It’s Wednesday, June 2nd, A.D. 2021. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
Putin curtails religious freedom again
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a new amendment to the country’s Religion Law, asserting more control over religious activities.
The changes require missionaries and pastors who received their education outside of Russia to get state-sanctioned training.
The law also prohibits nonprofit organizations from using religious identifiers in their name unless authorized by the government and allows the government to ban those it considers extremists from participating in religious groups.
The new standards go into effect in October.
China now allows up to 3 kids per family
On Monday, China increased their two-child limit per family to three children.
The communist country is now facing the consequences of years of forced abortions and sterilizations as its population ages and birth rates decline.
However, a poll of 31,000 Chinese citizens found that over 90% said they would never consider having three children. Many are concerned about the cost of living.
Although the child limit has increased, the change does not bring an end to forced abortions.
Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
No new COVID deaths in United Kingdom
Yesterday, the United Kingdom reported no new COVID-19 deaths within 28 days of a positive test for the first time since March 2020.
Meanwhile, coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are falling across Europe. Over the past few months, Europe had the highest average of new cases per week of any region in the world. Now, their numbers are plummeting faster than any other region.
Virginia teacher suspended for opposing transgenderism
Leesburg Elementary School, located in Loudoun County, Virginia, suspended a teacher named Tanner Cross last week for opposing transgenderism.
At a school board hearing, Cross said he could not sin against God by lying to children about sexuality. Listen.
CROSS: “My name is Tanner Cross and I’m speaking out of love for those who suffer with gender dysphoria. 60 Minutes, this past Sunday, interviewed over 30 young people who transitioned. But they felt led astray because lack of pushback or how easy it was to make physical changes to their bodies in just three months. They are now de-transitioning.
“It’s not my intention to hurt anyone. But there are certain truths that we must face when ready. We condemn school policies like 8040 and 8035 because it will damage children to fight and defile the holy image of God. I love all of my students, but I will never lie to them regardless of the consequences. I’m a teacher, but I serve God first. And I will not affirm that a biological boy can be a girl and vice versa because it’s against my religion, it’s lying to a child, it’s abuse to a child, and it’s sinning against our God.”
Sadly, two days later, the school board put Cross on administrative leave.
Florida bans men, pretending to be women, from female sports
Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill to ban men, pretending to be women, from participating in female sports at schools.
Florida is the eighth and largest state to pass such a law.
DeSantis signed the bill on the first day of June, which many call Pride Month in celebration of sexually perverted lifestyles.
In a press conference, DeSantis said he would not be intimidated by organizations that threatened to cancel events in Florida over the legislation.
DESANTIS: “In Florida, we’re going to do what’s right. We’ll stand up to corporations. They are not going to dictate the policies in this state. We will stand up to groups, like the NCAA, who think that they should be able to dictate the policies in different states. Not here. Not ever.” (applause)
More Protestant churches closed than opened in 2019
Lifeway Research reports that more Protestant churches in America closed in 2019 than opened.
Lifeway estimates approximately 3,000 Protestant churches were started in the U.S. that year, but 4,500 Protestant churches closed.
Compare that with 2014 when an estimated 4,000 Protestant churches were planted and 3,700 closed.
Brazilian meatpacker hacked by Russian group
JBS S.A., the world’s largest meatpacker, announced this week that a cyber attack has disrupted their operations in North America and Australia.
The Brazilian company had to stop processing at five of their biggest beef plants in the U.S., affecting a fifth of America’s production.
JBS said the attack likely originated from an organization in Russia.
Oregon Gov requires churches to screen for vaccine passports
Oregon Democrat Governor Kate Brown has now implemented a statewide policy to require proof of COVID shots, or a vaccine passport, for people to enter businesses, workplaces, and churches without wearing masks.
Today, as I guest host for Kevin Swanson on Generations Radio, I interview Mat Staver, founder of Liberty Counsel, about their decision to fight Governor Brown’s unconstitutional power grab. He was especially upset that Oregon is requiring churches to screen people for COVID passports.
STAVER: “For them to say that you have to check someone’s health conditions or health status, whether they’ve gotten a particular shot, whether it’s COVID or not, as a criteria to enter the church in order to determine whether you can sit on the left side in the bigger seating or the right side. I mean, this is just unbelievable!
“Can you imagine someone coming to the church, maybe they’re on the last moment of life, they’re thinking about ending their life, and you’re going to be required by the government to ask them to show their vaccine passport? And, if they don’t have it, perhaps the church has already filled up to 25%, you can’t send them in, even though you have plenty of room on the 50% side. I mean, it’s absolutely unthinkable to require this, and it’s clearly unconstitutional.”
Listen to the entire 30-minute interview with Mat Staver about his opposition to vaccine passports at Generations.org/radio.
Missions leader Floyd McClung dies at 75
And finally, All Nations International Founder Floyd McClung, Jr. died at the age of 75 last Saturday in Cape Town, South Africa, after battling illness for five years.
The Protestant missions leader lived in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America during his 50 years of ministry, spoke at over 100 colleges, traveled to over 190 countries, and authored 18 books, include The Father Heart of God.
He worked for Youth With A Mission (YWAM) for 35 years before he and his wife founded All Nations to train leaders and plant churches around the world.
Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, June 2nd, in the year of our Lord 2021. 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.