It’s Thursday, February 13th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com)
By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus
Iran arrested two Christians
Article 18 reports that authorities in Iran arrested two Christians last Thursday.
Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh and Joseph Shabazian are both in their 60s. They had previously spent a combined six years in prison for leading house churches. They originally received 10-year sentences, but were released part way through.
It’s not clear why officials arrested Nasser and Joseph again. But the Middle Eastern country is known for arresting anyone who is not aligned with the Islamic regime on “security” charges.
Iran is ranked ninth on the Open Doors’ World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.
In Matthew 5:10, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”
British Christian teacher vindicated for objecting to transgender agenda
Yesterday, an appeals court in the United Kingdom ruled in favor of a Christian teacher who lost her job over her Facebook posts.
A Church of England primary school in Gloucestershire fired Kristie Higgs in 2019. This came after she posted a petition on Facebook that opposed mandatory sex education in schools. She also posted an article that challenged transgender ideology.
Higgs has spent the last six years fighting the school’s decision to fire her.
HIGGS: “Nobody should lose their job for raising concerns. The biggest thing for me was that it was a Church of England School. They should be going by what God says, but now they’re changing it, and that’s just alarming. Just to see a boy in girl’s clothing. Another one, My Princess Boy. To some people, it may appear to be okay, but when you know the Lord, you know His ways, and you know a boy cannot be a princess. A boy shouldn’t dress up in Princess’ clothing.
“I knew what these books were. I knew that it was wrong. I could see through it, and I praise God for that. I encourage others to stand up against the ideology and the agendas that are being pushed. You know, we don’t have to, don’t have to agree to everything. We don’t have to go with the flow. The Lord is with us and will help us through it all.”
After her victory yesterday, Higgs said, “I pray that today will prove to be a landmark day for Christian freedoms and free speech. … The Court of Appeal has now set a clear standard to protect people like me, and the countless other Christians in this nation, to express their beliefs without fear of losing their jobs.”
Trump chatted with Russian President Vladimir Putin
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke over the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday.
It’s the first known conversation between the two leaders since the start of Trump’s second term. Trump described the conversation as “lengthy and highly productive.” He announced the two countries would begin immediate negotiations for ending the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump said he also had a good conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday.
The conversations come as the United States and Russia complete a prisoner exchange this week.
Tulsi Gabbard confirmed as National Intelligence Director
Former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, who became a Republican and endorsed Donald Trump for President last October, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the position of director of national intelligence, reports The Epoch Times.
Gabbard was confirmed in a 52–48 vote on Wednesday. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was the only Republican to vote against Gabbard.
SENATOR: “Yays are 52. Nays are 48. Nomination is confirmed.”
Yesterday’s confirmation follows a contentious few weeks of debate over Gabbard’s qualifications and judgment, in which lawmakers from both sides of the aisle asked probing questions about her views on Russia, ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, and Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who leaked classified information.
Listen to this exchange between Republican Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas and Gabbard on the topic of Russia as she appeared before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
MORAN: “I want to make certain that in no way does Russia get a pass in either your mind or your heart or in any policy recommendation you would make or not make.”
GABBARD: “Senator, I’m offended by the question because my sole focus, commitment, and responsibility is about our own nation, our own security, and the interests of the American people. In carrying out the responsibilities of the Director of National Intelligence, if confirmed, no country, group or individual will get a pass in my fulfilling that responsibility of providing that full intelligence picture so that you all can make the best informed policy decisions for the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.
“You have my commitment to be completely objective, unbiased, and apolitical. And I hope you understand my commitment to our country’s interest.”
MORAN: “I absolutely do. You have answered my question in the manner in which I wanted to hear, that you will do this in an objective manner, provide the information necessary, and that Russia, if it’s a threat, you will tell us so and tell us the details of that threat.”
GABBARD: “Yes. Senator.”
After President Trump introduced her at the Oval Office, Gabbard was sworn in by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
GABBARD: “I, Tulsi Gabbard, do solemnly swear, that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I’m about to enter. So help me, God.”
CDC website purged references to LGBTQ lifestyle and affirmed adoption
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is changing its website under the Trump administration.
The CDC is editing or removing references on its website to “transgender” individuals, “LGBTQ+ health,” and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Its website also suggests adoption when people search for abortion.
Trump: No more drag shows at Kennedy Center
And finally, President Trump announced last Friday that he is removing liberal agendas from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The national cultural center of the United States is located in Washington, D.C. Congress authorized the center in 1958, requiring it to be sustained through private funds.
Trump said he fired multiple people on the center’s board of trustees, becoming the chairman himself. He wrote on Truth Social, “Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured Drag Shows specifically targeting our youth — THIS WILL STOP.”
Close
And that’s The Worldview on this Thursday, February 13th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or 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.