It’s Thursday, October 8th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
3-year anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel
Yesterday marked three years since Hamas Muslim terrorists attacked Israel.
Hamas launched the attack from the Gaza Strip into southern Israel on October 7, 2023. The Islamic militants killed about 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages. Over 80 of the hostages did not survive. The last living hostages were returned last October after 843 days of captivity.
Since the attack, Israel has carried out bombardments and ground operations in Gaza. At least 74,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in the conflict.
Israeli air strike killed 2 Palestinian Christians
An Israeli air strike struck an apartment building in Gaza City on Saturday, killing two Palestinian Christian women.
The women had served at a shelter affiliated with Holy Family Catholic Church. It’s the only Catholic parish in Gaza.
The leader of the parish stated, “We have had 62 deaths: 62 Catholic and Orthodox Christians who have died in this war. Of those 62 people, 25 have died violent deaths from bombardments or army snipers, and the majority died where they had taken refuge here, at Holy Family Church.”
American churches fight for free speech in pulpit
Here in the United States, churches and Christian organizations are fighting for free speech in the pulpit.
The National Religious Broadcasters, Intercessors for America, and two Texas churches are challenging the Johnson Amendment. While he was a U.S. Democratic senator from Texas, Lyndon B. Johnson introduced the provision in 1954 before he became president. The law prohibits 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, including houses of worship, from endorsing or opposing political candidates.
Troy Miller with the National Religious Broadcasters spoke to CBN News about the case.
Listen.
MILLER: “This was the original intent of separation of church and state — that the government was not going to interfere with religious conscience, with the will of pastors and church leadership. And so we think this law, this amendment that [Senator Lyndon] Johnson put in place, quite honestly, to silence churches and other 501(c)3 opposition that he had during his Senate campaign, we think it needs to go.”
Psalm 119:46 says, “I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.”
U.S. trade deficit surged to $105 billion
The U.S. trade deficit surged in August to $105.6 billion.
That’s up from $79.8 billion in November 2024 before President Donald Trump began his second term.
Christopher Rupkey, chief economist at FWDBONDS, told Reuters, “Trade tariffs have done nothing to reduce America’s reliance on the import of foreign-produced goods. The cost of American labor is simply too high to produce goods here cheap enough for consumers to even think about purchasing.”
100th city to ban abortion
Snyder, Texas recently became the 100th city in the U.S. to ban abortion.
Officials unanimously adopted a Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinance on Monday.
Mayor Pro-Tem Sarah Jamison said, “I was proud to cast my vote in support of this ordinance and of Snyder becoming the 100th city in the nation to take this stand. As council members, we have a responsibility to act within the authority given to our city and to consider lawful safeguards that protect the most vulnerable among us.”
Email a 2-sentence thank you note to Sarah at sjamison@snydertx.gov
Better yet, join me and send a physical thank you note to Sarah Jamison, City of Snyder, 1925 24th Street, Snyder, TX 79549. Get your kids to write one as well.
Young Evangelicals more conservative than religious peers
Young Evangelicals are more religious and conservative than young people in other religious traditions.
This is based on analysis of Pew Research data recently published by Professor Ryan Burge with Washington University.
The analysis found that 49 percent of Gen Z Evangelicals attend church weekly. That number fell to 22 percent among Mainline Protestant youths. And it was only 20 percent among Catholic young people.
Similarly, young Evangelicals were more conservative. Forty-six percent identified as politically conservative compared to 28 percent of Mainline youth, and 17 percent of Catholic youth.
Prison Fellowship celebrates 50 years of ministry
And finally, this year marks 50 years of ministry by Prison Fellowship.
Charles “Chuck” Colson founded the organization in 1976 to serve people affected by incarceration.
Colson himself had been incarcerated for Watergate-related charges during President Richard Nixon’s administration. Colson experienced a mid-life conversion to Christianity which led to his work in prison ministry, captured in his page-turning books Born Again and Life Sentence.
The U.S. Senate passed a resolution last month, honoring the impact of Prison Fellowship.
Heather Rice-Minus, the President of Prison Fellowship, said, “What began with Chuck Colson’s transformation became a movement of individuals who believe no one is beyond God’s reach.”
In Luke 15:10, Jesus said, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview on this Thursday, October 8th, my bride Amy’s 50th birthday, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.