It’s Thursday, June 24th, A.D. 2021. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Vietnam imprisoning 288 people for their faith
A new report by the Vietnam Human Rights Network found that Vietnam is imprisoning at least 288 people for their beliefs. Thirty-three of the prisoners of conscience are Protestant Christians.
The communist country is particularly cracking down on the Evangelical Church of Christ of Vietnam. Christians who practice their faith in the country face discrimination, harassment, and imprisonment. The government has also seized or destroyed property of several churches over the last year. No wonder Open Doors ranks Vietnam as the 18th worst nation in the world for the persecution of Christians.
Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.”
Communists shut down Hong Kong’s only pro-democracy newspaper
Hong Kong’s only pro-democracy newspaper is ending 26-years of printing this week after being raided by police.
Apple Daily was a leading critic of China’s takeover of Hong Kong.
In response, officials froze the paper’s assets, and police arrested five of its editors and executives last week.
U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said this is a “chilling blow to freedom of expression in Hong Kong.”
England’s proposed ban on “conversion therapy”
Meanwhile in the United Kingdom, Christians are concerned about the government’s proposed conversion therapy ban. The ban could punish prayer and teaching aimed at helping people turn away from sexually perverted lifestyles.
In Canada, a similar bill passed a third reading in the country’s House of Commons this week and heads to Canada’s Senate.
Italy is also considering a bill to criminalize so-called discrimination against homosexuals. However, the Vatican announced this week it lodged a diplomatic protest against the bill. The Vatican said the bill could penalize those who voice their religious views on sexuality.
Psalm 94:20-21 says, “Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with [the Lord]? They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood.”
Abortion Pill Rescue Network has saved 2,000 babies
Heartbeat International’s Abortion Pill Rescue Network saved over 2,000 babies from abortion by the end of 2020 after eight years of work.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pro-life hotline received about 50-100 calls per month from women seeking to reverse a chemical abortion. Now, the hotline is getting 150 calls per month.
Christa Brown with Heartbeat International said, “We have seen the abortion pill reversal protocol work time after time. 2,000 beautiful babies and thankful mamas… and counting.”
Proverbs 24:11 says, “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.”
Senate GOP blocked Democrats’ fraudulent election overhaul
On Tuesday, Republicans in the divided U.S. Senate used a filibuster to block a Democrat bill aimed at undermining elections.
Democrats framed the bill as a “For the People Act” to allegedly protect voters’ rights. However, the legislation would nationalize the voting system, require early voting, ban voter ID requirements, and permit ballot harvesting, of all things.
Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who dubbed the bill “The Corrupt Politicians Act,” said its failure was a big win!
CRUZ: “The Corrupt Politicians Act is the most dangerous legislation we’ve considered in the Senate in the nine years I’ve served in this body. It’s an attempt by Senate Democrats at a brazen power grab. It’s an attempt by Democrats to federalize elections, and to ensure that Democrats won’t lose control for the next 100 years.
“This bill isn’t about protecting the right to vote. It’s precisely the opposite! It’s about taking away the right to vote from the citizens and giving it instead to the corrupt politicians in Washington who want to stay in power. The Corrupt Politicians Act would strike down virtually every common sense voter integrity law adopted by states across the country.”
Microsoft worth $2 trillion
On Tuesday, Microsoft became the second U.S. company after Apple to reach a $2 trillion market value.
It comes only two years after Microsoft became the third U.S. company to reach $1 trillion in value.
The tech company’s value rose 64% since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
82% of Americans say freedom of religion important
A new poll by Summit Ministries found that 82% of Americans say freedom of religion is important to a healthy American society.
However, when it comes to a specific issue, only 50% of Americans say churches and faith-based charities should not be required by law to hire people who oppose their religious beliefs. Twenty percent of Americans say churches should be forced to hire such people, and 30% aren’t sure.
Republicans and Independents were far more likely than Democrats to support the religious freedom of religious groups in hiring decisions.
12 new Worldview listeners donated $1,420
And finally, to help keep The Worldview on the air, we need to raise $65,000 by Friday, July 9th. Toward our goal of raising $32,500 by tomorrow at 12 midnight, 12 new Worldview listeners stepped up to the plate.
Our thanks to Derek in Pefferlaw, Ontario, Canada, Kel in Windsor, Colorado, Warren and Pam in Palos Heights, Illinois, and Jerry in Hornbeck, Louisiana – each of whom gave $25.
We’re grateful to God for Paul in Brush, Colorado and John in Sapporo, Japan – both of whom gave $50 as well as David in Charleston, Illinois, T.J. in Wilmington, North Carolina, and Mark in Grand Forks, North Dakota – each of whom gave $100.
And we’re humbled by the generosity of Nancy in Ketchikan, Alaska who pledged $10/month for 12 months for a gift of $120, Tim in Cokato, Minnesota who gave $200, and Kevin and Lisa in Scottdale, Pennsylvania who pledged $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600.
Those 12 donors gave $1,420. Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please. (Drum roll sound effect). $28,268 (Sound effect of people cheering)
In order to hit the $32,500 goal by tomorrow at 12 midnight, we need to raise $4,232. That means I need to find 7 Worldview listeners who will pledge $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300. And remember, the next 8 listeners who pledge $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600, will be matched, dollar for dollar, by a generous couple in Minnesota.
Just go to TheWorldview.com, click on “Give,” select the dollar amount you would like to give, and select the recurring button, if that’s your wish. What would the Lord have you do?
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, June 24th, in the year of our Lord 2021. Subscribe by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.