America destroys last chemical weapons, Sweden gets greenlight to join NATO, Finish Christian politician fights bogus “hate crimes” charges again

It’s Wednesday, July 12th, A.D. 2023. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)

By Jonathan Clark

Finish Christian politician fights bogus “hate crimes” charges again

Finland‘s former Minister of the Interior is facing court proceedings all over again for her Christian beliefs.

In 2019, Päivi Räsänen shared her Biblical views on marriage and sexuality. In response, officials charged her with hate crimes. Last year, a court acquitted Räsänen, but now she has to defend herself again after the government appealed the ruling.

Writing about her ordeal in The CriticRäsänen warned on Monday, “It’s not just Finland that has reinvigorated the witch-hunts against those who hold different views to the approved state orthodoxy. Across the West, ‘hate speech’ laws are cropping up time and again.”

Matthew 5:11-12 says, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven.”

Sweden gets greenlight to join NATO

Speaking of Nordic countries, Sweden got approval from Turkey’s President to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or NATO on Monday.

As a NATO member, Turkey’s approval was critical for Sweden to enter the military alliance. Until now, Turkey had opposed Sweden’s entrance.

Sweden, along with Finland, pursued NATO membership last year after Russia invaded Ukraine. Finland officially joined in April. And, with Turkey’s approval, Sweden is set to be the 32nd member nation.

Gallup poll: Big business and Congress least trustworthy

Gallup released a new poll on Americans’ faith in major societal institutions.

Only small business and the military garnered public confidence from a majority of U.S. adults. Big business and Congress were the least likely to have public confidence. 

Only 32% of respondents said they trust the church or organized religion, down from 37% in 2021.

Overall, an average of 26% of Americans have confidence in major U.S. institutions, down from 48% in 1979. 

Tennessee’s anti-transgender law

A Tennessee law that protects children from transgender drugs and surgeries went into effect on Saturday.

A U.S. appeals court struck down a preliminary injunction on the law that blocked its enforcement.

Jonathan Skrmetti, Tennessee’s Attorney General, said, “The case is far from over, but this is a big win. The court of appeals lifted the injunction, meaning the law can be fully enforced, and recognized that Tennessee is likely to win the constitutional argument and the case.”

America destroys last chemical weapons

The U.S. destroyed its last chemical weapons last Friday at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond, Kentucky

Since the 1940s, the facility housed rockets filled with a deadly toxin, known as GB nerve agent. At its height, during the Cold War, the stockpile weighed in at 30,000 tons.  

Dr. William LaPlante with the Defense Department said, “This is the first time an international body has verified destruction of an entire category of declared weapons of mass destruction.”

Psalm 46:9-10 says, “[The Lord] makes wars cease to the end of the Earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the Earth!” 

Worldview listeners weigh in from Kansas, Montana, & South Africa

Worldview listeners continue to email me about why they like the newscast at Adam@TheWorldview.com.  (Remember to include your whole name, city and state, and your country if outside America.)

Caleb Hayden in Wichita, Kansas wrote, “Adam, I’ve been enjoying the daily news review, especially the focus on persecuted Christians abroad. Keep up the great work!”

Jodi Icopini in Billings, Montana wrote, “I greatly appreciate The Worldview. In recent months, I gave up mostly all of my mainstream social media. That had been my primary source of news. Being able to listen to The Worldview each day keeps me plugged in enough so I know what’s happening in the world, but without the reliance on social media which had become a huge burden for me. This fall, I plan to start each of our homeschool days listening to The Worldview with our two teenagers who remain in our homeschool. We are blessed to have such a great resource. Thank you for all that you do.”

And Belinda and Andre DuRand in Cape Town, South Africa wrote, “Dear Adam, We have been listening to your newscast for a few months now. We really like feeling in touch with other Christians out there in the big wide world, and knowing a little of what other Christians are experiencing. Thank you.  In addition, we loved your interviews with Rhonda Stoppe, author of Moms Raising Sons to be Men. We don’t have sons, but we were so inspired that we have shared the podcasts with ALL our friends and family who have sons. Wishing you all the best in your work for Christ.”

6 Worldview listeners gave $540

Recently, 6 Worldview listeners gave donations toward our $80,000 goal by Monday, July 31st to keep this unique Christian newscast on the air.  Unfortunately, it’s the fewest number of donors since we kicked off our month-long fundraiser on July 4th.

We thank God for Hershel in Bellevue, Idaho who gave $15 and Paul in Brush, Colorado who gave $25.

And we’re grateful for the generosity of Joseph in Burnet, Texas, Richard in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Marty in Winchester, Oregon – each of whom gave $100 as well as Ted in Rockaway, New Jersey who gave $200.

Those 6 donations add up to $540. Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please. (Drum roll sound effect) $12,778.88. (Crowd cheering sound effect)

In order to hit our $40,000 immediate goal by this Friday, July 14, we still need to raise $27,221.12.  I wonder if at least 10 new folks will step up to the plate today?

I’m looking for 10 Worldview listeners to pledge $100/month for 12 months. Then, we would need 13 to pledge $50/month for 12 months.  And another 26 listeners to pledge $25/month for 12 months. 

Just go to TheWorldview.com and click on “Give” at the top right to give what the Lord is prompting you to donate to keep this weekday newscast on the air.  Make sure to select the “Recurring” tab if that’s your wish.

Close

And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, July 12th in the year of our Lord 2023. 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.

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