Christians are preparing to celebrate Palm Sunday

Christians are preparing to celebrate Palm Sunday

VERBATIM:  Believers the world over will kick-off Holy Week with services celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  Those celebrations will be low-key in Israel due to the war with Iran — the annual Palm Sunday parade in Jerusalem has been cancelled for safety reasons.  Holy Week is the run-up to Easter Sunday — April 5th this year.  Some churches will mark Maundy Thursday and most will hold services on Good Friday before the big event.  MH REPORTING

Massachusetts is becoming a national hub for abortion

Massachusetts is becoming a national hub for abortion

VERBATIM:  State official report that nearly 50,000 abortions took place in or through the state in 2024 — more than double the roughly 24,000 that were carried out in 2023.  And about half of those 50,000 abortions took place in pro-life states thanks to abortion pills that clinics in Massachusetts are mailing out.  Attorneys general in several states have begun filing lawsuits against providers in other states who send abortion drugs in contravention of local laws.  MH REPORTING

Most religious Americans don’t have any problem with gambling

Most religious Americans don’t have any problem with gambling

VERBATIM:  If any demographic group was liable to oppose betting for moral reasons you might think it would be people of faith.  But a new poll from the Pew Research Center reveals that just 35% of Protestants think gambling is morally wrong.  25% of Catholics agree as do 25% of Jewish Americans.  Amongst atheists, agnostics and people of no-particular faith, even fewer see any moral concerns about betting.  MH REPORTING

A new study asks clergymen about technology

A new study asks clergymen about technology

VERBATIM:  It comes from the Barna Group and it finds that 95% of America’s church leaders believe that digital tools and online platforms open new opportunities for ministries.  79% also think that innovations in high tech will positively shape the future of the church.  Many congregations have adopted digital tools and Barna says “The next question is: How can the technology they already use help them fulfill their mission more faithfully and effectively?”  MH REPORTING

Men and women have different moral codes

Men and women have different moral codes

VERBATIM:  A new poll from the Pew Research Center indicates that men are a lot more likely than women to feel that getting a divorce is IMMORAL.  Men are also considerably more likely to believe abortion to be morally wrong.  On the other hand, 58% of women say viewing pornography is immoral compared to just 47% of men.  Women are also more convinced that the death penalty is immoral — 36% to 31%.  MHN REPORTING

Missouri pro-lifers take heart from a new poll

Missouri pro-lifers take heart from a new poll

VERBATIM:  The survey from YouGov and St. Louis University finds that 47% of voters support an amendment to the state constitution that would ban abortion with first trimester exceptions.  40% oppose it and 12% haven’t decided.  Missouri has been flip-flopping on abortion the last several years.  First the legislature passed a ban.  Then voters approved an amendment enshrining the procedure.  This fall they will get a chance to decide again.  MH REPORTING

What do Americans consider immoral?

What do Americans consider immoral?

Wisconsin enacts a rare pro-life law

Wisconsin enacts a rare pro-life law

VERBATIM:  Democratic Governor Tony Evers has signed a measure that makes it easier for a woman with a crisis pregnancy to have the child and then give him up for adoption.  The new law expands Wisconsin’s Safe Haven Act from 72 hours after birth to 30 days.  The statute allows a woman who doesn’t feel she can care for her child to give him up to the authorities at a wide variety of locations with no questions asked.  All 50 states have similar laws.  MH REPORTING

A victory for religious freedom in Illinois

A victory for religious freedom in Illinois

VERBATIM:  Alliance Defending Freedom has settled a lawsuit with the Chicago Board of Education over its refusal to allow students at Moody Bible Institute to fulfill the student-teaching part of their degree program at public schools.  ADF spokesman Jeremiah Galus says “we’re pleased to reach this favorable outcome that will allow Moody students to participate in the Chicago Public Schools’ intern program. We’re hopeful other public officials will take note.”  MH REPORTING

Christians are using their spiritual gifts to help others

Christians are using their spiritual gifts to help others

VERBATIM:  The latest survey from LifeWay Research finds that 68% of Protestant churchgoers say they make it a point to try and use their gifts to “serve God and others”.  That’s up sharply from 2012 when just 58% of respondents said so.  LifeWay spokesman Scott McConnell says “Jesus prescribed a life that focuses on loving God and others, and this is actively shown in serving others. Most churchgoers embrace this goal.”  MH REPORTING

A new study of Christian media

A new study of Christian media

VERBATIM:  It comes from the Barna Group and it finds that 60% of American adults engage with Christian media of some kind and about half of them do so at least once per week.  Two-thirds of adults say they believe Christian media is trustworthy.  But the Barna report goes on to say “engagement brings scrutiny. Among heavy consumers, 45 percent say the content can be divisive and 40 percent say it sometimes makes Christians “look bad.”   MH REPORRING

Americans support evangelism

Americans support evangelism

VERBATIM:  According to the Becket Fund’s latest Religious Freedom Index, 75% of adults in this country support the right of people to tell others about their faith.  Becket says this is one of the highest numbers on record on this question and is being driven by interest in faith amongst younger Americans.  Becket spokesman Lori Windham says “Religious freedom isn’t limited to only what happens in houses of worship. It’s about how people live their lives and build their communities.”  MH REPORTING

A lot of kids are using AI chatbots

A lot of kids are using AI chatbots

VERBATIM:  About two-thirds of all American kids ages 13-to-17, according to the latest from the Pew Research Center.  Critics say that’s a problem.  While teens say they mostly use the chatbots to help them with school work, research indicates that a lot of them are also turning to them for advice about serious life issues — the kind of thing they ought to be talking to their parents or pastor about.  Some bots have also been enabled to provide “erotic content” to their users.  MHNREPIRTING

The University of Oregon will dispense abortion pills

The University of Oregon will dispense abortion pills

VERBATIM:  The notoriously liberal school says it will make abortifacient drugs available to students beginning with the fall term.  Portland State University is already doing so, making the University of Oregon the second in the state to hand out abortion pills on campus.  Big schools in several other states are doing so too — in some cases providing the volatile drugs in vending machines.  Most abortions in the U.S. are now carried out via pills.  MH REPORTING

Southerners are the most religious

Southerners are the most religious

VERBATIM:  According to the latest data from the Pew Research Center, 76% of people who live in the Southeastern portion of the country have a religious affiliation.  That’s the highest percentage of any region.  However, the Pew study also reveals that while Southerners care about faith more than anybody else, they care about it less than they used to.  By all metrics, people from the South are significantly less religious now than they were 20 years ago.  MHREPORTING

Two pro-life bills defeated in New Hampshire

Two pro-life bills defeated in New Hampshire

Canada moves to expand assisted suicide

Canada moves to expand assisted suicide

VERBATIM:  The government has set up a committee to consider allowing people who are mentally ill to take their own lives with the help of a doctor.  Critics say the panel is made up largely of suicide supporters and will likely advise the government to go ahead with the proposed expansion, which is already set to happen in 2027 if no action is taken to prevent it.  Under current Canadian law, only people with terminal physical ailments can apply for assisted suicide.  MH REPORTING

A pro-life organization is spending big in Ohio

A pro-life organization is spending big in Ohio

VERBATIM:  A 3.2 million dollar get-out-the-vote campaign is being launched in the Buckeye State by Susan B. Anthony Pro-life America and the Women Speak Out PAC.  The goal is to knock on the doors of half-a-million Ohio homes, urging residents to vote for pro-life candidates in the looming midterm elections.  Organizers say the campaign will also include digital advertising, voter contact mail and an early vote campaign as Election Day nears.  MH REPORTING

Young people are more engaged in church

Young people are more engaged in church

VERBATIM:  A new poll from the Barna Group finds that 40% of America’s Protestant pastors say they see more Millennials and members of Generation Z showing up to worship services and participating in the life of the congregation.  The churches that are most likely to see increased engagement by young adults are big ones, those led by younger pastors and those outside the Mainline Protestant denominations.  Both males and females are responding.  MH REPORTING

Ohio is becoming an abortion destination

Ohio is becoming an abortion destination

VERBATIM:  Since the state enshrined the procedure in its constitution, the abortion rate has increased 15%.  And the Ohio Department of Health reports that 20% of the total number of abortions are being performed on women from out-of-state.  As pro-life states ban or limit abortion, liberal states are moving to make the procedure more unfettered, drawing women from around the country.  Critics say the profit motive is a key factor in the decision to enshrine abortion.  MH REPORTING

Indiana’s abortion ban is on hold

Indiana’s abortion ban is on hold

VERBATIM:  Marion County Superior Court Judge Christina Klineman has issued a preliminary injunction on behalf of a group of plaintiffs who claim that abortion is part of their religious belief system.  This is an argument that is being promoted nationwide by the Satanic Temple, which is seeking to protect abortion by cloaking it in the First Amendment.  Indiana Right to Life says religious freedom law “was never intended to equate taking the life of an unborn child with religious expression.”  MH REPORTING

Evangelicals still support President Trump

Evangelicals still support President Trump

VERBATIM:  The latest poll from the Public Religion Research Institute reveals that Evangelical Protestants are the religious group mostly likely to back Mr. Trump — 70%.  The survey also finds that 53% of Catholics and 45% of Mainline Protestants support the president one year into his second term.  Amongst other faith communities including those people who are atheists, agnostics or followers of no particular religion, Mr. Trump enjoys much LOWER approval.  MH REPORTING

A new study of Generation Z

A new study of Generation Z

VERBATIM:  There have been reports of revival amongst America’s youngest adults, but if that’s true then there apparently needs to be a corresponding surge in discipleship.  According to the latest from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, just one percent of Gen Z has a Biblical worldview.  In fact, the CRC concludes that just 4% of ALL Americans possess a Biblical worldview and older people are more likely than the young to have one.  MHNREPOERTING

An Indiana man is going to jail for vandalizing a church

An Indiana man is going to jail for vandalizing a church

VERBATIM:  The 21-year-old man was convicted of spray-painting Satanic symbols on Maple Grove Baptist Church in Plainfield and has been sentenced to 10 months behind bars. Tom Wheeler, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana says “Targeting any house of worship because of its faith is an attack on the fundamental freedoms that define our nation.”  There has been an uptick in attacks on churches in the U.S. over the past several years.  MH REPORTING