It’s Thursday, May 21st, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Finnish member of Parliament appeals religious liberty ruling
A Finnish member of Parliament is appealing her religious freedom case to the European Court of Human Rights.
Finland’s Supreme Court convicted Päivi Räsänen of hate speech in March. Her offense was writing a pamphlet about biblical sexuality 20 years ago. Alliance Defending Freedom International announced this month that she is making a final appeal in her case.
Räsänen commented, “The failure of the Finnish Supreme Court to uphold freedom of speech has set a dangerous precedent in my country and across Europe. … I know I am not alone in facing unjust persecution under ‘hate speech’ laws that make sharing Christian beliefs a criminal offense.”
French legislature rejects legalization of suicide
French lawmakers rejected a bill to legalize assisted suicide last week.
The measure would even impose prison terms and heavy fines on people deemed to be obstructing access to assisted suicide.
Bruno Retailleau leads the conservative Les Républicains Party in France. The lawmaker argued against the bill, saying, “We cannot support a text that, in the name of a misguided progressivism, risks sacrificing the most vulnerable among us to the cold logic of budgetary constraints and legal precedents.”
Franklin Graham preached to 30,000 people in Belarus
On May 16th, Evangelist Franklin Graham shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with over 30,000 people in Minsk, Belarus which is located in Eastern Europe with Russia to the east, Ukraine to the south and Poland to the west.
Listen.
GRAHAM: “Lying is a sin. We have all have lied. So, we’re sinners. We’ve broken God’s laws. We’re under a judgment. We’re under a death sentence. The wages of sin is death.”
Indeed, Romans 6:23 declares, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(You can watch his sermon through a special link in our transcript today at www.TheWorldview.com)
It was reportedly the largest Evangelical event ever in the Eastern European country. Hundreds of people turned to Christ during the event.
Graham wrote about one unique conversion story. He said, “One man shared that he had planned to end his life last Tuesday, but was not successful. He came tonight, heard the Gospel, and found true hope by putting his faith and trust in Christ.”
John 3:17 says, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through Him, might be saved.”
Secretary of State Rubio blames Cuban problems on Communism
Yesterday was Cuban Independence Day. It’s the 124th anniversary of the birth of the Republic of Cuba.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio marked the day by sharing a Spanish-language video message with the people of Cuba.
RUBIO: “The reason you are forced to survive 22 hours a day without electricity is not due to an oil ‘blockade’ by the U.S. As you know, better than anyone, you have been suffering from blackouts for years. The real reason you don’t have electricity, fuel, or food is because those who control your country have plundered billions of dollars, but nothing has been used to help the people.
“Thirty years ago, Raúl Castro founded a company called GAESA. This company is owned and operated by the Armed Forces, and has revenues three times greater than your current government’s budget. Today, while you suffer, these businessmen have $18 billion dollars in assets and control 70% of Cuba’s economy.”
Rubio blamed the country’s economic hardship on its communist leadership.
He stated, “President Trump is offering a new relationship between the U.S. and Cuba. … First, we are offering $100 million dollars in food and medicine for you, the people. But they must be distributed directly to the Cuban people by the Catholic Church or other trusted charitable groups. Not stolen by [government-run businesses] to sell in one of their stores.”
Trump’s endorsement defeats Rep. Thomas Massie in Kentucky
In the United States, Republican Trump-backed candidates won their primaries on Tuesday.
Most notably, U.S. House candidate Ed Gallrein won a primary in Kentucky against Rep. Thomas Massie. Gallrein won 54.9 percent to 45.1 percent. Massie was an outspoken critic of some of President Trump’s actions like the war with Iran.
The race cost $32 million, making it the most expensive contest for the U.S. House of Representatives in history.
U.S. parents more likely to identify as Christian than non-parents
The American Bible Society released the second chapter of its report, “State of the Bible: USA 2026.”
The survey evaluated parenting and faith. Notably, Gen Z and Millennial parents are much more likely to identify as Christians than people their age who are not parents. Over 60 percent of parents from the younger generations call themselves Christians. Meanwhile, less than 50 percent of non-parents do the same.
Among parents, 29 percent pray with their children regularly and 14 percent read the Bible with them regularly. Those numbers more than doubled among parents who are practicing Christians.
Bibles for the World will distribute 1.4 million copies of John
And finally, Bibles For The World hopes to distribute 1.4 million copies of the Gospel of John this coming Saturday.
The global evangelism effort will span over 20 countries on Pentecost Saturday, May 23.
John Pudaite, the president of Bibles for the World, told the Christian News Wire, “It is record-breaking in that it’s the single largest provision of Scripture in history for a one-day evangelistic event.”
Romans 10:15 says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Close
And that’s The Worldview on this Thursday, May 21st, in the year of our Lord 2026. Subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.