(SRN NEWS ) Authorities say a Michigan man who shouted anti-Semitic threats at families entering a synagogue has pleaded guilty to several charges. In 2022 Hassan Choker threatened mothers bringing their children to school in the parking lot of Temple Beth-El in Bloomfield Hills. Choker, who was a convicted felon at the time, later went […]
Religious News
RELIGION HEADLINES FRI 5-30-25
Audio By Carbonatix
(SRN NEWS ) Authorities say a Michigan man who shouted anti-Semitic threats at families entering a synagogue has pleaded guilty to several charges. In 2022 Hassan Choker threatened mothers bringing their children to school in the parking lot of Temple Beth-El in Bloomfield Hills. Choker, who was a convicted felon at the time, later went to a nearby gun store and tried to purchase several weapons while lying about his criminal record. He was heard to say that he intended to use the firearms to “bring God’s wrath.” Jerome Gorgon, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, says “We will not allow anyone to terrorize our Jewish neighbors.”
( ) Christianity is spreading in Asia despite some of the worst persecution in the world. According to International Christian Concern, there are about 415 million believers in the region, making up eight percent of the population. That’s up from just three percent in 2010. A new ICC report focuses on South Korea where “Christianity has experienced significant growth since the 1960s, making the country second only to the United States in the number of missionaries it sends overseas.” In Mongolia there are hundreds of churches where once there were virtually no Christians at all only 15 years ago.
( ) Religious freedom advocates are expressing concern about Syria and the State Department’s plan to ease sanctions on that country. Since dictator Bashar Assad was ousted in 2024, a militant Muslim group has ruled Syria and violence continues to wrack some regions. International Christian Concern says “Despite early efforts to reassure minority communities, several high-profile incidents in recent months have shaken observers and suggested that the preservation of minority religions may not be a high priority for the new regime.” Christians enjoyed a measure of security and freedom under President Assad.
( ) Lawmakers in Norway have rejected a proposal that the country’s pension funds be withdrawn from all investments in Israel. However, the fund is selling its shares in Israeli companies that do business in areas claimed by the Palestians. Meanwhile, Ireland is moving forward with a plan to ban imports of Israeli goods. Anti-Semitism has surged around the globe since Hamas carried out its devastating attack on Israel in the fall of 2023, killing thousands. Now pro-Palestinians groups are pressuring multiple governments to divest from Israel or apply economic sanctions to end the on-going war in Gaza.