It’s Thursday, April 30th, A.D. 2020. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Persecutors worldwide using pandemic to hurt Christians
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom released their 2020 annual report this month, requesting the State Department to add five countries as top religious freedom violators.
These countries of particular concern already include Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The recommended additions include India, Nigeria, Russia, Syria, and Vietnam.
All of these countries make it onto the Open Doors World Watch List of worst nations for Christian persecution.
USCIRF chairman Tony Perkins told CBN News that responses to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic have helped to expose persecution internationally and even in America.
PERKINS: “When you look at what the pandemic has done, it has kind of flushed out the persecutors because some have used this as a guise, as a smokescreen, as an excuse to display hostility toward religion.”
Matthew 5:10 says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Canada trampling upon religious liberties during coronavirus
The Canada-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms warned earlier this month that Canadian’s rights, including religious freedoms, are being trampled on during the coronavirus response.
In one case, health officials banned a Resurrection Sunday drive-in service, but later reversed their decision after being served a legal warning by the JCFF.
The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms is also representing an Ontario church that police say will “be held accountable” for having a drive-in service recently.
Calls to reverse chemical abortions have risen
During the coronavirus outbreak, a record number of mothers are calling abortion pill reversal hotlines to get help after having a chemical abortion.
The Abortion Pill Rescue Network reports over 80 percent of callers have started the reversal process to save their babies and that 105 mothers started the process last month.
Heartbeat International, which runs the rescue network, has also seen a 30-50 percent increase in calls for pro-life assistance during the pandemic.
Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Minneapolis approves first-ever Muslim call to prayer over loudspeakers
City officials in Minneapolis, Minnesota approved a noise permit for the Muslim call to prayer to be blasted outside over loudspeakers five times a day throughout the Muslim month of Ramadan, starting last Thursday and going through May 23.
It is considered the first time a major U.S. city approved of a public call to prayer to the false moon god known as Allah via a loudspeaker.
Listen to the eerie first 23 seconds of the 3-minute call to prayer.
(audio of a portion of the prayer)
An English translation of the Muslim call to prayer says, “Allah is the Greatest! . . . there is none worthy of worship but Allah. . . . Hurry to prayer . . . hurry to salvation.”
The area of Minneapolis blasting the call to prayer lies in the district of controversial Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar.
But 1 Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
3 million people worldwide infected by COVID-19
Global COVID-19 cases surpassed three million this week with U.S. cases surpassing one million.
The death rate is likely to be much lower than previously thought since the number of infections does not include asymptomatic and unconfirmed cases, reports Reuters.
Italy and Spain are beginning to reopen after coronavirus lockdowns, and several U.S. states are also reopening for business.
Trump orders meat-processing plants to stay open
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump ordered meat-processing plants to stay open in an attempt to protect the food supply chain.
Major meat companies closed 20 plants in North America in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Tyson Foods chairman John H. Tyson warned that the food supply chain was in the process of “breaking.”
Possible COVID-19 vaccine?
And finally, U.S. officials announced yesterday that Gilead Sciences has produced an experimental drug called remdesivir, proven in a major study to reduce the time it takes to recover from the coronavirus.
Also, Oxford University has successfully tested a vaccine for the coronavirus on monkeys with 6,000 human trials scheduled by the end of May.
In response to the new treatment, U.S. stocks surged yesterday, rising over two percent.
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, April 30th in the year of our Lord 2020. 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.