The Weekly is a rundown of news by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission highlighting the week’s top news stories from the public square and providing commentary on the big issues of our day.

What You Should Know About the Aftermath of Hurricane Maria 

On September 20, Hurricane Maria, the fifth strongest hurricane to ever hit the United States, devastated the areas of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Jeff Weber, a meteorologist with the National Center for Atmospheric Research, said Hurricane Maria “was as if a 50- to 60-mile-wide tornado raged across Puerto Rico, like a buzz saw,” adding, “It's almost as strong as a hurricane can get in a direct hit.”

Here are several facts and figures to help put this natural disaster in perspective:

• The government of Puerto Rico says the death toll from Hurricane Maria on the island is 16 (as of Thursday, September 28).

• Puerto Rico has a population of 3.4 million and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) has a population of just over 100,000.

• In Puerto Rico, only 11 of 69 hospitals have either power or fuel supply. (The U.S. government is creating 7 temporary hospitals.) According to Reuters, fuel is so precious that deliveries to hospitals are made by armed guards to prevent looting.

• In Puerto Rico, more than 11,000 people are living in shelters while in USVI about 600 are occupying shelters.

• At least 557 people and two pets in Puerto Rico and USVI have been "saved or assisted" by FEMA search and rescue task forces.

• Almost half of the population of Puerto Rico (44 percent) is without water that is clean enough to drink.

• About half of the population of each territory is without power (1.6 million in Puerto Rico and 48,000 in USVI). Because 80 percent of the island’s transmission lines are down in Puerto Rico, it may take several years to completely rebuild the infrastructure.

• Cell site service is out for 95 percent of Puerto Rico and 77 percent of USVI.

• The storm is estimated to have destroyed 80 percent of the crops on Puerto Rico, a a loss of $780 million in agriculture yields.

• The U.S. National Guard has deployed more than 2,500 personnel to the area to help move resources, rebuild infrastructure, and provide security.

• The temperatures for both Puerto Rico and USVI have been between the upper 90s and 105 degrees.

This week on ERLC podcasts: Daniel Darling talks to Jimmy Scroggins, lead pastor at Family Church in West Palm Beach, FL and author of Turning Everyday Conversations into Gospel Conversations, about how to talk about Jesus in everyday conversations. On Capitol Conversations, Matthew Hawkins, Steven Harris, and Travis Wussow discuss Washington politics of the last week of September. And on the ERLC podcast, Amy Ford talks about God’s work in the midst of an unplanned pregnancy.

Other Issues

American Culture

Flint’s lead-poisoned water had a ‘horrifyingly large’ effect on fetal deaths, study finds
Christopher Ingraham, Washington Post

The fertility rate in Flint, Mich., dropped precipitously after the city decided to switch to lead-poisoned Flint River water in 2014, according to a new working paper.

Trump to set refugee cap at 45,000
Andrew Restuccia and Tara Palmeri, Politico

President Donald Trump will limit the number of refugees entering the United States in the next fiscal year to 45,000, the lowest level in decades, according to three administration officials.

Bioethics

The Real Story of Christianity and Abortion
Albert Mohler, Tabletalk

To the utter consternation of the abortion rights movement, the issue of abortion simply will not go away.

U.S. House to vote on banning abortion after 20 weeks
Matt Hadro, Crux

Studies are showing that unborn children as early as 20 weeks old can feel pain, and that a small percentage, with the right treatment, can survive outside the womb. These signs of viability, pro-life leaders say, demand that at least the rights of these babies must be taken into account in the abortion debate.

U.S. doctors take official stance against euthanasia
Samantha Gobba, WORLD News Service

The American College of Physicians argues medicine's goal is not to control the manner and timing of death.

Gift-Motherhood, the Prius, and the Peace Corps: Reducing Abortion by Incentivizing Adoption
Julia D. Hejduk, Public Discourse

Making adoption more viable by providing economic incentives and social support is pro-life without being anti-choice, and it is a cause that could be embraced by liberals as well as conservatives. The second in a two-part series.

Christianity and Culture

Why You Should Keep Taking Your Kids To Church Even When It Feels Pointless
Emily Carrington, The Federalist

Every Sunday families face the monumental challenge of getting out the door and to the service on time. In our house the baby always needs something right as it is time to leave.

Newbell helps children put diversity in Gospel focus
Tom Strode, Baptist Press

Trillia Newbell required only one experience from teaching a Sunday school class to be convinced she should write a children's book about God's view of diversity.

Family Issues

One-in-Four Millennials in their 30s Are Unmoored from the Institution of Family
Wendy Wang, Institute for Family Studies

About 4-in-10 never-married parents ages 30 to 34 (43%) live with a partner.

International Issues

Once-Persecuted Bangladesh Proud to Help Rohingyas
Sajeeb Wazed, The Diplomat

Recalling its own history, Bangladesh extends a helping hand.

Iraqi Christians at Odds with World on Kurdish Independence Referendum
Griffin Paul Jackson, Christianity Today

Kurds and Christians both want security and autonomy as minorities in Iraq. But one’s dream could dash the other’s.

China’s Thriving Underground Churches In Danger
Eugene K. Chow, The Diplomat

Some predict that by 2030, China will have more than 247 million Christians.

Religious Liberty

Documented Cases of Religious Discrimination Jump 15%
Ian Snively, The Daily Signal

Freedom of religion isn’t as protected as some Americans may think. In fact, reported attacks on religion are increasing in the U.S. and, according to First Liberty Institute, the evidence is undeniable.

Sexuality Issues

Top general says transgender troops can serve, warns on readiness
Wesley Morgan, Politico

The nation's top military officer on Tuesday told Congress that transgender troops who meet existing standards should not be kicked out of the military, underscoring the Pentagon leadership's reluctance to carry out President Donald Trump's earlier call to ban them from serving "in any capacity."