It’s Friday, July 3rd, 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
8 examples of Hindu persecution of Christians in India
International Christian Concern has documented at least eight incidents of persecution against Christians in India by Hindu radicals in just two weeks as the country reopens from its coronavirus lockdown.
On June 13, they threatened members of Laymen Evangelical Fellowship Church as they were preparing to reopen their church after nearly three months of lockdown. According to Pastor Augustine, the Hindus told the Christians they were not allowed to conduct any prayers or even congregate on the church premises. They claimed that the Christians were all carrying COVID-19 and infecting non-Christians with the virus.
Jesus said in John 15:20, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”
Russian voters clear way for Putin’s 16-year reign
Russian voters largely supported constitutional amendments this week that would allow President Vladimir Putin to potentially hold power for another 16 years. Putin has already been in power for over two decades.
The amendments also outlaw faux homosexual marriage and mention belief in God as a core value. However, Russia is ranked 46th on the Open Doors World Watch List of worst nations for persecution of Christians.
300 Hong Kongers arrested in pro-democracy rally
Authorities in Hong Kong arrested over 300 people on Wednesday as thousands gathered for an annual pro-democracy rally that marked 23 years since Britain transferred its rule over Hong Kong to China.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo condemned China for imposing a new security law over Hong Kong this week.
POMPEO: “Yesterday, the Chinese Communist Party implemented its draconic security law on Hong Kong in violation of commitments it made to the Hong Kong people and the United Kingdom . . . Free Hong Kong was one of the worlds most stable, prosperous, and dynamic cities. Now it will be just another communist-run city where its people will be subject to the party elite’s whims . . . Security forces are already rounding up Hong Kongers for daring to speak and think freely. It’s sad. The rule of law has been eviscerated.”
The U.S. House and Senate have passed a bill this week to economically sanction China for undermining Hong Kong’s freedom.
Virginia eager to fine Christian photographers who take a stand
Alliance Defending Freedom filed a lawsuit on Tuesday on behalf of Christian photographer Chris Herring to challenge a new law in Virginia that would fine photographers $50,000 if they don’t provide their services at faux homosexual wedding ceremonies.
Herring said, “My religious beliefs influence every aspect of my life, including the stories I tell through my photography. . . . I can’t and won’t let the state force me to express messages that contradict my beliefs.”
Two more pro-abortion Supreme Court decisions
The U.S. Supreme Court continues its pro-abortion rulings this week after overturning a Louisiana anti-abortion law on Monday.
On Thursday, the court declined to hear two abortion cases from Chicago and Pennsylvania, upholding ordinances that banned pro-life sidewalk counseling outside of abortion mills.
The court also ruled yesterday to overturn an Indiana law that required abortion mills to offer pregnant women an ultrasound of their baby before an abortion.
Psalm 94:20-21 says, “Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with You? They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood.”
Trump urged federal government to focus on skills, not academics
Last Friday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to focus on skills not college degrees when hiring its employees.
Trump said at the signing, “The federal government will no longer be narrowly focused on where you went to school, but the skills and the talents that you bring to the job.”
80% of Christian Americans say U.S. a Christian nation
Ahead of the Fourth of July, Barna released a study on Americans’ views of their country.
The study found 80 percent of practicing Christians agree that historically, the U.S. has been a Christian nation, while only 58 percent of U.S. adults agree with the statement.
Practicing Christians also strongly agree that historically, the U.S. has been blessed by God and has been a leader to the rest of the world. Most U.S. adults also agreed with the statements but at lower percentages.
Psalm 2:12 instructs nations to “kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”
Nearly 5 million Americans got jobs
The U.S. workforce added a record 4.8 million jobs last month.
And unemployment fell to 11.1 percent last month as states and businesses reopened and employees got back to work after coronavirus lockdowns.
Trail Life urges Christians to heal social unrest on July 4th
Amid rising social tensions in the U.S., one organization today challenged Americans to invite “someone different” to their Fourth of July cookout, calling for a “healing wave” across the nation.
“Jesus taught us to ‘love one another.’ Now, more than ever, America needs to put love into action,” said Mark Hancock, CEO of Trail Life, a national boys, Christian adventure movement that’s launching its first-ever nationwide Backyard Cookout and Campout for Independence Day, July 3-4.
In a CBN column, Hancock wrote “It’s time to stop grilling each other. Let’s enjoy the grill together!”
The South Carolina-based organization — which has more than 30,000 K-12th grade boys in 830-plus troops in every state — is inviting “every American to be part of the great wave of national healing that needs to take place on America’s birthday,” said Hancock. “The heart and soul of our nation could be at stake.”
HANCOCK: “We’re stressing to families to invite somebody who maybe doesn’t look like you, maybe doesn’t agree with you on everything, maybe someone who’s different from you, invite them because it’s a great time to exhibit who we are as Americans at this time in celebrating our independence.
“We are people who can get beyond those types of differences, and we can enjoy a good cookout together. You know, if there’s anything that we can all agree on. It’s a well-cooked hamburger on a grill, or a steak or some barbecue chicken, is good. I don’t care what political persuasion from.
“So, we’re encouraging people to reach across all kinds of lines and invite people into their backyards, a backyard cookout, and then to continue as a family camping out, or maybe making a blanket fort in the living room or something, but enjoying something different this weekend with your family.”
Live-streamed speakers today at 4:00pm EDT will include Edward Graham — grandson of the late evangelist Billy Graham – who works with Samaritan’s Purse.
Any family can register for the backyard virtual event at Trail Life USA’s website where they’ll find camping tips, outdoor recipes, and activity ideas contributed by thousands of Trail Life USA volunteers across the country.
Last donor brings total to $75,270.20
Finally, our thanks to Roger in Westminster, Colorado for his generous donation of $750 to The Worldview newscast. His gift brings our total month-long campaign to $75,270.20.
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And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Friday, July 3rd, 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.