It’s Thursday, September 19th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)

By Jonathan Clark

Myanmar military has killed 5,000 civilians

The United Nations released a report on Tuesday about human rights under Myanmar’s military regime. 

The military seized control of the Southeast Asian nation in 2021. The report found the regime has killed over 5,000 civilians since then. Nearly half of those deaths occurred between April 2023 and June 2024, a 50% increase compared to the previous year. 

The military has also attacked hundreds of religious sites including churches. Christians who are often part of ethnic minorities have faced increased violence as well. 

Myanmar is ranked 17th on the Open Doors’ World Watch List of nations where it is most dangerous to be a Christian. 

Thousands of Lebanese pagers injured 3,000, killed 12

Thousands of pagers detonated across Lebanon on Tuesday, injuring nearly 3,000 and killing 12 people. 

The attack targeted fighters with the terrorist group Hezbollah but also killed civilians. The group had switched to using pagers instead of cell phones for security reasons. 

In a second wave of attacks, hand-held radios detonated across Lebanon yesterday, killing 14 people and injuring over 450. 

Lebanese and Hezbollah officials accused Israel of conducting the attacks. However, Israel did not take responsibility for the attack. But it did declare a “new phase” of war as it focuses on Hezbollah’s army in Lebanon. 

Court: Seattle evangelist now allowed to read the Bible and to evangelize

Back in 2022, Seattle police arrested Pastor Matthew Meinecke twice for sharing the Gospel in public. Last week, he won his case against the Seattle police. The latest court proceedings mean he is now free to read the Bible and share the Gospel in Seattle.

Nate Kellum with First Liberty Institute said, “Police have been put on notice that, if someone is peaceably speaking, you need to acknowledge those rights. You need to allow them to go forth with their First Amendment freedoms just like anyone else.”

In Romans 1:6, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”

Christian ministries object to being required to cover abortion in insurance plan

On Tuesday, a coalition of religious groups asked the U.S. Supreme Court to protect them from New York’s abortion mandate. The mandate would require the groups to cover abortion in their employee health insurance plans. 

New York state officials initially said they would allow religious exemptions to the abortion mandate. However, they ultimately decided to compel religious ministries to cover abortion.

Noel Francisco, the lawyer on the case, said, “Religious groups in New York should not be required to provide insurance coverage that violates their deeply held religious beliefs. We are asking the Court to protect religious freedom and make clear that the mandate cannot be applied to this diverse group of religious organizations.” 

Federal Reserve cut interest rates by half a percentage point

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates yesterday for the first time in four years.

The Fed lowered its benchmark rate by half a percentage point to a range of 4.75% to 5%.

The rate defines short-term borrowing costs for banks. But it also has an effect on other forms of borrowing like mortgages, car loans, and credit cards. 

The rate cut signals that the Fed believes inflation is shrinking to its target of 2%. 

Only 50% of U.S. Christians are prepared to share their faith

Lifeway Research reports that Christians want to share their faith with others, but few have done so recently.

Eighty-one percent of self-identified Christians say they are open to a conversation about faith with a stranger. 

However, in the last six months, only 40% of Christians had a conversation about faith with a non-Christian stranger. Thirty-four percent invited a stranger to church, and 30% shared the Gospel with a stranger. And only half of Christians say they’re ready to share the Gospel with others.

1 Peter 3:15 says, “In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

5.2% of kids are homeschooled

And finally, the U.S. Department of Education reports that homeschooling continues to grow.

The latest survey found 5.2% of children aged 5-17 received education at home during the 2022-23 school year. This includes virtual education. 

That’s up from 3.7% during the 2018-19 school year before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Among the top reasons parents gave for homeschooling were a desire to provide moral instruction, emphasize family life together, and provide religious instruction. 

Close

And that’s The Worldview on this Thursday, September 19th, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by Amazon Music or 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.