It’s Wednesday, August 2nd, 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

1,800 terrorist attacks in West Africa in 2023

The region of West Africa saw over 1,800 terrorist attacks during the first half of this year.

The violence has led to 4,600 deaths and 6.2 million internally displaced people. Omar Touray, a Gambian diplomat, reported the figures to the United Nations Security Council last Tuesday. 

International Christian Concern commented on how the attacks affect the church. They said, “Islamic extremists aim to establish a [Muslim] caliphate and enforce extreme Sharia law in whatever areas they conquer. … If the quest for a global Jihad continues, Christians are especially vulnerable and singled out as ‘infidels’. … Please pray for the church to unify and strengthen as it continues to persevere, and even grow, through persecution.”

European politician objects to COVID worship bans

Alliance Defending Freedom reports a top European Union official is challenging COVID-era restrictions on public worship.

Dr. Ján Figeľ is a Slovak politician and former European Union Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief. He filed the challenge with the European Court of Human Rights. The case could be the first time the top court rules on the worship bans.

Figeľ stated, “Prohibiting people from worship and communal religious exercise is profoundly illiberal and illegitimate. Worship bans were unfair and disproportionate. Our arguments submitted to the Court demonstrate clearly that blanket bans are violations of religious freedom under international human rights law.” 

Indiana pro-life law protects 95% of pre-born babies

In the United States, an anti-abortion law went into effect in Indiana yesterday.

The law prohibits most abortions with certain exceptions. The legislation also bars non-hospital facilities, like Planned Parenthood, from killing unborn babies.

Last August, Indiana Right to Life voiced concern over the exceptions, but noted that the law could end about 95% of abortions in the state.

Americans believe in “karma” but not the Devil

A new poll from the National Opinion Research Center evaluated the spiritual beliefs of Americans.

The most common belief U.S. adults agreed with was that some things can’t be explained by science at 83%. Other top beliefs included the power of prayer, Heaven, and angels. However, a majority also said they believe in karma while fewer believed in Hell or the Devil.

A minority of Americans said they believe in reincarnation, astrology, or yoga as a spiritual practice. 

Colossians 2:8 says, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”

One million people visit the Ark Encounter in Kentucky annually

BetKentucky released a list of the most popular Kentucky attractions this year.

The top attraction, by far, was the Ark Encounter according to Google searches. The Bible-based attraction had 60,000 hits over the last year, beating out the Kentucky Derby Museum which had 50,000 hits.

BetKentucky noted, “Since opening in 2016, [the Ark Encounter] has indeed become a pilgrimage of sorts for Christians across the country, welcoming over 1 million visitors each year.”

The Lord said in 1 Samuel 2:30, “Those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.”

The newscast’s impact on 3 kids in Paducah, Kentucky

Recently, I talked to three of the eight Trammell children in Paducah, Kentucky.

Levi is 10.

LEVI: “Well, we usually listen to the newscast during breakfast. But, if we can’t get it in during that time, we sometimes listen to it at lunch. Until we started listening to it, I didn’t have any other really source of news. So, I never really knew what was really happening outside of, like, our house. I really like to hear about what’s happening to our fellow Christians and how we can help them by praying.”

Genevieve is 12.

GENEVIEVE: “There was one time that you were talking about a couple who had saved a lot of children from a fire in a building. It was a long time ago. But I remember those stories really well. And then, when you put them with different verses from the Bible, if some time in my life, if I come up with a situation like that, then I can remember what these good people did. And I can see if I could do that.”

Claire is 13.

CLAIRE: “Two weeks ago, you were telling a story and you got something in there that was wrong. But, a few days later, you came back and you corrected it. I really liked that because I know a lot of newscasts wouldn’t correct it and I really appreciated that.”

Claire also appreciated getting a Biblical perspective on the cultural battles of the day.

CLAIRE: “Well, when we first started, we didn’t really know a whole lot about the culture. And we didn’t really know a whole lot about what abortion was or any of the transgender stuff. So, it was really helpful for us. Once we started listening to The Worldview, we heard you talking about it, and then we were able to talk about it with our mom.

“We only listen to The Worldview at breakfast, and then we go on our morning walk. We can talk to mom about anything we heard that we don’t know about. It’s really helpful to kind of introduce us to the world we’re living in and what kind of problems are out there. I also really like when they say a boy is pretending to be a girl or girl is pretending to be a boy instead of saying that they’re transgender.”

Lisa in Lansing is grateful for our coverage of the persecuted church

Keith and Lisa in Lansing, Michigan invested $1,000 in The Worldview to ensure that we can continue for another year.

I talked to Lisa just last night about what she appreciates.

LISA: “It’s such a wake-up call for us. We think here in America we have it tough as a Christian, for this little matter or that. This ought to give us great strength and courage when we are informed about what other Christians are battling around the world. It definitely expands our hearts and also helps us to keep them in our prayers. Just incredible what Christians are facing around the world. No one else is talking about it!

“And it’s fun to share it. I forward it in an email and just said, ‘I think you’d really enjoy listening to this.’ So, I’ve added to your number.”

6 Worldview listeners gave $1,466.57

We’re grateful for the final 6 donors to help ensure that we have the ability to fund the newscast for another year.

We thank God for Lorena in Selma, Texas who gave $25, an anonymous donor from Palmdale, California who gave $41.57, as well as Monica in San Antonio, Texas and Norma in San Angelo, Texas – both of whom gave $50.

And we were touched by the kindness of Liliana in Alvin, Texas who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a total gift of $300 and Michael in South Bend, Indiana who gave $1,000.

Those 6 donations add up to $1,466.57. Ready for our final grand total? Drum roll please (Drum roll sound effect) $108,731.01 (Crowd cheering sound effect)

From the bottom of our hearts, we treasure each and every one of you for standing with this Christian newscast through your prayers and financial support.

Close

And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, August 2nd 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.