November 28, 2024

Judge halted sentencing of 7 pro-life activists, China released three detained American citizens, America’s history of Thanksgiving

6 minutes

It’s Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 28th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I’m Adam McManus. ([email protected])

By Jonathan Clark

673 incidents of persecution of Christians in India

Christians face daily persecution in 23 of India’s 28 states.

Such persecution includes physical violence, murder, threats, damage to property, and disruption of prayer services.

A.C. Michael with United Christian Forum said, “In 2023, we recorded about 750 incidents, which means two Christians were attacked every day in our country. These are organized acts of violence by pro-Hindu groups targeting Christian faiths.”

The organization’s latest report documented 673 incidents of violence and discrimination this year between January and October.

India is ranked 11th on the Open Doors’ World Watch List of nations where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

Ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah

Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon that went into effect yesterday.

This brings a two-month pause to 14 months of fighting between to the two sides in southern Lebanon.

The United States and France brokered the agreement.

The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump claimed credit for the deal. Florida Rep. Mike Waltz is Trump’s pick for national security adviser. He posted on X, “Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump. His resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated. I’m glad to see concrete steps towards de-escalation in the Middle East.”

China released three detained American citizens

Speaking of coming to the table, China released three American citizens it had detained for years.

The White House announced the prisoner swap yesterday.

The three Americans are Mark Swidan, Kai Li, and John Leung. The United States had designated them as wrongfully detained.

This comes just months after China released David Lin, a Christian pastor from California, who was detained for 20 years in China.

Judged halted sentencing of 7 pro-life activists

Last Tuesday, a federal judge in Michigan halted the sentencing of seven pro-life activists.

The pro-lifers were convicted under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Some faced over 10 years in prison for protesting at abortion mills.

Judge Matthew Leitman delayed proceedings until after Donald Trump takes office.

Trump has already promised to review the cases of those “unjustly victimized by the Biden regime” and get them “back to their families where they belong.”

Supreme Court takes up Tennessee transgender case

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a major transgender case next Wednesday.

The case involves a Tennessee law that protects children from transgender drugs and procedures intended to enable children to pretend to be the opposite sex.

Tennessee House of Representatives Majority Leader William Lamberth co-sponsored the measure. He told Reuters, “This case is about protecting vulnerable young people who are experiencing gender dysphoria or other mental health crises from making the biggest mistake of their lives.”

You can sign a prayer commitment for the case through Alliance Defending Freedom which is linked in today’s transcript at TheWorldview.com.

U.S. economy grew 2.8%

The U.S. economy grew by 2.8% on an annual basis during the third quarter of this year.

The Gross Domestic Product is slightly down from 3% during the second quarter. However, the U.S. has seen growth of over 2% for eight out of the last nine quarters.

Consumer spending, along with an increase in exports, contributed the latest economic growth.

America’s history of Thanksgiving

The first official National Proclamation of Thanksgiving in America was issued by the Continental Congress on November 1, 1777, in celebration of the victory against the British at the Battle of Saratoga.

In 1941, as America confronted a world at war, Congress voted to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday.

In his first Thanksgiving proclamation, President Ronald Reagan wrote:

“America has much for which to be thankful. The unequaled freedom enjoyed by our citizens has provided a harvest of plenty to this Nation throughout its history. In keeping with America’s heritage, one day each year is set aside for giving thanks to God for all of His blessings. …

“Searching our hearts, we should ask what we can do as individuals to demonstrate our gratitude to God for all He has done. Such reflection can only add to the significance of this precious day of remembrance.

“Let us recommit ourselves to that devotion to God and family that has played such an important role in making this a great Nation, and which will be needed as a source of strength if we are to remain a great people.”