Illinois legalizes assisted-suicide

Illinois legalizes assisted-suicide

VERBATIM:  Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed into law a measure that will allow state residents to take their own lives with drugs provided by a doctor.  Thomas Olp of the Thomas More Society legal group says “This law places vulnerable lives at risk, tramples the inherent dignity of human life, and erodes the foundational conscience rights of medical professionals and religious medical practices.”  12 states now allow assisted-suicide.  MH REPORTING

Christianity is losing its grip on young people

Christianity is losing its grip on young people

VERBATIM:  According to a new study by the Pew Research Center, 76% of people who are over 70 and were RAISED as believers still ARE today.  But amongst those ages 18-to-24, only 41% who grew up in the faith say they are still Christians now.  And all those young people who are leaving Christianity are generally not subscribing to some different faith.  The Pew report indicates most who stop following Christ are now followers of NO particular religion.  MH REPORTING

Florida pro-lifers are celebrating

Florida pro-lifers are celebrating

VERBATIM:  The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has killed a buffer zone law that barred pro-life demonstrations on the sidewalk outside an abortion clinic in Clearwater.  National Right to Life says “For pro-life organizations, this ruling is more than a legal triumph; it’s a lifeline for the vulnerable. Sidewalk counselors report that their outreach has helped countless women choose life over abortion.”  Similar buffer zones have been beaten in the courts in recent years.  MH REPORTING

Would you like to live in the past or the future?

Would you like to live in the past or the future?

VERBATIM:  A new poll from the Pew Research Center reveals that 45% of American adults say given the chance, they would cheerfully hop in a time machine and live the rest of their life in the PAST.  Most of those folks would be content to go back just 50 years — to 1975.  Only 14% of respondents say they would like to live in the FUTURE.  The numbers echo other polls that indicate a lot of people long for an America that was simpler, stronger and more religious.  MH REPORTING

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is celebrating

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is celebrating

VERBATIM:  Ministry leaders say they have distributed nearly 245,000 Bibles this year — up 25,000 from 2024.  The scriptures were handed out not just in the U.S. but in scores of foreign countries.  FCA tells the Christian Post that “By providing Scripture in multiple languages, FCA aims to make the Gospel accessible and culturally relevant worldwide.”  The ministry first began handing out Bibles to athletes who attended camps back in 1978.  MH REPORTING

A new poll on immigration and religion

A new poll on immigration and religion

VERBATIM:  The Public Religion Research Institute reports that on the question of whether to allow illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens, majorities of all major faith groups say YES — except for White Evangelical Protestants, of which only 46% support the proposal.  As for President Trump’s efforts to deport people who are in this country illegally, White Evangelical, White Mainline Protestants and White Catholics all support what he is doing.  MH REPORTING

An atheist group has a problem with the Department of Labor

An atheist group has a problem with the Department of Labor

VERBATIM:  The Freedom From Religion Foundation wants Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to call off a prayer service scheduled for Wednesday at the department.  The Foundation claims the event is a violation of the so-called “separation of church and state”.  A number of President Trump’s cabinet secretaries have been hosting voluntary prayer events, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.  The Foundation spends most of its time trying to eliminate Christianity from the public square.  MH REPORTING

A new poll charts America’s reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk

A new poll charts America’s reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk

VERBATIM:  It comes from the Barna Group, and it reveals that nearly one-third of adults took some kind of action in the wake of Kirk’s murder.  Barna says “ among those who did act, spiritual responses dominated. Eighteen percent reported taking a spiritual action, while just 5 percent took a political action. Another 6 percent said they had taken both.”  The poll also finds that those most affected by Kirk’s death are the youngest Americans.  MH REPORTING

A new poll paints a picture of black Americans’ faith

A new poll paints a picture of black Americans’ faith

The U.S. will no longer commemorate World Aids Day

The U.S. will no longer commemorate World Aids Day

VERBATIM:  President Trump has instructed federal offices to stop spending taxpayer dollars on the event, which has come to be seen as something that promotes the LGBT agenda.  The administration says it will continue helping in the global fight against the disease, but will skip the commemorative aspects.  Before winning his second term, the president vowed to stop spending money on promotion of the LGBT agenda, after hearing from angry constituents.  MH REPORTING

A new poll gauges trust around the world

A new poll gauges trust around the world

VERBATIM:  It comes from the Pew Research Center and it asks whether you believe that most people can be trusted.  Sweden is the most trusting nation, with 83% saying YES.  Next comes the Netherlands, Canada, Germany and Australia.  In the U.S., 55% of respondents think most people can be trusted.  The Pew study also reveals that here in America, Jews are the most trusting religious group at 70%, versus 56% of Christians.  MH REPORTING

A landmark ruling from a Texas jurist

A landmark ruling from a Texas jurist

Christmas celebrations are underway in Bethlehem again

Christmas celebrations are underway in Bethlehem again

VERBATIM:  After a two year hiatus because of the war in Gaza, believers in the city of Christ’s birth are cautiously planning to publicly enjoy the holiday.  The annual tree lighting ceremony is set for December 6th and it is hoped that at least a few tourists will make the trip.  President Trump has been trying to secure a lasting end to the war, which was sparked by the 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas — which is accused of repeatedly violating the current cease fire.  MH REPORTING

Democrats have a religious imbalance in their party

Democrats have a religious imbalance in their party

VERBATIM:  The Pew Research Center has been studying the country’s two major political parties and has concluded that on average, Republican voters are a lot more religious than Democratic voters.  But the Pew report also finds that while Republicans of all races are roughly equally religious, amongst the Democrats, only black voters make faith a priority.  Black Democrats are much more religious than their white or Hispanic fellow voters, presenting another fracture in an already fractured party.

‘Tis the season for living Nativities

‘Tis the season for living Nativities

VERBATIM:  With the Christmas season now in full swing, churches all across the nation are preparing their living Nativity displays.  First Baptist Church of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin will present theirs on December 6th and 7th.  In Kentucky, a mobile living Nativity will visit locations in Owen, Gallatin and Grant counties beginning December 5th.  And in Indiana, the Southern Wells Community Church will present their interactive Nativity on December 7th.   MH REPORTING

Another abortion clinic is closing

Another abortion clinic is closing

VERBATIM:  Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio says it is shutting down its clinic in Franklinton because of President Trump’s move to remove taxpayer funding for all businesses that perform abortions.  That makes 45 Planned Parenthood clinics closed this year.  Most of the closures have taken place in pro-abortion states such as California, Illinois and Minnesota. Planned Parenthoodhood takes in hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars every year.  MH REPORTING

An Ohio congregation is giving away gas

An Ohio congregation is giving away gas

VERBATIM:  The Fostoria Church of God will mark Black Friday by giving away 20 dollars of free fuel to each motorist who pulls into the Amoco station at 202 North Countyline St  — and church members will pump it themselves.  Pastor Dan Lucien tells The Courier “We’re trying to offer something that is of need at a critical time of year, when resources are low.” The church will pump until their donated money runs out. Last year they pumped more than 5,000 dollars worth. MH REPORTING

A serious charge against META

A serious charge against META

VERBATIM:  The internet giant, which owns Facebook and Instagram, is being accused by a former employee of ignoring sex-trafficking on its platforms.  Vaishnavi Jayakumar, who used to be Instagram’s chief safety officer, has testified in a court filing that META would allow users to violate the prohibition on prostitution and sexual exploitation 16 times before finally being kicked off the platform.  Pro-family groups have long argued that digital companies FAIL to protect kids.  MH REPORTING

There’s a new book about abortion for kids

There’s a new book about abortion for kids

VERBATIM:  Pro-choice activists Amelia Bonow and Rachel Kessler are the authors.  The book is titled “Abortion Is Everything” and is aimed at 5-to-8 year olds.  The authors say their work “frames abortion as the actualization of a uniquely human superpower: our capacity to imagine the future and make choices that lead us towards the life we envision. Abortion is a tool that allows human beings to shape our destinies, and which has shaped the entire world.”  MH REPORTING

Americans consider child-bearing

VERBATIM:  The country’s birth rate is below the amount needed to keep the population level and has been for several years.  So the Public Religion Research Institute conducted a poll asking adults if they support government policies aimed at encouraging women to have children.  54% of respondents say NO, they do NOT support such programs — 41% say yes.  Republicans and men are more likely to approve of efforts to increase the U.S. birth rate.  MH REPORTING

The Pew Research Center presents a new religious profile of America

The Pew Research Center presents a new religious profile of America

VERBATIM:  First the big numbers:  62% of adults describe themselves as Christians, 29% say they are non-religious and everybody else falls into one of the smaller faith groups — Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.  When broken down by age, the survey finds that young adults — 18-to-29 — are about half as likely as other groups to be Christians.  And the two younger cohorts — Gen z and Millenials — are TWICE as likely to be non-religious as older Americans.  MHN REPORTING

A Christian legal group is ready for the annual Christmas Wars

A Christian legal group is ready for the annual Christmas Wars

VERBATIM:  For more than 20 years, Liberty Counsel has carried out its “Friend or Foe” campaign, which offers legal help to anybody trying to put Christ back in Christmas — and having trouble doing that.  Liberty Counsel points out that “Publicly sponsored Nativity scenes on public property are constitutional.  Classroom discussion of the religious aspects of the holidays is permissible and students may distribute religious Christmas cards to their classmates.”  MH REPORTING

America’s girls are turning their backs on marriage

America’s girls are turning their backs on marriage

VERBATIM:  It’s a cultural cliche that dates back to antiquity:  Females are anxious to try the knot — Males, less so.  But a new poll from the Pew Research Center finds that only 61% of girls in the 12th grade say they want to be married someday, down SHARPLY from the 83% who said so 30 years ago.  But even more surprising is that MORE 12th grade BOYS want to get married these days — 74% — than do girls.  A statistical flip-flop that may have no historical precedent.  MH REPORTING

A date has been set for a key Supreme Court case

A date has been set for a key Supreme Court case

VERBATIM:  The justices will sit on January 13th to hear arguments on the constitutionality of two state laws that bar boys from playing on girls sports teams in Idaho and West Virginia.  A growing number of states are passing similar statues amidst backlash from parents, coaches and feminists over the gradual invasion of female sports by males.  A ruling in the case is expected in the summer of next year and promises to be another landmark.  MH REPORTING