Audio
Michael Harrington
Religion in the News Editor
A challenge to America’s churches
A challenge to America’s churches
VERBATIM: Sports gaming is taking the nation by storm and addiction experts say it’s only a matter of time before a new wave of gambling addicts begins to crash upon America’s shores. Janet Jacobs of Gambling Recovery Ministries tells Christianity Today that churches should be preparing themselves right now, adding that “There really is very little in terms of faith-based outreach to problem gamblers and their loved ones.” Some predict the gambling problem will rival the opioid epidemic. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadFranklin Graham takes on the Pope
Franklin Graham takes on the Pope
VERBATIM: The popular evangelist is responding to the decision by pontiff to allow priests to bless gay civil unions. Writing on Facebook Graham says “None of us, including the Pope, has the right to “bless” what God calls sin. So-called “blessings” from religious leaders won’t save you from the judgment of God!” Graham urges gay couples — and all people — to turn to Christ, repent and accept his free salvation. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadIs the Catholic Church headed for a split?
Is the Catholic Church headed for a split?
VERBATIM: The last time it fractured was over 500 years ago and papal indulgences were the key issue. This time it’s homosexuality. Pope Francis’s decision to allow priests to offer blessings for gay civil unions has enraged numerous conservative bishops around the globe. One of them, Tomash Peta of the Archdiocese of Saint Mary in Kazakhstan, has forbidden his priests from blessing homosexual relationships and has publicly admonished the Pope for his decision. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadReligious freedom advocates send a message to the Biden administration
Religious freedom advocates send a message to the Biden administration
VERBATIM: They want the state department to put Nigeria on its list of “countries of particular concern” over the on-going persecution of Christians. Two Muslim terror groups are active in Nigeria and they have murdered thousands of Christians over the past decade and driven more from their homes in the northern part of the country. The advocates say the Nigeria government isn’t taking the problem seriously and the U.S. needs to send a message. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA new look at America’s spiritual condition
A new look at America’s spiritual condition
VERBATIM: It comes from the Pew Research Center and it indicates — as numerous other surveys have — that the country is becoming less and less religious. But that doesn’t mean people don’t believe in….SOMETHING. The Pew poll finds about half of Americans describe themselves as spiritual AND religious. 22% say they are spiritual but NOT religious. 10% are religious but not spiritual. 21% are NEITHER. Michael Harringtno, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA satanic display has appeared at the Iowa capitol building
A satanic display has appeared at the Iowa capitol building
VERBATIM: It’s a life-sized human figure with a goat’s head wearing black robes and adorned with pentagrams. It is surrounded by candles. The Satanic Temple is responsible for the display — state lawmakers say it would have been illegal for them to have denied a permit under religious freedom statutes. Many officials and private citizens are voicing their disgust with the satanic display, coming as it does in the week leading up to Christmas. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadThe FDA promotes transgenderism
The FDA promotes transgenderism
VERBATIM: The agency is encouraging the Research Institute for Gender Therapeutics to conduct tests on a new puberty-blocking hormone for boys, suggesting that government approval for such a drug might be forthcoming in the future. So far, the Food and Drug Administration has NEVER approved a medications SPECIFICALLY to help children live as the opposite sex. The drugs currently used for that purpose are actually designed to treat actual diseases. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadMen are really cleaning up in women’s cycling
Men are really cleaning up in women’s cycling
VERBATIM: Both the gold AND the silver medals at the Single Speed competition of this month’s Illinois State Cyclocross Championship went to men. Cycling federations have been especially welcoming to transgender athletes and as a result, men are beginning to dominate women’s races. Legendary tennis champion Martina Navratilova doesn’t like it, delivering an X post that reads “More mediocre males taking podium places from female athletes.” Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadJews around the world will begin celebrating Hanukkah on Thursday
Jews around the world will begin celebrating Hanukkah on Thursday
VERBATIM: It will be a somber occasion this year, with with the Hamas attack on Israel in October and the on-going hostilities in the Holy Land. Hanukkah tells the story of God’s faithfulness to the Jewish people in one of their darkest hours and many Jews will be thinking about that as they begin lighting their candles on Thursday night. In many communities across the U.S. and other countries, large menorahs will be lit in public places. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA group of 17 Republican attorneys general take on the Biden administration
A group of 17 Republican attorneys general take on the Biden administration
VERBATIM: They have sent a letter to Washington, decrying a proposed rule that would require any foster child who identifies as LGBT be placed ONLY with parents who promise to affirm their lifestyle and “provide services necessary for their health and well-being”. That would include sex-change operations. The attorneys general point out that some states are banning those kinds of surgeries on children because of their devastating consequences. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadReligious organizations are no longer America’s most trusted charities
Religious organizations are no longer America’s most trusted charities
VERBATIM: The Better Business Bureau puts out an annual list of the wisest places to give your charitable dollars and for many years, churches and ministries were number one. This year, they fall to number three — behind veterans organizations and non-profit hospitals. Religious groups are still the most trusted by Americans in their 60’s and up, however, suggesting that younger people have less trust in those institutions than their parents and grandparents. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAnother poll finds people of faith are happier
Another poll finds people of faith are happier
VERBATIM: This one comes from the United Kingdom and it indicates that 76% of religious people there say they are happy and 73% describe their psychological well being as GOOD. Compare that to less than half of atheists who are happy and just 52% whose mental health is positive. The poll was released by the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life, which notes — ironically — that many OTHER surveys show that more and Britons are quitting faith altogether. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadEuropeans are giving up on the afterlife
Europeans are giving up on the afterlife
VERBATIM: According to a new poll, large percentages of people who live on the continent do NOT believe that there is any life after death. Only 42% of the people who live in England think that there is an afterlife. In France it’s 41%, in Germany — 39% and 36% in Finland. In fact, the only country in Europe where a high percentage of people believe in life after death is mostly-Muslim Turkey. 92% there, believe.
Listen DownloadSupport for abortion in this country is soaring
Support for abortion in this country is soaring
VERBATIM: According to a new Wall Street Journal-NORC poll, 55% of respondents say a woman should be able to get an abortion for any reason — no questions asked. That’s one of the highest levels since analysts started asking the question back in the 1970’s. Democrats are the most pro-abortion with 77% supporting the procedure for any reason. The survey also reveals that 86% of Americans want access to abortion in cases of rape or incest. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAnother executive loses his job over the Bud Light transgender debacle
Another executive loses his job over the Bud Light transgender debacle
VERBATIM: It’s the gift that keeps on giving. Anheuser-Busch’s U.S. marketing chief Benoit Garbe will leave at the end of this year — the THIRD company officer who has paid the price for the decision to team up Bud Light with social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney, a man who is living as a woman. That decision tanked Bud Light sales and pulled Anheuser-Busch’s global profits down and it’s not clear if the company will recover any time soon — or ever. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadLGBT agenda comes to Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The LGBT agenda comes to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
VERBATIM: Transgender and non-binary performers from two Broadway shows will be featured in the beloved holiday event, alarming a number of parents groups. One Million Moms has gathered more than 20,000 signatures on a petition of protest, saying “Shame on Macy’s for promoting and sponsoring this type of entertainment. It is clear that Macy’s does not have our children’s best interests in mind.” The parade begins at 8:30am on Thanksgiving Day. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA Virginia school board allows prayer
A Virginia school board allows prayer
VERBATIM: Back in August, a local woman attended a meeting of the Suffolk Public Schools Board and during her allotted comment time tried to offer a brief prayer for the board members. She was quickly cut off by Board Chair Tyron Riddick, who said prayer was not allowed. This prompted a bunch of people in the audience to start reciting the Lord’s Prayer as the woman was kicked out. Christian legal groups got involved and now the Board says prayer will be allowed in the future. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA new poll asks American voters about the LGBT question
A new poll asks American voters about the LGBT question
VERBATIM: The numbers come from the Public Religion Research Institute and they indicate that the gay agenda is a litmus test issue for 28% of respondents: That is to say that they will NOT cast a ballot for a candidate if he does not agree with them on LGBT matters. 35% of Americans say homosexuality is just one of many issues they consider and 36% say they don’t care about it one way or the other. Democrats more concerned than Republicans. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA new poll asks Americans why they switch churches
A new poll asks Americans why they switch churches
VERBATIM: It comes from LifeWay Research and it finds that doctrine and the quality of the pastor are the top reasons that people leave one congregation for another. Other key factors include the authenticity of church members, worship style and how a congregation cares for its community. The LifeWay survey also finds that most people who switch churches spend months not going to worship at ALL before they find a new home. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadA new poll asks voters how important abortion is to them
A new poll asks voters how important abortion is to them
VERBATIM: According to the Public Religion Research Institute, 50% of Democrats say they will NOT vote for a candidate if he isn’t in favor of abortion. Republicans and Independents don’t feel so strongly. Only 38 and 35% of them, respectively, say they would not cast a ballot for a candidate if he doesn’t agree with them on the issue. Nearly half of Evangelical Christians and nearly half of non-religious people also say abortion is a litmus test for them. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadThe Merchant Marine Academy embraces transgenderism
The Merchant Marine Academy embraces transgenderism
VERBATIM: Under a new policy, midshipmen who are scheduled to have a sex change operation can seek exemption from their military service requirement. Academy officials say they’re just complying with President Biden’s order that all military services avoid discrimination against transgender recruits. Some members of Congress are concerned Republican Jim Banks of Indiana says he has questions about the new Merchant Marine policy. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen Download40 Days For Life does it again
40 Days For Life does it again
VERBATIM: The biannual pro-life prayer vigil wraps up its fall campaign this Sunday and so far more than 200 women seeking abortions have decided NOT to. 40 Days For Life organizes silent prayer outside abortion clinics all across the U.S. and in several foreign countries. Since it all began in 2007, more than 26,000 unborn babies have been saved, 251 abortion clinic workers have quit their job and 145 clinics have shut down. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAnother defeat for the Satanic Temple
Another defeat for the Satanic Temple
VERBATIM: A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the group to block Indiana’s new pro-life law that places a near total ban on abortion. Members of the Satanic Temple argued that the law violates their religious freedom because they consider abortion to be a sacrament. This legal tactic also failed in Texas where a judge kicked the Satanists’ case out, back in July. The Temple is deeply invested in abortion — recently opening a clinic in New Mexico. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
Listen DownloadAmericans sound-off on the direction of the country
Americans sound-off on the direction of the country
VERBATIM: The latest poll from the Public Religion Research Institute finds 77% of the general population believes the U.S. is going wrong. That includes 90% of Republicans, 81% of Independents and 59% of Democrats. Most religious Americans also believe the country is going in the wrong direction — including 92% of White Evangelicals, 82% of Mainline Protestants and 79% of Catholics. Michael Harrington, SRN News.
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