SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY JUNE 18th, 2023

SPLC labels parents’ rights organization “hate group”
The Southern Poverty Law Center has released its annual Hate and Extremism report. The report has gained criticism over the years due to it labeling conservative groups as radical. This year among other groups, the liberal watchdog group has added more controversial picks to its list. Among the over 12-hundred groups labeled a hate group, the SPLC has added Mom’s for Liberty. The group founded two years ago is a group that advocates for the rights of parents concerning the education of students in public schools. The SPLC claims the group is anti-government, and is racist because of claims they  target, blacks, and LGBT groups. The SPLC claims by objecting to “inclusive curriculum” this group is proving its racist motives.  The organization claims peaceful protests by the group and affiliation to the Republican party are also reasons for them being labeled an extremist, far-right group. The co-founders of Moms for Liberty released a statement calling their efforts an attempt to empower parents with children in the public school system. The statement further says, “name-calling parents who want to be a part of their child’s education further exposes what this battle is about…who fundamentally gets to decide what is taught to our kids in school parents or government employees.” Moms for Liberty says they will continue the fight for parental rights regardless of being labeled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Group calls for prayer for Israel
A group recently held a prayer rally for the nation of Israel. The group called for prayer recently during a Global Day of Prayer for Israel and other nations. The group called for an organized  prayer event beginning with a time of fasting. The group then participated with others in a time of prayer for Israel in the city of Jerusalem. The goal according to the group is to have millions of Christians praying for Israel. Christians from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem for the event. Mike Bickle, who organized the event says it’s important for Christians to pray for Israel now more than ever.

 University Softball Team gives God praise for success
Several players on a university softball team used their platform to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The University of Oklahoma women’s softball team won their third national NCAA championship recently on June 8th. The team becomes the second team to win three national titles in a row. Several of the players on the team used the national spotlight to share their faith in Christ. Prior to the win members of the team were asked how they keep their joy during the softball season. Grace Lyons, the team’s captain told reporters that the only way to have joy that doesn’t fade is from the Lord. Lyons told reporters, “Any other type of joy is actually happiness that comes from circumstances and outcomes.” Several of Lyons’ teammates agreed telling reporters their joy on and off the field came from a relationship with Jesus Christ and not because of winning. The team’s head coach, Patty Gasso went on to tell reporters that God spoke to her telling her she was being given this platform to win souls, not to win games. Gasso says once she surrendered her will to the Lord the atmosphere of the team began to change. The Oklahoma Sooners Softball team beat Florida State 3-1 in the College World Series and currently holds a 53-game winning streak, an NCAA record.

SNBC Health Report: researchers warn of sweetener side effects
Researchers believe the byproduct of an artificial sweetener maybe harmful to the human body. Researchers at North Carolina State University are reporting some new information about a popular sweetener. The sugar substitute sucralose, which is found in food products here in the U.S. was recently studied at the college. Researchers found sucralose can cause damage to the body’s DNA and other issues. According to the report, researchers believe the sweetener increases the risk of cancer and may cause leaks in the lining of the intestines. The team researching the sweetener found the leak in this area of the body may lead to long term damage, such as a condition nicknamed leaky gut. This symptom could lead to the sweetener leaking into the bloodstream affecting various parts of the body. Another doctor not associated with this study found sucralose has negative effects on heart, oxygen levels, and can cause an increase of inflammation in the body. One researcher participating in the study commented that he would rather consumers just use sugar instead of sucralose because of the possible health issues over time. There are other options if you want to avoid sugar: agave nectar, honey, molasses, stevia, and date syrup are all forms of natural sweeteners.

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY JUNE 11th, 2023

 Founder of CBN Pat Robertson passes 
CBN Founder Pat Robertson has passed. His passing was announced on the network’s website Thursday June 8th. The network announced that he passed that same morning at his Virginia Beach home. Robertson founded the Christian Broadcasting Network in 1960, with the flagship show, The 700 Club. Robertson said in his autobiography he had plans to be a businessman and had no interest in television, before giving his life to Christ. Following accepting Christ, he says God spoke to him about a television ministry. CBN later expanded to become a prominent Christian television company broadcasting. The network now broadcasts around the world into the homes of millions. Pat Robertson made national headlines for some of his historic interviews including Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, presidents Jimmy Carter, and Ronald Reagan using his platform to bring attention to issues that concerned Christians. Rev. Robertson founded the American Center for Law and Justice, Regent University, Operation Blessing, and was a best-selling author, writing books on various topics. According to those who expressed condolences, Robertson always made sure the Gospel of Jesus Christ was at the forefront of everything he did until his passing.  Pat Robertson, born Marion Gordon Robertson is survived by his children: Tim, Elizabeth, Gordon, and Ann, 14 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. His wife of 70 years Adelia “Dede” Robertson passed away in 2022. Pat Robertson was 93 years old. (SNBC NEWS NOTE: The nickname Pat was given to Pat Robertson by an older brother).  

Parent sues after daughter attacked by “trans student” in school restroom
A parent in Oklahoma has filed a lawsuit after the parent says her child was attacked in a school restroom. The child, whose identity is being withheld, was attacked by a male student who was allowed to use the girl’s restroom at the local high school. The student who was 15 says the 17-year-old male who claims to identify as a female had previously threatened the girl and other students. The student was later cornered in the restroom and beaten by that student after he challenged the girl to a fight. The girl suffered injuries including a concussion according to the lawsuit. The parent claims the school did not notify her of the attack. The Edmund Public School part of Independent School district No. 12 has refused to comment on the case citing pending litigation.  Oklahoma state law requires students to use the restroom of the gender listed on their birth certificate. However, high school students in Oklahoma, according to the superintendent, do not require a birth certificate for students to enroll, further adding to the confusion over state laws. Critics say this story is another example of why policies should be clearer to better protect students from liberal agendas. (SNBC NEWS UPDATE: The incident reported on occurred in October of last year. Since that time prior to the parent’s lawsuit, the student who attacked the 15-year-old has been expelled from the high school.)

Nation’s first public funded religious approved in Oklahoma
A second school board in Oklahoma has made history. The Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School board has approved of a charter application for a Catholic school. The St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School would be the first in the nation to be established and receive public funding from its foundation. The virtual school will be run by the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma and will be open to students across that state. The school will be open to students ages kindergarten to 12th grade. The school is expected to attract 400 to 500 students according to reports. Critics claim the school is a clear violation of church and state separation laws in the US. They also claim this school will take away funding from other public schools in Oklahoma.  Supporters say the new school’s approval will give parents another option to give their children a quality education. School choice has been a hot button topic for parents across the U.S. for the past few years. Critics claim school choice vouchers take away from and harm public schools. Parents and supporters claim school choice should be offered so that families of all incomes can get the best education for their children. 

 SNBC Health Report: Staying hydrated during the summer season
Summer officially starts here in the US on June 21st, but the summer heat is already starting to have an impact here in the Charlotte Metro area. One of the best ways to benefit your body in the summer heat wherever you live is to stay hydrated. Water is very important to the human body. According to a study released by the National Institutes of Health 75 percent of American adults are chronically dehydrated. This means the average American adult loses more water than they take in over a long-term period. Staying hydrated is important to regulate body temperature, and organ health. Dehydration can lead to other issues including headaches, irregular heartbeat, and in some cases severe kidney problems. Water should be consumed according to each person’s individual weight and activities throughout the day. The normal advice from doctors is 6 to 8 glasses of water per day. If you exercise on a regular basis or work outside, doctors advise drinking more water to compensate for water loss through sweating. You can also acquire water through water-rich foods as an additional option to stay hydrated. Watermelon, peaches, tomatoes, strawberries, celery, cucumbers, and zucchini are all foods that contain high amounts of water.

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE SUNDAY JUNE 4th, 2023

SNBC NEWS FOR LIFE was canceled due to the SNBC Class Graduation please enjoy these web exclusive until our next broadcast.

BLM announces insolvency
The controversial group Black Lives Matter is reporting a sizeable loss that may cause them to enter bankruptcy proceedings, also referred to as insolvency. The group’s financial reports reveal they are almost 8 million dollars in debt. The organization previously received 90 million dollars in donations following their foundation. The group rose to prominence in 2020 following the death of George Floyd. BLM received attention mainly from leading protests after the death of Floyd and other Black Americans involved in altercations with police. Some of the protests were violent, but the organization maintained the violence was due to frustration by citizens due to injustice. Black Lives Matter was later heavily criticized by the families of some of those deceased, who the organization claimed to be protesting on their behalf. Some of the families claim they never received monetary donations from the organization that they were previously promised.  Adding to the group’s woes internal struggles arose over excessive spending and salaries by leaders, resulting in one BLM branch suing the national organization, accusing leaders of embezzling donations. The group according to the New York post only spent 33 percent of donation dollars on charitable organizations (about 30 million dollars).  The group has also been accused of intentionally ignoring and not offering support for traditional black families, ignoring black on black crime in large cities, such as Chicago, New York City, and the Los Angeles area. They have also been accused of promoting a strong LGBT leaning, and the open persecution of police nationwide. The leaders of the group have denied any charges or embezzlement and claim accusations of any kind against the leaders and the group are forms of racism and bullying.

Exercise helps with pain tolerance
According to a new study regular exercise helps reduce issues with pain. According to a study published in the journal PLOS One regular exercise can help alleviate pain and reduce or eliminate the need for medication. The study following over 10 thousand participants in Norway and found subjects pain tolerance increased with regular exercise. The study also found that pain intolerance did not differ between men and women. A study in 2017 and in 2020 found similar results. In addition to being able to resist or tolerate pain, better exercise benefits the body in various ways. It helps with weight, lowers the risk of cancer, builds strong bones and muscles, and helps with mobility in daily functions.

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.