RELIGION HEADLINES SUN 8-31-25

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(SRN NEWS)  A network of abortion clinics in Maine will not resume getting Medicaid funds while its lawsuit against the Trump administration plays out.  The decision against Maine Family Planning by a federal judge comes despite a ruling last month by a different judge, who stated that Planned Parenthood clinics around the country must continue to be reimbursed.  In his ruling against Maine Family Planning, Judge Lance Walker said that Congress can “withhold federal funds and otherwise disassociate from conduct that is not enshrined as a constitutional right”.  The Maine network includes 18 abortion clinics across the state. 

(  )  Several Florida cities are facing deadlines in the coming days to paint over or remove rainbow crosswalks — brightly colored street crossings meant to celebrate Gay Pride.  In letters from the state transportation department, communities are being ordered to remove them by early next month.  In July, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy gave governors 60 days to identify safety improvements, adding “Roads are for safety, not political messages or artwork.”  Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis amplified those comments on X, saying “We will not allow our state roads to be commandeered for political purposes.” 

(  )  Authorities in Indonesia have closed a small church in West Java without warning and have expelled the evangelist who was ministering there.  Immanuel Prayer House was serving about 100 local Christians.  There’s not another church for miles around.  Indonesia is mostly-Muslim but violence against the Christian minority has so far been rare.  However, the government’s recent habit of closing churches or refusing to let them be built has a lot of believers concerned.  Experts point out that restrictions on religious freedom in a country are often the first step toward a wider crackdown on civil liberties of all kinds. 

(  )  Lawmen in Vietnam have raided another house church.  A group of about 20 Christians were worshipping this month in the Dai Tu (DIE TOO) District of the country when police cut power to the building.  They then crashed in, arresting three people including the owner of the house.  Open Doors says this is all part of a bad trend in Vietnam, adding that “Most alarming is the increased oppression of unregistered churches.  There’s a concern that the government wants to control the church and is pushing for smaller congregations to disband and join officially recognized denominations that are more cooperative with the government.