Seismic Change Grips Iran As Population Turns More Secular, Less Religious
A first-of-its-kind survey reveals significant shifts in Iranians’ attitudes toward religious beliefs and their authoritarian government.
Faith
Religious liberty advocates have high hopes for Supreme Court cases, even if Ginsburg isn’t replaced
Senate Republicans are aiming to confirm President Trump’s Supreme Court nominee before the election, but even if they fail, religious liberty advocates expect favorable decisions from what could be an eight-man court.
Eritrea Releases 69 Christian Prisoners After Years In Jail
Eritrea released at least 69 Christian prisoners this month, including many detained in horrific circumstances for their faith “for up to 16 years without trial,” aid workers told Worthy News.
New survey: Christians are less motivated to address racial injustice this year than last year
While the police killing of George Floyd sparked a nationwide and international conversation about racism and its effects, a new survey has found that practicing US Christians are less likely to acknowledge racial injustice this year (43%) than they were in 2019 (46%). Moreover, there was an increase in the percentage of those who said race is not a problem in America at all (19% in 2020, up from 11% in 2019), Barna reports.
EU Chief Von der Leyen Wants Britain and Russia in First Union Speech
European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen has given her first State of the Union speech with angry words about Britain’s plans to renegotiate its divorce deal with the EU.
Religious freedom case in Maine could head to U.S. Supreme Court
Calvary Chapel of Bangor Maine has resumed holding indoor services while also practicing social distancing and following sanitizing guidelines, despite threats of criminal charges, fines and imprisonment.
UN welcomes Afghan talks with the Taliban, urges cease-fire
The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday welcoming the start of negotiations between Afghan representatives and the Taliban, encouraging the warring parties to engage in good faith and aim for a permanent cease-fire and political settlement to their 19-year conflict.
Report: ‘India Sees ‘Horrific Attacks’ Against Christians’
An advocacy group reports “horrific attacks” against minority Christians in India at a time when critics claim the government is turning the country into a full-fledged Hindu nation.
More Christian Converts Flee Iran As Crackdown Intensifies
Three Iranian Christian converts have fled Iran following the rejection of their appeals, rights activists confirmed. “Kvian Fallah-Mohammadi, Hadi Asgari, and Amin Afshar-Naderi were facing a combined 35 years in prison because of their faith,” said advocacy group International Christian Concern (ICC).
Africa Christians Face Starvation Amid Coronavirus Measures
A major Christian aid group warns that “chronic and acute malnutrition are spreading in COVID-19 wracked Africa,” including among Christians.
Iran Executes Young Wrestler Despite Trump Appeal
Family members of a young wrestler have been plunged into mourning after Iranian authorities executed him by hanging following his participation in anti-government protests.
Hindus, Buddhists Attack Sri Lanka Church, and Cemetery
Evangelical Christians in eastern Sri Lanka have expressed concerns about recent attacks by Hindu and Buddhist mobs opposing their faith.
Pakistan Sentences Christian To Death For Blasphemy
Christians have appealed for prayers after a Pakistani court sentenced a Christian man to death by hanging for sending “blasphemous” text messages.
Eritrea Releasing Dozens Of Christians From Tough Prisons
Eritrea has released dozens of Christians, many of whom spent a decade behind bars for their faith in Christ, well-informed rights activists say.
Growth of Christianity in Iran: number of believers approaching 1 million
A new survey on the growth of Christianity in Iran suggests there could soon be 1 million Iranian Christians living in the Islamic Republic, CBN News reports. Carried out by the non-profit Group for Analyzing and Measuring Attitudes in Iran (GAMAAN), the survey questioned 50,000 Iranians, 90% of whom live in the country. The survey showed that 1.5% of respondents identified as Christian.
Hungary Unveils Statue Of Late President Bush
Hungary says it will unveil a statue of late U.S. President George W. Bush in Budapest to mark the 30th anniversary of the collapse of communist dictatorship in Central and Eastern Europe. In 1989, Bush became the first U.S. president to visit Hungary while in office. He died in 2018 at the age of 94.
Evangelicals and conservative Catholics knock on nearly 1 million doors in Vote Trump campaign
The conservative Faith and Freedom Coalition (FFC) has mobilized hundreds of Conservative Evangelical and Catholic volunteers to knock on nearly 1 million doors in their efforts to get President Donald Trump re-elected in November, the Christian Post reports. Founded in 2009 by prominent Evangelical Ralph Reed, the FFC expects to spend over $40 million on its grassroots campaign to return Trump to the Whitehouse.
Black pastors say Nike must stop supporting BLM and must cut ties with China over Uyghur minority oppression
A coalition of several hundred pastors and clergy of color sent a letter to the CEO and President of sportswear giant Nike Thursday, demanding he stop the company’s support for the “anti-Christian” Black Lives Matter movement and sever Nike’s ties with China and Chinese oppression of the Uyghur minority population, PJ Media reports. In their letter to John Donahoe, the coalition called Conservative Clergy of Color said: “We have watched with sadness and frustration as the country we love has been torn apart by violence and looting. You have been happy to play into the hands of anarchists at home and ignore slavery abroad.”
Wife and Son of Jailed Chinese Pastor ‘Intimidated’ By Security Forces
The wife and child of the jailed founder of one of China’s largest unregistered churches, are being monitored and intimidated by Chinese security forces, well-informed Christians confirmed to Worthy News.
Aid Workers: ‘Hundreds of Christians Slaughtered In Ethiopia’
Muslim militants have killed hundreds of Christians, including pregnant women, children, and whole families in Ethiopia’s most populous regional state, aid workers told Worthy News Wednesday.