Texas schools removing the Bible from libraries; Church attendance during the Christmas season is half and half; Missouri man found in Syria after missing for 7 months

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It’s Friday, December 20th, A.D. 2024. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes written by yours truly and heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. Filling in for Adam McManus, I’m Ean Leppin.

Texas Schools Removing the Bible from Libraries

The head of a Texas school district says the Bible had to be removed from school libraries because of a new state law prohibiting explicit books. The Christian Post reports that Canyon Independent School District Superintendent Darryle Flusche announced in an email earlier this week that, under House Bill 900, which was passed by the Texas Legislature in 2023, parts of the Holy Bible are deemed unsuitable. House Bill 900 was passed for the purpose of protecting schools from sexually explicit or vulgar content.

In an email to parents, Flusche stated the full text of the Bible had been removed because it was categorized under this mandate, even though portions of the Bible will remain available. He went on to say that “through strong connections with local churches they would be happy to donate a Bible upon request.”

House Bill 900 defines sexually explicit material as “any communication, language or material that describes or depicts sexual conduct in a manner that is patently offensive under the Texas Penal Code.”

Proverbs 30:5 – “Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

Matthew 24:35 –Jesus said, “‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.’”

TikTok Potential Ban in the US

WNG.org reports that in a brief, two-page order, the high court on Wednesday agreed to hear TikTok’s challenge to a federal law that could ban the social media and video-sharing platform in the United States. The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act would implement a ban on January 19 unless China-based ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, sells TikTok’s US operations. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law in April.

The court scheduled oral arguments for Friday, January 10, nine days before the ban would take effect. Attorneys representing TikTok and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland will have two hours to argue whether the legislation, as it applies to TikTok and ByteDance, violates the First Amendment.

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act received bipartisan support from lawmakers. Supporters of the law cite concerns that TikTok’s overwhelming popularity and Chinese ownership create security and censorship issues. Proponents of the law are also concerned about China using the app to collect sensitive data on American users.

Meanwhile, ByteDance argues that the law is unconstitutional and illegally singles out TikTok for legislative punishment, violating equal protection and due process principles. ByteDance also says the law violates the Constitution’s Fifth-Amendment protections against uncompensated property seizure.

Church Attendance During the Christmas Season Is Half and Half

A Lifeway Research study finds US adults are split on whether they’ll be at church sometime this Christmas season – 47 percent say they typically attend church at Christmastime, while 48 percent say they do not, and 5 percent aren’t sure.

Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research says, “The very name Christmas originates in the church’s celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth. In the mid-14th century, the words ‘Christ’s Mass’ were first merged as a single term for this celebration. While nine in ten Americans do something to celebrate Christmas, less than half typically attend church at Christmastime today.”

Although that number is discouraging, the study goes on to show that many don’t attend simply because they have not been invited. Fifty-six percent say they would likely attend church if someone they know invited them to attend at Christmastime.

Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Missouri Man Found in Syria After Missing for 7 Months

And good news for a family in Missouri! American citizen Travis Timmerman has been found in Syria after being unexpectedly detained for seven months while making a pilgrimage in an effort to deepen his Christian faith. Timmerman, a Missouri native, had been missing since June before resurfacing in a Damascus suburb. Timmerman was held in the notorious Sednaya prison, where the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad has arbitrarily detained tens of thousands. He was released as rebels overthrew the Assad regime this month.

He told reporters that he crossed mountains into Syria from Lebanon because he was on a religious pilgrimage influenced by his intensive Bible reading and desire to deepen his understanding of Christianity. His entry into Syria from Lebanon by foot, however, led to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment for several months. His detainment came to light only recently after Syrian rebel forces ousted Assad and the chaotic prison releases that followed.

CBS News talked to Timmerman’s sister Pixie Rogers, who says it’s an amazing Christmas gift!

ROGERS: “This is a whole, huge Christmas present that we all get to hear. I told my mom this morning, I was like, ‘It’s a Christmas miracle!’ I know she is very, very ecstatic [and joyous], overwhelmed, and just beyond super excited. I probably will cry and just tear up, and just—I just, I can’t wait for that day.”

US officials, told the media that Timmerman had been transferred to Jordan following his release and was currently under the care of State Department officials, according to Reuters. He was initially handed over to US troops at Tanf garrison near the tri-border area of Syria, Iraq, and Jordan before being flown out via US military helicopter. During his captivity, Timmerman was isolated but not mistreated, but he could hear the sounds of other prisoners being tortured nearby.

Close

And that’s The Worldview on this Friday, December 20th, 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 Ean Leppin ([e-mail]). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

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