It’s Thursday, August 19th, 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
Myanmar soldiers have killed 1,000 civilians
As of yesterday, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reports the military junta in Myanmar has killed over 1,000 civilians. The deaths occurred since February when the military took over the country. The death count is probably much higher.
Over 5,000 people are also under detention in the Southeast Asian nation. Each day the tragic accounts of violence and death in the streets pour in.
As the Myanmar military, known as the Tatmadaw, increases its control, it is also cracking down on ethnic and religious minorities. Christians are likely to be the target of more persecution from the Tatmadaw.
Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ Myanmar, which Open Doors has determined is the 18th worst nation in the world for the persecution of Christians.
Psalm 71:4-5 says, “Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For You are my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.”
Learn more about how you can help the Christians of Myanmar through MissiontoMyanmar.com.
French homeschoolers need permission
Homeschoolers in France face new restrictions.
Last Friday, the French Constitutional Court approved a law that requires parents to get permission from local officials to homeschool. Previously, parents could just have a declaration of opting for homeschooling.
Now officials can close private and home schools without challenges from judges. There are an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 homeschooled children in France.
Christian homeless shelter might be compelled to hire homosexual
In the U.S., Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission has asked the nation’s Supreme Court to intervene in a case involving their Christian hiring policy.
Previously, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled against the Christian homeless ministry for refusing to hire a homosexual.
The mission has been working for nearly 90 years to help the homeless. Two years after graduating the program, 70% of participants are in school or have a job.
Proverbs 19:17 says, “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given.”
Supreme Court to Indiana Univ students: Get vaccinated!
For the first time, the U.S. Supreme Court has addressed the issue of mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett denied an emergency petition from Indiana University students over the school’s vaccine mandate. None of the other justices dissented. The move upholds lower court rulings in favor of the vaccine mandate.
Arkansas’ two pro-life resolutions
Over the last week, two counties in Arkansas passed pro-life resolutions.
One of the resolutions says, “Therefore, let it be resolved that it be the policy of Cleburne County, Arkansas, to promote and protect the dignity and humanity of all persons, at all stages of life from conception until natural death, and that Cleburne County, Arkansas, declares itself to be a Pro-Life County.”
The other resolution similarly stated, “Crawford County, Arkansas, declares itself to be a Pro-Life County, committed to the protection of all lives, including the lives of the unborn.”
Texas: “Sex reassignment” surgeries for minors is child abuse
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services determined that so-called sex reassignment surgeries on children constitute child abuse.
The department made the determination last week after Republican Gov. Greg Abbott requested a review of the issue. The determination stated such surgeries could inflict “irreversible harm” to children.
U.S. voters to government: “Leave us alone”
More U.S. voters want the government to be less involved in their lives.
A poll from Fox News found that 47% of voters would tell the federal government to “leave me alone,” up from 36% a year ago. Forty-four percent want the government to “lend me a hand,” down from 57%.
The percentage of Americans who don’t want government assistance is still down from its high in 2014 at 59%. Many families now report facing the financial hardship of price increases.
S&P 500 doubled in value
This week, the S&P 500 doubled its value compared with its low during the pandemic last year.
It’s the fastest bull market comeback since World War II.
The average bull market takes a fullt,000 trading days to double. By contrast, the recent rally took 354 days.
100-year-old great-great-grandmother powerlifter
And finally, a 100-year-old great-great grandma is not only celebrating her 100th birthday, she also just made the Guinness World Records as the oldest female competitive powerlifter.
Edith Murray lifted weights upwards of 40-150 pounds. She only started when she was 91!
The great-great grandmother said she picked up the sport while visiting a gym and couldn’t put it down.
MURRAY: “I watched these ladies and gentlemen picking up their bodies and their arms and their legs. And while I was watching those ladies doing their thing, I thought I just as well, since I was there, so it shouldn’t be a total loss, I might just as well pick up a few bars. So, I did and they got to be fun.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, August 19th, 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.