Iran uses criminal law to persecute Christians
Iran is persecuting Christians in the country by wielding against them a new law that severely punishes “any deviant education that contradicts sacred Islamic shari’a,” Christian Today reports.
Education
Report: Vietnam Christians suffer imprisonment, land confiscation by government
The California-based rights group Vietnam Human Rights Network (VHRN) has published its 2020-2021 report, asserting that Vietnamese Christians are suffering persecution, including imprisonment and land confiscation at the hands of the country’s communist government, ICC reports.
Supreme Court Rules NCAA Went too far in Cracking Down on Student-Athlete Pay
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously this morning that the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) regulations that restrict benefits that may be given to student-athletes violate federal antitrust law.
Russia Blames Lack Of Vaccinations On Rising In COVID-19 Cases
Russia’s government has blamed a surge in COVID-19 cases on reluctance among Russians to have vaccinations amid concerns about side effects. Critics also point out that it usually takes years to develop vaccines, while Russia was the first country to announce a coronavirus jab.
Increased number of people turned to US Christian media during pandemic
US Christian radio and television stations that broadcast the Gospel message saw a remarkable increase in listeners and viewers during the 16 months of COVID-19 lockdown, the Washington Times reports. The US has over 4,000 Christian media outlets.
Hungary’s Premier Defends Anti-LGTB Law As EU Pressure Mounts
Hungary’s embattled prime minister condemns mounting European Union criticism over a new homosexual and transgender law that he says protects children against pedophilia.
Southern Baptist Convention passes resolution against Equality Act: bill would be “devastating” for religious liberty
The Southern Baptist Convention passed a resolution Tuesday asserting that the Democrat-sponsored Equality Act would have a “devastating” effect on religious liberty, Christian Headlines reports. The SBC resolution against the Act was passed by an “overwhelming” majority at the Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, Christian Headlines reports.
IRS denies Christian political activism group tax-exempt status, says its Bible teachings are affiliated with Republican party
The Internal Revenue Service has denied tax-exempt status to the non-profit political activism group Christians Engaged, asserting that the group’s Bible teachings typically align with Republican party policies, and that it engages in “prohibited political campaign intervention.” The Texas-based organization is appealing the decision, asserting that the IRS denied tax exemption because Christians Engaged “teaches biblical values.”
Hungary Says Anti-LGBT Law Protects Children
Hungary’s conservative government says a new law prohibiting sharing with minors any content portraying homosexuality or sex reassignment is linked to its fight against pedophilia.
Dozens Of Chinese Christians Flee To South Korea
Dozens of members of a church in southern China have fled to South Korea after facing “persecution” by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Worthy News established Monday.
Iran Convert Jailed For Evangelism
Iranian Christians requested prayers Monday for a Christian convert after he turned himself in to start serving a nine-month prison term in Iran for evangelism and leaving Islam, sources told Worthy News.
Thousands Protest Against China University In Hungary
Political tensions are rising after thousands of Hungarians marched through Budapest against government plans to build the European Union’s first Chinese university campus here.
Nigeria “Christian killing field:” Pastor and 3-year old son murdered by Muslim Fulani militants
A church planter and his 3-year old son were murdered by Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria’s Niger state on May 21, International Christian Concern reports. Leviticus Makpa, 39, and his little boy Godsend are among the latest murder victims in a country which Gary L. Bauer of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom described in April as a “killing field” for Christians.
Biden to propose $6T budget, increasing federal spending to highest sustained level since WWII: report
President Biden is set to propose a budget totaling $6 trillion in the coming days, The New York Times reported early Thursday, about a third higher than pre-pandemic spending levels.
Chinese Propaganda Outlet Paid Millions to American Newspapers and Magazines, Records Show
A news agency controlled by the Chinese Communist Party paid millions of dollars to American newspapers and magazines over the past six months, even as U.S. officials have sounded the alarm on Beijing’s propaganda activities.
Indonesia Crackdown On Anti-Palestine Views Through Social Media
Indonesian authorities are cracking down on youngsters using social media to condemn Palestinians in the ongoing conflict with Israel.
Evangelical Lutheran Church of America selects first transgender person as Bishop
In the first such move by any major US Christian denomination, the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) has elected a transgender person to serve as Bishop, Christian Headlines reports.
Eight Killed In Russian School Shooting
Russian authorities say a young gunman has attacked a school in the Russian city of Kazan, killing eight people — seven eighth-grade students and a teacher. Some 21 others were hospitalized with wounds, officials said.
China Detains Over 100 Christian Worshipers, Including Children
Chinese police have detained more than 100 Christians, including minors, for attending unauthorized worship and Christian education in southeastern China, several sources confirmed.
Study: Trauma-Informed Bible Reading Reduces Depression, Anxiety, Anger
A recent ABS-commissioned study by Baylor University researchers found that combining education about mental health best practices with Bible reading can have a significant benefit. In their study, this reduced the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and increased forgiveness, compassion, and sense of purpose.