| | Is 'woke culture' the greatest threat to religious freedom? | | Curated for you byCP Editors | | Good afternoon! It's Thursday, June 30, and today's headlines include an interview with Alliance Defending Freedom President and CEO Michael Farris, research on the number of U.S. consumers living paycheck to paycheck, and an interview with "Full House" actor Dave Coulier. | | The "dominance of woke culture that thinks it’s OK to silence people who disagree" is the greatest threat to religious freedom in the United States and around the world, says Alliance Defending Freedom President and CEO Michael Farris. In an interview with The Christian Post ahead of his moderation of a panel at the second annual International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Farris explained that many people—especially Christians—find themselves "on the receiving end of efforts to silence them, to cause them to lose their careers" and "not have the ability to even get their opinions out in public society." The CEO cautioned against woke culture, warning it is "very dangerous ... for freedom of speech and freedom of religion," noting that Christians who hold a biblical worldview are not tolerated in public spheres such as university campuses and public schools. Read the interview here. | | 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. |
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| Majority of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck | | A report from PYMNTS and Lending Club suggests that nearly two-thirds of American consumers are living paycheck to paycheck as inflationary pressure continues to grow. The researchers found that consumers in all income brackets are living paycheck to paycheck, with figures showing a 9 percentage point increase from 52% in April 2021 to 61% in April 2022. They also explained that those earning more than $250,000 are 40% more likely to utilize financial products than consumers in the lowest bracket, with their creditworthiness enabling the demographic "to tap into credit cards and other payment options, such as personal loans, to manage their cash flows." Data was based on a survey of more than 4,000 U.S. consumers and an analysis of other economic data. Read more. | | Also of Interest... | | As gas prices soar with inflation, some churches help communities with gas giveawaysCrown Financial Ministries CEO on bad ideas Christians have about money, biblical stewardshipGovernment predicts debt to rise by over $14 trillionHow to budget for the dangers of inflation | | Podcast: Is more violence against pregnancy centers on the way? | | In this episode of "The Inside Story," Christian Post reporter Ryan Foley addresses the recent attacks against pro-life pregnancy centers and churches across the U.S. and whether more acts of vandalism and violence are on the way. Listen now. | | Tribunal: Christians can't express trans views at work | | A London-based employment tribunal has ruled the British Equality Act protects Christians’ beliefs that do not affirm transgenderism, but they cannot express those beliefs in the workplace. In July 2018, Dr. David Mackereth, an A&E doctor with 30 years’ experience, was forced out of his job in the Department of Work and Pensions. He subsequently took his case to the tribunal which ruled that biblical beliefs on gender are "incompatible with human dignity" and not "worthy of respect in a democratic society." The doctor then sought to challenge that ruling. The Employment Appeal Tribunal's judgment means that the belief that God created humans as male and female and not transgender is a protected belief under both the Equality Act and the Human Rights Act, said the British charity Christian Concern, whose legal arm, the Christian Legal Centre, represented the Christian doctor. However, the appeals tribunal also affirmed that "while the belief, or lack of belief, in transgenderism was protected, its manifestation in the workplace was qualified." Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, called the judgment "confusing and muddled." Read more. |
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| How to deal with depression | | Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship writes about experiencing periods of non-clinical depression and "spiraling into an emotional funk." Pointing out that depression often follows great victory, Laurie utilizes Scripture to discuss the principles of depression and how to gain perspective from God's Word when feeling down. Read more. | | John Chau: A hero | | Todd Nettleton, the host of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio, discusses the life and service of John Chau, a missionary who was murdered by tribesmen on North Sentinel Island in 2018. "John’s story challenges Christians to look in a mirror and ask some uncomfortable questions. Was there an expiration date on Jesus’ call to 'go into all the world' (Matthew 28:18–20)? Is there some sort of exclusion clause for places governments don’t want us to go or where the inhabitants have previously attacked and killed visitors? Does God still call people to dangerous places? Would He ever ask us to do something that might cost us our lives?" Nettleton asks. Read more. |
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| Emily sued her school district over CRT. And she needs your help! | | Every child deserves to be treated equally and fairly. | | Students in some public schools are being indoctrinated in the teachings of a radical ideology sometimes called "critical theory" or "critical race theory." | | Children are being told that: They are "oppressed" or an "oppressor""—good or bad—based solely on the color of their skin. Their race determines their outcome in life. The American system of government must be replaced. | | CRT, an offshoot of Critical Theory, cynically views rights and freedoms—like free speech—as mere tools for the "powerful" to control the "oppressed." Read More | | |
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| Terrorists kill 2 Catholic priests in Nigeria | | Unidentified terrorists have killed two Catholic priests in the Nigerian states of Kaduna and Edo, according to statements by their respective archdioceses. The killings come a month after two other priests were murdered in two other districts in the West African country. The victims have been identified as Fr. Vitus Borogo, a priest serving in the Archdiocese of Kaduna, and Fr. Christopher Odia from the Diocese of Auchi. More Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than in any other country worldwide, including at least 4,650 in 2021 and around 900 in the first three months of 2022 alone, Catholic News Agency reports. Read more. |
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| WATCH: Zachary Levi on how faith helped him overcome suicidal thoughts | | "American Underdog" and "Shazam" actor Zachary Levi opens up about his battles with anxiety, depression and suicide ideation and how finding his identity and worth in Christ, along with comprehensive therapy, changed his life. Levi discusses how the enemy lies to people and "tells us you're uniquely broken; nobody's been broken like you, nobody's going to understand your brokenness," explaining, "That's such a lie. It is a lie from the pit of Hell. We all struggle with the same stuff and we've all been struggling with it since the beginning of time. So we've got to be willing to accept these ideas and accept that your brain is very easily hijacked." The actor details his story in his new memoir, Radical Love: Learning to Accept Yourself and Others. Watch Levi's interview with The Christian Post here. | | Dave Coulier gets candid about addiction, spirituality | | Actor and comedian Dave Coulier, known for his role as Uncle Joey on the TV series "Full House" and spin-off "Fuller House," discusses his journey to sobriety and how a drinking addiction affected his spirituality and daily life. The actor, who is currently starring in the Christian series "Live + Local" on Pure Flix, recently told The Christian Post that it was when his wife expressed concern about his drinking and his health that he realized he had a problem that he needed to change. "I never wanted to preach to people. I just wanted to share my story. And if someone can see a little bit of themselves in me, and I can help them that way, then that's a real plus, that's a real check in the positive column for me," Coulier said. Watch the interview here. | | | | | | | | Thank you for spending part of your day with us. We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow! -- CP Editors |
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