RELIGION HEADLINES SAT 10-18-25

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(SRN NEWS)  Recent high-profile deadly attacks on places of worship have intensified anxiety and outright fear among clergy and people of faith worldwide.  In just the past six weeks there have been attacks on a synagogue in Manchester, England; a Mormon church in Michigan; and a Catholic church in Minnesota hosting a Mass for school children.  Before that, there were high-profile attacks at mosques in New Zealand, a synagogue in Pennsylvania and a Sikh temple in Wisconsin.  Security measures have been bolstered at many places of worship, and the Trump administration is making funds available to do more. 

(  )  A North Dakota judge has upheld the state’s ban on sex-change operations for children.  District Judge Jackson Lofgren says that the law does not discriminate on the basis of sex, and there’s little evidence the state legislature passed the measure for a discriminatory purpose.  He also acknowledged that there is “an ongoing international debate regarding the safety and effectiveness of the medical procedures prohibited by the Health Care Law.”  About half of the states, nearly all of which have majority Republican governments, have banned irreversible surgeries on children for the purpose of living as the opposite sex. 

(  )  Religious freedom advocates are unhappy that the global community is accepting the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.  International Christian Concern says “As the Taliban deepens its control and international attention wanes, many Afghans — especially those from minority faiths — face an uncertain and perilous future.  Sustained international pressure remains crucial to prevent Afghanistan from descending further into repression and isolation.”  The Taliban regime is making open war on the country’s tiny Christian community and it is also severely restricting the rights of girls and women to obtain an education. 

(  )  Open Doors International says a lack of Bibles is hindering Christian growth in many countries — especially those in Africa.  The ministry says in many cases people are coming to know Christ through the work of missionaries, but without a Bible to read they are slipping into error.  Open Doors points to tribal people in Malaysia who grow up Christian but continue to visit witch doctors because they have no Biblical instruction.  In some places, illiteracy makes the problem more complex, leaving people unable to read the scriptures even if they can get a copy.  In these cases, audio Bibles are being distributed where possible.