| | Twitter suppressed 'inconvenient' medical information during pandemic | | Curated for you byCP Editors | | Good afternoon! It's Friday, Dec. 30, and today's headlines include the tenth installment of the "Twitter Files," Florida investigating a Christmas drag show, and a selection of pieces from our CP Voices contributors as we look toward 2023. | | Journalist David Zweig released the 10th set of the "Twitter Files" on Monday as a 40-tweet thread. He alleges that "Twitter rigged the COVID debate" by "censoring info that was true but inconvenient to [U.S. government] policy, by discrediting doctors and other experts who disagreed, [and] by suppressing ordinary users, including some sharing the CDC's *own data.*" Zweig said he reviewed "internal files" at Twitter on an assignment for Bari Weiss' The Free Press, showing that "both the Trump and Biden administrations directly pressed Twitter executives to moderate the platform's pandemic content according to their wishes." While the Trump administration was concerned about "runs on grocery stores" and "misinformation that could stoke panic buying," the Biden administration focused on vaccinations. One of the Biden administration's first meeting requests was about COVID misinformation. "Biden's staff focused on vaccines and high-profile anti-vaxxer accounts, including [former New York Times reporter] Alex Berenson," per a document obtained by Zweig. Berenson was suspended hours after Biden insisted social media companies were "killing people" by not cracking down on vaccine misinformation. He was kicked off the platform the following month but reinstated following a lawsuit. | | While "Twitter did not fully capitulate to the Biden team's wishes," Zweig revealed how Twitter suppressed views about coronavirus policy that "conflicted with the official positions of the White House," including censoring a tweet by Harvard Medical School epidemiologist Dr. Martin Kulldorff that read, "Thinking that everyone must be vaccinated is as scientifically flawed as thinking that nobody should. COVID vaccines are important for older high-risk people, and their care-takers. Those with prior natural infection do not need it. Nor children." Continue reading. | | P.S. Get rewarded for sharing our newsletters! Sign-up for the CP referral program—the more you share, the more you earn. Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter to get started today! |
|
| Listen to the CP Daily Podcast |
|
|
| The Christian Post's 10 most-read stories of 2022 | | Some of the sensational and pivotal moments of 2022 are found in the most popular reads from The Christian Post. While some of these stories were edifying, others prompted debates and raised new concerns for churches in America. This list from CP highlights the 10 most-read stories in 2022, including Pastor Steven Furtick facing criticism for praising his teen son's song about sex, guns and money, actor Chris Tucker revealing he turned down over $10 million for a movie role over religious objections to its content, and a study that found that over one-third of senior pastors believe "good people" can earn their way to Heaven. Read the full list now. | | Florida investigating Christmas drag show amid complaints | | The state of Florida has threatened to revoke licenses of venues hosting a Christmas-themed drag show alleged to involve simulated sexual activity and the "sexualization of children's stories" if they allow minors to attend the events. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) sent letters to venue operators at the James L. Knight Center in Miami and the Plaza Live in Orlando, warning that officials will take "any and all actions available" if minors are allowed to attend "A Drag Queen Christmas" events. The letters follow Gov. Ron DeSantis announcing the launch of an investigation following "multiple complaints about a sexually explicit performance marketed to children held in Fort Lauderdale." The "Drag Queen Christmas" show, which is on a national tour in 36 cities across more than a dozen states, is hosted by performers Nina West (featured on TV's "RuPaul's Drag Race") and "Trinity The Tuck," whose stage moniker refers to the practice used by men to conceal their genitals. Independent journalist Tayler Hansen shared details about the show on Twitter following a Texas performance, noting the show features one bit involving a man dressed as a woman with prosthetic breasts accepting tips from audience members. At one point during the Texas show, the performer is heard reportedly asking a child in the audience, "Are you reaching for my [breasts]? Are you hungry?" Read more. | | Also of Interest... | | Pastor inviting drag queen to church for ‘children’s sermon’ is sign of ‘dying United Methodism’California lawmaker jokes about making 'Drag Queen 101’ part of K-12 curriculum | | Family of pastor killed in high speed crash ask why driver only got speeding ticket | | The family of an Illinois pastor who died in a high-speed car crash is asking why police and prosecutors have charged the accused with speeding and not reckless homicide. Pastor Neely Dotson died in a crash on Lincoln Highway near Interstate 57 in May, and his family has learned that police in suburban Matteson and prosecutors are charging the accused, who has not been named, with speeding, per NBC 5. The Toyota that hit the pastor's car was going more than 70 miles per hour; the speed limit was 45. "How can (one) kill someone and get off with a speeding ticket? It just does not make sense," the pastor’s daughter, Neeketta Reed, was quoted as saying. According to the network, the family says it has police reports that show the accused smelled of alcohol and marijuana and refused to provide a blood and urine sample at the hospital. Matteson Police say they made the decision after speaking with the State's Attorney's Office, telling NBC5, "Speed alone cannot be used to fulfill the requirements for the offense of reckless homicide." However, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office told the network that police did not ask for a review of felony charges, saying, "The police direct filed misdemeanor and traffic offenses that are pending in court at this time." Read more. |
|
|
| Who are we as Christians? (part 3) | | In this editorial, Christian Post Executive Editor Dr. Richard D. Land shares why the beginning of a new year is a good time for "reflection, regret, and resolve to do some things differently in the future." In considering what it means to be a born-again Christian, Land notes that believers can confidently walk into 2023 knowing that they are the children of a King who has conquered death. "My prayer for every one of my brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as for myself, is that we so let Christ live in and through us that our daily walk with Him will draw others to ask the reason 'for the hope' that is in each of us," writes Land. Read more. | | In 2023, let's be more grateful | | Jerry Newcombe, author and executive director of the Providence Forum, encourages readers to enter the New Year with a spirit of gratefulness. Noting that grateful people focus on what they have and not what they lack, Newcombe advises people actively seek a spirit of gratefulness by thinking about and thanking God for what He has done for them. "I think making gratitude a way of life (in 2023 and beyond) is a worthy goal to strive for. Says an old prayer: 'Oh, God, You’ve given me so many things. Please give me one more thing: a grateful heart,'" he concludes. Read more. |
|
|
| A Story of Divine Intervention | | At 3:30 PM an unsuspecting Marjie received a call that her husband Larry, was hit by a school bus and was in grave condition. Bloody, and in and out of consciousness, Larry was fighting for his life while his family watched. A story of true divine intervention — Pastor Larry and his family witnessed first-hand, the miracle-working power of God and how He can take what the enemy meant for evil, and turn it for good. Read more. | | |
|
|
| Sweden urges caution on puberty blockers, transgender surgeries | | Sweden's National Board of Health and Welfare has released its updated treatment guidelines for gender dysphoric youth, stating that treatment for such individuals "has been characterized by both deficiencies in accessibility and a lack of knowledge about the results of the care." The board emphasized that there has not been "sufficient" follow-up and documentation to assess the effect of prescribing puberty-blocking drugs and cross-sex hormones to minors with gender dysphoria. NBHW's updated knowledge support notes a need for data that proves patients benefit from such care, calling for a study that compares these measures to patients that received different care. It also recommends caution when it comes to the surgical removal of breast tissue for gender dysphoric minors and calls for ensuring such measures are done "within the framework of research," and pending a study assessing the surgery's effectiveness, it should only be done in "exceptional cases," with the guidance explaining, "Good psychosocial care is fundamental." Thomas Lindén, head of department at the National Board of Health and Welfare, also stated that the uncertainty surrounding measures such as "hormonal treatment" for gender dysphoric minors "speaks for caution at the moment." Read more. |
|
|
| Church celebrates 'awesome' run for 'The Voice' runner-up Bodie | | Singer Bodie Kuljian, known simply as Bodie, was a fan favorite on this season's "The Voice," coming in second place. Bodie, who is "actively involved" in the worship ministry at Oceans Church in Irvine, Calif., helps write and produce the church's music and also provides creative input on the church's media production. An unnamed church leader told CP that Bodie and his family have been attending Oceans for around three years. To celebrate their local hero, the church held watch parties at both of its campuses, including when Bodie had his "four-chair turn" audition. "That was a really special night to celebrate with him," the Oceans spokesperson told CP. The spokesperson said the church was "so proud" of Bodie's performance throughout the competition, stating, "[I]t was awesome to watch the church fully rally and support him." Read more. | | | | | | | | Thank you for spending part of your day with us. We look forward to seeing you again in 2023! -- CP Editors |
|
|
|
