Audio
Michael Harrington
Religion in the News Editor
A 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.
Listen DownloadThe battle over transgenderism in school is not just an American thing
The battle over transgenderism in school is not just an American thing
VERBATIM: The British government keeps promising to tell the public schools how to handle the issue but the guidance has repeatedly been delayed and parents are getting angry. The latest to weigh-in in former Prime Minister Liz Truss, who says schools in the United Kingdom should NOT help children live as the opposite sex. She tells the Times of London school officials “should be clear about biological sex and not sanction transitioning”. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadEuropean Christian leaders have an ambitious plan
European Christian leaders have an ambitious plan
VERBATIM: At a summit organized by the Global Church Network this month, a goal was set to raise up more than 100,000 new pastors over the next decade. GCN founder James Davis says “The European nations represent some of the most difficult places to plant churches, to network leaders and to equip pastors.” While the gospel has been spreading rapidly in the Third World, Christianity is on the wane in much of Europe. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadCalifornia establishes Transgender History Month
California establishes Transgender History Month
VERBATIM: Lawmakers have designated August as a celebration of people who are living as the opposite sex. A resolution passed by the state Assembly claims that transgenderism existed in California centuries before European settlers arrived and calls California “the epicenter of the trans liberation movement”. The state also has what it calls the world’s first transgender cultural district, located in San Francisco. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA “good news-bad news” report on America’s churches
A “good news-bad news” report on America’s churches
VERBATIM: According to The Unstuck Group, a consulting firm, church attendance is UP. Across the board, 22% more people are attending worship services regularly this year over land and Unstuck says America’s churches have essentially recovered from the pandemic. On the DOWN side, however, engagement is in decline. That means churches are having a harder time getting parishioners to volunteer for essential jobs. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadYou can leave, but it will cost you
You can leave, but it will cost you. Oakdale Church in Olney, Maryland is quitting the United Methodist Church over its embrace of gay marriage and homosexual ordination. But Pastor Kevin Baker tells the Christian Post that the UMC wants four million dollars in fees, mission shares and other costs if the congregation wants to keep its church. Baker says the 250 or so parishioners have only two months to raise the cash and the UMC is unwilling to negotiate or even talk.
Listen DownloadChristians, Muslims and Mormons are coming together in Maryland
Christians, Muslims and Mormons are coming together in Maryland
VERBATIM: And what could forge a coalition out of such diverse religious groups? Filthy books in the schools. A Maryland district court has ruled that parents in Montgomery County Public Schools have NO right to opt their kids out of classes that include LGBT topics and the use of books that have been widely deemed pornographic. Moms and dads of various religious stripes have joined the group Family Rights for Religious Freedom to try and protect their kids. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAmerica may be running out of pastors
America may be running out of pastors
VERBATIM: The Barna Group has been quizzing clergymen across the country and 75% of them say it’s getting harder and harder to find mature young Christians who want to become pastors. This is particularly troubling, given the fact that many of America’s clergymen are planning to retire in the not too distant future. The Barna poll also reveals that 71% of pastors are concerned about the quality of the men who will replace them. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadThe American Medical Association would like you to pay for something
The American Medical Association would like you to pay for something
VERBATIM: The venerable doctors group says taxpayers should foot the bill for surgeries that would transplant a uterus into a man, who is living as a woman, so that man can give birth to a child. The AMA tells the Journal of Ethics that if men who are living as women cannot give birth, this may cause “psychological dissonance which undermines their health and well-being.” Each of the operations would cost about 300,000 dollars. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadThe prosperity gospel is spreading
The prosperity gospel is spreading
VERBATIM: A new poll from Life Way Research indicates that a growing number of Protestant churchgoers are embracing that doctrine. In 2017, 69% of people who go to a Protestant church believed that God wants them to have a lot of money — today it’s 76%. More than half of poll respondents also say “My church teaches that if I give more money to my church and charities, God will bless me in return”. In 2017, only 38% believed that. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAnother big company pays the price for backing the LGBT agenda
Another big company pays the price for backing the LGBT agenda
VERBATIM: The numbers are in and Target has reported a drop in quarterly sales for the first time in six years. This comes after an uproar in June when the company went all-in on Gay Pride Month, marketing special women’s swimsuits that could be worn by men and clothing for small children that was emblazoned with gay slogans. Target’s biggest competitor — Walmart — saw a quarterly increase in sales, as it opted to largely ignore Pride Month. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA new study of religion around the world
A new study of religion around the world
VERBATIM: The Pew Research Center poll essentially finds that while faith is in decline in the U.S., things are a lot worse elsewhere. Amongst the world’s wealthiest nations, America has the highest percentage of people who say religion is important in their life — 41%. Compare that to the United Kingdom, where only 21% of residents say that faith has value in their daily life. In South Korea it’s 17%, 15% in Australia, 5% in Sweden. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA lawsuit over bathrooms in Missouri
A transgender former student is challenging a Platte County School District rule that bars boys from using the girls bathroom. The plaintiff, who is a male living as a female, was afforded a single-stall gender-neutral bathroom by the school system — but was not satisfied, demanding that he be allowed to use the girls room. Similar legal battles are springing up all over the country as parents demand that their daughters be safe at school.
Listen DownloadFranklin Graham is packing his bags
Franklin Graham is packing his bags
VERBATIM: He will be visiting the United Kingdom this month for several gospel festivals. Graham will preach in London beginning August 26th, just a year after he toured the U.K. for the first time in years. The popular evangelist says “We saw hundreds of people turn to Jesus Christ in faith last year, and we believe this is God’s timing for many more people to hear the message of God’s great love for them.” Thousands of churches are helping organize the event. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadThe Women’s World Cup has its first transgender player
The Women’s World Cup has its first transgender player
VERBATIM: Or does it? Canadian midfielder Quinn is a biological woman, who calls herself “they” and identifies and non-binary and ALSO identifies as transgender. But if a person is non-binary, can she BE transgender — a designation which acknowledges the two genders? And if Quinn IS transgender, shouldn’t she be playing in the MEN’S World Cup — which she’s not going to do, because she’s actually a woman? We live in complicated times. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadMichigan Democrats seek to enforce the LGBT agenda
Michigan Democrats seek to enforce the LGBT agenda
VERBATIM: Under a bill being considered by state lawmakers, any action that “threatens by word or act” gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person would be punishable by up to five years in jail and a 10,000 dollar fine. But critics wonder what kind of WORDS would trigger that punishment? They say quoting from the Bible or refusing to use a transgender person’s preferred pronouns might cross the line under this new legislation. Michigan Democrats say — don’t worry about it. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadCan a robot be a Christian?
Can a robot be a Christian?
VERBATIM: It’s not just a silly question. The Pentagon admits that the day is coming when it will have weapons systems that are guided by artificial intelligence and an Air Force spokesman says those weapons will likely have programming that give them a “Judeo-Christian” value system. Lieutenant General Richard Moore says smart weapons that have to make life-and-death decisions in combat will have to be provided with a moral compass of some kind. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadSome states are expanding their suicide laws
Some states are expanding their suicide laws
VERBATIM: Lawmakers in both Oregon and Vermont have dropped the requirement that a person be a state resident before he can seek physician-assisted suicide. That’s seen as a move to attract people from neighboring states where the procedure remains illegal. So far, 10 states offer physician-assisted suicide and pro-life advocates warn that there are groups seeking to expand it further. They nearly succeeded in Nevada, before the governor issued a veto. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAmericans still like Christian radio
Americans still like Christian radio
VERBATIM: According to the latest from the Pew Research Center, one-in-every-four adults in this country listens to religious radio stations. Compare that to the 15% who listen to religious podcasts — the technology that some thing will replace radio in American life. The Pew study also finds that 34% of the general population reads religious books, versus 20% who spend time watching religious videos on line. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadBelief in God is on the decline in this country
Belief in God is on the decline in this country
VERBATIM: 20 years ago, 90% of Americans professed faith in a higher power. Today, a new Gallup poll finds only 74% still feel that way. In fact, belief in the supernatural is in decline generally. Only 67% of the general population thinks that heaven exists, and just 59% believe in hell. And when it comes to Satan — only 58% believe. These trends match a corresponding decline in America’s Christian faith. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA new poll on morality
A new poll on morality
VERBATIM: The Gallup organization reports that 78% of Americans feel that divorce is morally acceptable. 72% also have no problem with fornication and 70% believe it is morally o.k. to have a child out of wedlock. 64% of respondents say homosexuality IS moral — but that’s down from 71% one year ago. What do most people think is NOT morally acceptable? Adultery. Just 12% say that’s o.k. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadPornhub has a complaint
Pornhub has a complaint
VERBATIM: The most popular pornography site on the internet doesn’t like laws being passed in some states that require it to verify that its customers are 18-year-of-age or older. Pornhub has now blocked access to people in Mississippi, Utah and Virginia rather than comply with the law. Child protection advocates point out that American kids are accessing pornography at younger and younger ages, and they need to be protected. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadThe Chinese Communist Party is rewriting the Bible
The Chinese Communist Party is rewriting the Bible
VERBATIM: It sounds like a bad joke, but it’s true: Chinese officials are working on a version of the scriptures that is subservient to their goals. A sneak-peak reported by Fox News includes a change to the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. In the Communist version, Jesus stones the woman Himself. The CCP also plans to rewrite the Koran, but right now party members are focusing on the Bible — which is seen as the greatest threat to their rule. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadBig business and governments aren’t the only ones giving in to China
Big business and governments aren’t the only ones giving in to China
VERBATIM: Pope Francis has decided to accept the Communist Party’s unilateral appointment of a new bishop in Shanghai and formally recognize the installation of Shen Bin. The Vatican says Francis decided to accept the bishop “for the greater good” of the faithful in Shanghai. China has made no secret of its plan to subjugate all forms of religion to the Party and persecution of Protestant Christians is at an all-time high. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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