It’s Wednesday, April 10th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Violence against Christians up 45% in India
The Evangelical Fellowship of India released a report on the persecution of Christians in the country.
Last year, Christians faced over 600 incidents of violence in India. That’s up 45% from 2022.
Incredibly, nearly half of the incidents – 275 to be precise — occurred in India’s state of Uttar Pradesh. The report noted, “The state also leads in arrests of pastors and believers, often on allegations of forced conversions, despite lacking substantial evidence.”
Please pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in India, the 11th most dangerous country worldwide in which to be a Christian.
Scotland’s proposed conversion therapy ban
The Christian Institute is poised to challenge Scotland’s proposed conversion therapy ban if it violates religious freedom.
The proposal would crack down on attempts to change someone’s so-called sexual orientation or gender identity.
The Christian Institute warns the proposal is vague and could be used against pastors and parents.
The organization’s public affairs officer, Joanna Cook, warned, “Those campaigning for a conversion practices law … want a new speech crime, a thought crime. And, I’m afraid, the Scottish government’s proposals give them that.”
Church of England invests $10 million in youth outreach
The Church of England announced last month that it is investing 8.5 million pounds in youth programs. That’s over $10 million U.S. dollars.
This comes as the Church of England is losing congregants, especially among children. Adult attendance was down 23% in 2022 compared with 2019. The number of children attending was down 28% over the same period.
The decline comes as many in the Church of England are supporting sexually perverted lifestyles.
Jonathan Pryke, senior minister at Jesmond Parish Church, told Evangelical Focus, “In general, where churches are growing, they have a robust view of Biblical authority and teach accordingly, with a sense of urgency about the Gospel message.”
2 Timothy 4:2-3 says, “Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but, having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.”
Declining Southern Baptist membership
In the United States, the Southern Baptist Convention reports declining membership.
Lifeway Research released analysis on the denomination last week. Lifeway noted, “Among the 50,423 active congregations in the Southern Baptist Convention in 2021, 2% disbanded or closed and 0.5% left or were disaffiliated from the Convention by the time the 2022 data was compiled.”
The Southern Baptist Convention lost over 1,200 congregations in 2022. It lost over 1,000 congregations in 2021 and 2020 as well. In most cases, the churches were disbanded or closed.
Arizona Supreme Court upholds 1864 abortion ban
Yesterday, Arizona’s Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state’s 1864 ban on abortion.
The law prohibits nearly all abortions. The U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 had blocked the law. The more recent Dobbs ruling overturned Roe, making way for Arizona’s abortion ban to go back into effect. However, Planned Parenthood continued to challenge the law.
After yesterday’s ruling, the ban on abortion is back in force.
Jake Warner with Alliance Defending Freedom said, “We celebrate the Arizona Supreme Court’s decision that allows the state’s pro-life law to again protect the lives of countless, innocent unborn children.”
Chick-fil-A made $20 billion in 2023
Nation’s Restaurant News reports Chick-fil-A made over $20 billion in sales last year, up 14% from 2022.
Since 2018, the fast-food chain has doubled its sales volume.
Its closest competitor was Popeyes which grew 10% last year.
Chick-fil-A continues its growth while still being closed on Sundays as it honors the Fourth Commandment.
The restaurant’s website says, “Having worked seven days a week in restaurants open 24 hours, [founder Truett Cathy] saw the importance of closing on Sundays so that he and his employees could set aside one day to rest, enjoy time with their families and loved ones or worship if they choose — a practice we uphold today.”
Total solar eclipse from Mexico to Canada
And finally, millions of Americans turned out to view a total solar eclipse on Monday.
The path of totality stretched from Mazatlán, Mexico to Newfoundland in Canada. The path covered 15 states in the U.S. from Texas to Maine. Check out some awesome total eclipse photos through a special link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com.
The last time the U.S. experienced a total solar eclipse was 2017. The next one won’t happen until 2044.
Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.”
Close
And that’s The World View in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, April 10th in the year of our Lord 2024. 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.