It’s Thursday, October 16th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark
British Christian teacher fired for Facebook post about Islamic violence
A British Christian teacher, who was unjustly fired, shared his testimony at a Reform UK party free speech conference last week.
Simon Pearson had a 20-year unblemished teaching record. However, Preston College dismissed him last year for allegedly being “Islamaphobic.” He had simply expressed concern on Facebook over violent crime and political bias.
Pearson is challenging his dismissal with the help of the Christian Legal Centre.
Listen to his comments at the free speech conference.
PEARSON: “Previously, I’ve worked as a missionary in a communist country where freedom of speech and religion are tightly controlled. I know what it means to live under a regime where truth is suppressed and conscience is punished.
“I never imagined I would face similar pressures in the United Kingdom, a country built on the foundations of liberty, of justice and of Christian values. I’m fighting for justice, not just for myself, but for every teacher, for every Christian and every citizen who fears that their voice no longer matters and they are being silenced.”
Young people of Northern Ireland more open to Christianity
Speaking of the United Kingdom, young people in Northern Ireland are leading a revival of interest in Christianity, according to a poll by The Iona Institute.
The survey found 18-24-year-olds in Northern Ireland are more likely to have a very positive attitude toward Christianity than any other age group.
These findings are similar to studies of young people in Ireland, Britain, and the United States.
Gen Z boys most likely to believe that Jesus is way to Heaven
Here in America, the Barna Group released new research from its ongoing State of the Church initiative.
Surveys show that Gen Z is increasingly open to Christian faith. However, among young people, women are the most likely to disengage from church, prayer, and belief.
Meanwhile, young men and especially teenage boys are the least likely to identify as having no faith among young people. They are also the most likely to believe in God and that Jesus Christ is the only way to God.
In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Fewer young Americans identifying as “transgender”
Here some more good news. Trans identification is declining among young people in America.
Eric Kaufmann, a Canadian professor of politics, posted the findings on Tuesday. His analysis is based on multiple data sets, including those from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
The data shows 3.6% of undergraduates identify as a gender other than male or female. That’s down from 5.2% in 2024 and 6.8% in 2022.
The data sets also showed young people are becoming less likely to identify as something other than heterosexual.
Trump posthumously awarded Charlie Kirk Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Donald Trump posthumously awarded Charlie Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday.
Kirk’s widow, Erika, received the nation’s highest civilian medal on his behalf on what would have been his 32nd birthday.
The ceremony comes about a month after the Christian activist was fatally shot while speaking at an event for his organization, Turning Point USA.
Listen to comments from President Trump.
TRUMP: “Charlie never missed an opportunity to remind us of the Judeo-Christian principles of our nation’s founding or to share his deep Christian faith. In his final moments, Charlie testified to the greatness of America and to the glory of our Savior with Whom he now rests in Heaven.
Anniversary of martyrdom of two English reformers
And finally, today is the anniversary of the martyrdom of two English Reformers.
Their names were Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley. Both were bishops in the Church of England. Ridley was born in 1502, becoming a great scholar and renouncing Roman Catholic doctrine. Latimer was born earlier in 1485. He became a great Reformation preacher, also rejecting Catholic traditions. His preaching brought Protestant teachings effectively to the middle and lower classes.
However, a Catholic queen came to power in England in 1553. She was known as “Bloody Mary” for her deadly persecution of Protestants. After her ascension to power, Latimer and Ridley were tried for their beliefs and burned at the stake on October 16, 1555.
As they faced death together, Latimer told his friend, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man; we shall this day light such a candle, by God’s grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out.”
In Romans 8:36-37, the Apostle Paul wrote, “As it is written: ‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview on this Thursday, October 16th, in the year of our Lord 2025, the 60th wedding anniversary of my parents, Mike and Harriet McManus, with whom I will celebrate this very weekend. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.