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Judge Upholds Oklahoma Ban on ‘Dismemberment Abortion’ in Historical Decision
An Oklahoma state judge on Friday upheld the state’s ban on a common late-term abortion procedure, making it the first time a judge in the U.S. has reviewed such a law and not overturned it.
Oklahoma County Judge Cindy Truong handed down her decision from the bench.
The lawsuit was brought by the Center for Reproductive Rights and Tulsa Women’s Clinic, an abortion clinic.
Truong upheld a 2015 law that bans dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortion, a procedure that involves the dilation of the cervix and the removal of the unborn baby by literally pulling it apart, limb by limb – pulling out an arm, a leg, the head, and so forth. Pro-life groups refer to the procedure as “dismemberment abortion.”
Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter called Truong’s decision “a major victory for basic human decency in Oklahoma.”
“Dismemberment abortions are barbaric, brutal and subject unborn children to more cruelty than we allow for death row inmates,” Hunter said. “It is unconscionable to think that we would allow this practice to continue. Judge Truong is to be commended for declaring this legislation constitutional.”
D&E abortions were described in excruciating detail in the movie Gosnell: The Trial of America’s Biggest Serial Killer.
The Center for Reproductive Rights said in a statement it was exploring its legal options….
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Religious ‘Nones’ Fastest Growing Group in the U.S.; 3 States See Rise in Evangelicals
A new study reveals that the number of “nones” – those who are not affiliated with any religion – continues to rise in the United States.
Eastern Illinois University professor Ryan P. Burge explained on Religion in Public that self-identified nones have risen from 22.2% of Americans in 2008 to 29.5% in 2018, making them the largest religious group in the country. Burge caveats the results, however, sharing that “it’s way more complicated than that.”
Earlier this year, a General Social Survey was released indicating the change in size of religious groups. Burge, who is also a Baptist pastor, tweeted a graph of the changes and the information went viral.
He decided to run the same numbers through a different survey, the Cooperative Congressional Election Study, which has a larger sample size and thus creates a smaller margin of error and shows state-wide changes.
What he found was consistent with the General Social Survey. Nones are still on the rise, but he also broke down each state to see changes in each of them, revealing that decreases in religion by state are much more modest.
Catholics lost three percentage points, but Burge points out that unless “those losses are sustained for another few survey cycles, then we can say with some certainty that Catholics are on the downward swing.” Mainline churches and evangelicals…
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1,700-Year-Old Christian Letter Uncovered – Oldest Outside of the Bible
A 1,700-year-old letter written by one Christian to another has been unveiled by researchers from the University of Basil, which is calling it the oldest Christian letter outside of copies of the New Testament.
The letter from a man named Arrianus to someone named Paulus says Arrianus is “praying” for his brother. Arrianus discusses everyday matters, including local politics (“city council” business) and food (“fish liver sauce”).
The letter, known as papyrus P.Bas. 2.43, originated in Egypt, according to a news release from the University of Basil. It was dated to the 230s AD.
It ends with the unique closing, “I pray that you fare well in the Lord.”
“The use of this abbreviation – known as a nomen sacrum in this context – leaves no doubt about the Christian beliefs of the letter writer,” said Sabine Huebner, professor of ancient history at the University of Basel. “It is an exclusively Christian formula that we are familiar with from New Testament manuscripts.”
The name “Paulus” also is significant, Huebner said.
“Paulus was an extremely rare name at that time and we may deduce that the parents mentioned in the letter were Christians and had named their son after the apostle as early as 200 AD,” Huebner said.
The letter is part of Huebner’s new monograph, Papyri and the Social World of the New…
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Thousands call for consultation before any changes made to Northern Ireland abortion law
The Prime Minister is facing critcism from many in Northern Ireland against the Government’s plan to redraft the abortion clause in the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill to remove legal protections, which they say will usher into Northern Ireland one of the most extreme abortion laws in Europe.
Last week, MPs voted by 332 to 99, a majority of 233, to implement a United Nations report that said the lack of abortion legislation was a violation of the human rights of women in Northern Ireland.
More than 10,000 signatures from people in Northern Ireland were collected in less than 48 hours over the weekend, as part of a letter to the Prime Minster supporting the Baroness O’Loan and Lord Eames amendment in the House of Lords.
The amendment seeks to make sure that the politicians and public of Northern Ireland are consulted before any changes are made to the law on abortion in Northern Ireland.
The group are calling on Theresa May to either pull the Bill, not allowing it to complete its remaining stage and become law, or ensure that the clause is only taken forward if the people of Northern Ireland are consulted and a majority of MLAs support the introduction of any change to abortion law.
Northern Irish peer Baroness O’Loan said: “I am shocked to see that the Government has dropped their long-standing policy of neutrality on abortion and respect for…
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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.
Chick-fil-A Manager Changes Flat Tire for 96-Year-Old WWII Veteran
Yet another Chick-fil-A worker is being recognized for going the extra mile.
Daryl Howard, the manager of a Chick-fil-A in Severn, Md., was taking orders last week when a regular customer – a 96-year-old World War II veteran known as “Mr. Lee” – entered the restaurant.
“He was shaking, almost in tears saying he barely made it to the store on three tires because one was bad,” Rudy Somoza, another store manager, told CNN.
So, Howard did what only seemed natural for a Chick-fil-A employee. He left the restaurant to change the tire.
“As soon as he finished his sentence, Daryl informed me he needed to help this gentleman right now,” Somoza said. “So, Daryl jumped into action without hesitation.”
Howard enjoys helping people, Somoza said.
“His action of kindness was beautiful. Daryl has always been so helpful to anyone in need and deserves this recognition,” Somoza said.
Two weeks ago, a worker at a Georgia Chick-fil-A leaped through the drive-thru window to save a 6-year-old boy who was choking in the backseat of a car, Christian Headlines reported.
Chick-fil-A became the third-largest fast-food restaurant this year. Its corporate purpose is “to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A.”
The company website…
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Chaplain says cricket win is great opportunity to encourage ‘Christian values of sportsmanship’
In an emotional and electric atmosphere at Lord’s, both sides scored 241 in their 50 overs and were level on 15 when they batted for an extra over apiece.
It meant England were crowned world champions by virtue of having scored more boundary fours and sixes – 26 to New Zealand’s 17 – in the entire match.
Reverend David Chawner, chair of Sports Chaplaincy UK and chaplain at Northamptonshire County Cricket summed up the game in one word, “exciting”.
He told Premier: “It was one of those games which went one way and then another and you thought one team was on top and then the other team seemed to be on top, and then it looked as if England were way out of it and they came crashing in at the end.”
On Premier’s News Hour programme, he said: “I don’t think God’s on anybody’s side, you know, he enjoys the game. I think that is the most important thing.
“The result of the game is on one level immaterial. Yeah, I like to win. However, somebody has to lose, that is the nature of sport. I would always be happy to pray for both sides, that they will give the very best that they can give.
“A lot of chaplains pray with players before the game. Not all players are necessarily Christians, but what we pray for is that everybody will be able to give their best and perform to the best of their ability and that is what we want in sport. We want people to show us the God given…
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10 Christians Are Dying Every Day for Their Faith in Nigeria
Life has become increasingly difficult for Christians in Nigeria, as persecution continues to rise and an average of ten Christians are dying for their faith every day. 91 million Christians live in Africa’s most populous nation, but many of them face consistent harassment and violence from Muslim extremists.
David Curry, CEO of Open Doors USA, recently spoke about the struggles facing Nigerian Christians on the Pure Flix Podcast. He explained that “There are these Islamic terrorist groups with safe haven in the north and the government has done little to nothing to root them out. That makes the north of Nigeria one of the most dangerous places for Christians.”
Curry pointed to a May 18thincident in which Islamic extremists attacked a church’s choir practice and are still holding 17 members captive. He said, We don’t know who is alive and who is not. The women are either forced into marriage to jihadists – under Sharia law there is often nothing they can do to get those individuals back – they are ransomed to raise money for terrorist activity or they are killed.”
In an area known as Nigeria’s Middle Belt, Christian farmers face attacks from militant Fulani herders and from Boko Haram. According to the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, more than 500 Christians have died at the hands of Fulani herders since 2016….
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Journalist reveals he’s donating liver to his sister
Speaking on ‘The Daily Briefing’, he shared how he had been “blown away” by both the support he had received from people that knew about his decision.
“What’s most amazing to me is people are saying I’m being selfless,” he said.
“I thought I was being selfish because I want to help my sister. Instead, I’m hearing people say, ‘You’re going to help other people’.”
Henry first shared the news of his upcoming selfless deed in a column published on Sunday on the Fox News website. In it, he wrote he is “determined to do whatever I can to give my sister the greatest gift of all, which quite simply is life.”
Henry said his faith in God, along with the support of his wife and family has further motivated him to support his sister.
WATCH: @edhenry shares the outpouring of support he’s received since announcing he will be donating part of his liver to his sister.
For more information, visit: https://t.co/mj7EBFDijj pic.twitter.com/WXXghXHod8
— The Daily Briefing (@dailybriefing) July 8, 2019
“But you know, the amazing thing is, through God’s grace, I can help, and I’m going to help,” he said during his television appearance.
“And she’s going to be great, as so will I, and Fox has been absolutely amazing.”
Henry has been told that, within four to six weeks, both his liver and the portion he is donating to his little sister will regenerate to full size.
The two siblings will…
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Click Read More to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Premier Christianity News.
Samaritan’s Purse Sending Aid to the Border to Help with Migrant Crisis
As the nation’s attention continues to focus on the crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, Samaritan’s Purse has stepped in to minister to migrant families on both sides of the border who are suffering from the heat, hunger, and exhaustion.
Samaritan’s Purse explained their work at the border in a recent press release and announced they are working with churches and partners in Del Rio, Laredo, McAllen, and other communities on the U.S. side of the border. They have been giving those who cleared U.S. Customs and Border Protection food, water, hygiene kits, diapers, and other emergency supplies.
The ministry, headed by Franklin Graham, also highlighted the help they have offered to a pastor in Laredo who opens his home to more than 100 migrants each day. They gave them mattresses and a refrigerator and set up tents on their property to provide more shade.
They also brought a kitchen trailer to Del Rio, where they are partnering with Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition. Officials estimate that 70 to 120 migrants pass through Del Rio each day.
Graham told CBN News that, “We have been asked by churches in the area to help and that is what we are doing.” He added, “Many of these migrants they’ve been traveling for as much as six months. They’re tired. They’re dirty. They’re frustrated and they’re coming into our country.”
The announcement by…
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