It’s Thursday, February 27th, 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
The imprisonment of three Christians in India
Despite no evidence of wrongdoing, three Christians in India were imprisoned for two months in jail where they suffered abuse from other prisoners, reports Morning Star News.
23-year-old pastor Ajay Kumar, fellow pastor Om Prakash, age 20, and another Christian, 62-year-old Kapil Dev Ram, were freed from prison last month, but still face trumped-up charges.
Pastor Kumar said their jail time was a nightmare. He said, “We did not know when a mob would wake us in the middle of the night and torment us.” The pastors still managed to preach the Gospel in prison with one prisoner turning to Christ.
Christians throughout India face such discrimination for their faith in Jesus.
As the Apostle Paul preached to the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Trump: $3 billion military deal with India, talked religious freedom
President Donald Trump visited India for two days earlier this week with a massive reception of 100,000 people for a “Namaste Trump” rally.
Trump had one-on-one talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after which Trump announced a $3 billion military equipment deal as the two countries deepen commercial ties in an attempt to balance China’s influence in the area.
Trump also said he discussed religious liberty and the treatment of Christians in India with Modi.
Coronavirus has infected 81,000 people, killed 2,700 people
The China-based coronavirus has now infected over 81,000 people around the world, causing over 2,700 deaths.
The list of affected nations has reached over 40 now. Cases also increased drastically in Italy, South Korea, and Iran.
U.S. officials are preparing for the likely spread of the virus in America.
In the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, the stock market plunged for two consecutive days this week.
The Dow dropped over 1,800 points, and the S&P 500 dropped by 6.3%.
Could U.S.-Afghanistan conflict be coming to close?
U.S. officials and the Afghan Taliban agreed on a seven-day reduction in violence last week.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, “This is an important step on a long road to peace.”
If successful, the U.S. and the Taliban will sign the first phase of a deal aimed at ending nearly 20 years of conflict.
Sanders’ defense of communist Fidel Castro
Senator Bernie Sanders won a decisive victory at the Nevada caucuses Saturday, becoming the clear front-runner for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
Sanders won 46 percent of the vote, well ahead of the next candidate, Joe Biden at 20 percent.
Sanders has drawn controversy over his recent praise of Cuban communist dictator Fidel Castro’s literacy program on CBS’ “60 Minutes”.
SANDERS: “When Fidel Castro came into office, you know what he did? He had a massive literacy program. Is that a bad thing, even though Fidel Castro did it?”
Then, in a CNN Townhall meeting, Sanders double downed on his defense of Fidel Castro.
SANDERS: “When Fidel Castro first came to power, which was when? — ’59? — you know what he did? He initiated a major literacy program. A lot of folks in Cuba, at that point, were illiterate. He formed the Literacy Brigade, and they help people learn to read and write. You know what? I think teaching people to read and write is a good thing.”
Even Joe Scarborough, Host of “Morning Joe” on MSNBC, was appalled.
SCARBOROUGH: “He [Castro] had a literacy regime, but he also had a regime who tortured Catholics, tortured people who worshiped God in a way he didn’t like, tortured students that had newspapers, kept people locked up, killed people.
“You cannot talk about Fidel Castro’s literacy program — you just can’t — not in American politics and you shouldn’t be able to — without talking about the long laundry list of evils committed by Fidel Castro against his own people.”
When confronted about his remarks, Sanders went on to praise communist China as well.
Also, federal officials have warned Sanders that Russia is trying to help his campaign in an attempt to interfere with the Democratic primaries.
Proverbs 2:21 reminds us that the Lord “changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings.”
Post office forced mailman to work on Sundays
Gerald Groff, a former Pennsylvania mail carrier and evangelical Christian, is suing the U.S. Postal Service for requiring him to work Sundays.
Groff, who worked for the postal service for seven years, said the agency started enforcing a no-exception Sunday policy on him and “needlessly disciplined him,” which involved suspensions that lasted up to two weeks.
Brain surgeon wakes up violinist in middle of surgery
And finally, British musician Dagmar Turner underwent an incredible brain surgery in January to remove a tumor.
The 53-year-old violinist was diagnosed with the tumor after a seizure during a performance.
During the surgery, doctors actually woke Turner up, so she could play her violin, helping the doctors ensure they did not damage any part of the brain used in playing the violin!
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, February 27th 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.