It’s Thursday, September 24th, 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
Chinese Communists tightening grip on teachers, churches
The Chinese Communist Party has been enforcing strict measures to keep the country’s school and university teachers from mentioning democracy, religion, and criticism about the government.
Even mentioning “God” or “prayer” in a classroom can get teachers in trouble.
Meanwhile, Chinese state-sanctioned churches are no safer than underground churches, as numerous registered churches have been harassed, controlled, and shut down, reports the Bitter Winter Magazine.
U.S. blocks imports made by Chinese Uighur slaves
Last week, the U.S. blocked imports from China’s Xinjiang region where companies are suspected of using Uighurs and other ethnic minorities for slave labor.
The ban affects companies that sell clothing and other cotton goods, computer parts, and hair products. An estimated 20 percent of American garments contain cotton from Xinjiang.
Countries with COVID lockdowns did not fair better health-wise
A report by Our World in Data suggests that countries that implemented economically stifling lockdowns did not perform better in protecting their nation’s health during the coronavirus pandemic.
The report states, “Contrary to the idea of a trade-off, we see that countries which suffered the most severe economic downturns – like Peru, Spain and the UK – are generally among the countries with the highest COVID-19 death rate. And the reverse is also true: countries where the economic impact has been modest – like Taiwan, South Korea, and Lithuania – have also managed to keep the death rate low.”
U.K. Christian teacher assist. lost job opposing “gay” curriculum
Kristie Higgs, a British Christian woman, appeared in court this week after she lost her job as a school assistant for criticizing Britain’s curriculum which includes mandatory education in sexually perverted lifestyles.
Higgs told Christian Concern that she is being punished for her Christian beliefs.
HIGGS: “Parents are waking up now. They’re finding out the truth of what’s really being taught in these schools. I do have my concerns because we should be able to share Biblical truth. And sharing information and not being allowed to do that and to be silenced, to not be able to share this information with our family and friends, is absurd.”
Matthew 18:6 says, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
Trump signs Executive Order to protect babies after failed abortions
During an address to the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast yesterday, President Donald Trump announced he would be signing a Born Alive Executive Order that would protect babies born after failed abortion attempts.
TRUMP: “Today, I am announcing that I will be signing the Born Alive Executive Order to ensure that all precious babies born alive, no matter their circumstances, receive the medical care that they deserve. This is our sacrosanct moral duty.”
Trump: No more tax dollars to cities with lawless zones
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice identified New York City, Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington as jurisdictions permitting violence and destruction of property.
The designations follow Trump’s September 2nd memorandum on reviewing federal funding of state and local governments that are permitting anarchy, violence, and destruction.
The Commander-in-Chief wrote, “My Administration will not allow Federal tax dollars to fund cities that allow themselves to deteriorate into lawless zones.”
Psalm 55:9 says, “Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.”
Pompeo: “I dig into the Word as often as I can.”
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave a talk entitled “Keeping Faith in the Public Square” at Prestonwood Baptist Church of Plano, Texas on Sunday.
Pompeo highlighted the disastrous effects of godless regimes that try to destroy religious liberty like Cuba, Hitler’s Germany, and Communist China and called on Christians to live out their faith in all of life.
POMPEO: “I keep a Bible on a table in my office. It’s over on a small table, at the side of my desk. I dig into the Word as often as I can. Galatians 6:9 tells us, ‘Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.’
“So, don’t give up. Stay at it. Keep your faith. Shine your light. Walk with the Lord. Keep faith in the public square. And God will bless us, the United States of America, and the world.”
Barna survey: 65% of pastors say churches are open as normal
And finally, a new Barna survey found 65 percent of U.S. church leaders said their facilities are open for normal use, with some precautions in place because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Twenty-nine percent of pastors said their small groups and Bible studies continue to meet in person as usual. Although 51 percent of pastors expect a decline in church attendance, 92 percent of pastors believe their churches will survive the pandemic.
Close
And that’s The Worldview in 5 Minutes on this Thursday, September 24th, 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.