Audio
Michael Harrington
Religion in the News Editor
A British pro-lifer is convicted
A British pro-lifer is convicted
VERBATIM: 64-year-old Livia Tossici-Bolt stood silently outside an abortion clinic in Bournemouth holding a sign that read “Here to talk, if you want”. But that was enough to get her arrested for violating England’s new buffer zone law that bars any pro-life expression within 500 feet of a clinic. Bolt has now been convicted and ordered to pay 20,000 pounds in court costs. Pro-life advocates say the buffer zones are a clear violation of free speech and religious expression. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadAmerica remains a nation divided by faith and geography
America remains a nation divided by faith and geography
VERBATIM: A new poll brings the same old results: Namely, that Christianity is the strongest in the South and Midwest — and the weakest everywhere else. 68% of people in the South say they are believers as do 64% of those in the Midwest. In the Northeast only 58% of the populace calls itself Christian — 55% in the far West. The latter two regions also contain the largest percentages of people who are atheists, agnostics or followers of no particular faith. SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadMore states are fighting back against on-line pornography
More states are fighting back against on-line pornography
Jews around the world are preparing to celebrate Passover
Jews around the world are preparing to celebrate Passover
VERBATIM: It begins at sundown on Saturday, April 12th and will run through the end of April 20th. Passover is one of the biggest holidays on the Jewish calendar, marking God’s protection of his people in Egypt when he unleashed the angel of death on the first-born sons of the country. Jews might well be meditating on deliverance in these troubled times with anti-Semitism on the rise and Israel fighting a war against Muslim terrorists on its border. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadNew abortion numbers from the Public Religion Research Institute
New abortion numbers from the Public Religion Research Institute
VERBATIM: The poll indicates that 63% of Americans want abortion to remain legal in all or most cases. 34% want the procedure to be ILLEGAL in all or most cases. 85% of Democrats favor abortion versus just 39% of Republicans. Majorities of most major faith groups also want abortion to remain legal in all or most cases. The exceptions are White Evangelical Protestants, Hispanic Protestants and Mormons. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadA new look at faith groups in the U.S
A new look at faith groups in the U.S
VERBATIM: In a new book by three academics entitled “Secular Surge”, the population is divided into four groups: Religionists, Nonreligionists, Secularists and Religious Secularists. Religionists — all people of faith — are 41% while Secularists — who have NO faith are 27%. The book lists Religious Secularists at 14% — they have faith but secular political views while Non-religionists — 18% — have no specific faith but are open to spiritual things. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadA new poll looks at faith and gender differences
A new poll looks at faith and gender differences
VERBATIM: It comes from the Pew Research Center, and it indicates that 59% of men in the U.S. identify as Christian versus 31% who say they are followers of no particular religion. Most Christian men are Evangelical Protestants — 23%. Amongst women, 66% identify as Christian against 27% who are unaffiliated. Most Christian women are also Evangelical Protestants — 24%. Women attend church more than men do and they pray more as well. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadChristian parents are worried about their kids
Christian parents are worried about their kids
A new poll tracks religious switching around the world
A new poll tracks religious switching around the world
VERBATIM: The Pew Research Center has been studying the phenomenon of people leaving the faith they were brought up in for a different belief system — or none at all. Religious switching is MOST prevalent in South Korea, where HALF of adults have abandoned the faith of their youth. In the U.S., 28% have done so. The Pew report also indicates that MOST of the people who switch faiths are swapping the religion they grew up with for NO religion. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadDo you believe in the Trinity?
Do you believe in the Trinity?
The Navy and the Coast Guard are out of the abortion business
The Navy and the Coast Guard are out of the abortion business
VERBATIM: The two water-borne services are complying with President Trump’s order for government agencies to quit spending taxpayer dollars on abortion. Navy and Coast Guard officials say they will no longer pay for female members to travel to end their pregnancies. The Pentagon WILL continue to fund various fertility treatments for women who wish to have children. Other branches of the Defense Department and executive branch generally are also moving to comply. MH SN NESD
Listen DownloadA battle over transgenderism in Illinois
A battle over transgenderism in Illinois
VERBATIM: The mother of a girl attending Shepard Middle School in Deerfield has filed a federal civil rights complaint. She says school officials tried to force her 13-year-old to change clothes in front of a boy who is living as a girl in the school locker room. When the girl refused, she was punished. The school district has issued a statement saying they must comply with Illinois non-discrimination law, but claims that private changing rooms are always made available. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadNational Right to Life has released its annual report
National Right to Life has released its annual report
A new report on the status of America’s churches
A new report on the status of America’s churches
VERBATIM: It comes from LifeWay Research and it reveals that 52% of Protestant congregations have been growing over the past two years, versus 15% that have been declining and 33% that have plateaued — neither growing nor shrinking. Evangelical churches are more likely to be increasing in membership than Mainline Protestant ones. The bigger the congregation the more likely that it is growing while smaller churches just keep getting smaller. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadCNN honors a transgender influencer
CNN honors a transgender influencer
VERBATIM: Dylan Mulvaney is a man who is living as a woman. He came to prominence two years ago when Bud Light used him to advertise its product, sparking a nationwide grassroots boycott that cost the company millions of dollars in revenue and led to the firing of three top executives. Last week CNN honored Mulvaney as its “Game Changer Of The Week”, airing an in-depth interview with him, highlighting a new book that he is promoting. MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadWhat’s going on in Kansas?
What’s going on in Kansas?
The Navy is out of the abortion business
The Navy is out of the abortion business
VERBATIM: Female sailors and marines will no longer be giving leave or travel expenses to help them terminate a pregnancy. The Navy is getting in line with new pro-life directives from President Trump. While dropping support for abortion, the service WILL help women seeking in vitro fertilization and other fertility treatments. Mr. Trump vowed to get the federal government out of the abortion business when he was campaigning and now he’s doing so. MH SRNN NEWS.
Listen DownloadA victory for parental rights in Pennsylvania
A victory for parental rights in Pennsylvania
VERBATIM: A three-judge panel of the Commonwealth Court has ruled that the Downingtown Area School District MUST allow parents full access to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion lesson plans being used on their children. School officials had rejected a request from one mother, saying the DEI lessons were “a trade secret”. Conservative education activists say parents all across the nation need to find out what their children are being taught. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadA new poll of Americans on transgenderism
A new poll of Americans on transgenderism
VERBATIM: It comes from the Pew Research Center and it asks whether the growing acceptance of transgenderism as a legitimate lifestyle by society as a whole is good or bad. 39% of the general population says it’s a GOOD thing, 38% say BAD and 21% don’t think it matters. However, amongst people who describe themselves as Christians, 47% say the acceptance of transgenderism by society is a BAD thing, compared with 29% who say it’s good. MH SRNNNEWS.
Listen DownloadChristians are being targeted in Syria
Christians are being targeted in Syria
VERBATIM: Fighting has broken out between the new ruling Muslim militia and other groups loyals to ousted strongman Bashar Assad. But while Christians are not fighting, they are being killed. At least 1,000 members of the country’s small Christian minority have lost their lives in this latest round of fighting and it is unclear which side is targeting them — possibly both. The international community is calling for peace and the protection of religious minorities in Syria. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadThe state of Washington may vote on an abortion amendment
The state of Washington may vote on an abortion amendment
VERBATIM: Democrats have introduced a measure that would enshrine both abortion in the state constitution as well as a right to a sex-change operation. In order for the amendment to be placed before a vote of the people, it will have to pass both chambers of the Washington legislature by a two-thirds margin. Observers say it’s going to be a big lift for Democrats — they don’t currently have the votes and would have to convince several Republicans to vote with them. MH SRNN NEWS.
Listen DownloadSeventeen states have taken action against DEI
Seventeen states have taken action against DEI
VERBATIM: The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs, which were under fire in recent years, are suddenly being abandoned by state governments. Critics say DEI promotes the LGBT agenda, racism and censorship. President Trump’s election seems to have been the catalyst for states to finally take action, though the business community began to jettison DEI about a year ago. Texas, Florida, Georgia and Wisconsin are amongst the states making changes. MH SRN NEWS.
Listen DownloadWyoming has a new bathroom law
Wyoming has a new bathroom law
VERBATIM: The measure bars males from using female bathrooms, changing rooms, locker rooms or living quarters in any state building or institution — including universities and colleges. Sara Beth Nolan of Alliance Defending Freedom says “States have a duty to protect the privacy, safety, and dignity of women and girls. Letting men intrude on women’s spaces is a threat to their safety, and a denial of the real biological differences between the two sexes.” MH SRN NEWS
Listen DownloadWomen who have abortions are more likely to attempt suicide
Women who have abortions are more likely to attempt suicide