Samuel Smith and World Watch Monitor

Latest

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  Aug 24, 2020

  How does Trump’s 2nd-term agenda compare with the 2020 Democratic platform?

  The Trump campaign released on Sunday its second-term agenda, a set of policy priorities that will stand in place of a traditional Republican platform and offer a distinctly different vision than the 2020 Democratic platform released last week. 

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  Aug 22, 2020

  Pastor, wife flee Iran to escape 15 years' imprisonment for house church evangelism

  An Iranian pastor and his wife have fled the country after their appeals of yearslong prison sentences related to their involvement in a house church and evangelism were denied. 

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  Aug 21, 2020

  5 highlights from DNC: ‘mermaid queen-king,’ capitalism’s 'destruction,' God omitted in pledge

  The 2020 Democratic National Convention came to a close Thursday night after a week of various daytime video meetings, videos, musical performances and primetime speeches from some of the country’s most notable celebrities and politicians. 

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  Aug 20, 2020

  Calif. prosecutor threatens church with closure, jail sentences for COVID-19 order violation

  A prosecutor warned the pastor of a church in California that he, church staff and attendees could face jail time if they continue to defy government COVID-19 orders by holding and attending in-person worship services. 

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  Aug 20, 2020

  Jim Wallis steps aside as Sojourners editor-in-chief after removing controversial op-ed

  Longtime progressive evangelical leader Jim Wallis has been replaced as editor-in-chief at Sojourners magazine after staff members resigned following his decision to unpublish a controversial op-ed accusing the Catholic Church of having a “white-power faction.”  

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  Aug 20, 2020

  Over 20 Christian groups and leaders seek police accountability, reform in new campaign

  Three months after the death of George Floyd, over 20 Christian organizations and figures representing diverse communities of believers have joined an “unprecedented” nonpartisan coalition to advocate for police accountability reforms at the federal, state and local levels. 

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  Aug 18, 2020

  Trump appointee blocks Idaho law banning trans-identified males from female sports

  A Trump appointee on Monday temporarily blocked an Idaho law that bans biologically male trans-identified athletes from competing in girls and women’s sporting competitions at the high school and university levels, the only law in the country to do so.  

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  Aug 18, 2020

  5 highlights from DNC night 1: Biden can ‘restore the soul of America,’ Cuomo and Sanders declare

  The 2020 Democratic National Convention kicked off Monday night with a packed lineup of speakers, including some Republicans, voicing their support for presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and criticizing President Donald Trump.

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  Aug 18, 2020

  Iranian pastor, wife lose appeal of prison sentences for house church participation 

  The parents of an Iranian Christian who met with President Donald Trump last year in the Oval Office have lost their appeal of years-long prison sentences for operating and participating in a house church.

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  Aug 17, 2020

  Popular Disney Channel cartoon features the network's first bisexual lead character

  The creator of the new Disney Channel cartoon “The Owl House” has opened up about how the lead character of the show is bisexual — a reflection of her own sexual orientation. Luz Noceda is believed to be the network’s first bisexual lead character.