RELIGION HEADLINES

[[{“value”:”

(SRN NEWS) – Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Junior has signed a law that will expand Muslim courts in the country.  Christians are expressing concern about the expansion of Sharia Law in the Philippines where the vast majority of the population is Christian.  One pastor in Cebu (say-boo) City tells International Christian Concern “We respect the need for Islamic law for our Muslim brothers and sisters, but we also need to ensure that this does not create a legal divide or cause misunderstanding between communities of different faiths.”  Meanwhile, Muslim terrorism is on the increase in the Philippines and in other parts of Asia.

Police have arrested a man in Maryland for attacking Jewish people outside a synagogue.  The man is accused of hitting people with a large wooden stick as they were leaving the Silver Spring Jewish Center in Kemp Mill.  There is a large Jewish population in surrounding Montgomery County, and some are questioning whether they are safe.  Anti-Semitism is on the rise around the world and the U.S. has not been spared.  Things have gotten worse since last year’s attack by Hamas on Israel which sparked the on-going war in Gaza.  A growing number of American Jews say they don’t feel safe in their communities.

With Florida and the Southeast reeling from two massive hurricanes in less than a month, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is putting out a call for more volunteers.  Baptist Press reports that calls for more volunteers are coming from Florida, Tennessee and South Carolina amongst other states.  That has resulted in more disaster relief training classes in Southern Baptist churches all across the region.  In 2005, when Hurricane Katrina smashed New Orleans, tens-of-thousands of Baptists volunteered to help with relief and SBC organizers say they expect to see a similar phenomenon in the wake of the latest storms.

Florida’s health department is threatening to sue TV stations over an ad that urges voters to approve a ballot measure that would enshrine abortion in the state constitution.  The department says the ad includes false information and could confuse voters.  Separately, the Florida Office of Election Crimes and Security has issued a report indicating that a large number of forged signatures or fraudulent petitions were submitted to get the abortion question on the ballot.  At least 60 percent of voters will have to cast their ballots for the amendment if it is to pass.

Brought to you by www.srnnews.com“}]]