It’s Friday, July 14th, A.D. 2023. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Adam McManus
Afghan Christians continue to suffer under the Taliban
Since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, religious and civil liberties have rapidly deteriorated under Taliban rule. Christians face regular raids on their homes by the Taliban, frequently receive threats against their jobs and families, and lack access to educational opportunities, reports International Christian Concern.
The Taliban has practically eradicated on-the-ground relief efforts by aid groups.
Plus, because it’s working to completely erase Christianity from the country many Christians have gone underground to avoid being kidnapped by the Taliban “courts.”
The rising starvation rates and increasing poverty in Afghanistan create an even higher security threat to these believers since the Taliban is now offering financial compensation to anyone who reports on Christians.
Unless ransomed by their families, Christians captured by the “courts” face brutal torture and even death. If redeemed, the survivors and their families, often bankrupt from the exorbitant ransom demands, must flee their homes to avoid repeated kidnappings from the various Taliban gangs.
Because many Afghani Muslims are dissatisfied with their religion, they are open to Christianity despite the risks. Believers are hosting secret prayer meetings which is incredibly courageous, considering the implications.
Acts 5:29 says, “We ought to obey God rather than man.”
Secret Service closes cocaine investigation in The White House
On Thursday, the Secret Service officially and mysteriously closed its investigation into how cocaine ended up in the West Wing of the White House without identifying a suspect, reports ABC News.
In its report, the Secret Service said, “There was no surveillance video footage found that provided investigative leads or any other means for investigators to identify who may have deposited the found substance in this area.”
Hollywood shuts down as actors go on strike
Tens of thousands of Hollywood actors went on strike at midnight Thursday, effectively bringing the giant movie and television business to a halt as they join writers in the first industry-wide walkout for 63 years, reports AFP.
The Screen Actors Guild issued a strike order after last-ditch talks with studios on their demands over dwindling pay and the threat posed by artificial intelligence ended without a deal.
College student caught vandalizing pregnancy center
A college student is facing federal charges for the vandalism of a pro-life pregnancy center in Ohio, as many similar organizations have been vandalized or firebombed following the U.S. Supreme Court’s determination that the U.S. Constitution does not contain a right to abortion, reports The Christian Post.
Last week, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio announced that Whitney Durant, a 20-year-old Bowling Green State University student, also known as “Soren Monroe,” is facing federal misdemeanor charges for vandalizing a pro-life pregnancy center in Bowling Green, Ohio.
On April 15, Ohio Right to Life announced that the Bowling Green Pregnancy Center had been vandalized with the phrases “Fake Clinic,” “Jane’s Revenge,” “Fund Abortion” and “Abort God” on the exterior wall of the pro-life center while the word “Liars” was spray-painted on the window.
Jane’s Revenge, a pro-abortion terrorist group, is named after the Jane’s Collective in Chicago, prior to 1973, who helped mothers kill their babies illegally through abortion.
On Whitney’s Facebook page, she describes herself as “a communist trying to spread the gay agenda” who uses “all pronouns.” One public post on her page is an ironic request to give money to the National Abortion Rights Action League to celebrate her birthday. But apparently, the abortion terrorist doesn’t want to allow children inside the womb the blessing of having a birthday.
In Psalm 139:13-14, King David wrote, “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
14-year-old Canadian donates his tithe money to The Worldview
Theo Jantz, a 14-year-old Worldview listener in Sexsmith, Alberta, Canada, graciously donated $13.13. Because his parents noted his age in the space alongside his name on their credit card donation, I gave Theo a call yesterday.
THEO: “So, I had $14 in my tithing jar. We tithe 10% of the money we earn. And that was just the money that had collected in the jar over time. And I wanted to do something with it. So, I decided to give it to The Worldview.”
He explained why he gave the unusual amount of $13.13.
THEO: “I did $13.13 because at the moment, it’s ‘something’ dollars and 88 cents, I think. I thought it’d be funny to hear ‘something’ [dollars] and one cent.”
Theo cited the sources for the money he has earned.
THEO: “Well, it would come from three different things. [1] Picking weeds. We get paid by the garbage can. (laughs) [2] And I sell stuff for my dad and get 10% on a Canadian Craigslist. Random stuff that he has around that he doesn’t really want anymore. [3] I have a very, very small business that I’ve made of cleaning cars.”
The 14-year-old talked about a story he especially liked from Thursday’s newscast.
THEO: “I liked the story of the archaeologist who found Sodom. I thought that was really interesting. I really liked the part where the pottery was melted and burned. It was really good proof that it actually was Sodom. We listen to it as a family in the morning, in our morning time. I like the ending where you say ‘seize the day for Jesus Christ. ’ And our whole family says it with you.”
Listen to Theo’s challenge to Worldview listeners.
THEO: “I would like to encourage other people who have their tithing jar piling up to give it to The Worldview or to some other worthy cause.”
McMANUS: “Theo, I really appreciate it. It means so much because every little bit helps.”
THEO: “Thank you!”
McMANUS: “God bless you. Bye bye now.”
THEO: “Bye.”
16 Worldview listeners gave $5,053.13
Wow!
We exceeded the 10-donor goal yesterday by 6 donors as 16 Worldview listeners gave toward our $80,000 goal by Monday, July 31st to keep this unique Christian newscast on the air.
Our thanks to Theo in Sexsmith, Alberta, Canada who gave $13.13 as well as Faith in Coeur D Alene, Idaho, Mary in Chaska, Minnesota, Bonnie in Happy Valley, Oregon, Brenda in Simla, Colorado, and Jerry in Booneville, Mississippi – each of whom gave $50.
We thank God for B.C. in Grandview, Washington who gave $100, as well as Raymond in Las Cruces, New Mexico and Dawna in Troy, Montana – both of whom gave $150, Elaine in San Antonio, Texas who gave $200, and Cheryl in Cumming, Georgia who pledged $20/month for 12 months for a total gift of $240.
And we’re grateful for the generosity of Joe and Emily in Alexandria, Indiana who gave $250 as well as Kenneth in Carthage, North Carolina and Luke in Esperance, Washington – both of whom gave $300, Andrew in Calgary, Alberta, Canada who pledged $25/month for 12 months for a total gift of $300, and an anonymous donor in Bardstown, Kentucky who gave $2,800.
Those 16 new donations add up to $5,053.13. Ready for our new grand total? Drum roll please. (Drum roll sound effect) $19,957.01 (Crowd cheering sound effect)
In order to hit our $40,000 immediate goal by midnight tonight, we still need to raise $20,042.99.
Could you be one of 10 Worldview listeners to pledge $100/month for 12 months? Then, we would need 6 to pledge $50/month for 12 months. And another 12 listeners to pledge $25/month for 12 months. We are half way through the race. It would be so exciting to announce on Monday that you helped us reach the $40,000 midway goal!
Just go to TheWorldview.com and click on “Give” at the top right to give what the Lord is prompting you to donate. Make sure to select the “Recurring” tab if that’s your wish.
Plus, I have an important fundraising update to share this coming Monday. So, stay tuned!
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Friday, July 14th 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.