Audio
Michael Harrington
Religion in the News Editor
Religion is not important to a lot of Americans
Religion is not important to a lot of Americans
VERBATIM: A new Gallup poll finds that only 49% of adults say that faith is a significant part of their life — down from 66% just ten years ago. That’s the largest DROP in any country in the world during that time period. However, the U.S. is still a LOT more religious than the rest of the industrialized world. While only 49% of Americans say religion is important to them — just 36% of people in countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development say the same.
Listen DownloadA new ranking of which states are the most giving
A new ranking of which states are the most giving
VERBATIM: It comes from WalletHub and it reveals that Virginia is number one when it comes to donating money to churches, ministries and other charitable institutions. New York comes in 2nd, followed by Maryland, Georgia and California. Giving is clearly strongest in the states that are generally the most wealthy. However, when it comes to donating one’s TIME to local charities, Utah comes in 1st, followed by Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and Minnesota.
Listen DownloadCollegiate pickleball players want to observe the Sabbath
Collegiate pickleball players want to observe the Sabbath
VERBATIM: You might have thought the sport was just for senior citizens, but young people like it too and leagues have developed within the ranks of America’s colleges — and now there’s a problem. The final day of many pickleball tournaments falls on a Sunday and Christians and some other players of faith find it cutting into their worship time. Now 1,600 of them have signed a petition to the major pickleball governing bodies, urging them not to schedule tournaments on Sundays. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAmericans are reading the Bible
Americans are reading the Bible
VERBATIM: According to a poll conducted by the Barna Group, weekly Bible reading amongst adults has climbed to 42% — up 12 points from last year. The survey also reveals that young people are leading the surge. Nealy 50% of Generation Z and Millennials are consulting the Scriptures at least once a week now. However, the Barna poll also reveals that a portion of the folks who are reading the Bible regularly don’t really accept its authority — but at least they are interested. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA look at the religious practices of America’s senior citizens
A look at the religious practices of America’s senior citizens
VERBATIM: It comes from the Pew Research Center and it reveals that 56% of people who are age 65 and older say they pray at least once every day. 36% also report attending worship services in person at least once per month. There’s definitely an outreach opportunity for churches amongst America’s elderly. The Pew poll also reports that more than a third of people 65 and up say they feel lonely at least some of the time. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadWhat does your church do best?
What does your church do best?
VERBATIM: A new poll from LifeWay Research asks that question of America’s Protestant pastors — and the number one thing they say their congregations excel at is corporate worship. Building community comes in second followed by serving others. But it isn’t until 4th place that you see EVANGELISM listed by pastors as something that their church does best, and it is followed by such Biblical practices as prayer and discipleship. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA religious freedom battle has begun in Chicago
A religious freedom battle has begun in Chicago
VERBATIM: The city’s board of education will not allow student teachers from the Moody Bible Institute to participate in student teacher programs in the public schools. The Board says it won’t work with Moody because the Christian school won’t hire homosexuals or people of other faiths. Alliance Defending Freedom has filed suit saying that “By excluding Moody for its religious beliefs, Chicago Public Schools is illegally injecting itself into a religious non-profit’s hiring practices.” MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA female hockey player calls it quits
A female hockey player calls it quits
VERBATIM: Rachel Stoneberg doesn’t want to play against men and under the law in Minnesota — where she lives — she would have to. The Women’s Hockey Association of Minnesota has several men playing on its teams and Stoneberg, is a social media post, says it’s time to draw a line. Writing on X, Stoneberg says of the league “They do not care about my safety or the sanctity of the sport. I can no longer participate in a league that does not care about me.” MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadGlamour magazine goes all-in on transgenderism
Glamour magazine goes all-in on transgenderism
VERBATIM: The British version of the iconic fashion magazine is out with its annual Woman of the Year edition and the cover features nine men who are LIVING as women. The decision has sparked outrage across the U.K. with even a few celebrities giving Glamour a public thumbs-down. This comes hard on the heels of People magazine naming a homosexual as its Sexiest Man Alive — actor Jonathan Bailey who is openly gay and has a foundation that promotes the LGBT agenda. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAmerica’s colleges and universities are failing the free speech test
America’s colleges and universities are failing the free speech test
VERBATIM: They claim to be places where anyone can say anything they want, but according to a new study from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, it’s not true for the staff. The vast majority of college professors who have been attacked for something they said report getting little or NO support from their school or faculty union. And professors who get in trouble for CONSERVATIVE speech receive even LESS help from their college or university. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadThe Canadian Supreme Court redefines cruel and unusual punishment
The Canadian Supreme Court redefines cruel and unusual punishment
VERBATIM: The government wants to impose a minimum one-year jail term for anybody found to possess child pornography. But the Canadian high court, in a 5-4 decision, says one year behind bars amounts to cruel and unusual punishment and is therefore unconstitutional. The justices defended their ruling by saying that “must be recognized that child pornography offences can be committed in different ways, under different circumstances and by different offenders.” MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA warning about sports gambling
A warning about sports gambling
VERBATIM: Betting on games has exploded in this country over the past five years and college-age men are doing more of it than anybody else. Josh Hollinger, a professor of economics at Dordt University — a Christian school in Iowa — is concerned. He tells the Gospel Coalition ““I get the sense that it’s quite common, even among Christian college students. When something is legalized and then is normalized by your peers, it feels safer to take part in.” MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadEvangelical group to celebrate America’s birthday with the Bible
An Evangelical group is planning to celebrate America’s birthday with the Bible
VERBATIM: The country turns 250 years old in 2026 and Christian Engaged wants to remind the nation where it got its founding principles from. In April the ministry will host a week-long event in Washington D.C. during which national leaders will read from the scriptures. The White House Faith Office is involved along with organizations such as Turning Point USA, Samaritan’s Purse and Prison Fellowship. The reading will take place at the Museum of the Bible. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAre people good or bad?
Are people good or bad?
VERBATIM: A new poll released by the Family Research Council finds Americans split on the question. 31% say human beings are all born sinful and only Christ can redeem them. 32% think people are born NEITHER good nor bad, but become one or the other based on how they live their life. 22% of respondents believe no one is good or bad — they are what they are, and 10% say human beings are born good, but become corrupted by society. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA new poll asks Americans about abortion pills
A new poll asks Americans about abortion pills
VERBATIM: It comes from the pro-life Charlotte Lozier Institute and it reveals that 70% of likely voters say they believe a woman should have to see a doctor before being granted a prescription for abortifacient drugs — and that includes nearly 60% of voters who identify as liberal. 70% of voters also think that it would be a good idea for the FDA to restore the safe-guards applied to the distribution of abortion pills which President Biden rescinded. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadChristian relief groups are in the Caribbean
Christian relief groups are in the Caribbean
VERBATIM: Hurricane Melissa lashed Haiti and Jamaica this week leaving dozens dead and a wide path of destruction. World Relief, Operation Blessing and Samaritan’s Purse are amongst the faith-based ministries responding to the disaster with food and other emergency supplies. Cuba has also been hard-hit and despite its hostility toward Christians a Southern Baptist relief group is shipping in generators and other necessities as people begin the recovery process. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAn unusual amicus brief has been filed with the Supreme Court
An unusual amicus brief has been filed with the Supreme Court
VERBATIM: Legal groups and special interests file all the time, but this latest brief is the work of 24 philosophy professors. The academics are urging the high court to uphold state bans on men playing sports against women. The brief states that “Organizing sports around the sex categories is fully justified,” and it bears the signatures of professors from Notre Dame, Oxford and several other schools. The signatories say they want America to know that not all academics support transgenderism. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAbortion legislation is surging through the Pennsylvania legislature
Abortion legislation is surging through the Pennsylvania legislature
VERBATIM: A total of seven bills, each designed to promote abortion and its attendant industry, are under consideration by lawmakers in the Keystone State. One of the measures would allow women to terminate their pregnancies right up to the moment of birth while another one would shield abortion doctors from legal action. If all or most of the legislation is passed, it would make Pennsylvania one of the most liberal states when it comes to abortion anywhere in the country. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadA senator calls for sanctions on China
A senator calls for sanctions on China
VERBATIM: Republican Ted Budd of North Carolina has written a lengthy article in The Hill pointing out the details of Beijing’s latest crackdown on Christians. Budd says it’s time for the U.S. to punish the Communist Party for its increasing violations of International Religious Freedom states, adding “ Any Chinese official who is responsible for or has directly carried out abuses against religious groups must face strict U.S. sanctions.” He has also introduced a sanctions bill in the Senate. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadSamaritan’s Purse is on the ground in Gaza
Samaritan’s Purse is on the ground in Gaza
VERBATIM: Now that President Trump has worked out a peace deal there, the giant Christian relief agency has flown in supplies for local people. Using a brand new Boeing 767 cargo plane it just purchased, Samaritan’s Purse has delivered 50 tons of food, blankets, solar lanterns and other items for Gaza residents caught in the middle of the war between Israel and Hamas. The Muslim terror group sparked the conflict with its 2023 attack on Israel. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadWill Graham is in Florida this week
Will Graham is in Florida this week
VERBATIM: The popular evangelist, son of Franklin Graham and grandson of Billy, began a four-city tour of the Sunshine State on Sunday in Tallahassee. He will also preach the gospel in Sarasota and Pompano Beach. Jeremy Camp and other Contemporary Christian artists are performing along the way. Graham is preaching the gospel each night and encouraging Floridians to put their faith in Christ. Any army of local churches are providing support. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadDo America’s pastors understand America’s families?
Do America’s pastors understand America’s families?
VERBATIM: According to a new survey from the Barna Group, half of the country’s church-going Christians are not sure that clergymen fully grasp the way that family has changed. In fact, the nuclear family — mom, dad, kids — is no longer the dominant arrangement in the U.S., with the growth of single-moms, blended families and those that now include older relatives who cannot be on their own. Barna says 90% of pastors still live in a nuclear family. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadAmericans weigh in on the Bible and social issues
Americans weigh-in on the Bible and social issues
VERBATIM: According to a new poll of CHURCH-GOING ADULTS released by the Family Research Council, just 47% believe that the scriptures offer clear guidance on the morality of homosexuality and only 40% think this about transgenderism. The survey also finds that just 51% of Americans who attend worship services regularly say the Bible is clear and decisive on the question of abortion. 59% think the Bible is clear about religious freedom. MH REPORTING
Listen DownloadCongress receives a letter
Congress receives a letter
VERBATIM: It comes from Susan B Anthony Pro-life America and has been signed by more than 100 other pro-life organizations. The letter calls on Republican lawmakers to stop taxpayer-funded abortions from being granted via Obamacare. As Susan B Anthony put it, “The more Washington funds abortions, the more unborn children lose their lives. This pro-life Congress must not extend the Obama-Biden legacy of taxpayer-funded abortion. MH REPORTING
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