RELIGION HEADLINES

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(SRN NEWS) – The Nebraska Supreme Court will hear a lawsuit that could keep voters from deciding whether to expand abortion in the state. The court has agreed to expedite a challenge filed by the conservative Thomas More Society. The initiative would enshrine in the state constitution the right to have an abortion until viability or later to protect the health of the pregnant woman. A rival amendment that would make Nebraska’s current 12-week ban on abortion permanent is also slated to appear on the ballot. Voters will consider abortion in at least nine states this fall.

The Supreme Court has rejected Oklahoma’s emergency appeal seeking to restore a 4.5 million dollar grant for family planning services.  It’s part of an ongoing dispute over the state’s refusal to refer pregnant women to a nationwide hotline that provides information about abortion. The brief order does not detail the court’s reasoning, but says Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch would have sided with Oklahoma. The case stems from a dispute over state abortion restrictions and federal grants provided under Title Ten.

Iran’s foreign ministry has summoned the Australian ambassador over the publication of photos from a celebration in the embassy to mark Australia’s LGBT national pride day on September 1st.  The ministry condemned the photos on social media as insulting and contrary to Iranian and Islamic culture. In response, Australian Ambassador Ian McConville said his country had not insulted Iran or its culture. Homosexuality is illegal in Iran, which is governed by a strict interpretation of the Koran.

Modern technology is helping persecuted Christians in many countries.  According to a report by International Christian Concern, digital tech is being wielded by embattled believers for protection and support.  ICC says “In Iran, Christians use Signal to share testimonies on the interactive platform.  In China, where religious activities are tightly monitored, WhatsApp allows for encrypted communication.”  In fact, digital technology is the primary tool Christians are using to get around repressive regimes and spread the gospel despite intense persecution.

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