SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY MAY 28th, 2023

SC State Legislature passes six week abortion ban
The South Carolina State Congress has passed a new law restricting abortions to six weeks. State law previously restricted abortions from 22 weeks to an almost total ban in the state.
The previous law was overturned by the state’s supreme court. This new law will again ban abortion in the state to six weeks after conception. It would allow up to 12 weeks in cases of rape, incest, and medical emergencies. Governor Henry McMaster has signed the bill into law as promised; it is expected to be challenged again in the court system. South Carolina is just one of several states that have restricted abortions since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the US Supreme Court. North Carolina also recently approved a restriction on abortions in the state to 12 weeks.

NC Governor declares S.O.E. over new school choice bill up for vote
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has declared a state of emergency. The controversial move according to critics, was taken to prevent a new North Carolina school choice bill from being passed. Cooper said of his decision, “It’s time to declare a state of emergency for public education in North Carolina. There’s no executive order like with a hurricane or the pandemic, but no less important.”  Critics say the governor is a hypocrite attempting to restrict school choice for middle- and lower-income families. One critic pointed out Governor Cooper is trying to ban better school options for others while his daughter attends private school. The bill which is currently before North Carolina’s State Legislature, would allow more promotion of school choice, expands the program financially to 400 million, and would be open to families of all incomes. Cooper claims the bill will seriously cut funding to public schools. Supporters claim parents deserve to give their children the best opportunities whether it’s in the public or private school system.

Retail Giant goes “woke” receives backlash from conservatives
Retail company Target is at the center of another controversy. The company which has expressed pro-LGBT leanings for several years has sparked boycotts from conservatives. The company has now launched pro-LGBT clothing for children and infants called PRIDE kids and baby clothing. Critics expressed their outrage over the line calling it a clear attempt at grooming children. Phrases on the clothing include, “Be Kind, Always Proud, It Takes all Kinds, Just be you and feel the love.”  One of the groups protesting the line is an organization called Gays against Grooming. The organization says the children’s clothing line at Target is a form of indoctrination and grooming by using the LGBT ideology. This group along with conservatives are calling for a boycott against Target. The controversial line also includes swimwear and clothing for women that can be worn by men, with featured adjustments for trans and gender fluid customers. Following the controversy Target has now removed the line from the front of its stores. According to reports they have ordered stores to move the Pride clothing items further back from the more prominent display areas in stores. The CEO of Target claims the items were removed from a more prominent display due to threats by conservatives. Critics say the campaign is a part of pleasing the liberal left. Critics are also encouraging a nationwide economic boycott of Target by conservatives. According to business analysts Target has lost a value of 9 billion dollars in just a week from protests so far.

SNBC Health Report: The importance of health and faith
A recent poll and study confirmed the importance of faith to Christians in America. 99 percent of those surveyed agreed that their faith, prayer and studying scriptures benefits their mental health. The survey study was released this year by Grey Matter Research and Infinity Concepts. Researchers found most Evangelical Christians surveyed, strongly believe in the connection of mental and physical health. A 2020 study released by Stanford University compared prayer to “ a form of cognitive behavioral therapy”. The study also noted people who practice religion want to make positive changes. A new similar study was released this year from the US Surgeon General’s office. The study finds a rise in mental health issues mainly in the areas of loneliness and isolation starting in 2020.  The same survey found 47 percent of Americans do not belong to a church or religious institution. Experts in the secular and Christian fields commented on the correlation between the absence of faith and a rise in mental health issues here in the US.

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY MAY 21st, 2023

FDA orders release of COVID shot study on the human body
A federal judge in Texas has ordered the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make public the data it relied on to license COVID-19 vaccines at an accelerated rate, requiring all documents to be made public by mid-2025 rather than, as the FDA wanted, over the course of about 23.5 years. In a May 9th decision hailed as a win for transparency by the lawyer representing the plaintiffs (the parents of a child injured by a COVID-19 vaccine) in a lawsuit against the FDA, the agency was ordered to produce the data on Moderna’s vaccine for adults and Pfizer’s for children about 10 times faster than the agency wanted. “Democracy dies behind closed doors,” is how U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman opened his order, which requires the FDA to produce the data on Moderna’s and Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccines at an average rate of at least 180,000 pages per month.  Aaron Siri of Siri & Glimstad, who represents the plaintiffs in this legal action, called the decision “another blow for transparency and accountability” that builds on an earlier court order targeting Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine data for those aged 16 and older. The FDA had argued it would be “impractical” to release the estimated 4.8 million pages at more than between 1,000 and 16,000 pages per month, which would have taken at least 23.5 years. The new order forced the FDA to produce all its data for those aged 16 and older at a rate of 55,000 pages per month, much faster than the 75 years the agency had sought.  The latest order requires the FDA to produce all of its data on Pfizer’s COVID-19 for 12- to 15-year-olds (and Moderna’s product for adults) by June 31, 2025.

SNBC NEWS UPDATE: NC Congress overrides Governor’s veto to approve abortion law
SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE has an important update of Governor Roy Cooper’s veto last week of the Care for Women, Children and Families Act. The North Carolina House has followed the State Senate and voted to override Governor Cooper’s veto of this legislation banning abortions after 12 weeks except in cases of rape, incest, and medical emergencies. This pro-woman legislation has $160 million in funding to help pregnant mothers, including $75 million for childcare, $59 million for foster care, kinship care and children’s homes, $16 million to reduce infant and maternal mortality, and $3 million to help mothers’ complete college. After over an hour of debate the Senate passed the override with a 30-20 vote and the House by 72-48 to override this veto. Previously, the state banned abortion after 20 weeks. The new law is scheduled to take effect July 1st.

Nation of Israel agrees to ceasefire with terrorist group
The nation of Israel has agreed to a tentative ceasefire in the most recent conflict with Palestinian terrorists. The terrorist group, Islamic Jihad, reportedly fired over one thousand rockets into Israel. The Israeli Defense Forces countered, shooting down almost 90 percent of the rockets fired into that nation. The two sides have now agreed to a ceasefire. The agreement was made just days before the nation officially celebrated its 75th anniversary as a modern nation. The event was ignored by the United Nations. The international governing body instead, chose to host a Remembrance Day for Palestinians. The nation of Israel has experienced various issues due to a rise in growing conflict in the nation. The government has experienced protests and demonstrations over attempts to reform the judicial branch of that nation. The nation has also experienced continued criticism and boycotts from pro-Palestinian groups, as well as attacks by terrorists’ groups in the Gaza Strip also known as the West Bank.

SNBC Health Report: Excessive Screen Time Promotes Myopia
Have you ever looked at your child after hours of watching a computer screen or cell phone and notice that “glazed over” look? According to recent research, excessive staring at electronic screens is to blame, as reported by CBC News. “Eye health experts say research now links overuse of computer and smartphone screens to several progressive and often irreversible eye disorders, such as dry eye disease and myopia, at rates not seen before. Over time, staring too long at screens can change the structure of the eyeball and lead to atrophy of the glands that keep it moist. These eye conditions are becoming more common and affect more young people. While myopia or nearsightedness typically has a genetic component, it has been shown to progress faster in people who overuse screens. When the eye is forced to stare at something too close, the brain and eye adjust or ‘accommodate’ to increase close-up vision. And, over time, the squeezing of muscles can change the shape of or elongate the eyeball. This can cause dramatic changes in eye function, especially in a child's eye that's not fully developed.

 Dr. Vivian Hill, a Calgary-based pediatric ophthalmologist and surgeon who chairs the Council on Advocacy of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society said the pandemic was the ‘worst’ thing for myopia, as rates spiked worldwide. She also said she's seeing more cases of crossed eyes and double vision.”

A University of Calgary study found that a child's rapidly developing brain and thirst to learn new things come to a halt when he or she is stuck in front of a digital screen, performing repetitive tasks day after day. Researchers found that those with increased screen times showed poorer performances on developmental testing. Hill suggests that children between the ages of 5 and 17 keep their screen time below two hours a day. But it's not enough to cut down on children’s screen time. Replace it with learning opportunities like reading a book, teaching a new skill, or even showing them how to serve in their community. And then, there’s fresh air and sunshine. Spending time outdoors is protective for your children. It means a lot to a child's growth to spend face-to-face time with parents.

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY MAY 14th, 2023

NC passes abortion bill banning abortion to 12 weeks
North Carolina representatives have passed a bill banning abortion after 12 weeks. The bill is expected to pass both Houses of the North Carolina Congress along party lines. Governor Roy Cooper has vowed to veto the bill. This threat may not be as intimidating as the governor believes; with a super majority the State congress is expected to override Cooper’s veto. Critics claim the bill further restricts the rights of mothers in the state of North Carolina. The bill will also require consultation with a doctor in person instead of the option of consultations over the phone. It will also provide more funding for childcare and paid leave for government employees and teachers following the birth of a child. State law previously restricted abortions to 20 weeks. Protestors who gathered in front of the state capital building to protest called the new law an infringement on women’s rights.

Dept. of Navy debuts sailor’s drag queen persona as part of recruitment efforts
The US Department of the Navy has launched a new campaign to recruit members to its branch.
Their latest initiative involves a digital ambassador by the name of Harpy Daniels. This name is the drag queen persona of a member of the Navy named Joshua Kelley. Kelley debuted the recruiting video on social media claiming he has shared being a drag queen and has performed for his fellow sailors. According to government officials there have also been drag queen story hours held on military bases without the knowledge of military officials. Critics including conservative politicians and former service members criticized this new digital initiative. Dan Crenshaw, a congressman, and former Navy Seal called the new ambassador campaign, “a perceived politicizing of the military”. Crenshaw blamed these kinds of woke campaigns as the reason for a drop in recruitment throughout all branches of the armed forces. Another military veteran Graham Allen commented that the enemies of the US are, “laughing at us”. The armed forces report that for the second year in a row recruitment is at a historic low across all branches; critics blame COVID shot mandates and woke agendas for the drop in recruitment numbers.

Annual National Day of Prayer held in the US
Conservatives and leaders of faith celebrated the national day of prayer. The annual event has been nationally observed by the US since 1952. This annual day is a time set aside for prayer for the nation. This year’s theme was based on James 5:16 which reads, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Members of the faith community and conservatives around the nation observed the day, taking to social media. Several released statements about the history and the importance of continued prayer for our nation. Congresswoman Kat Cammack called for unity and prayer for comfort and strengthen for the nation and its citizens.  Rev. Franklin Graham released a statement calling for prayer and asked followers to pray for members of the government at the national and state levels. Graham also encouraged followers to make prayer a priority as the Bible instructs. The National Day of Prayer has been recognized by the nation since 1952, but its origins can be traced back as far as the foundation of the Continental Congress, which observed a day of prayer and fasting yearly starting in 1775 until the group dissolved in the 1780s.

SNBC Health Report: researchers believe they have found proof that too much TV has an effect on the human brain
According to the study published in Harvard Health Publishing there is evidence of cognitive changes when watching too much TV. The study was published mainly on dementia. The research followed in one study followed under 500 participants. The researchers did include previous studies from 2005 and 2018 both of which concluded that over 3 hours of TV does have a negative effect on the brain. According to the author of the study, Dr. Andrew Budson, the Harvard study simply confirms the previous studies’ findings.  The research also referenced a British study conducted last year. The study by UK Biobank followed over 100-thousand participants and found a 24 percent increase in those who developed a risk of dementia from watching more than four hours of TV daily. The participants were compared to those who spent extended periods of time on a computer.  Dr. Budson concluded the article by advising those who watch more than one hour of TV per day to trade off this activity by doing physical exercise, using the computer, listening to music, doing a crossword puzzle or some kind of activity that challenges the brain.

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY MAY 7th, 2023

Churches continue attempts to separate from National Methodist organization
The separation of conservative churches from the now more liberal Methodist church continues to be determined through lawsuits. A Florida circuit court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by churches in Florida and Pennsylvania. The lawsuit was part of an attempt to have the churches officially separated quickly from the national Methodist organization. The justice in the case says he has no right to rule in the case because the court has no jurisdiction. The justice did leave the opportunity for appeals by the Plaintiffs in the case. The church recently faced a lawsuit from over 30 churches here in North Carolina; that case was also dismissed by justices. The lawsuits against the national Methodist Church organization span across the US as several conservative churches are suing to distance themselves from the group. Methodist churches across the US are attempting to leave the organization quickly; the national organization claims they need to delay the process for at least the next year as they sort out property and final legal matters to formally separate the churches leaving the organization.

US Speaker of House visits Israel / addresses Israeli government
US Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy addresses Israel’s Parliament this week. This is the first time in 25 years that the US Speaker of the House has spoken at the Knesset. McCarthy spoke on the deep ties between the US and Israel. The speech came just days after the 75th anniversary of Israel as a modern nation. McCarthy spoke about continued unity and solidarity with Israel. The speaker also spoke on the need for taking a stand against Iran. McCarthy later expressed frustration over the estranged relationship between the Biden Administration and Israel’s government. The Biden Administration has not extended an invitation to Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Washington. McCarthy say he will extend the invitation to the US Capitol the Prime Minister is not invited to Washington soon. Tension between the US and Israel has continued following the breakdown of peace negotiations. The current administration is pushing for more leniency against Iran. Israeli officials have refused to agree to these demands.

Student organizes Christian event at University of Oklahoma
A student in Oklahoma says he followed the voice of the Lord leading to a major outpouring of His spirit. Joshua Robinson, a senior at the University of Oklahoma says he simply asked God to use him in the next stage of his life after graduation. This prayer led to an event called, “Fill the Stadium”. The event was a service held on Saturday at the University of Oklahoma’s football stadium and featured worship, ministry, and prayer during the day’s events. Organizers for the event did not give numbers concerning those who may have been prayed for or accepted Christ. The event did fill the stadium attracting 60-thousand participants. The group says they plan on creating a follow-up website to continue helping college students spread the gospel on their college campuses.

SNBC Health Report: How dental health can affect your heart
According to researchers’ dental health in particular flossing can have benefits for your heart. According to research by Dr. Sasha Ross for Cleveland Clinic it is important to consider dental health as a part of our overall health regimen. Dr. Ross says gum disease caused by not properly caring for dental health can contribute to various issues. Research shows the gum disease can lead to inflammation and bacteria which can directly affect the heart. Dr. Ross claims patients who have periodontal disease issues have a greater risk of heart disease. According to the CDC 43 percent of adults aged 30 and older have some type of gum disease. Flossing is also important because it helps keep minimize such as bleeding, swollen gums, and plaque buildup.  Doctors advise the use of special brushes, a water pick, or dental floss in addition to brushing as a part of a consistent dental health regimen.

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY APRIL 30th, 2023

US House passes bill protecting biological women’s sports
US House of Representatives has passed a bill to protect the rights of biological female athletes. The bill would prohibit biological men from competing against females in various sport competitions. The bill will go before the US Senate but is expected to fail or be an uphill battle to get passed. If it does pass, the Biden Administration has vowed to veto the bill. Representatives supporting the bill say that women deserve fairness and safety in women’s sports nationwide. Critics claim the bill is restrictive and shows prejudice against a specific group. A recent poll sponsored by The Washington Post and the University of Maryland finds 55 percent of Americans oppose trans athletes in women’s high school competitive sports. 58 percent opposed trans athletes in women’s collegiate and professional sports.

Members of US Air Force protection extended by justices over COVID shot lawsuit
Good news tonight for members of the US Air Force. A US Court of Appeals has upheld an injunction protecting servicemen in that branch. The protection prevented members of the Air Force from being disciplined or discharged if they refused to take the COVID-19 shot. Attorneys for members of the Air Force petitioned the court to dismiss the protective order after the Biden Administration rescinded the COVID mandate order for all members of the US military. More than 10-thousand servicemen are protected under this order. Attorneys for the group filed a lawsuit, requesting exemption due to their religious beliefs. Members of the justice panel in the case said in a review they saw no reason to lift the order just because the mandate had been rescinded. Members of the US Armed Forces filed lawsuits citing religious beliefs during COVID Shot mandates. The Department of Defense has reported a decrease in recruitment numbers across all branches. Some critics believe the low numbers were due in part to shot mandates and more liberal policies introduced to the military by the current administration.

SNBC NEWS PARENT ALERT: UN affiliated organization pushes for consensual relationships with children under 18 (the following story is not appropriate for young children)
The UN is now backtracking after a controversial report was recently released. Critics call the report another step towards condoning pedophilia. The report was released by a group associated with the UN; The International Committee of Jurists also known as the ICJ. The report lays out some liberal beliefs including the idea that children under the age of 18 should be allowed to participate in sexual activity with an adult. (The full paragraph is listed below). The statement says in part…” Moreover, sexual conduct involving persons below the domestically prescribed minimum age of consent to sex may be consensual, in fact, if not in law. In this context, the enforcement of criminal law should reflect the rights and capacity of persons under 18 years of age to make decisions about engaging in consensual sexual conduct and their right to be heard in matters concerning them…”. The report also pushed a strong stance in support of LGBT issues and abortion worldwide. It received swift backlash as people expressed outrage over the report. Peter Partoll, writer for the Western Journal, wrote in his op-ed on the report, "If the United Nations is linked to a group trying to legitimize sexual relations with minors, as well as advance the trans agenda and abortion, it again raises the question of whether the United States should continue to be involved with the U.N." Partoll further commented in the article calling for the US to consider leaving the UN, especially if it continues to push a left leaning, liberal agenda. Representatives from the ICJ and the UN claim the report has been misinterpreted. Both organizations claim they condemn child sexual abuse and support protecting children.  (Due to the controversy the ICJ and the UN have vehemently denied the accusations)

 (Article portion is courtesy of CBN NEWS. The following part is from the article and lists the report verbatim from the UN report)
”The shocking details were only recently discovered deep inside the report that had been released on International Women's Day in March. The 32-page report calls for all types of offenses to be decriminalized, claiming that keeping these moral issues as crimes is an attack on human rights. On page 22, the report said:

"With respect to the enforcement of criminal law, any prescribed minimum age of consent to sex must be applied in a non-discriminatory manner. Enforcement may not be linked to the sex/gender of participants or age of consent to marriage. Moreover, sexual conduct involving persons below the domestically prescribed minimum age of consent to sex may be consensual, in fact, if not in law. In this context, the enforcement of criminal law should reflect the rights and capacity of persons under 18 years of age to make decisions about engaging in consensual sexual conduct and their right to be heard in matters concerning them. "Pursuant to their evolving capacities and progressive autonomy, persons under 18 years of age should participate in decisions affecting them, with due regard to their age, maturity and best interests, and with specific attention to non-discrimination guarantees."

The ICJ also argued against any restrictions on LGBT and trans "rights" in several countries, stating: "No one may be held criminally liable for conduct or status based on their gender identity or gender expression. This includes gender identities and forms of gender expression that are perceived not to conform to societal expectations or norms relating to gender roles, the sex assigned to a person at birth or a male-female binary, among others."

In addition, the ICJ says all laws forbidding "sex work", also known as prostitution, should be changed. Critics say "sex work" often involves sex trafficking in which the victims are abused and deceived into believing they're performing "work."

SNBC Health Report: how broccoli promotes gut health
According to a report released this year cruciferous vegetables, in particular broccoli, may assist in protecting the body’s gastrointestinal tract. The report was recently published in Laboratory Investigation by Penn State University. Researchers in the study found nutrients in broccoli protect the lining of the gut. This is beneficial to the body’s immune system. This protection helps fight against issues such as leaky gut syndrome and may help with antibiotic resistance. Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable and also has a number of other health benefits. The vegetable helps lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, promotes liver function, and fights against inflammatory issues such as Crohn’s disease. Broccoli is also beneficial to fighting against allergies, and symptoms of asthma.