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WEEKLY NEWS SUMMARY - DECEMBER 11, 2024
In this week's Intersect, read about:
What’s At Stake for America in Syria After Bashar Al-Assad
“Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s murderer-in-chief, has fled to Moscow. The people are celebrating, tearing down posters of Assad and statues of his equally vicious father, who founded the regime. But the driving force behind these changes is a terrorist organization, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, that is the offspring of a complicated relationship between al Qaeda and the Islamic State.” Read more at New York Post
THINK.
- Who are the rebels? Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is a Sunni Islamist group whose founder and current leader has ties to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq. In 2018, HTS was designated as a terrorist organization by both the United States and the United Kingdom for its jihadist ideology.
- Understandably, Syrians are largely thrilled about the end of the Assad family’s nearly five-decade reign which was marked by gross human rights violations and widespread persecution. However, others are meeting the new regime with skepticism, wondering if HTS will fail to live up to its promises like the Taliban in Afghanistan.
- Many Syrian Christians have fled or attempted to escape the region, despite HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani’s assurances of “religious diversity” in Syria. HTS’s connections to the Islamic State, whose deep-seated hostility toward Christians is undeniable, raise significant concerns about the future.
- Why should Americans care? Instability in Syria opens the door for terrorist organizations operating in neighboring nations to gain a stronger foothold in the Middle East. Moreover, Syria’s proximity to Israel heightens tensions in an already volatile area.
PRAY.
Lord, we lift our Christian brothers and sisters in Syria to You and ask that You protect them as they worship and serve You. Please empower them to be bold in the face of opposition. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
ACT.
There are many differing opinions on the conflict in Syria, and the degree to which the United States should get involved. With so many perspectives, it can be challenging to navigate the noise and find clarity. To help you cut through the confusion, explore My Faith Votes’ article, 11 Tips for Discerning the News.
GOP Senator Introduces 'STOP Act' To Ban Trans Procedures for Minors, Fine Doctors Up To $100K
“Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., recently introduced a bill in Congress that would outlaw trans procedures for minors and punish the doctors who perform them with civil penalties of up to $100,000.” Read more at The Christian Post
THINK.
- According to the bill, any person or healthcare professional who "knowingly perform[s], attempt[s] to perform, conspire[s] to perform, or provide[s] a referral for any gender transition procedure on a minor,” will face civil penalties. Additionally, the bill opens the door for minors who regret transitioning to sue the medical professionals complicit in their transition, even if their regret takes years to surface.
- In his press release, Senator Marshall—a doctor himself—said, “Americans resoundingly rejected the Left's dangerous transgender agenda. Let's call it exactly what it is: child abuse. The days of demented doctors and activists getting rich off of mutilating, sterilizing, and castrating children are over.”
- The Safeguarding the Overall Protection (STOP) of Minors Act emerges as the Supreme Court continues deliberating a case concerning Tennessee’s ban on transgender procedures for minors. A decision on that case is anticipated as early as spring 2025. Meanwhile—just this week—the Court rejected an appeal challenging a school’s transgender policy. By not reviewing the case, the school’s policy to withhold information about a student’s transgender identity from their parents stands.
PRAY.
Lord, thank You for Senator Marshall and his desire to protect innocent children from the dangerous transgender ideology and procedures. Please intervene in the hearts and minds of all our elected officials, that they might look for ways to protect our children as well. Amen.
ACT.
Is your school district pushing harmful LGBTQ ideology on its students? To diagnose and treat the problem, download My Faith Votes’ LGBTQ School Assessment here. It’s time to stand up for our children and put a stop to the dissemination of the radical, LGBTQ ideology.
Trump Says He Will End Birthright Citizenship
“President-elect Donald Trump said he still plans to end birthright citizenship in the United States on day one — but was unable to provide insight into how he would go around the 14th Amendment. ‘We’re going to have to get it changed. We’ll maybe have to go back to the people,’ Trump said in an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker on that aired Sunday on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press.’ ‘But we have to end it.’” Read more at Politico
THINK.
- Birthright citizenship is the principle that grants automatic citizenship to individuals born within a country’s territory, regardless of their parents’ nationality or immigration status. While over 30 countries worldwide offer some form of birthright citizenship, the majority are in the Americas, making it a relatively uncommon policy globally. President-elect Trump referenced this in his Meet the Press interview saying, “The United States is among the only countries in the world that says even if neither parent is a citizen or even lawfully in the country, their future children are automatic citizens the moment the parents trespass onto our soil.”
- In the United States, birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution which states, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.” Given this, it is likely that any action taken to end birthright citizenship will be tied up in court for quite some time.
- The President-elect has also indicated that he is thinking through how best to treat the illegal immigrants who were brought to the United States as minors: “Dreamers are going to come later, and we have to do something about the Dreamers, because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age, and many of these are middle-aged people now, they don't even speak the language of their country, and yes, we're going to do something about them.”
PRAY.
Ask the Lord to give the President-elect and all other elected officials wisdom as they seek bipartisan solutions to the immigration crisis. Pray for the safety of our border patrol and immigration officers who are on the frontlines of this complex issue.
ACT.
Immigration is just one of many complex challenges Christians navigate in today’s world. That’s why My Faith Votes created the Think Biblically video series—to help Christians evaluate culture’s top issues from a biblical perspective. Sign up today by visiting ThinkBiblicallySeries.org.
Vance Tours Helene Damage In North Carolina
“Vice President-elect JD Vance on Friday surveyed damage from Hurricane Helene and talked to first responders in western North Carolina in one of his first public appearances since the November election.” Read more at NewsNation
THINK.
- It’s been several months since Hurricane Helene ravaged the mountains of North Carolina, killing more than 100 people and leaving over $50 billion of damage in its wake. So many families are still picking up the pieces, slowly rebuilding their homes and businesses. Vice President-elect JD Vance’s message to them was simple: “Certainly when this administration changes hands in the next 45 days, we’re going to do everything that we can to help people rebuild, to get them back on their feet, to bring some commerce back to this area, but, most importantly, to allow people to live in their homes.”
- In October, the North Carolina legislature passed two relief bills to help cover some of the damages from the storm. The first bill allocated $273 million for relief and proposed many changes to the state’s disaster policies. The second bill allocated $604 million more to the relief efforts. While these packages certainly help, it is far from enough. That’s why North Carolina continues to ask the federal government for federal funds.
- In times of crisis, it’s natural to look to the government for solutions, but it’s also an important opportunity for Christians to step up and care for one another. This can take many forms—supporting each other financially, interceding in prayer, or simply being present to listen and provide comfort. By stepping into these roles, we reflect Christ’s love and demonstrate the strength of the body of believers in meeting the needs of those around us.
PRAY.
Lord, we lift all the families and North Carolinians who were impacted by Hurricane Helene to You. Please provide for their financial, physical, and spiritual needs. Please give them the strength and stamina needed to rebuild their homes and communities. May Your love and Your sovereignty be evident to each of them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
ACT.
As the Christmas season approaches, countless people around the world are facing challenges. Samaritan’s Purse is one ministry making a difference through their annual Operation Christmas Child program. This initiative delivers shoeboxes packed with toys and essential items, generously donated by people like you, to children in need across the globe. You can join in bringing joy and hope to a child by signing up to send a shoebox here.
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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