July 30 , 2019: Joshua Harris not Christian, federal executions, Pakistani refugee
Tuesday, July 30, 2019:
Here are the latest headlines, brought to you by The Christian Post.
— Joshua Harris no longer a Christian
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Joshua Harris, a former pastor and best-selling author, announced that he has undergone a “massive shift” in regard to his faith in Jesus and is no longer a Christian.
He made the shocking announcement over the weekend just a week after he said he and his wife were separating.
Harris is the author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye and the former pastor of Covenant Life Church in Maryland. The church’s interim pastor, Kevin Rogers, released a statement, saying the news is hard to hear and hits home personally.
— Conservatives respond to resuming of federal executions
Conservative and religious groups are speaking out against the recent decision by the U. S. Department of Justice to resume federal executions.
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has scheduled the executions of five death-row inmates, the first of which will take place on Dec. 9. The last federal execution took place in 2003.
Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty argued that capital punishment goes against the principles of valuing life. Also denouncing the move, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops urged federal officials to show God’s love.
— Pakistani refugee in hiding calls for help
A Pakistani Christian refugee accused of blasphemy is facing renewed death threats after his location in Thailand was revealed on social media this month.
Faraz Pervaiz is calling on the United Nations, the United States and other foreign countries to help him and his family resettle in a safe place as he faces death threats.
Pervaiz fled Pakistan in 2014 after Muslim radicals became enraged by videos he and his father posted online criticizing the Pakistani government and Islamic teachings. Muslim radicals have placed a bounty on his head.
— British police to pay street preacher for wrongful arrest, taking Bible
British authorities have agreed to pay a 64-year-old Nigerian street preacher around $3,000 after wrongfully arresting him and confiscating his Bible earlier this year.
Oluwole Ilesanmi was arrested while preaching in February in London after someone called the police accusing him of engaging in hate speech, which in the United Kingdom can be considered a crime.
Scotland Yard agreed to compensate him for the treatment he received.
He said, “When I came to the UK it was a free Christian country, but now preachers like me are being arrested for speaking the truth. Christians and freedom of speech must be protected, especially by the government and police.”
— Most Americans don’t consult clergy on major decisions
A recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that three-quarters of Americans rarely or never consult a faith leader when making a major decision.
Those most likely to seek counsel from a faith leader are evangelical Protestants.
Tim O’Malley, theology professor at Notre Dame University, believes technology has led to this trend, with people more likely to search for answers on Google.
