Posts in Politics
One In Eight Christians Worldwide Live In Countries Where They May Face Persecution

The World Watch List 2021, a list compiled by Open Doors, an international NGO advocating on behalf of persecuted Christians, paints a concerning picture of the situation Christians face around the world. The most likely and violent place for Christians to be located is in North Korea, though the list grows daily as countries shift towards religious persecution.

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Televangelist Bob Rodgers ‘Curses’ Those Who Voted on the ‘Wrong Side’ in ‘Stolen Election’

Louisville televangelist Bob Rodgers cursed those who voted on the “wrong side” of the “stolen election” at his service this past week, condemning them to poor health and poverty. Members of the church cheered at the curses— affirming his notion that those who voted on the “wrong side” deserve punishment.

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The Solution to Christian Nationalism? Better Theology

(OPINION) To combat a plague of Christian nationalism, seen on display in the recent Capitol violence, Christian leaders should teach the right Christian theology: that Christians should never seek to have the government privilege one religious group over another, God gives good ideas to all people, not only Christians, and our advocacy in the public square should not pretend everyone believes the Bible.

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Charismatics are at war with each other over failed prophecies of Trump victory

A day of reckoning has come for modern-day “prophets” in the Pentecostal/charismatic movement who falsely foretold a victory for President Trump in 2020. Privately and on social media, these prophets and their thousands of followers are slugging it out in an orgy of self-blame, recriminations and fantastical hopes that somehow before Jan. 20, God will bring about a victory for Trump. Others who’ve apologized for getting it wrong have gotten accusations, curses and even death threats.

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How Data Explains Extreme Support For Trump

(ANALYSIS) As thousands of Trump’s most ardent supporters stormed the Capitol building Jan. 6, one must wonder how he managed to generate so much devotion from his followers. The answer can be found in the data.

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Biden certified president after mob carrying Christian symbols storm Capitol

On Wednesday, thousands of pro-Trump protesters gathered outside the Capitol building claiming election fraud. Some installed a giant wooden cross on the lawn. Others carried flags and banners with Christian symbols and messages, like “Jesus Saves.” Dozens of the demonstrators pushed past police to enter the Capitol, loot art, pose for photos and wreak havoc inside the building.

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The history behind the Christian flags spotted at the pro-Trump U.S. Capitol 'coup'

As the mob swarmed the Capitol steps, climbed the inaugural scaffolding and even scaled the building like it was a gym climbing wall, the now commonplace red, white and blue “Trump 2020” and “Make America Great Again” flags flew alongside flags and banners with a range of Christian symbols, including a white flag with a pine tree inspired by the Old Testament and used in the Revolutionary War.

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Religious voters react to Georgia Senate race results favoring Democrats

Rev. Raphael Warnock, pastor of the historic church of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, has won Georgia’s U.S. Senate Race to make history as the first pastor and Black Senator from Georgia since Reconstruction. Investigative journalist Jon Ossoff is also expecting historic win for the Democrats in an election that counted on high Black voter turnout.

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Pilgrimage: Why D.C.’s Basilica of the National Shrine is worth a visit

(TRAVEL) Aside from its rich history and architectural majesty, the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception may very well be one of the most under-appreciated places to visit in Washington. In a city dominated by so many architectural wonders connected to politics, it’s easy to neglect that it also has a very large Catholic presence.

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5 storylines involving the Catholic church to watch for in 2021

(ANALYSIS) What will 2021 bring? That’s the big question following a 2020 that will forever remain a year where the world was held hostage by a pandemic. It was also a year where we had a combative presidential election and a reawakened social justice movement that brought our divided politics out into our streets.

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Fights over First Amendment rights will likely top religion beat agenda in 2021

(OPINION) Ongoing fights about the First Amendment and religious liberty are likely to prove the most newsworthy, but two other themes deserve attention as well.

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International Court Says It Can't Investigate Crimes Against Uyghurs In China

(ANALYSIS) Last week, the Office of the Prosecutor for the International Criminal Court confirmed that it would not go further with the trials for the alleged crimes against the Uyghurs in China. The court does not have jurisdiction over crimes in China, allowing for senior Chinese leaders to continue religious persecution.

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The Growing Divide Within American Evangelicalism

New survey data shows white evangelicals hold very different political views (like believing Donald Trump won the 2020 election) than the so-called evangelical elite that includes evangelical leaders like best-selling Bible study author Beth Moore. The result is the loudest evangelical voices are like generals without an army.

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Indonesian politics roiled by return of radical firebrand imam Rizieq

(ANALYSIS) The recent return from Saudi Arabia of Islamist firebrand Muhammad Rizieq Shihab sparked massive welcoming crowds, threatens to reform old political alliances and may even create new ones.

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Pope Francis' new book: Don't rely on news coverage for what's in it

(OPINION) That Pope Francis would put his name on a book — written by a British author — criticizing the United States, its media and politics without understanding the First Amendment is a major shortfall of the project. There is also more to this book that the mainstream secular press did not highlight — like the pope’s staunch opposition to abortion.

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Kashmir goes to the polls for first time since India stripped autonomy

Analysts say if the election is fair, it could be a referendum on the constitutional changes made on Aug. 5 last year. But there is evidence that the Indian government is preventing local political parties from campaigning in India’s only Muslim-majority region.

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