Salem Radio Network News Thursday, April 23, 2026

Audio

Michael Harrington

Religion in the News Editor

Are kids being pressured into being transgender?

Thu, Jul 13, 2023 at 9:08 am

Are kids being pressured into being transgender?

VERBATIM: A new poll from the Public Religion Research Institute asks that question and it finds 43% of American say YES, peer pressure has a lot to do with the rising number of teenagers who are living as the opposite sex. 75% of White Evangelical Protestants agree, as do 74% of Republicans. The survey also reveals that 62% of the general public think people spend too much time talking about their gender and their pronouns. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

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A Canadian healthcare system is reminding seniors that they can kill themselves

Wed, Jul 12, 2023 at 8:05 am

A Canadian healthcare system is reminding seniors that they can kill themselves

VERBATIM: The Daily Mail has obtained a Power Point that has been sent to various senior groups in British Columbia by the Fraser Health Authority. The show presents a lengthy euthansia package as part of the seniors’ pension plans. The Canadian government is already under pressure over instances of soldiers coming home with PTSD and being advised of suicide as an option. The number of Canadians who are taking their own lives is at an all time high. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

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A trigger warning for the Lord’s Prayer

Tue, Jul 11, 2023 at 9:23 am

A trigger warning for the Lord’s Prayer

VERBATIM: It comes from Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York and the second most powerful man in the Church of England. At a recent gathering, Cottrell told other clergymen that they should be aware that the words “Our Father, who art in heaven, ” can be “problematic for all of us who have laboured rather too much from an oppressively, patriarchal grip on life.” The Church of England is currently debating the use of gender-neutral pronouns for God. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

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Americans don’t have much confidence in their institutions

Mon, Jul 10, 2023 at 10:22 am

Americans don’t have much confidence in their institutions

VERBATIM: And that includes the church. The latest Gallup poll of institutional confidence finds only 32% of respondents believe strongly in organized religion. But a lot of other institutions fared far worse. Confidence in Congress stands at eight percent and just 26% for the presidency. Also on the low end of the scale are big business, big tech and big journalism. Americans have the MOST confidence in small business and the military. Michael Harrington, SRN News.

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Georgia’s new pro-life law is working

Fri, Jul 7, 2023 at 9:22 am

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.

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Celebrities call for censorship on social media

Thu, Jul 6, 2023 at 10:45 am

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.

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A new poll charts support for abortion around the world

Thu, Jun 29, 2023 at 8:13 am

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.

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A new report on religious persecution around the globe

Tue, Jun 27, 2023 at 10:23 am

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.

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

Fri, Jun 23, 2023 at 9:47 am

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.

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A new poll on abortion

Thu, Jun 22, 2023 at 11:57 am

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.

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A new ranking of the 50 states

Fri, Jun 16, 2023 at 7:41 am

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.

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White House is embarrassed over LGBT topless episode

Thu, Jun 15, 2023 at 9:11 am

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”.

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California parents want their rights

Wed, Jun 14, 2023 at 10:36 am

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.

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A popular restaurant chain joins the LGBT parade

Tue, Jun 13, 2023 at 10:14 am

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.

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A lot of American churches are looking to their security

Wed, Jun 7, 2023 at 9:31 am

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.

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Most Americans do not accept transgender ideology

Tue, Jun 6, 2023 at 11:51 am

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.

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Another religious freedom battle — this one in Minnesota

Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 10:14 am

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.

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When it comes to evangelism, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

Tue, May 30, 2023 at 11:37 am

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.

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A new poll asks Americans what they think about God

Fri, May 26, 2023 at 8:49 am

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.

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Target is at the heart of a new storm of controversy

Thu, May 25, 2023 at 9:45 am

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.

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A Christian TV show is going big time

Wed, May 24, 2023 at 7:57 am

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.

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Most Americans like Jesus

Fri, May 19, 2023 at 7:56 am

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.

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A new ranking of American businesses

Thu, May 18, 2023 at 10:55 am

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.

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Another iconic American brand suffers for embracing transgenderism

Wed, May 17, 2023 at 10:15 am

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.

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