It’s Wednesday, September 20th, 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

Taliban detained 18 non-profit workers in Afghanistan

The New York Post reports the Taliban detained 18 non-profit workers in Afghanistan last week for promoting Christianity.

International Assistance Mission confirmed the Taliban raid last Friday. Detainees included several women, one of whom is an American. The organization’s website notes, “We are a partnership between the people of Afghanistan and international Christian volunteers, and we have been working together since 1966.”

The Taliban has imposed Islamic law on the country since taking over after U.S. forces withdrew two years ago.

Afghanistan is ranked ninth on the Open Doors World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.”

Surprise Indian court decision: Distributing Bibles allowed

Earlier this month, an Indian court ruled that distributing Bibles is not a violation of local anti-conversion laws.

India’s state of Uttar Pradesh passed the anti-conversion law in 2020. It bans attempts to convert someone through “allurement” by offering gifts or money.

However, Hindu nationalists have used such laws throughout the country to target Christians.

The latest ruling also states that promoting education for children and offering good teachings is not a violation of the law either.

Former Christian clerk fined $100,000 for not signing sodomite licenses

In the U.S., a jury ruling fined a former Kentucky county clerk $100,000 for refusing to sign a marriage license for a homosexual couple. 

Kim Davis, the former clerk, plans to appeal the ruling. In 2015, she was jailed for almost a week after refusing to sign the license on Biblical grounds. Former Arkansas Republican Governor Mike Huckabee actively supported Davis.

The Christian non-profit, Liberty Counsel, is representing Davis. Mat Staver, the group’s founder, said, “We look forward to appealing this decision for Kim Davis. We will argue religious accommodation under the First Amendment, and other state and federal laws. We will also argue that Obergefell v. Hodges  was wrongly decided and should be overturned. Yesterday’s jury verdict has paved the way for this case to go to the U.S. Supreme Court.”

Pro-life rescuers found guilty

A federal jury convicted three more pro-life advocates last week for protesting abortion, reports LifeSiteNews.com. They include two women in their 70s who could face 11 years in prison.

What was their crime? Praying and singing inside an abortion mill in Washington, D.C.

A total of 10 pro-lifers face criminal charges for the 2020 incident. The Biden administration is charging them under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, also known as the FACE Act. 

On Tuesday, U.S. Republican Rep. Chip Roy from Texas, my personal representative here in San Antonio, introduced a bill to repeal the FACE Act. He said, “Biden’s Department of Justice has brazenly weaponized the FACE Act against normal, everyday Americans across the political spectrum, simply because they are pro-life.”

Trump called DeSantis’ pro-life Heartbeat Law “terrible”

Former President Donald Trump faced criticism from pro-lifers for attacking Florida’s heartbeat law during NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday. 

KRISTEN WELKER: “If a federal ban landed on your desk, if you were re-elected, would you sign it at 15 weeks?

TRUMP:  “Are you talking about a complete ban?”

WELKER: “A ban at 15 weeks.”

TRUMP: “Well, people, people are starting to think of 15 weeks. That seems to be a number that people are talking about right now.”

WELKER: “Would you sign that?”

TRUMP: “I would sit down with both sides and negotiate something. And we’ll end up with peace in that issue for the first time in 52 years. I’m not going to say I would or I wouldn’t. I mean ‘DeSanctus’ is willing to sign a five-week and six-week ban.”

WELKER: “Would you support that? Do you think that goes too far?”

TRUMP: “I think what he did is a terrible thing and a terrible mistake.”

Watch President Trump’s full interview on “Meet the Press.”

DeSantis defends signing Florida’s Heartbeat Law

In an interview with Radio Iowa, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis defended the Heartbeat Law, reports LifeSiteNews.com.

DeSANTIS: “Protecting babies with heartbeats is not terrible. Donald Trump may think it’s terrible. I think protecting babies with heartbeats is noble and just, and I’m proud to have signed the Heartbeat Bill in Florida. I don’t know how you can even make the claim that you’re somehow pro-life if you’re criticizing states for enacting pro-life protections for babies that have heartbeats. I saw him saying that those bills were terrible, I think was a terrible statement. And I think it’s a window into how he’s changing as he’s running this campaign.”

Trump offered to pardon pro-life rescuers

To his credit, the former president said he would pardon or commute the sentences of pro-life rescuers if he is elected president again.

Last Friday at the Pray Vote Stand Summit, Trump promised pardons for “every political prisoner who’s been unjustly persecuted by the Biden administration.”

Trump pledges support to homeschoolers

Trump also pledged support for homeschoolers last week.

TRUMP: “As president, It was my honor to support America’s homeschool families and to protect the God-given right of every parent to be the steward of their children’s education. Since the China virus, America has seen an estimated 30% increase in homeschool enrollment. When I am re-elected, I will do everything I can to support parents who make the courageous choice of homeschool.”

Earth’s largest Lithium discovery in supervolcano

And finally, geologists recently discovered what may be the earth’s largest deposit of lithium.

The deposit is located in a 28-mile stretch of the McDermitt Caldera supervolcano along the Nevada-Oregon border. 

Experts estimate that the location could hold up to 40 million metric tons or $1.5 trillion worth of the precious metal. If true, that would account for half of the world’s known lithium reserves. The resource is vital for many applications, including smartphones, computers, and electric vehicles. 

Belgian geologist Anouk Borst said the discovery could “change the dynamics of lithium globally, in terms of price, security of supply and geopolitics.”

Psalm 24:1 reminds us, “The Earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.”

Close

And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Wednesday, September 20th 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.