Friday, May 12th, in the year of our Lord 2017
By Kevin Swanson
Franklin Graham Warns of Rising Hostility to Christianity
No Christian denomination and no part of the world is exempt from persecution now.
That’s according to American evangelist Franklin Graham who spoke at the first-ever World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians in Washington, DC last weekend.
Graham said, “The rising tide of modern secularism that we see here in Western countries and Western societies that is creeping into other nations around the world is strongly anti-Christian… Secularists are especially hostile to those who uphold the unchanging, moral and spiritual standards of God and His Holy Word.”
Catholic University Bans Chick-fil-A from Campus
The Catholics in America are rejecting Chick-fil-A, at least for the Catholic Fordham University in New York City, reports the Fordham Observer.
Even after Chick-fil-A offered to sponsor the pro-homosexual Rainbow Alliance on campus, the student government nixed the idea of allowing the somewhat conservative fast food restaurant anywhere near Fordham University.
Grand Canyon National Park Rejects Creation Scientist’s Request for Samples
Dr. Andrew Snelling of Answers in Genesis was rejected by the Grand Canyon National Park when he requested samples out of the Canyon for analysis. Alliance Defending Freedom will be taking Dr. Snelling’s case to court against the park.
Late-Term Abortion Bill in Australia Gets Voted Down
The attempt to legalize abortion in all cases through the third trimester has failed in New South Wales, Australia. The bill was defeated by a 25 to 14 vote.
Asher’s Bakery in Ireland Takes Case to the U.K. Supreme Court
And the U.K’s Supreme Court will hear the Asher’s Bakery case.
The Christian bakers from Ireland refused to bake a cake for a customer which was supposed to feature a color picture of “Bert and Ernie” (the logo for a homosexual group called QueerSpace) with the headline caption, “Support Gay Marriage”. After they lost their case at the Appeals Court in Belfast last year, Asher’s Bakery is appealing their case to the highest court. To sign the petition in support of the Christian bakers, go to: http://www.christian.org.uk/supportashers/
Interest in Christianity Rises in Eastern Europe
Pew Research has released a report of a major survey on Christianity in Eastern Europe.
With the exception of the Czech Republic, there has been a resurgence of interest in Christianity after the Iron Curtain fell. Only 37% of Russians claimed to be Orthodox in 1991, but now that percentage has risen to 71%. Although the Pew report said only about 10% of those claiming to be Orthodox actually attend church once a week.
Protestantism is weak in most of Eastern Europe, except for Hungary which claims 14% Protestants, and Romania at 6%.
Pray for Eastern Europe, that a reformation would rise among these peoples wounded by atheism and communism.
TV Show Features Paganism and Homosexual Pornography
Prime time television has hit a new low. . . again.
The Starz Production of American Gods re-introduces pagan European gods (like Odin) to the modern world. This week’s episode includes a homosexual pornographic scene to the delight of reviewers. Rotten Tomatoes gave the show a 98% rating.
Romans 1:32 is sobering, “They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. . . though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”
Fun and Humorous Special Report After the Newscast
If the bad news of the last story has gotten you down, you’ll want to stay tuned to a fun, uplifting, even humorous Special Report today immediately following the newscast. Suffice it to say, it’ll help get your weekend started on the right foot.
Ancient Gigantic Dinosaur Sculpture Discovered in Siberia
A Russian archaeologist has found an ancient megalith sculpture in rock depicting a dragon or dinosaur, dating well before Christ.
A researcher named Russlan Peresyolkov found the creature in the Altai Mountains in Siberia, as reported in the Siberian Times. The gigantic dinosaur head, weighing 120 tons, would have been copied from a live animal witnessed by an ancient tribe sometime after the world-wide flood.
Job 40:15 says, “Behold, Behemoth. . .behold, his strength in his loins. . .and his power in the muscles of his belly. He makes his tail stiff like a cedar.”
Special Report: Chiropractor Brings Humorous Perspective to Political Controversy
And now, as promised, a Special Report that might just make you smile.
Dr. Allan Unruh is not your typical chiropractor.
“As a chiropractor, we have to treat the funny bone of our patients. ‘One of the jobs of a doctor,’ said Oliver Wendell Holmes, ‘is to humor the patient until nature has a chance to heal them.’
“Keeping people in good humor when they’re in a lot of pain and when they’ve been suffering is a critical part of being a doctor. It helps you develop a relationship. People come because it puts them in a good mood. A lot of patients come in and say, ‘I came in to have a good laugh sometimes’ because they’re depressed so much.
“I believe people are more depressed than they were 10 or 15 years ago because research has shown by the Barna Group that only about nine percent of the people have a wholesome Christian worldview on how it applies to every subject whether it’s science or politics or economics.”
Dr. Unruh has written “The Politically Incorrect Book of Humor: Why It’s Better to Be Right Than Politically Correct” — a compilation of 2,500 one-liners that he’s collected on over 250 subjects over 47 years.
“’Political correctness,’ according to G. K. Chesterton, ‘is a weapon of mass distraction. It’s tyranny with manners.’
“Christian people are talking about how they can discuss different subjects with their neighbors and friends using humor.”
Dr. Unruh quotes from Proverbs 17:22.
“’A merry heart is medicine to the soul.’ And it’s a way to relate to people.”
He uses humor to communicate truth on a myriad of subjects like economics.
“Economically, we’re kind of like the guy who jumped off the Empire State Building. Every window he went by, he said, ‘I’m alright so far.’
“Karl Marx’s mother said, ‘If Karl, instead of writing about money, if he’d ever made any money, he’d have a different philosophy.’”
And socialism.
“Socialism, for instance, only works in two places. Heaven – where they don’t need it. And hell – where they already got it.”
“Ronald Reagan said, ‘If we socialize the Sahara Desert, in two years we’d be importing sand.’ It just flies in the face of human nature.”
And even on the heavy topic of abortion.
“Ronald Reagan said, ‘I’ve noticed that 100% of the people who are pro-abortion have already been born.’ And Maxine Waters, the Democratic Congresswoman from California, when asked why she was marching at a Planned Parenthood rally, said, ‘I have to march because my mother didn’t have the right to have an abortion.’
“So, how do you argue with someone like that? She has her feet planted firmly in mid-air. We have to show the absurdity of her viewpoint. We try to show the humor even in serious subjects like abortion.”
On excessive federal spending, Dr. Unruh said, “They’re voting now to raise the debt ceiling. If you went home and found out your sewer was backed up to the ceiling, would you raise the ceiling or would you start pumping out crap? They’re not thinking this thing through.”
And on the death penalty, he offered this line, “Liberals are against the death penalty. They need the votes.”
Not surprisingly, a lot of pastors are getting the book to quote the jokes in sermons. But, as Dr. Unruh indicated, humor will enable all of us to be able to bridge the gap with people who do not share our Christian worldview. And if we can make them smile, then they might be that much more open to the serious point which we’re making.
Like this powerful two-sentence joke on the transgender issue. “I used to be a man trapped in a woman’s body for quite a while. But then I was born.”
I hope this Special Report made you smile on this Friday. While you’re thinking about it, head on over to Dr. Allan Unruh’s website MakeAmericaLaughAgain.com and get a copy of “The Politically Incorrect Book of Humor: Why It’s Better to Be Right Than Politically Correct”. That’s MakeAmericaLaughAgain.com.
If you’d like to win one of three free copies of this book that I’m giving away today, then email me your name, city and state, and in 100 words or less, let me know why you need this book. Send your email with the subject line “Humor book” to Adam@TheWorldview.com.
This has been another Special Report. I’m Adam McManus.
Paddle Boarders Surrounded by Great White Sharks Get Away Unharmed
Paddle boarders on Capistrano Beach in Southern California found themselves swimming in a school of 15 Great White Sharks on Wednesday Lifeguards called from helicopters for the swimmers to exit the waters “in a calm manner.” Nobody was hurt, thanks be to God.
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos Gets Hostile Reception at Bethune Cookman University
Bethune Cookman University is all in a fuss over the Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ commencement speech. 50,000 signatures were collected on a protest petition which called for the University President’s resignation.
The university president, however, has suggested that “ it does not benefit our students to suppress voices that we disagree with.” DeVos spoke anyway for 20 minutes against an almost constant barrage of boos, walk-outs, and other indignities.
USA Today reports that commencement speakers this year have been conspicuously silent concerning the president of the United States. The university has become a “No Trump Zone.”
Christians Leave the Girl Scouts Due to Support for Planned Parenthood
Christians continue to exit the Girl Scouts because of their support of Planned Parenthood and other liberal causes.
A report from the Dallas News shows that the membership has declined by 15% in three years. Those wishing to find a Christ-centered alternative to Girl Scouts should visit American Heritage Girls at www.americanheritagegirls.org. Under their emphases, they state that American Heritage Girls “exists to help girls learn more about God, about how to walk in faith, and the need to seek God’s will in our lives.’’
More on Christianity in Eastern Europe
Poland remains a Catholic stronghold, with 87% aligning themselves with Rome, and only a .34% Protestant population. The Czech Republic is the most atheistic of the Eastern European countries with only 1% calling themselves Protestant.
And that’s the World View in Five Minutes.