It’s Thursday, January 12th, A.D. 2023. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)

By Jonathan Clark

Persecution hot spots: Myanmar, Iran, China, India, Afghan, and Turkey

International Christian Concern recently shared where they expect persecution hotspots to be this year.

Christians in China face more crackdowns on house churches and religious leaders. Myanmar’s political coup has increased pressure on Christians including attacks and bombings on churches. Iran has used the international distractions of the Ukraine war to continue their arrests and torture of Christians. 

Meanwhile, Christians in India face more and more states adopting anti-conversion laws that target them. The Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan has pushed Christianity completely underground. And Turkey’s government is spreading persecution in neighboring countries as they monopolize terrorist groups and harass Christians.

Psalm 14:4 asks, “Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up My people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD?”

French fight over doctor-assisted suicide

Last month, France’s highest administrative court rejected challenges to the country’s law against assisted suicide.

Despite the ruling though, France is still considering legalizing such murder. Last September, the government opened a six-month timeframe for civil conversation on the matter.

Evangelical groups like the French National Council of Evangelical Churches are speaking out. One leader said, “Every human being is created and loved by God, and his or her dignity does not diminish with age, social status, or the decline of physical and cognitive abilities.”

World economy will only grow by 1.7%

The World Bank’s latest forecast expects the global economy to grow just 1.7% this year, down from its estimate of 3% last year.

The organization said the US, the Eurozone, and China are “all undergoing a period of pronounced weakness” and that the global economy is “perilously close to falling into recession.”

In the U.S., big banks are expected to report a 17% drop in net profits from the fourth quarter of 2022 compared with a year before. And the U.S. Small Business Optimism Index fell to 89% last month, marking the twelfth consecutive month the index was below the half-century average of 98%.

FAA computer failure biggest grounding since 9/11

Thousands of flights across the U.S. were canceled or delayed Wednesday after a system that offers safety information to pilots failed, prompting a government investigation into the breakdown which grounded some planes for hours, reports the Associated Press.

The Federal Aviation Administration said preliminary indications “traced the outage to a damaged database file.” The agency said it would take steps to avoid another similar disruption.

The breakdown showed how much American air travel depends on the computer system that generates alerts called Notice to Air Missions.

Before a plane takes off, pilots and airline dispatchers must review the notices, which include details about bad weather, runway closures or other temporary factors that could affect the flight.

AZ Christian school in trouble for firing LHBT-supporting teacher

Arizona’s largest Christian school is facing a lawsuit for their Biblical hiring practices.

Valley Christian School’s former teacher Adam McDorman filed a complaint in federal court last month. The school dismissed McDorman in 2021 after he defended people living sexually perverted lifestyles. The issue came up after a student posted online that she was “pansexual.”

The school requires students and faculty to embrace its values which include a statement on Biblical marriage and sexuality. 

Pentagon rescinds COVID-shot requirement

The Pentagon officially rescinded its COVID-shot requirement for service members on Tuesday.

Going forward, people currently serving in the military will not be dismissed for refusing to get the shot. However, various military branches have already discharged at least 8,400 troops for refusing to get the shot.

It is unclear if the military will allow those discharged back into active service.

90% of California under flood watch

Ninety percent of California was under a flood watch on Monday. 

Heavy rainstorms are causing deadly mudslides, flooded towns, and power outages. At least 17 people have died in the storms since the start of the year.

On Sunday, the White House approved California’s request to declare a federal emergency.

Pastor Alan Cross of Petaluma Valley Baptist Church told CBN News that churches are working to support their communities in this time of need. 

CROSS: “I think the main thing is just praying for people, to be aware of their neighbors, and to have compassion. That really is the role of the church, is to see people in need, connecting with others, and being the refuge where we can join hands together as a community.”

200 homicides in Washington D.C.

And finally, Washington, D.C. is facing record high gun violence. For the second year in a row, the nation’s capital has recorded over 200 homicides.

Activists with Anacostia Coordinating Council are pushing a new campaign to stem the tide of violence. And no, it’s not all about gun control. Instead, the group wants to put up posters with the Bible’s Sixth Commandment — “You shall not murder” — throughout the city.

The group’s executive director, Philip Pannell, explained the campaign builds on the past.  He said, “Around 30 years ago, at the height of the crack epidemic, when we were also experiencing violence and homicides, then at-large Council member William Lightfoot printed-up some ‘Thou shalt not kill’ posters and put them throughout the city.”

The office of D.C. Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser will even provide 1,000 of the posters.

Genesis 9:6 says, “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in His own image.”

Close

And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, January 12th 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.