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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - AUGUST 28, 2024
In this week's Intersect, read about:
RFK Jr. Suspends His Presidential Bid and Backs Donald Trump Before Appearing with Him at His Rally
“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suspended his independent campaign for the White House and endorsed Donald Trump on Friday, a late-stage shakeup of the race that could give the former president a modest boost from Kennedy’s supporters. Hours later, Kennedy joined Trump onstage at an Arizona rally, where the crowd burst into ‘Bobby!’ cheers.” read more at the Associated Press
THINK.
- Will this impact the Trump/Harris poll numbers? In a July AP poll, Kennedy supporters were more likely to support Trump over Harris, indicating that Kennedy supporters might heed RFK Jr’s endorsement and turn out for Trump come November. But no one really knows which way the supporters will go because while Kennedy and Trump are aligned in some areas, they also differ greatly on policies such as climate and abortion.
- While Kennedy listed several reasons for suspending his campaign and throwing his support behind Trump, America’s health crisis was the primary issue. In his televised address, Kennedy said, “We spend more on health care than any country on Earth, twice what they pay in Europe, and yet we have the worst health outcomes of any nation in the world… Nobody has a chronic disease burden like we have.”
- America has largely failed to address the root causes of the many health concerns plaguing our citizens for decades, and Kennedy’s withdrawal is an incredible opportunity to highlight this dire issue. As Christians, we know that God is glorified in both the physical and spiritual (1 Cor. 10:31, 1 Tim. 4:8). Our bodies are of such worth that for believers in Christ, they are “a temple of the Holy Spirit” and we are instructed to “glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20) While our nation’s spiritual state is paramount, our physical ailments should concern us as well.
PRAY.
As we near November 5th, ask the Lord to give you wisdom as you evaluate the issues and candidates. Pray that God would cover this land with His peace as society becomes increasingly polarized.
ACT.
We are just over two months away from this year’s election, and it is officially time to make a plan to vote. Check your registration deadlines, locate your polling place, and so much more by using our My Voter Hub resource.
Justices Allow Arizona to Enforce Proof-of-Citizenship Law for 2024 Voter Registration
“A divided Supreme Court on Thursday afternoon granted a request from the Republican National Committee and the Republican leaders of Arizona’s legislature to reinstate a state law that requires residents to provide proof of citizenship to register to vote using a form provided by the state. The court turned down a request, however, to reinstate the portion of the same law that would bar voters who register using a standard federal form from voting for president or by mail unless they provide proof of citizenship.” read more at SCOTUSblog
THINK.
- The case brings up important questions like, what constitutional authority is given to the federal government versus the state? The Washington Stand explained what the court’s “mixed decision” means practically. While the case proceeds, they wrote, “Arizona can continue requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration in most cases, although further efforts by the state to bar non-citizens from voting have been temporarily put on hold.”
- Is non-citizen voting something we should be concerned about? We wrote two weeks ago about how Virginia found over 6,000 registered voters who were not citizens, removing them from the voter rolls. The Heritage Foundation has documented instances of non-citizens voting, and Just Facts estimates that 10% to 27% of non-citizen adults are illegally registered to vote. Mainstream media outlets, however, cast doubt on the frequency of non-citizen voting.
- However big the problem is, what should we be doing? The answer is surprisingly simple: vote. How can we believe that voting is so precious as to only be reserved for citizens . . . and then fail to vote ourselves? In fact, eight states this November are voting to amend their constitutions to clarify that only citizens can vote. Are you prepared to exercise the incredible blessing of promoting good and lessening evil through your vote?
PRAY.
Pray for election integrity with our prayer guide. Lord, we pray that those involved in the electoral process would not be drawn into evil or take part in evil deeds. Let integrity and uprightness guide those overseeing our elections, that they would follow the laws. Let any unfaithful officials be exposed for their duplicity, and may You be glorified by a true outcome.
ACT.
We need honest and diligent election workers to help make sure the process is accurate, efficient, and fair. That could be you! If you are interested in being an election worker this November, learn more here: Be a Poll Worker.
Court Rules in Favor of Christian Teacher Forced to Use Trans Pronouns
“A federal court ruled last week that an Ohio school district violated the First Amendment rights of a Christian teacher, which experts are hailing as a victory for free speech and religious liberty…. According to district court Judge Pamela Barker, the Jackson Local School District ‘compelled Geraghty to use the students’ preferred names and pronouns.’ In doing so, they forced the teacher ‘to utter what was not in her mind about a question of political and religious significance.’” read more at The Washington Stand
THINK.
- Religious freedom is a large part of what makes America so special. It is nothing short of remarkable that people of all religions, all fields of thought, and all worldviews are allowed to worship, study, and live freely within the borders of one nation. But sadly, this remarkable and unique freedom is under attack by those who wish to forcibly conform others to their systems of belief. In Ohio, a federal judge pushed back, and we must all pray that more continue to do so.
- Maintaining religious freedom and free speech is especially important when it comes to education. While adults may be able to resist the attempts of those who wish to force a change of heart—as this Ohio teacher did—our students are far less equipped. Not only are students more impressionable at a young age, but in their short lives, they have not had the time to completely analyze and logically form their own conclusions about the world. That’s why our schools and policies must protect their young minds, counseling them to think things through rather than forcing them to make drastic decisions speedily.
- According to Family Research Council’s David Closson, our children spend approximately 16,000 hours at school from kindergarten through 12th grade. So yes, we need to stop the education system from poisoning the minds of our children. But we also need to take even more initiative to teach them the proper foundations and principles at home so that they are armed for battle when they go to school and ultimately go out on their own after graduation (Proverbs 22:6).
PRAY.
As children go back to school across the country, consider using My Faith Votes’ School Prayer Walk guide to lead a prayer walk on the campuses near you.
ACT.
My Faith Votes sat down with David Closson of Family Research Council last year to discuss how we got to the place we're at with gender confusion, what the Bible says about gender, and what the church can do to combat this going forward. You can watch our full conversation with David here.
Voters in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota to Decide on Marijuana Legalization Initiatives in November
“Voters in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota will decide on ballot initiatives to legalize recreational marijuana in November. Currently, 24 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized the possession of marijuana for recreational use …. There have been a total of 29 ballot measures proposing legalization of recreational marijuana use. Voters approved 16, but a court overturned one in South Dakota. The other 13 were defeated.” read more at Ballotpedia News
THINK.
- Currently, recreational marijuana is legal in 24 states plus the District of Columbia. Some states legalized it through a law passed by the state legislature. Others legalized it through a direct decision of the voters by a ballot measure like the ones voters in FL, ND, and SD will face. Our country is split on whether to legalize this drug for non-medicinal purposes. Many Americans are coming to believe that something we once thought was morally wrong is now right. But there’s also a real conflict in our cultural attitudes, as 13 states so far have defeated legalization efforts.
- What has legalization done? A recent study, reported by WORLD, found that drug use often paralleled U.S. policies toward that drug. The more legal a drug became, the more people used it. The less legal it became, the less people used it. Marijuana use has increased since 1992. In 2022, more people used cannabis daily than drank alcohol.
- How has this impacted our communities? The domino effect of marijuana use is sobering. Addiction, impaired brain health in young users, and an increased risk of traffic accidents are just some of the consequences. Cannabis use can also result in psychosis, depression, and suicidal ideation. We know using a drug simply to achieve a mind or conscious-altering experience is sinful, but you don’t have to be a Christian to recognize its harm. As My Faith Votes has said in the past, if we don’t stop the progression of allowing, decriminalizing, and embracing the legalization of marijuana now, we must be prepared to face the disastrous outcomes that are sure to come to society.
PRAY.
Heavenly Father, You’ve said that “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor. 3:17) Help us to proclaim and live the reality that true freedom is being filled with Your Spirit rather than enslaved to substances. (Eph. 5:18) Give Your people conviction to vote for what is best for Your image-bearers.
ACT.
Have you taken our Pledge to Vote? Have your friends? With so much at stake, we want to be intentional about fulfilling our duty to vote. Send the pledge to a like-minded friend today!
My Faith Votes— is a ministry that motivates, equips, and activates Christians in America to vote in every election, transforming our communities and influencing our nation with biblical truth. An estimated 25 million Christians who are registered to vote, fail to vote in presidential elections. My Faith Votes is on a mission to change this statistic by helping Christians act on their faith and vote in every election. When we pray unceasingly for our nation, think biblically about the issues, and vote consistently in every election the impact of Christians taking action from the local to the state and federal level will be unprecedented.
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