| | 2022 sees record number of border crossings, migrant deaths | | Curated for you byCP Editors | | Good afternoon! It's Wednesday, October 26, and today's headlines include the U.S. seeing record numbers of border crossings and migrant deaths in 2022, President Joe Biden condemning states that prohibit body mutilating gender transition surgeries for minors, the State Department's $20,000 grant for drag shows in Ecuador, and the U.K.'s National Health Service's new guidelines advising doctors to take a more cautious approach toward gender dysphoria cases among minors. | | Statistics compiled by the United States Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) have revealed that the fiscal year 2022 saw a record number of migrant crossings and deaths as illegal immigration remains a significant issue for voters heading into the midterm elections. There were 2,378,944 encounters between illegal immigrants and law enforcement officials at the U.S. border with Mexico in fiscal year 2022, which concluded Sept. 30. This marked a significant increase from fiscal year 2021, which recorded 1,734,686 border crossings. The number doesn't include the number of migrants who evaded Border Patrol agents. A record-breaking 856 migrants died at the U.S.-Mexico border in fiscal year 2022. A statement from CBP attributed the surge in border crossings to an influx in illegal immigration from Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. The CBP stated that October 2022 will see a decrease in the number of encounters at the border, which it attributed to the Biden administration’s new policy authorizing immigration officials to return most Venezuelan migrants to Mexico to reduce the flow of illegal immigration. | The RealClearPolitics average of polls measuring Biden’s job performance on the issue of immigration shows his net approval rating 24 points underwater. Only on the issue of inflation does the president receive a higher net disapproval rating of 28.8 points. The president’s net disapproval ratings on illegal immigration and inflation far exceed his overall net disapproval rating of 11.4 points. A Schoen Cooperman Research poll released earlier this month revealed that approximately two-thirds (66%) of voters living in the swing districts that will determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives either fully or partly blame Biden and congressional Democrats for the "immigration surge at the Southern border." Continue reading.Also of Interest ...PCUSA to add 'nonbinary/genderqueer' category to official Church statisticsLazy theology leads to socialism | | P.S.Looking for a way to close out your week? Stay in the know with In Case You Missed It, a Friday-only newsletter that features a roundup of the top stories of the week and a selection of faith-based highlights. Subscribe here. |
|
| Listen to the CP Daily Podcast |
|
|
| Biden tells TikTok star that trans-identified individuals should have 'every single solitary right' | | President Joe Biden sat down with an LGBT activist documenting his gender transition on TikTok to discuss state laws on gender transition surgeries as the American public demonstrates skepticism of such procedures heading into the midterm elections. In his interview with Dylan Mulvaney, a biologically male activist who identifies as female, Biden reiterated his belief that states are "wrong" to ban gender transition surgeries on minors and other procedures described by LGBT activists as "gender-affirming." The president also stated, "I feel very, very strongly that you should have every single solitary right, including use of your gender identity bathrooms." The president's comments provoked a reaction on social media, with the popular Twitter account Libs of Tik Tok posting on Twitter that "the official Democratic Party position now is that puberty blockers and sex reassignment surgery for kids is good." Currently, Alabama, Arizona and Arkansas have banned medicalized gender transitioning of minors, while the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and the Texas Attorney General have classified them as a form of child abuse. Concerns about such procedures stem from their potential side effects, identified by the American College of Pediatricians as sterility, "osteoporosis, mood disorders, seizures, [and] cognitive impairment" as well as "an increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, blood clots and cancers." Read more. | | Also of Interest... | | Biden signs executive order to crack down on 'conversion therapy,' combat 'harmful' state laws Religious liberty groups condemn Biden's proposed rule forcing doctors to do abortions, trans surgeriesJudge blocks Biden admin.'s LGBT discrimination directives for schools in 20 states Biden admin. mocked for enlisting TikTok star to push COVID vaccinations | | State Dept's 20K drag show grant raises questions | | Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, the lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday asking for more details about a $20,600 grant to an Ecuadorian cultural center that will host three workshops, 12 drag shows, and also produce a two-minute documentary to promote "diversity and inclusion." McCaul wrote that the award "raises significant questions about the department’s grantmaking decisions and the Biden administration’s overall views of U.S. foreign policy objectives in the region," adding, "It is difficult to imagine how the department determined that funding 'drag theater performances' would be a worthwhile use of taxpayer dollars or consistent in any way with the program objectives outlined above." In a statement to The Christian Post, the State Department said that it supports a wide range of strategic programs in Ecuador that "incorporate concepts from diversity, inclusion, and representation to equity and accessibility." Read more. | | Saddleback Church leader’s wife a ‘teaching pastor’ despite SBC doctrine | | Saddleback Church's new lead pastor identifies his wife as a "teaching pastor," despite the megachurch's denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, restricting the office of pastor to men in its official statement of beliefs. Pastor Andy Wood, who succeeded retiring pastor and bestselling author Rick Warren at Saddleback, lists his wife, Stacie, as a "pastor" in his biography on the church's website. In an interview with the Associated Press published on Monday, Andy Wood said he wanted Saddleback to empower "men and women to lead" and said the Bible "teaches that men and women were given spiritual gifts by God." Read more. | | Also of Interest... | | SBC seminary passes resolution affirming pastoral roles should be limited to menSBC committee delays decision on whether to expel Saddleback Church over female 'pastors' |
|
|
| A Christian school crisis—and what to do about it (part 1) | | Dare 2 Share Ministries International President and founder Greg Stier discusses why he believes Christian schools are falling short when it comes to helping kids experience authentic spiritual transformation. Noting that many teens in Christian schools "have a deep spiritual cynicism baked into their hardened hearts" and walk away from their faith after they graduate, Stier outlines three ways Christian schools are falling short and how they can turn it around. Read the list now. | | The 'MAGA' we need: Was America ever godly? (part 2) | | In the second part of his two-part series questioning whether America was ever godly, Wallace B. Henley continues his exploration of America's founding and key points throughout its history. While no country has ever been consistently godly, Henley describes key policy pronouncements, actions and eras such as The Great Awakening in the 18th century as evidence that godly values have been integral to the formation of the United States. "If America is ungodly now it is because so many steps have been taken by officialdom that constitute an official endorsement of sin. If politicians who claim to represent the interests of the people take such actions, then the 'people' who elect or tolerate them are themselves implicated," Henley asserts. Read more. | | Also of Interest... | | The ‘MAGA’ we need — urgently (part 1) |
|
|
| Should Christians Sue for Personal Injuries? | | It is perplexing that the same Christians who would unhesitantly pursue a property damage claim, refuse to make a personal injury claim. A comparison of a property damage claim and personal injury claim will reveal little distinction. Both cases begin as a claim and may end up in court. Both cases are paid out by billion dollar insurance companies, whose business is to sell insurance and pay claims. Also, neither claim will be paid personally by an individual involved in a lawsuit. Neither case will take money out of an individual's pocket nor take a family’s house away. | | The belief that it might be a sin or somehow displeasing to God to bring a personal injury lawsuit makes sense on the surface, because Christians are supposed to be "forgiving" and not seek revenge as "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord." Christians who accept this superficial rationale allow themselves to be twice victimized; first by the injury, and second by a misapplication of scripture. | | So why is there such a stigma on Christian personal injury lawsuits? Learn More. | | |
|
|
| CeCe Winans makes history at GMA Dove Awards | | CeCe Winans made history at the 53rd annual GMA Dove Awards, becoming the first African American female solo artist to be named Artist of the Year. Winans, who won both Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for her No. 1 Billboard hit "Believe for It," declared, "It is amazing when we come together, love each other and stand for righteousness what God will do. … I am believing for God to move in this industry like He has never moved before." Other big wins for the night included Maverick City Music earning the Gospel Worship Recorded Song of the Year for "Breathe," featuring Chandler Moore, DOE and Jonathan McReynolds, and a second award for Gospel Worship Album of the Year with Tribl, for Tribl Nights Atlanta. Worship leader Phil Wickham took the top spot for Worship Album of the Year for his album Hymn of Heaven, and Crowder earned Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year for "Higher Power" featuring Hulvey. Read the complete list of winners here. | | | | | | | | Thank you for spending part of your day with us. We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow! -- CP Editors |
|
|
|
