Georgia’s new pro-life law is working

Georgia’s new pro-life law is working

VERBATIM: According to numbers from the state’s health department — the abortion rate is down nearly 50% since a new measure that bars abortion as soon as an unborn baby’s heartbeat can be heard. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that last year there were about 4,000 abortions a month in Georgia — now there are less than 2200. Other states with strong pro-life statues are also reporting sharp declines in the number of abortions. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Celebrities call for censorship on social media

Celebrities call for censorship on social media

VERBATIM: More than 250 Hollywood types have signed a letter to Facebook, Twitter and other platforms urging them to prevent anyone from criticizing transgenderism, sex-change operations or puberty-blockers for kids. Hailey Beiber, Ariana Grande, Judd Apatow, Kristin Chenoweth and others say social media must censor “malicious disinformation about trans healthcare.” Ironically, many of the signers also describe themselves as First Amendment defenders. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

A new poll charts support for abortion around the world

A new poll charts support for abortion around the world

VERBATIM: It comes from the Pew Research Center and it reveals that most people in Western Europe want the procedure to be legal in all or most cases. By contrast, abortion is not at ALL popular in Africa, the Middle East or parts of the Far East. The Pew poll also reveals that the more religious a country is, the LESS likely it is to want abortion to be legal. Here in the U.S., the people are about evenly split on the issue. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

A new report on religious persecution around the globe

A new report on religious persecution around the globe

VERBATIM: Aid to the Church in Need has released its annual survey and it finds that nearly two-thirds of the people on the planet live in countries where they can be punished for their faith. In its 2023 World Religious Freedom Report, ACN goes on to say “Culprits of religious freedom violations range from armed terror groups to authoritarian governments, but the rule continues to be one of impunity for attackers who are rarely, if ever, brought to justice.” Michael Harrington, SRN News.

Texas Christian University will teach you how to be a drag queen

Texas Christian University will teach you how to be a drag queen

VERBATIM: The course is called “The Queer Art of Drag” and for the price of nearly 7,000 dollars — three credit hours at TCU — you can take it this fall through the school’s Department of Women and Gender Studies. At the end of the semester, all the students will have the opportunity to dress in drag and perform in a campus show. TCU was founded in 1873 in Fort Worth, Texas by a pair of pastors and is affiliated with the Christian Church Disciples of Christ. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

A new poll on abortion

A new poll on abortion

VERBATIM: It’s being released by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and it reveals that 77% of voters agree with at least some limits on the procedure by 15 weeks of pregnancy. SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser says a lot of states have passed new laws, but adds “Americans strongly agree that Congress has a role to play in protecting babies from brutal late-term abortions when they can feel pain.” Michael Harrington, SRN News.

A new ranking of the 50 states

A new ranking of the 50 states

VERBATIM: At issue is religious freedom — how free is your state? Napa Legal Institute, a Washington D.C. non-profit, says Alabama is the state where religious liberty is most respected and protected — scoring 86%. Number two is Texas, followed by Mississippi, Kentucky, New Mexico and Kansas. At the other end of the spectrum, the state where religious freedom is LEAST protected in Nevada, followed by Maryland and Michigan. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

White House is embarrassed over LGBT topless episode

The White House is embarrassed. President Biden held a big party to celebrate Gay Pride earlier this month that included drag queens and all kinds of LGBT activists — including Rose Montoya, a man who is living as a woman. Montoya and others posed for photos with the president. Later, with the White House in the background, Montoya posed topless. When the pictures hit the web, the White House had to issue a statement saying Montoya was acting “inappropriately”.

California parents want their rights

California parents want their rights

VERBATIM: It is one of the most liberal states in the country but when a recent Rasmussen poll asked moms and dads if “A person loses their parental rights when a child enters public school”, a resounding 82% said NO. And nearly 70% of California parents say they want teachers to contact them if their child begins living as the opposite sex while at school. On the statement “Our nation’s children are all our children” nearl two-thirds of Californians say NO. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

A popular restaurant chain joins the LGBT parade

A popular restaurant chain joins the LGBT parade

VERBATIM: Cracker Barrel, which has made its name serving the kind of food grandma used to make, is being blasted for honoring Gay Pride Month. The chain is well known for the rocking chairs it has around the entrance to its restaurants. It just released a photo of them with one painted in the colors of the rainbow LGBT flag. Cracker Barrel is taking a bit of a risk. Boycotts are already going against Bud Light and Target for the same kind of thing. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

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.

Most 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.

Another 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.

When 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.

A 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.

Target 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.

A 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.

Most 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.

A 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.

Another 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.

An 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.

Are 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.

Washington 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.