Christians in India as for prayer as persecution intensifies
Christians in India are requesting prayer from fellow believers following a wave of persecution in that nation. Officials in Northern India are reporting a Christian prayer center was demolished. Officials in the region claim Christians attacked the police and other government officials. The claims resulted in 18 pastors being arrested. Hindu nationalists later tore down the Christian worship facility and its mission center. Officials claim the building was erected illegally. They later charged one of the pastors, his wife and the pastor’s brother with conspiracy in a state accusing them of conspiring against the local government. The church was also charged with building illegally on government land without permission and charged $3,400; the cost the government says to tear down their church and missions’ facility. Christians in the nation of India say this is another form of persecution in an attempt to intimidate Christians. There has been a recent rise in attacks against Christians and other religions in the nation of India by Hindu nationalists. The ideology Hindutva is the belief that Hinduism should be the only faith recognized in India and other beliefs must be “wiped out”. The nation of India has 26 million Christians in that nation about 2.3 percent of the population.
Israel prepares for ground invasion of Gaza Strip
The preparation of a ground offensive by Israel has received protest around the world. Government officials have spoken out asking Israeli officials to stop the ground assault citing the risk to innocent citizens. Instead of attempting to negotiate, the Palestinian Authority released a different response. According to a recent and official document the Palestinian Authority issued a statement calling for the murder of the Jewish people. The document was released in preparation for what Pro-Palestine supporters called a day of Jihad or a Day of Rage around the world. The document called on Islamic leaders to incite violence and murder. The document was published by the Palestinian Ministry of Endowments. It was later exposed by two Jewish organizations. In addition to the document, there is now a rise in Anti-Semitic attacks around the world. Several groups around the world used the day of Jihad to attack Jewish families, synagogues, and other properties. World leaders have continued to condemn these attacks as Israel continues to defend its borders from the terrorist group Hamas.
City of Seattle settles with Christian over religious discrimination
The city of Seattle has settled a case of discrimination involving a former city employee. David Body sued the city after being fired for what he alleged was religious discrimination. Body, who is a Christian says he was discriminated against after he requested an exemption from taking the COVID shot under the city’s mandate. The former employee of the city was denied the request and later fired. Attorneys for the Pacific Justice Institute represented David Body in the case. Attorneys from the organization say they hope this case is a message to other city governments that religious discrimination will not be unchallenged in the courts.
SNBC HEALTH report: researchers look at the effect of ultra-processed foods on the body
According to research the problem with ultra-processed foods goes beyond just consumption. Researchers from the University of Michigan voiced concern about the correlation between highly processed foods and its addictive nature. The research study followed 281 subjects in 36 different countries. 14 percent of adults and 12 percent of children in the study were found to have unhealthy addictions to ultra processed foods according to the study. Conducted using the Yale Food Addition Scale, the group noted the findings were close to the same levels as subjects with alcohol or tobacco addictions. They believe the connection to how fast the food processes in the body is a part of the reason for this kind of dependency developing. The researchers commented ultra-processed foods act almost as a form of dopamine to the brain allowing a kind of high when the food is consumed. The food, however, tends to be high in cholesterol, calories, and empty, but high in carbs. This means the person eating may not get a feeling of being full causing them to overeat. The good news is that according to nutritionists not associated with this study, the key to eating better is mindset. Eating healthier foods, limiting processed foods when possible, and making efforts to change learned behaviors towards food will help combat issues with consuming highly processed foods. We as the Body of Christ also have the most effective weapons to take authority over our bodies; prayer, the Word of God and meditating on scripture.