It’s Thursday, August 22nd, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Nicaragua shuts down 1,500 religious groups
The government of Nicaragua announced on Monday it shut down 1,500 non-profit organizations.
They include nearly 700 religious groups associated with Catholic, Evangelical, and Protestant denominations.
Previously, the central American government focused on suppressing Catholic dissent to the regime. Now, Evangelical churches face the crackdown as well.
Open Doors notes, “The situation has deteriorated significantly since 2018, when widespread protests broke out against the country’s dictatorial regime. Christians have been among those to raise their voice—but it’s coming at an alarming cost.”
Nicaragua is ranked 30th on the Open Doors’ World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
Geneva, Switzerland banned public baptisms
An Evangelical church in Switzerland appealed to the European Court of Human Rights this week over public baptisms in Lake Geneva.
Back in 2022, the Geneva State Council banned the church from celebrating baptisms in the lake. Earlier this year, a federal court ruled against the church, saying public baptisms could offend religious peace.
Theologian John Calvin, whose ministry was based in Geneva in the 1540s, would have a cow!
A press release from the church stated, “We stand up for the defense of the peaceful expression of faith and religious freedom, in private and in public.”
Bulgaria Parliament banned sexual perversion promotion in schools
Earlier this month, the Parliament of Bulgaria passed legislation banning the promotion of sexually perverted lifestyles in schools.
The measure bans “propaganda, promotion or incitement in any way, directly or indirectly, in the education system of ideas and views related to non-traditional sexual orientation and/or gender identity other than the biological one.”
The southeast European nation only recognizes marriages as between one man and one woman. However, politicians warn that “gender ideology” is creeping into Bulgarian schools.
The radical Democratic Party Platform
In the United States, the Democratic National Committee released its 2024 Party Platform on Sunday.
The document is nearly 100 pages, much longer than the 16-page Republican Party Platform.
Despite being released nearly a month after President Joe Biden dropped out the presidential race, the Democrat platform mentions him nearly 300 times. The platform also continues to push liberal agendas like protecting abortion and sexually perverted lifestyles at the federal level.
Look at a fascinating side-by-side comparison of the Democrat Party Platform compared to the Republican Party Platform through a special link at www.TheWorldview.com.
Oprah endorses Kamala
Last night, in a surprise appearance at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Oprah Winfrey endorsed Kamala Harris for president.
WINFREY: “Soon, and very soon, we’re going to be teaching our daughters and sons about how this child of an Indian mother and a Jamaican father — two idealistic, energetic immigrants — immigrants — how this child grew up to become the 47th president of the United States!” (cheers)
How can economy be Trump’s fault if Kamala is in there now?
But, despite Winfrey’s eloquence, CNN political analyst Scott Jennings, a former assistant to President George W. Bush, made a cogent point last night, reports RealClearPolitics.com.
JENNINGS: “The gap that I still see in all these speeches — as good as they were — [Kamala Harris] is in the White House right now. Democrats have controlled the White House for 12 of the last 16 years, and for all of the talk about division and the problems in the country, and people are hurting, Democrats have mostly controlled this country.
“Trump had it for four. The Obamas and Biden had it for the rest of the time, and somehow, it’s still all Trump’s fault, and somehow, she hasn’t been at the center of it.
“To me, that is the glaring hole in this campaign that hasn’t yet been solved at the convention. How do you explain all of the problems that will be solved by the person who is currently in there for the last 3.5 years and who is supposed to be already working on solving it?”
Seven pro-life activists found guilty
A Michigan jury found seven pro-life activists guilty on Tuesday. Their names are Chester Gallagher, Heather Idoni, Joel Curry, Justin Phillips, Cal Zastrow, his daughter Eva Zastrow, and 89-year-old Eva Edl who survived a Nazi concentration camp.
The Biden administration charged the pro-lifers for peacefully protesting outside an abortion mill. The so-called Justice Department used a conspiracy against rights charge that was originally designed for the Ku Klux Klan, reports the Daily Wire.
The pro-lifers face over 10 years in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. Despite this, they expressed their joy in the Lord Jesus after the trial.
In Matthew 5:11-12, Jesus said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven.”
Weak U.S. job growth
Job growth in the U.S. was weaker than expected over the last year.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics found the U.S. added about 800,000 fewer jobs than reported between April 2023 and March of this year.
It’s the largest downward revision since 2009.
The sectors with the biggest downward revisions were all in the private sector like professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; manufacturing; and trade, transportation, and utilities.
Two American astronauts trapped aboard Space Station
And finally, two American astronauts have been stuck in space for over two months.
NASA Astronaut Barry Wilmore and test pilot Suni Williams made it safely to the International Space Station in early June aboard a Boeing Starliner. They were supposed to return shortly thereafter; however, they found the new spacecraft had propulsion system leaks and thruster failures.
If the problems persist, they may not be able to return to Earth until next year. Despite this, the astronauts are holding on to their faith as fellow Christians pray for them on Earth.
CBN News reports, “Wilmore’s wife Deanna recently said her husband is content under the circumstances, knowing the Lord is in control.”
Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
And, we would add, even as you orbit the Earth.
Close
And that’s The Worldview on this Thursday, August 22nd, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by Amazon Music or 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.