to report these cases and to consider whether they harbor anti-Christian bias that is impacting their story selection. MHNREPORTING
Listen DownloadA new report on religious freedom
A new report on religious freedom
VERBATIM: It’s the annual offering of Aid To The Church In Need and it finds that nearly two-thirds of the people on earth are suffering from restrictions on their religious liberty. 5.4 billion people living in 62 nations are either persecuted for their faith or suffer discrimination because of it. The report concludes that the two primary drivers of religious persecution are authoritarian regimes and Muslim terrorism. It also reports that anti-Semitism is up all around the globe. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAnother European country abandons transgenderism
Another European country abandons transgenderism
VERBATIM: The president of the Austrian Parliament says there will be no more “gender-inclusive” language used in legislative documents. All persons will be referred to as either male or female. Walter Rozencranz tells the newspaper Krone ““Parliament is a place of democracy, not of linguistic experimentation. We are returning to a language that reflects the spirit of the Austrian Constitution: universally understandable, objective, and inclusive in the best sense of the word.” MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadThe president of a Catholic school rejects the Catholic Church
The president of a Catholic school rejects the Catholic Church
VERBATIM: Georgetown University was founded in 1789, six years after the end of the Revolutionary War, and is the oldest Catholic school in America. But the institution will next be led by a man who says “I reject the Church’s teachings on homosexuality.” One might think this would disqualify Eduardo Penyalvair for the job — but he’s been hired as Georgetown’s new president, beginning in 2026. He is currently president of Seattle University. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadNo more non-binary passports for U.S. citizens
No more non-binary passports for U.S. citizens
VERBATIM: President Trump’s order that all travelers be identified as either male or female is now in effect for Customs and Border Protection officials. That means airlines will only accept passports with a male or female designation for people traveling into or out of the country. The president has vowed to eliminate all residue of the Biden administration’s four year campaign to promote transgenderism in every office of the Executive Branch and throughout the country. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadCalifornia promotes the gay agenda
California promotes the gay agenda
VERBATIM: Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law that will require all schools in the state to print the phone number of an LGBT hotline on student ID cards. The law covers schools from elementary through college. The hotline will direct kids to the Trevor Project, a radical organization that provides youngsters a platform for them to discuss their “gender identities”. The Trevor Project also promotes the LGBT agenda in all 50 states. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadSenator Josh Hawley takes on Obamacare
Senator Josh Hawley takes on Obamacare
VERBATIM: The Missouri Republican has introduced a bill that would bar the government health insurance initiative from paying for abortions or sex-change operations on children. Hawley says “It’s time to ban abortion and gender-transition procedures for minors on the healthcare exchanges. No more loopholes.” The fate of the legislation is uncertain. Republicans have a comfortable majority in the House, but a very narrow one in the Senate. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA Wisconsin abortion clinic holds a contest
A Wisconsin abortion clinic holds a contest
VERBATIM: The All Community Clinic in Milwaukee has been asking local people to come up with a nickname for their new aspiration machine — which is used in abortion. The Instagram post reads “Think of the bragging rights, street cred, and the boost on your resume when you tell everyone you named an abortion machine!” The clinic is making money on the contest, charging 10 dollars for each name submitted and more money to vote on the eventual winner. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAbortion advocates are urging women to stock-up
Abortion advocates are urging women to stock-up
VERBATIM: A public service ad campaign is about to begin in Michigan and it’s designed to get women there to purchase abortion pills for future use. The campaign is the work of Shout Your Abortion, Hydra Mutual Aid Fund and Plan C and it will be accompanied by a billboard and 10,000 postcards mailed to homes in the state. A lot of abortion clinics in Michigan have closed down and pro-life advocates say this abortion pill drive is just a way of making up lost revenue. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAmericans weigh-in on the scriptures
Americans weigh-in on the scriptures
VERBATIM: About 25% of adults say the Bible is just another book of instruction and nearly 20% think it was written to control and manipulate people. Those are some of the conclusions of a new poll from the American Bible Society, which also reveals that 36% of respondents believe that the scriptures are totally accurate versus 39% who say NO. ABS spokesman John Plake says “A half-century ago, Americans generally trusted the Bible. Attitudes are more complex these days.” MH REPORTING
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