Friday, May 3rd, in the year of our Lord 2019

By Jonathan Clark

U.S. Commission on Int’l Religious Freedom’s Report: 30 Countries Are Violators

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom released its 20th annual report on Monday, covering 30 countries where religious freedom rights are being violated.

The commission recommended 16 countries be labeled as Countries of Particular Concern by the State Department, including Myanmar, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, and Vietnam. These countries persecute Christians terribly.

The report highlighted persecution against Christians in China as authorities have shut down hundreds of Protestant churches in the country over the last year. The report also noted increased persecution against Christians in India at the hands of Hindu nationalists over the last several years.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Read the abridged report (40 pages).

Read the full report (227 pages).

European Union Countries Chastise Pakistan for Religious Persecution

Over 50 members of the European Union signed an open letter to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, calling on him to address the country’s religious freedom violations or face sanctions.

The Muslim-majority nation is one of the worst countries for Christian persecution, believers being targeted regularly with violence and false blasphemy accusations.

Spanish Voters Elect Socialist Prime Minister

Spain’s national elections on Sunday took a turn to the left with the victorious Socialist party, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, winning 123 seats or 29 percent of the vote.

The conservative People’s Party fared poorly, only winning 66 seats or 17 percent of the vote, the worst performance in its history.

However, the far-right Vox Party picked up 24 seats or 10 percent of the vote, the first time the party won seats since Spain became a democracy a little over 40 years ago.

The conservative Vox party supports Biblical marriage and opposes homosexuality and the murder of unborn babies.

Trump Hosts Nat’l Day of Prayer in Rose Garden

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence hosted a Rose Garden ceremony for the National Day of Prayer Thursday morning, reports CBN News.

Trump emphasized the power of prayer and the rights of Americans to live at religious liberty.

TRUMP: “Every citizen has the absolute right to live according to the teachings of their faith and the convictions of their heart. This is the bedrock of American life. To protect this heritage my Administration has strongly defended religious liberty.”

Trump quoted Isaiah 40:31, commenting on how he and Vice President Pence have made it through two years at the White House.

“But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Trump Announces Religious Freedom Protections

During President Trump’s National Day of Prayer event, he also announced new religious freedom protections for Americans.

Earlier this week, Trump ensured federal employees can take paid time off to observe religious holy days.

And on Thursday, the administration finalized conscience protections for physicians, pharmacists, nurses, teachers, students, and faith-based charities who will not participate in abortion, sterilization, or assisted suicide.

38 Percent Increase in Sexual Assault in Military

The U.S. Defense Department said on Thursday there were 6,053 reports of sexual assaults last year in the military, a 38 percent increase over a survey in 2016.

Taking into consideration unreported cases as well, the military survey estimated 20,500 male and female service members experienced some kind of sexual assault last year, reports Reuters.

Women ages 17 to 24 were at the highest risk of being assaulted in the military, according to the report.

UNC Charlotte Student Gave Life, Protecting Others from Gunman

And finally, on Tuesday, a 22-year-old former student opened fire on a class at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, killing two people and injuring four others.

One of the those who died, 21-year-old student Riley C. Howell, gave his life to save others, according to eye-witness reports.

When the shooting began, Howell immediately charged the shooter and tackled him before being fatally shot.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney said Howell was the “first and foremost hero . . . He took the fight to the assailant. Unfortunately, he had to give his life to do so, but he saved lives doing so.”

John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

Sign Up for the Generations Father/Son Retreat in Colorado

Join our annual Generations Father/Son Retreat in the Colorado mountains Thursday, August 29th through Sunday, September 1st.

You can register now and save $150 at www.ColoradoFatherSon.com.

Close

And that’s The World View in 5 Minutes on this Friday, May 3rd in the year of our Lord 2019. 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.