It’s Thursday, June 20th, 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
11 Christians released from prison in India
Praise God! A law firm in India secured the release of 11 Christians from prison last week. They had faced detention since 2022 under anti-conversion laws.
The law firm specifically works with persecuted Christians. The 11 believers included several pastors as well as converts out of Hinduism.
Nearly half of India’s states have anti-conversion laws. Christians often face targeted oppression and false charges under the laws. Since 2020, officials have jailed hundreds of Christians.
According to Open Doors, India is the 11th most difficult country worldwide in which to be a Christian.
Hungary is allowed to ban assisted suicide
Last Thursday, the European Court of Human Rights upheld Hungary’s ban on assisted suicide.
A Hungarian national challenged the ban after having been diagnosed with a progressive neurodegenerative condition. However, the court ruled that Hungary’s ban on assisted suicide is in line with its duty to protect life.
Jean-Paul Van De Walle with Alliance Defending Freedom International said, “We applaud today’s decision … which upholds Hungary’s essential human rights protections. … Instead of abandoning our most vulnerable citizens, society should do all it can to provide the best standards of care.”
Christian baker’s refusal to make cake celebrating incorrect gender
In the United States, Christian baker Jack Phillips is defending himself again before the Colorado Supreme Court.
Phillips’ latest case is over his refusal to make a cake in celebration of someone pretending to be the opposite sex.
Twenty-three states and six Colorado legislators have filed briefs with the court in favor of Phillips. On Tuesday, he said, “I will not create a cake expressing any message that violates my religious beliefs regardless of who asks for it. … Over the last ten years, Colorado officials and activists have tried to punish me for my religious beliefs.”
Psalm 14:4 asks, “Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and do not call on the LORD?”
Federal court vs. Biden on abortion
On Monday, a federal court in Louisiana ruled against the Biden administration in an abortion case.
The court protected the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and other Catholic organizations from having to cover abortions for employees.
Laura Slavis with Becket Law said the Biden administration “twisted a law protecting expecting mothers and their babies and co-opted the workplaces of over 130 million Americans to support abortion. That is an abuse of power. … No one should have to choose between their conscience and protecting pregnant women.”
Louisiana: First state requiring Ten Commandments in public schools
Louisiana is now the first state to require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom.
Republican Governor Jeff Landry signed the bill into law yesterday.
The legislation applies to state-funded universities. It also allows schools to display the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence.
Republican state Representative Dodie Horton authored the bill. She said, “I hope and I pray that Louisiana is the first state to allow moral code to be placed back in the classrooms. Since I was in kindergarten [at a private school], it was always on the wall. I learned there was a God, and I knew to honor Him and His laws.”
Deuteronomy 6:7 and 9 says of God’s commandments, “You shall teach them diligently to your children. … You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
Mortgage rates fell below 7%
Last week, for the first time since March, mortgage rates fell below 7%.
Thirty-year fixed mortgage rates fell from 7.02% to 6.94%. And five-year adjustable-rate mortgages fell from 6.45% to 6.27%.
At the same time, mortgage applications are rising. The Mortgage Bankers Association noted “purchase volume is still more than 10% behind last year’s pace,” but they are “forecasting a pickup in home sales for the remainder of the year as more inventory is hitting the market.”
Nvidia: Mist valuable company worldwide
American tech company Nvidia is now the most valuable company in the world. It produces most of the semiconductor chips used by Artificial Intelligence technology.
Nvidia’s market capitalization surpassed $3 trillion earlier this month, becoming more valuable than Apple. On Tuesday, Nvidia’s valuation rose to $3.33 trillion, surpassing Microsoft.
Nvidia’s valuation was about $1 trillion a year ago, and has grown over 170% this year alone.
103-year-old World War II veteran prays daily
A World War II veteran is still going strong at the age of 103.
Ralph Conte was drafted at the age of 21. He served in the U.S. Army across nine countries in Europe during World War II. He received a Purple Heart after being struck by shrapnel.
Conte married “the love of his life,” Veronica Sarubbi, in 1943. They had five children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Conte went on to open his own photography business.
His granddaughter Jessica Graf told Fox News Digital, “Even at 103, he still has an eye for a sharp picture. … My grandfather inspires me every day to keep moving, live in the moment, and not worry about things that are out of our control.” She said he has a “deep faith in God” and “continues to pray daily.”
10 Worldview listeners donated $2,615
And finally, toward our $63,000 goal by this Saturday, June 22nd – the three-week mark of our month-long fundraiser – 10 Worldview listeners stepped up to the plate to help fund our 6-member team for another fiscal year.
Our thanks to Kathryn in Reddick, Florida, Robert in Brashear, Missouri, and Rebecca in Kokomo, Indiana – each of whom gave $25.
We appreciate Karl in Grand Rapids, Michigan who gave $100, Dan in Alturas, Florida who gave $200, and Rose in Everson, Washington who gave $240.
And we’re thankful to God for Cathy in Fate, Texas who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a gift of $300, John in Auburn, Washington who gave $500, Tim and Ann in Huffman, Texas who gave $600, and an anonymous donor in Helena, Montana who pledged $50/month for 12 months for a gift of $600.
Those 11 donors gave $2,615. Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please. (sound effect of drum roll) $ 48,455.16 (audience cheering)
Toward this Saturday, June 22nd’s goal of $63,000, we need to raise $14,544.84.
We need 6 people to pledge $100 per month for 12 months, 7 people to pledge $50 per month for 12 months, and 12 people to pledge $25/month for 12 months.
Will you step up to the plate? Please go to TheWorldview.com, click on “Give,” select the dollar amount you’d like to donate, and click on the recurring monthly tab if that’s your wish.
Ask God what He wants you to give to this newscast that proclaims Jesus Christ as our standard for Truth.
Close
And that’s The Worldview on this Thursday, June 20th, 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.