Scripture-engaged people gave $2,000 on average in 2023, Violence against Mexican Catholics and Evangelicals rises, California forced to allow pastor to evangelize in public

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It’s Wednesday, December 18th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. ([e-mail])

By Jonathan Clark

Violence against Mexican Catholics and Evangelicals rises

A report by the Catholic Multimedia Centre found violence against Christians in Mexico has reached a “peak.”

Nearly 900 religious leaders faced extortion or threats between 2018 and 2024. Twenty-six religious buildings were attacked, and 10 priests and a seminary student were murdered over the time period.

Evangelicals have also faced persecution in Mexico. Authorities forcibly displaced over 150 Christians in Mexico’s Hidalgo state earlier this year.

Pablo Vargas, national director of Impulso18, noted, “Religious leaders, especially those who are working with the most marginalized and speaking out against corruption and in favor of human rights and peace, are often identified by organized criminal groups as problems to be silenced or eliminated altogether.”

England extends ban on puberty blockers

The U.K. indefinitely extended its ban on puberty blockers for minors last week.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said, “Children’s healthcare must always be evidence-led. The independent expert Commission on Human Medicines found that the current prescribing and care pathway for gender dysphoria and incongruence presents an unacceptable safety risk for children and young people.”

Britain’s National Health Service began restricting transgender drugs for children earlier this year. The move came after U.K. pediatrician, Dr. HiIary Cass, released a report, finding such drugs pose significant risks.

California forced to allow pastor to evangelize in public

In the United States, California’s San Bernardino County District Attorney dismissed charges this month against a pastor who faced arrest for evangelizing at a public event.

Authorities in Ontario, California charged Pastor Arturo Fernandez with trespassing despite the fact he remained on a public sidewalk.

Julianne Fleischer, an attorney with Advocates for Faith & Freedom, commented, “This dismissal is a victory for free speech and religious expression. Pastor Fernandez was peacefully exercising his God-given and constitutionally protected rights to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. While we have the utmost respect for the men and women in law enforcement, no government entity has the right to silence lawful public preaching.”

In Romans 1:16, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes.”

Bezos, Zuckerberg, and Altman all gave Trump $1 million for inauguration

Tech companies are making big contributions to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fund.

Amazon, led by Jeff Bezos, is giving a million dollars. Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta is also contributing a million dollars. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is making a personal donation of the same amount.

Trump noted at Mar-a-Lago, “In the first term, everyone was fighting me. This time, everyone wants to be my friend.”

2 killed, 6 injured in Wisconsin Christian School shooting

Tragically, a teacher and a student died on Monday during a shooting in a study hall at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin.

The shooter was a 15-year-old student at the school, Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow, who reportedly took her own life. The attack also injured six more people.

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes held a press conference. He said, “Today is a sad day not only for Madison, [but] for our entire country.” Police have yet to identify a motive, although they are aware of a reported manifesto.

The school asked for prayers, posting on Facebook, “We have been flooded with thoughts and prayers. This great nation is behind us. So grateful for the tsunami of prayers for our students, staff, and families.”

Planned Parenthood closed abortion mill in Juneau, Alaska

The Alaska Watchman reports Planned Parenthood has permanently closed its abortion mill in Juneau, Alaska.

The abortion giant now has only two locations in the state—one in Fairbanks and another in Anchorage.

The recent closure follows years of prayer vigils and outreach.

However, the work of pro-lifers continues in the state, especially as the government continues to fund abortions through Medicaid.

Scripture-engaged people gave $2,000 on average in 2023

And finally, the American Bible Society released its final chapter of the State of the Bible USA 2024 report.

The chapter covers charitable giving by Americans in connection with their level of Scripture engagement.

The report found 94% of the Scripture-engaged people gave to charity last year. The median amount given was $2,000. These metrics were much lower among those less engaged with the Bible.

John Plake with the American Bible Society noted, “People who consistently read the Bible and live by its teachings are more likely to give to charity. … At a national level, we could say that Scripture-engaged people form a massive engine of generosity and philanthropy.”

In Acts 20:35, the Apostle Paul said, “I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

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And that’s The Worldview on this Wednesday, December 18th, in the year of our Lord 2024. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I’m Adam McManus ([e-mail]). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

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