It’s Wednesday, May 15th, 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
New Zealand churches might lose tax-exempt status
Churches have enjoyed tax-exempt status in New Zealand for hundreds of years.
However, the country’s government is considering a plan to revoke the tax exempt status of churches. Not surprisingly, churches provide many forms of social and spiritual support to their communities for free. Removing their tax-exempt status would result in fewer people receiving help.
International Christian Concern is circulating a petition to keep the church in New Zealand tax free. You can sign it through a link in our transcript today at TheWorldview.com.
76 million displaced people
The Internal Displacement Monitoring Center reports more and more people are facing displacement in their own country.
Conflicts and natural disasters led to 76 million internally displaced people last year. Violence caused 90% of the displacements, and over half of them were in sub-Saharan Africa.
The number of internally displaced people increased by 50% over the last five years. And, over the last 10 years, the number has roughly doubled.
Brazilian flooding kills 143 people
Speaking of displacement, flooding in Brazil has triggered landslides and flash floods, displacing over half a million people and killing 143 people. Electricity has been cut off to more than 1.4 million Brazilians.
The flooding came after torrential rains at the end of last month in the country’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Churches across Brazil are providing shelter and care for those affected by the flooding. U.S.-based aid groups are also stepping in to help.
On Sunday morning, May 12th, a DC-8 aircraft, funded by Samaritan’s Purse, departed the Greensboro Airlift Response Center in North Carolina bound for Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil in a second airlift transporting relief to the flood-ravaged region. The flight carried shelter tarp and other relief supplies. Also on board were relief staff deploying to the area.
Onboard the May 11th Samaritan’s Purse flight were personal water filtration systems, hygiene kits, blankets, and solar lights. They also supplied ten community water filtration systems, each capable of supplying clean drinking water for up to 10,000 people per day.
Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse said, “Please continue praying for all those whose lives have been devastated by this flooding as even more heavy rains are on the way.”
You can make an on-line donation through Samaritan’s Purse to help the people in flood-ravaged Brazil through a special link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com.
California school district agrees to pay FCA $6 million
A California school district agreed to a nearly $6 million settlement with a Christian high school student group recently.
A Fellowship of Christian Athletes student group had been operating at Pioneer High School in San Jose. The group required leaders to agree with its statement of faith which included saying that marriage is between one man and one woman. The high school stripped the FCA group of its official status.
Now, after years of litigation, Christian students are free to operate the group according to their beliefs.
Biden puts pro-abortion spin on Pregnant Workers Act
Congress passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act back in 2022. Now, the Biden administration is trying to make the law pro-abortion.
Last week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission announced a new rule that would require employers to make accommodations for abortion.
Multiple attorneys general from states across America are already challenging the rule. Louisiana’s Republican Attorney General Liz Murrill said, “This new action … is another example of bureaucrats rewriting acts of Congress to their own liking, and it’s unconstitutional. We will continue to challenge this administration’s overreach and protect pregnant women.”
Isaiah 59:6-7 says, “Their works are works of iniquity, and the act of violence is in their hands. Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood.”
Trump is leading in five of six battleground states
A new poll from The New York Times found that former President Donald Trump leading President Joe Biden in battleground states.
Ahead of the presidential elections this year, Trump is leading in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Georgia, and Nevada. Of six key states, Biden was only leading in Wisconsin. He won all six states in 2020.
The poll found young, non-white voters were not satisfied with Biden. And Trump received record support of 20% of black voters.
Target eager to promote sexual perversion AGAIN
Target, once again, announced its plans to celebrate sexually perverted lifestyles during so-called “Pride Month” this year.
The retail giant will included “pride” merchandise at stores. However, it will only be a handful of stores based on “historical sales performance.” And Target won’t be selling such apparel for children.
Target appears to be scaling back such merchandise after huge boycotts last year over the issue.
Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
You can sound off against Target for promoting sexual perversion by writing a letter to the CEO, Brian Cornell, Target, 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403.
Pastor thanks God for sparing congregation in tornado
And finally, a church in Pennsylvania is giving thanks to God after surviving a tornado during a worship service over the weekend.
An F1 tornado struck the church building of Crossroads Ministries, tearing off the roof. Nearly 100 people were in the building, and no one was severely injured.
Pastor Ken Barner called it a miracle.
Listen.
BARNER: “We had a tornado come and hit the wing of our church. The tornado came up the hill at about 6:14pm, and it took the roof off of that building, and it sent it into the woods. I just have to tell you: God was with us. The steeple got knocked out. Cars were damaged. Nobody was injured.
“There’s a few cuts and bruises and bumps, as you might imagine, but nobody had to be hospitalized, that we know of. We’re just so thankful for that. And folks, I just want you to know that we’re standing on the promises of God right now.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, May 15th, 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.