The Top 5 Plus (November 15)

1) “Twenty Million Dead: The Generation Abortion Stole from America” (John MacGhlionn, American Spectator)

From the article -- Imagine an entire generation, then erase nearly a third of it. That’s not a half-hearted thought experiment. It’s a national crime scene, neatly packaged as progress. 

Recent demographic reports reveal a devastating reality. Nearly 28 percent of Gen Z in America were denied the simple mercy of daylight. Between 1997 and 2011, 19.5 million lives were ended before they began. For every classroom, every cradle, every dinner table, an empty space mourns what never was.

The global context is equally grim. Nearly one in three pregnancies worldwide ends in abortion. In England and Wales, the rate has reached an all-time high. What was once framed as a “rare and tragic choice” has become routine — a conveyor belt of convenience turning human potential into medical waste. What looks like liberation is, in reality, liquidation. 

Our culture — decadent and desensitized — plays a central role. Celebrities now speak of abortion not with grief but with pride, turning tragedy into trend. British pop star Lily Allen — one of the defining names of the 2010s — recently confessed she’d had so many abortions she’d lost count. She said it casually, almost proudly, as though ending life were an act of empowerment. Once, that kind of confession would have shocked a nation. Today, it barely raises an eyebrow. A nation that won’t create life is already courting death.

2) “The Tales We Tell Our Children: How Children’s Literature Shapes a Civilization’s Soul” (Jamie K. Wilson, PJ Media)

From the article -- A young girl stands on a mountain of ice, her dress glittering like the northern lights. The world below has judged her, feared her, told her to hide what makes her different. Then comes the moment every parent remembers: she spreads her arms and sings, “No right, no wrong, no rules for me — I’m free.”

For a decade now, that line from Frozen has echoed in bedrooms and playgrounds, in sequined Elsa dresses and YouTube sing-alongs. It’s more than a song; it’s a creed. Every generation has a fairy tale that defines its moral world. For ours, it’s this one, a story in which isolation becomes empowerment, repression becomes villainy, and liberation means casting off every bond of duty or expectation.

There’s a reason the movie Frozen's iconic song ‘Let It Go’ hit like lightning. It gave girls permission to feel powerful, not weak. After centuries of tales where heroines obeyed, endured, or were saved, Elsa burst from the mold and claimed her own sovereignty. It felt fresh, defiant, modern. And yet, under the shimmer, the story carried a quiet inversion. Where older fairy tales taught that freedom comes through virtue, through courage, mercy, and love, Elsa’s anthem taught that freedom comes from rejecting virtue itself.

The transformation was moral, not musical. A generation earlier, Disney heroines longed to belong. Ariel gave up her voice for love, Belle sacrificed comfort for her father, Cinderella kept faith through humiliation. Elsa breaks the cycle by renouncing belonging. “Conceal, don’t feel” becomes “Feel, don’t kneel.” The dragon has been slain, but so has the idea of obedience.

For the little girls who sang it, this was thrilling. For the culture that raised them, it was revealing. The fairy tale had flipped: no longer a guide for how to master the self, but a hymn to self-sovereignty. And in that shift, an entire moral inheritance melted away.

3) “Maybe Totally Legalizing Vice Was Not Such a Great Idea After All” (Kurt Schlichter, Town Hall)

From the article -- Of course, vice invites corruption, and it’s now publicly infecting sports themselves (it has no doubt infected them for a while, with point shaving, thrown games, and the like). It is also resurrecting the mob – I guess when the FBI was busy hassling moms for being mad about sex offenders in their kids’ locker rooms, the Mafia took advantage of the opportunity. The recent busts will be just the tip of the iceberg. Mark my words and move over, Black Sox – this will be a disaster for professional sports.

Then there’s the vice of dope smoking. We stamped out regular smoking pretty effectively; I freak young people out with tales of the smoking section and theaters where you couldn’t see the screen through the haze of burning tobacco. But somehow pot is different. You walk down any urban street and it’s like a Cypress Hill concert; you’re lucky if you don’t wander off the sidewalk and into traffic from the contact high. Even in the most conservative states, you will find dispensaries passing out supercharged ganja with 10 times the THC of the old skunk weed that stoner guy in your dorm used to fire up. Medicinal my tush; the only things it’s treating are boredom and ambition. Really, the smart play would have been legalizing cocaine, since people would at least be motivated to do something useful, like clean up their condo, sell junk bonds, or greenlight “Caddyshack.” Just what America needed – a drug designed to make our citizens lazier, dumber, and less interesting.

Of course, the urge to effectively legalize things that we suppressed for eons of human history because we’re so much smarter than those ancients doesn’t stop at dice n’ dope. No, they have done it for prostitution, too. Oh, wait – that’s a judgmental word. I mean “sex work,” which we should totally pretend to respect lest we shame the people involved in it. Of course, shame is just what’s needed. You should be ashamed of serious gambling. You should be ashamed of serious dope smoking. And you should be ashamed of selling yourself or others for sex. Sorry/not sorry to get all John Lithgow in the original “Footloose” on you, but just because people want to do bad, harmful things to excess does not mean we should make it easy for them. The wrecked lives of the guys condemned by the Draft Kings testify to that. The dead people killed in DUIs, where the “I” came from cannabis, testify to that. And the women forced to march along dirty urban streets selling themselves to skeevy creeps with the cops forbidden from intervening, as is true in California, testify to that.

4) “The Red-Green Axis, Antisemitism, And Bible Prophecy” (Olivier Melnick, Harbinger's Daily)

From the article -- For a while now, Israel and the Jewish people have been caught in a vise that is increasingly threatening their very existence. That vise is known as the red/green axis. Red being the ever-growing Marxist radical left (Communism on steroids), and Green being radical Islam (Sharia Law). Zohran Mamdani embodies the Red/Green axis all in one person. How such a person can exist, combining two opposite sides of an ideological spectrum, remains a mystery to me. It is highly irrational.

This has all the signs of America being destroyed from within! There is a quote attributed to Abraham Lincoln that says, “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we lose our freedoms it will be because we have destroyed ourselves from within.” While those were not the exact words he uttered, the quote can be thematically connected to Lincoln’s 1838 speech in Springfield Illinois, at the Young Men Lyceum, “At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide.” The point is clear, America’s demise will most likely come from within, and Zohran Mamdani might be the first major step toward that!

Yet, there is a greater danger coming from Mamdani’s policies, and that is his utter disdain for Israel and the Jewish people. How 20-30% of New York Jews would vote for him in the primaries is so irrational. It is evident that Israel and Jewish customs and traditions are playing a very small role, if any, in the fabric of modern American Jewry. They have been slowly replaced by social justice, multiculturalism, and tolerance. The erosion of Jewish loyalty has created a vacuum that people like Mamdani will fill in a heartbeat.

And here are a terrific 16-minute video and
other articles related to the new surge of anti-Semitism. 

First, that excellent, very helpful video primer – “Confronting Conservative Antisemitism” (Victor Davis Hanson, Daily Signal). And then these articles: “The Buchanan Resurrection: The MAGA faction trying to erase Trump” (Lee Smith, Tablet); “The False Prophet of the Digital Right: What Nick Fuentes Really Sells: Conservatism must nurture character, not chaos.” (David Sypher Jr., American Spectator); “‘Utter Stupidity’: Conservatives Appalled by Tucker Carlson’s Latest Target” (Isaac Schorr, Mediaite); and “Europe’s moral collapse and the return of antisemitism: A fusion of woke ideology and Islamist activism has hollowed out Europe’s moral compass -- and Jews are paying the price.” (Fiamma Nirenstein, Jewish News Service)

5) “It’s Impossible To Keep Up With The Fall Of Britain” (John Daniel Davidson, Federalist)

From the article -- This kind of official response belies either astounding incompetence or barely-disguised malice. You would think that confronted with thousands of migrants illegally entering Britain from France every week, the government would rightly conclude that France is allowing migrants to cross the English Channel illegally en masse. You would think there would be repercussions for that. But instead, the British people get farcical statements from their political leaders about how the “one in one out” policy is working, even as the boats stream across the Channel.

Meanwhile, the consequences of unchecked migration and non-assimilation are playing out on the streets of increasingly dangerous British cities. Most of the migrants arriving in Britain are from places like Eritrea, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Somalian — societies that have very different views of civic life and of civilization itself. Most of them are Muslim, and upon their arrival they are absorbed into one of Britain’s many growing unassimilated Muslim communities — in Birmingham, Bedford, and parts of London like Tower Hamlets. These are places that only bear a faint resemblance to what they were 20 years ago thanks to mass immigration.

It has become impossible not to notice the change. Last month in Birmingham (a city that’s now a third Muslim), local authorities announced that fans of Maccabi Tel Aviv would not be allowed to attend the teams’ Europa League match against Aston Villa. The official reason given was that police could not guarantee the safety of the Tel Aviv fans. That was true enough, but the full reason, as everyone knew, is that the city’s Muslim population is both antisemitic and violent, and if Jewish Tel Aviv fans showed up in numbers, they would be attacked by a Muslim mob. (As it happened, a few Jewish fans did show up to protest, and police herded them into a nearby steel-ringed basketball court that protesters referred to as a “Jew cage,” even as Muslim fans roamed around chanting, “death to the IDF,” “Allahu Akbar,” and “from the river to the sea.”)

On top of non-assimilation, there is the issue of migrant crime, which is often directed at white British women. Last month, a 19-year-old asylum-seeker from Sudan named Deng Chol Majek was convicted of murdering 27-year-old Rhiannon Skye Whyte, who worked at the migrant hotel where Majek lived. Majek followed Whyte from the hotel to a bus station, where he stabbed her 23 times with a screwdriver, 19 times in the head. Afterwards he went to buy beer and was later seen dancing with other asylum-seekers in the hotel parking lot.

Other Highly Recommended Articles:

* “Nigerian Senator: Trump Is Right About Jihadist Massacres of Christians” (Frances Martel, Breitbart)

* “Let Us Now Read Famous Books -- And no, watching the miniseries version on BBC doesn't count.” (Jim Tonkowich, The Stream)

* “Trivializing Religion Left Us Unprepared for Political Islam” (Shmuel Klatzkin, American Spectator)

* “Florida Attorney General Sues Planned Parenthood for Claiming Abortion Pill Is ‘Safer than Tylenol’” (Katherine Hamilton, Breitbart)

* “Silent Pulpits, Celebrating Evil, And A New Level Of Delusion: Ten Things I Could Never Have Imagined Seeing In My Lifetime” (Jan Markell, Harbinger's Daily)

The Top 5 Plus (November 8)

1) “The Real Battle for America: After 250 years, America needs the church more than ever” (Jack Hibbs, Decision)

From the article -- When was the last time you truly labored in prayer for this nation? I’m talking about heartfelt, persistent, faith-filled prayer. That’s the kind of prayer God calls us to. We are told in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 to pray “for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” If you want to see change in your country, start on your knees.

Prayer is essential, but it’s not the end of our calling. We are also commanded to take a stand. In Jude 3, we’re urged to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” That word contend means to struggle, to wrestle, to fight for what matters.

We’re not called to hide. We’re not called to blend in. We’re called to speak up, even when it’s unpopular. The early church turned the world upside down, not because they were polite and quiet, but because they were bold and filled with the Spirit of God.

Look at Elijah. He didn’t just pray that his people would follow the Lord. He stood on Mount Carmel and called down fire. He didn’t shrink back from confronting evil. And neither should we.

2) “The Right’s Nick Fuentes Problem -- and Tucker Carlson’s Role in Mainstreaming It” (Tyler Rowley, American Spectator)

From the article -- Shapiro begins by defining what this fight is not about. It is not about free speech, and it is not about “cancellation.” Fuentes has every legal right to speak, he says, and Tucker has every right to interview him. Shapiro stresses that he has opposed de-platforming Fuentes, even though he considers Fuentes “odious and despicable.” Free speech, properly understood, is freedom from government coercion — not a right to be promoted, signal-boosted, and flattered by major conservative platforms.

What this is about, Shapiro argues, is drawing moral lines. Conservatives once understood that refusing to promote certain ideas — Nazism, open racism, calls for political violence — was not “cancellation,” it was sanity. Choosing not to launder those ideas for a mass audience is itself an exercise of free speech and free association.

To make the stakes clear, Shapiro walks through Fuentes’ own words. Fuentes has encouraged followers to “kill, rape and die” for him. He mocks Jim Crow as no big deal, claims white people are “justified” in being racist and avoiding black Americans, celebrates “Hitler Friday,” questions the Holocaust in cute “cookie” analogies, and repeatedly blames “the Jews” for every war and for secretly running the country. He fantasizes about executing “perfidious Jews” and other alleged enemies once his movement “takes power.”

This is not edgy trolling. It is explicit bigotry and totalitarian fantasizing, wrapped in pseudo-Christian rhetoric and aimed at alienated young men.

Related articles of note: “Why the Two Parties Have Diverged on Fighting Anti-Semitism” (Seth Mandel)...“Tucker Carlson aims to poison us with hatred -- but Donald Trump stands in the way” (Rich Lowry, New York Post)...“If Conservatives Do Not Immediately Sever Ties With Tucker Carlson, He Will Drag The Party Down With Him” (Olivier Melnick, Harbinger's Daily)...“Nick + Tucker: A Two-Man Unite The Right Rally” (Rod Dreher)

3) “Why A Pro-Life Witness Outside Abortion Businesses?” (Denny Hartford, Vital Signs Ministries)

From the article -- Because my honor as a Christian is at stake.  Where such brazen, violent injustice is occurring, how can I refuse the opportunity to testify against it?  Think about it — what does it mean to the reputation of the Church (not to mention her sense of moral priority) if children are brutally murdered in our own neighborhoods without us even raising our voices in principled protest?  How much is our evangelism and discipleship tarnished and weakened if we do not take seriously such charges as Jeremiah 22:3, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.’” And Isaiah 1:16-17, “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean. Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Reprove the ruthless. Defend the orphan. Plead for the widow.”

Alas, fewer and fewer American Christians nowadays bother to go to abortion mills to pray and give pro-life witness. That’s an ominous warning of how far we have been cowed by the world around us.  We have become indifferent, callous, distracted, and wimpy.  Nevertheless, the grace of God remains available to us — grace that forgives and cleanses, grace that yields wisdom and strength, grace that yet can bring personal and cultural revolution.

Our marching orders are quite clear. We read them in the Scriptures already listed. And we read them in many others. Psalm 82:3,4: “Vindicate the weak and fatherless. Do justice to the afflicted and destitute.  Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.” Proverbs 24: 11,12: “Deliver those who are being taken away to death, and those who are staggering to slaughter, Oh hold them back.” James 1:27: “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

Giving public witness to the sanctity of life in this darkened and depraved culture is not the easiest thing.  But it remains extremely high in the values expressed by our Lord. And that’s why we engage in a compassionate but firm opposition to the barbaric killing of the little ones and why, by the grace of God, we will continue to do so. Wanna’ come join us?

4) “Stop mincing words” (Michael C. Hurley, American Thinker)

From the article -- The most depressing thing about waking up in the aftermath of Tuesday’s electoral wipeout is not the prospect of communism coming to New York or the normalization of political assassination culture in Virginia, but having to listen to the anodyne analysis of conservative commentators about “why we lost” and the “lessons” that Republican candidates need to learn going forward. To hear Tony Kinnett of the Daily Signal tell it, Winsome Earle-Sears would be the governor of Virginia today if only she had talked more about affordability and energy costs.

Mr. Kinnett is hardly the only conservative pundit seemingly unaware of what time it is. Fox News subjected viewers to a steady stream of political quackery about how candidates need to focus more closely on “kitchen table” issues the next time around.

No, they don’t.

No one, at this late hour, should be unaware of what the stakes are. We are in a spiritual war between good and evil, between the forces of order and the agents of chaos. Full stop. So let’s say so, clearly, without apology or embarrassment. Tell people they’re in a war, and a great many of them will show up to vote. Tell them they’re in a debate over monetary policy and energy development initiatives, and most of them will hit the snooze button and sleep in.

The forces of evil do not fail to understand our program. They are not casting about for a better balance of trade. They know they’re in a war for power, and they intend to win it, which is why they fight so passionately. Abortion isn’t an issue for them. It’s a sacrament. Climate change isn’t a scientific debate. It is a religious world-view that gives their lives meaning and purpose. Politics for the left isn’t an intellectual sport to be conducted within the polite parameters of free speech. It’s an unholy crusade to be won by any means necessary, including censorship, lawfare, defamation, perjury, conspiracy, insurrection and assassination.

5) “Europe’s Urban Decline Exposed” (John MacGhlionn, American Spectator)

From the article -- Twenty years ago, Europe still felt whole. Streets were still. Nights were calm. Many slept without worry. You could wander Marseille’s streets without a thought or lose yourself in Venice’s narrow lanes without a trace of fear. Today, that sense of sanity feels like an artifact from an ancient time. The latest World Safety Index report confirms what most already sense. Europe is no longer secure. France and Italy — once the crown jewels of the continent — now rank below Rwanda and Bangladesh for public safety.

And yet, the political class keeps pretending all is well. They talk about green revolutions and digital rights while the public buys pepper spray.

Once vibrant districts now vibrate with dread. Riots erupt on cue; knife attacks barely draw a headline. The “City of Light” has dimmed to a nervous glow. And Italy, the land that once gave the world law and order, now seems to live without much of either. Tourists still pose by the ruins of the past, unaware that the present is crumbling. Only six in 10 Italians say they feel safe walking alone at night. The country that once ruled empires can no longer rule its own streets.

What unites both nations is more than geography — it’s a shared failure of courage. Paris and Rome, like London, Dublin, Brussels, and Stockholm, have absorbed massive waves of immigration from North Africa and the Middle East. Is it a coincidence that these once-respectable cities now rank among the most violent in Europe? That their streets, once defined by culture and civility, are now defined by rapes, stabbings, and gang wars?

Other Recommended Articles for the Weekend

* “Mississippi Law Enforcement Caught Working with the Cartel -- 20 Officers Indicted for Aiding Drug Smuggling into America” (Jim Hoft, Gateway Pundit)

* “Colleges are teaching Gen Z to love socialism: After years of classrooms romanticizing socialism and demonizing capitalism, young Americans are taking that ideology straight to the ballot box.” (Emily Sturge, Campus Reform)

* “Does the Democrats’ Chaos Strategy Work?” (Victor Davis Hanson, American Greatness)

* “Sudan and the Moral Bankruptcy of the Modern Left. To the progressive West, suffering acquires meaning only when it can be traced to guilt. Without that connection, empathy falters.”  (Ali Bordbar Jahantighi, European Conservative)

* “Democrats’ naïve view of Islamists: ‘They’re just like me! They hate America!’” (Glen K. Beaton, Aspen Beat)

"Why Protest Outside An Abortion Chamber?"

October was an unusual month for us and I share a few of those happenings in this edition of the Vital Signs Ministries news letter. But the primary feature of the letter is a brief essay which explains the 5 purposes served in a Christian's peaceful, prayerful protest of abortion chambers. 

Check it out at this link from the VSM website.

The Top 5 Plus (November 1)

1) “When Conservative Leaders Lose Their Way: Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts’ Recent Video Defense of Tucker Carlson Is Deeply Troubling” ( Gregg Roman, Middle East Forum)

From the article -- Let me be absolutely clear: Vigorous debate about Israel is not only acceptable

-- it’s essential. I’ve spent decades engaging with thoughtful critics who question Israeli policies, the extent of American aid, or the strategic value of the alliance. Some of my most productive discussions have been with those who fundamentally disagree with my positions. Roberts himself is entirely within bounds to argue that American support for any ally should be conditional on American interests.

But there’s a canyon-wide difference between policy criticism and platforming someone who denies the Holocaust occurred, celebrates Hitler’s birthday, and believes Jews are conspiring to destroy America.

Nick Fuentes isn’t a foreign policy realist or a fiscal hawk questioning aid packages. He’s a white nationalist who admires Adolf Hitler and spreads conspiracy theories about Jewish control. During his interview with Carlson, he claimed Ben Shapiro tried to destroy him for asking “reasonable questions.” He told Carlson he admires Stalin. He portrayed himself as a victim while building a movement that actively harasses Jewish conservatives.

Carlson didn’t challenge any of this. He nodded along, providing a massive platform for these views to be laundered as legitimate political discourse.

Other important articles related to this: “The Real ‘Brain Virus’ Isn’t Christian Zionism -- It’s Antisemitism” (Chris Katulka, Harbinger’s Daily)...”A Time for Choosing on Antisemitism” (National Review Editors)...”This Is How the Right Dies” (Yehuda Teitelbaum, Substack)...”Heritage Foundation President: ‘Don’t Cancel Nick Fuentes,’ as Stalin Fan Fuentes Tells Jews to ‘Get The F Out of America’” (Collin Anderson, Washington Free Beacon)

2) “Why Are So Many Young Americans Killing Themselves? The spiritual roots of America’s suicide crisis.” (John MacGhlionn, American Spectator)

From the article -- We live in an age of abundance, yet despair continues to spread like a dark cloud. Gen Z has inherited everything — information, access, entertainment — and still feels empty. They scroll, they compare, they perform. They broadcast their lives for strangers but rarely live them. It’s connection without communion, messaging without meaning, motion without purpose. What’s missing isn’t dopamine but direction. 

Faith once gave that direction. It didn’t promise ease, only endurance. It gave people something firm to stand on when everything else fell apart. But belief today has been traded for irony. God is a punchline, the church a museum, and the language of the soul has been replaced by the language of self-help. In that silence, something essential has gone missing — the quiet conviction that life, however hard, still matters. 

The modern creed tells young people they can be anything. It rarely tells them why they should be anything. They’re told to “find their truth,” though truth itself has become a moving target. They’re told to “love themselves,” though few are shown what love actually requires. So they chase pleasure, mistaking it for peace. They crave attention and confuse it with affection. And when both fade, they fall apart.

Social media has accelerated the slide, but the roots go far deeper. This is more of a spiritual famine than a technological failure. A generation has grown up in a moral vacuum, where families fracture, fathers fade, and faith is dismissed as a delusion for the naïve. A culture that prizes comfort over character can’t sustain the weight of pain. When the soul starves, the mind soon follows.

We’ve raised young people to see themselves as cosmic accidents — clever animals with credit scores, born without purpose and destined for oblivion. It’s little wonder so many view the future as a threat, not an opportunity. Climate anxiety has become the creed of a generation taught to fear its own existence. Greta Thunberg, an infuriating figure I have discussed before, is now the mirror of millions — irritable, impassioned, and neurotic to the point of despair. Her trembling fury, once mistaken for courage, now feels like a diagnosis. She embodies the anxiety that has metastasized through millions of young minds convinced the world is ending before they’ve even begun to live in it. The fear has grown so deep that many twenty-somethings now see procreation not as an act of hope, but of harm. A moral crime against the planet. 

3) “Feminism, Feminization Of Institutions, And Cultural Collapse” (Alla Margolina, RVIVR)

From the article -- Andrews argues that this moment—the cancellation of Summers—wasn’t just a skirmish in the culture war. It was a regime change. Not because women were present, but because the method of his downfall was distinctly feminine. Not open conflict, not factual rebuttal—just an overwhelming tide of emotional offense, vibe-check politics, and collective shunning. “I couldn’t breathe,” said one biologist who walked out. And thus began the sacred tradition of treating every intellectual disagreement like a panic attack in progress.

According to Andrews, wokeness isn’t Marxism 2.0 or some clever new ideology. It’s what happens when institutions once dominated by men are slowly overrun by HR culture, emotional arbitration, and a pathological fear of conflict. In short: feminization. The NYT, academia, the courts, medicine, even the sciences -- everywhere you look, feelings now outrank facts, cohesion trumps confrontation, and disagreement is mistaken for violence.

This isn’t about individual women. Andrews herself is one. So is Bari Weiss, who found out the hard way that even moderate wrongthink will get you ghosted by the Slack mob. It’s about group dynamics. Once women hit a critical mass in an institution, it stops operating on the traditional masculine logic of “what’s true” and starts shifting toward “how does everyone feel about this?” And once that shift happens, there’s no going back.

Excellent related articles: “Did The Great Feminization Cause The Great Awokening? The short answer is yes. The question then becomes what then must we do?” (Sasha Stone)...“The Great Feminization” (Helen Andrews, Compact)

4) “Why Male Teachers Left Elementary Schools and Won’t Go Back” (Scott Yenor, Federalist)

From the article -- Men are disappearing from the education landscape in America. In 1970, about 30 percent of America’s elementary teachers were male; by 2021, the number had dipped to 11 percent. Similar or even steeper drops happened at middle and high school levels. The absence of men creates a harmful imbalance in how America’s children are educated. Men, however, did not depart willingly. They were driven out by the increasing feminization of schools, producing a vicious cycle of female-dominated schools.

Many blame exodus on male pride. Education, especially elementary education, is, critics say, “female coded.” Teachers earn less. Jobs in elementary education are not thought to be masculine enough. “We need to break down the gender stereotypes preventing men entering these large, high-growth job sectors” like education, argues the Brookings Institution’s Richard Reeves and others. Teachers, in fact, are paid more today than they were in 1970, in inflation-adjusted dollars. And “stereotypes” (if such they are) were arguably much stronger in 1970 than today.

Feminist ideology and the spiritual dominance of women (what author Helen Andrews calls “the great feminization”) in elementary education dissuades men from even considering work in elementary education. It turns out, not surprisingly, that men make rational decisions in the face of feminized institutions like elementary schools.

5) “How the Church of England betrayed its loyal flock” (Daniel Jupp, TCW)

From the article -- The Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (also known as Gafcon) represent the Anglican faith in Africa. Their response was to declare publicly that they would no longer send delegates to Church meetings in the United Kingdom, no longer consider the Archbishop of Canterbury as first among equals or a seat of authority to which they deferred, and no longer consider themselves in the same communion as the Bishops and clergy of the Church of England within England. Perhaps even more tellingly, they asserted that they were the true Anglican communion, more loyal to the instructions of the Bible and Anglican interpretation of those than priests in England. There’s a subtle but powerful distinction there – they were saying not that they had broken away from an Anglican vision of Biblical instruction and Christian identity but that the Church in England had done so. 

African Anglicans now assert that they are the true Anglicans, and that the organisation within the UK is not. And in terms of the number of people who follow their message, they are right to assert this. 

In losing the African churches and the global, more conservative branch of Anglicanism, the Church of England has lost 80 per cent of Anglicans on the planet. Imagine a company that lost 80 per cent of its customers. Or a political party that lost 80 per cent of its voters. Or a nation state that lost 80 per cent of its territory. These would in each case be recognised as unmitigated disasters.

Other Excellent Reads from this Week:

* “The Left is ‘Bleeding Kansas’ -- America again flirts with its own Bleeding Kansas, a cycle of partisan violence and defiance where lawless zealots are hailed as patriots and the rule of law bleeds away.” (Victor Davis Hanson, American Greatness)

* “Political Bias at Wikipedia and in AI” (John Sexton, Hot Air)

* “Mexican Cartel Killed Pregnant Women to Harvest Babies and Organs for U.S. Buyers” (Ildefonso Ortiz and Brandon Darby, Breitbart)

* “The Slippery Slopes of Assisted Suicide and Abortion” (Chuck Donovan, Washington Stand)

* “Teachers’ Union Sues to Save...Illegal Alien Truck Drivers?” (David Strom, Hot Air)

The Vital Signs Christmas Card Party!

VSM's Quarterly

Letter-Writing Party.

The 2025 Christmas Card Edition!

 Where and when?

On Saturday morning, November 22 at 10 at the Hartford home. Please let us know if you'd like to be a part of this festive, yet profoundly important, ministry.

The Targets

1) Brethren imprisoned for their faith in Jesus

We will create 3 Christmas cards for each of the 13 believers listed on the

Voice of the Martyrs website. We will divide the letter-writers into 3 groups on the morning of the brunch  with each group signing one of the 3 cards going to each prisoner. 

2) Other Prepared Cards

We will also have a few other cards that we will ask for everyone present to sign. For instance, we will be sending Christmas cards to certain activity directors in senior care facilities where we present “When Swing Was King,” thanking them for their assistance and encouragement. To have such cards signed by several people will be a special treat for them.

3) Advocacy

Take your pick of topics to address to political officials in the Senate and Congress and state: The sanctity of life? Religious freedom? Election integrity? Sexual sanity? Freedom of conscience, speech, and assembly? We will have some fact sheets and suggestions for you at the VSM brunch.

4) Thank-You Christmas Cards to the “Good Guys”

Take your pick. There are Christian ministries, political leaders, journalists, Christian schools, businesses that respect the Judeo-Christian heritage, and more. 

The Top 5 Plus (October 25)

1) “Navigating a Hostile World: 5 Ways Christians Can Stand Firm with Grace and Truth” (Sarah Holliday, Washington Stand)

From the article --

1. Winning Hearts or Winning Debates?

2. The “Theology of Losing Friends”

3. Care about What the Bible Cares about

4. Be Engaged by Finding Your Identity in Christ, Not in Politics

5. God’s Word: The Anchor in the Cultural Storm

2) “American Heritage Is No Myth, It’s the Source of Our Liberty and Peace” (John Daniel Davidson, Federalist)

From the article -- The most important debate in America today is not about immigration policy but about what it means to be an American. Our immigration debate is of course a proxy for that. It’s easier to argue over asylum policy, or ICE enforcement protocols, than it is to tackle the fraught question of who is an American and who isn’t, who really belongs here and who doesn’t.

At the heart of this debate are competing historical narratives about our heritage. On the right, there’s a growing willingness to argue straightforwardly and unapologetically that America isn’t just a creed or a proposition but a nation with a shared history and culture. Vice President J.D. Vance endorsed this view last year in his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention. “America is not just an idea,” he said. “It is a group of people with a shared history and a common future. It is, in short, a nation.”

To truly be an American, in this view, means embracing an Anglo-American and Christian inheritance and insisting on certain western cultural norms. It means rejecting multiculturalism in favor of our founding Anglo-American culture, with the understanding that preserving this cultural base is the only way to ensure liberty and dignity for all American citizens, regardless of national origin.

By contrast, the liberal narrative foisted on us aggressively for the past forty years is that if being an American means anything it should mean apologizing for your nation’s history, repudiating its Anglo-American inheritance, and celebrating non-western cultures while allowing unlimited immigration from every corner of the globe.

3) “‘Dr. Maggie,’ Notorious Abortionist: Her kill count of unborn children must be high.” (Ellie Gardey Holmesby, American Spectator) 

From the article -- A serial killer is going to be limited in his ability to kidnap women to kill. A nurse secretly killing babies might reach a higher kill count with greater ease. But an abortionist operating from the comfort of her own home — slippers on, feet up on her desk — can kill unborn children indiscriminately.

Last year, a woman desiring to end the life of her unborn child could simply fill out an online form on the site Aid Access, and “Dr. Maggie” — as she is known by her abortion activist compatriots — would be happy to be her hitman. Within days, pills dispensed by Dr. Maggie that would bring about the child’s death would arrive at the woman’s home.

Now, however, “Dr. Maggie” is facing trouble with the law. She was indicted this year for allegedly providing a Louisiana woman with abortion pills. The state says that the woman, wanting to end the life of her unborn grandchild, used “coercion” to make her teenage daughter take the pills. The girl was sent to the hospital as a result of the bleeding she experienced. Louisiana’s governor, Jeff Landry, noted that the teenage girl had even been planning a gender reveal party before the unhappy new grandmother took action. Further, Landry said the woman “conspired” with Carpenter “to get a chemical abortion pill in the mail.”

According to the indictment, the Louisiana woman obtained the pills from Dr. Maggie through the abortion-dispensing mill she worked with, Aid Access. The site only requires that people fill out an online form to get abortion pills shipped to them — and their identity is not checked. The form process means that anyone, regardless of whether they are pregnant, can receive abortion pills if they answer the questions the “right” way.

The form process means that anyone, regardless of whether they are pregnant, can receive abortion pills if they answer the questions the “right” way. Any unhappy fathers — or grandmothers — can easily obtain the pills in order to eliminate any undesired children or grandchildren. This can be accomplished by browbeating a pregnant mother with the pill bottle or sneaking the medication into her food or drink.

4) “Canada: A Socialist Paradise Lost” (Leo Standing, American Spectator)

From the article -- Canada should be one of the world’s best countries to live in, and for many people it once was. Possessing vast natural resources and reserves of energy (exceeding those of the U.S. on a per capita basis), endless natural space (as the world’s second-largest country), adequate infrastructure, no enemies, a parliamentary democracy, and an educated population, it should face no problems beyond the winters.

But a decade under the former Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has reduced a first-world country to the level of a failing, although not yet a failed, state. The strains of O Canada are giving way to cries of Woe Canada, while the recent book by the journalist Tristin Hopper (Don’t be Canada: How One Country Did Everything Wrong All at Once) documents the national malaise with many examples of stagnation, incompetence, and folly. Epithets such as “a woke dystopia” and “the sick man of North America” are now heard. Where did it all go so wrong?

Related article -- “Canada to Report Killing Over 100,000 People with Physician-Assisted Suicide” (Zachary Mettler, Daily Citizen)

5) “You Are Being Lied To About ICE” (I & I Editorial Board) 

From the article -- Under Obama, stories such as these were barely covered by the mainstream news. When ICE made mistakes under Obama, they were treated as just that, mistakes, not signs of malicious intent. Democrats might have grumbled now and again. But they never claimed Obama was terrorizing the country. Never said ICE was “invading” their communities. Never called it authoritarianism.

So why are they – and their legions of mindless followers – doing so now? The one and only reason is that Trump – not Obama – is in the White House, and Democrats want to portray everything Trump does as a sign that he’s a scary authoritarian.

Other Important Reads from the Week:

* “When Race Becomes Religion: How the Church Is Trading Redemption for Resentment: A growing movement is preaching deliverance through color instead of the cross. Here’s why it’s collapsing under its own weight.” (Virgil Walker)

* “Trump’s Desire For More American Babies Is Good. His Newest IVF Plan Is Not” (Jordan Boyd, Federalist)

* “How Should Christians Think about Artificial Intelligence?” (Dan Hart, Washington Stand)

* “Have You Forgotten About Iryna Zarutska? They Want You To. Here’s Why.” (Matt Walsh, Daily Wire)

And on the education beat...

“Alaska Schools’ Social Studies Standards Omit Washington, Lincoln, And Christianity -- Even in a red state like Alaska, bureaucrats have infiltrated the education department with ‘protest’ and ‘action civics.’” (David Randall, Federalist)

“Wikipedia Enforcement Committee: Site ‘Code of Conduct’ Should Ban Bible Verses Opposing Homosexuality” (T.D. Adler, Breitbart)

“Storybook For Kindergarteners Features Gay Roosters, Men Wearing Leather Harnesses” (Todd Starnes, Harbinger's Daily)

“Tax-Funded Debauchery: Harvard Announces Disturbing New Classes On Drag History, Sexuality, And ‘Pleasure’” (Alex Newman, Harbinger's Daily)

The Top 5 Plus (October 18)

1) “Size And Stage Of Development Do Not Determine Life’s Value -- God Does” (Avery Foley, Harbinger’s Daily)

From the article -- But what about a baby at fertilization? He or she does not look like a baby and, to our knowledge, cannot feel pain or realize that he or she even exists. That baby is just a single cell. Is it still heinous to end the life of that child? What about a baby at four weeks gestational age? Or six? Or twelve? When does human life really begin?

Reproductive science shows that at the moment of fertilization, when the sperm meets the egg, all of the information that builds that person is present. No new information is added. That fertilized egg, known as a fertilized ovum, is a human being with a unique combination of information never before seen in earth’s history.

Science can tell us that much, but can it answer the question of when life begins? Some say yes, others disagree. But God’s Word provides clarity. Scripture says that all human beings are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and that the unborn are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), known by God from before their conception (Jeremiah 1:5). The Bible makes no distinction between unborn human life and human life that has passed through the birth canal. Both are human in God’s eyes and therefore stamped with his own image.

Is killing a fertilized human egg murder? Absolutely. Life begins at the moment of fertilization. From that instant, a unique human being, created in God’s image, has begun his or her life. Size and stage of development do not determine life’s value. God does, and he values life from the very beginning.

2) “Democrats, Call Off Your Animals” (I & I Editorial Board)

From the article -- What we are seeing should sicken all Americans. It should make every one of us angry. But it doesn’t. For too many on the Democratic side, and we include most of the media here, the violence is politically useful.

No, the Democrats wouldn’t be able to stop all the violence, but they could shut down most of it – if they wished to. They don’t. They like it because it’s a tool for them to fool voters into thinking that the arrests and deportations are unpopular, as well as an intimidation tactic aimed at those not in compliance with the Democrats’ narrative – the message is “conform or else.”

The violence also provides a thrill, if we may borrow the brilliant words of Martin Gurri, for those who hate “orderly lives, neighborliness, civility, and the spontaneous adherence to the law of the vast majority of Americans,” and “wish to infect all social relations with the chaos and anger agitating their minds.”

This is today’s Democratic Party, where the elders and the next generation have become a raging mob of insurrection.

3) “Catholic Cognitive Dissonance. There is no ‘balance’ when it comes to abortion proponents.” (James H. McGee, American Spectator)

From the article -- It shouldn’t take much, then, for my fellow Catholics to draw the correct conclusion. Abortion is a mortal sin, a particularly heinous form of murder since it targets the most vulnerable of all human life. While we are enjoined to offer our love to mothers who sincerely seek forgiveness having committed this terrible act, we are responsible before God to do everything within our power to prevent abortions from taking place — and this, of course, means condemning those politicians who promote abortion, particularly unrestricted abortion, and it certainly means voting against candidates who would make such unrestricted abortion an absolute right. 

Or does it? The bishop seems to think so, and so too our local priests. Last week, however, found this belief challenged from the unlikeliest of sources, namely Pope Leo XIV himself. Did the pope suddenly announce himself a supporter of Planned Parenthood? Not exactly, nor did he suggest that abortion had somehow ceased to be a mortal sin in Catholic teaching. But for many of us, his words in a public interview completely muddied the waters, and certainly gave aid and comfort to those who would insist that politicians — even Catholic politicians — be given a break when it comes to support for abortion. 

Context matters, and the context reveals a deep dissonance within the Catholic community. Recently, Cardinal Blasé Cupich, the Cardinal-Archbishop of Chicago, announced that the archdiocese intended to confer a “Lifetime Achievement Award” on Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, a long-serving Democrat senator and, despite his professed Catholicism, a long-term proponent of abortion. Cupich’s award announcement specifically commended Durbin for his work on immigration issues. 

And another interesting article related to the Papacy – “Why Did Some Catholics Try to Bodysnatch Charlie Kirk? The Reason Will Make You Sad” (John Zmirak, The Stream)

4) “Is Canada Becoming the Center of Organ Harvesting Tourism?” (Leslie Eastman, Legal Insurrection)

From the article -- Canada has crossed a horrifying line: turning assisted suicide into an organ donation pipeline. Patients are being euthanized—then their organs harvested for others. "This is not compassion. It’s a medical-industrial supply chain of death." (Dr. Simone Gold)

The trend lines indicate that “organ harvesting” is becoming more prevalent. Since at least 235 people who died by MAID consented to organ donation in Canada, most commonly donating kidneys, livers, or lungs. Of 894 deceased donors in 2024, seven per cent (i.e., 62) donated after medically assisted suicide (per the ironically named “Canadian Institute of Health). A study reviewing the data between 2018 and 2022 showed a significant increase in MAID donors.

During the study period, MAiD donors represented 8.0% (64/803) of total deceased donors, increasing from 4.9% (8/164) in 2018 to 14.0% (24/171) in 2022. There are many reasons to be concerned about these developments. Canadian officials promoted MAID to a man who had hearing loss. There is a move to make mental illness a potential condition of acceptance into this program.

5) “Democrats Are Giving Up On Democracy” (John Daniel Davidson, Federalist)

From the article -- I don’t just mean that left-wing influencers like Hasan Piker and Destiny regularly call for violence against the right, or that media darlings like Ta-Nehisi Coates and Ezra Klein publicly muse about whether it would be better to negotiate with conservatives, lie to them, or force policies on them against their will.

And I’m not merely thinking of rogue federal judges, like the one who gave Nicholas Roske — who now identifies as a trans woman named “Sophie” — a light sentence for attempting to assassinate U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, or the parade of liberal judges who have tried to shut down the Trump administration’s agenda through a deluge of nationwide injunctions and temporary restraining orders, many of which have been overturned by higher courts.

It’s all of these things, but it’s also the recent pattern of behavior by the Democratic Party establishment, which seems totally uninterested in winning anyone over or engaging in democratic politics at all.

5 Other Important Reads for this Week:

* “Christian Law Firm Steps In After School Forces Students To Participate In ‘Witchcraft’ Lessons” (Alex Newman, Harbinger's Daily)

* “Wrist Slaps For Left-Wing Violence Invite More Attacks On Conservatives” (Breccan F. Thies, Federalist)

* “Christians Murdered and Jailed in Iran, Nigeria, and Congo” (Catherine Salgado, PJ Media)

* “Happy Indigenous Peoples’ Day! Remembering how the Iroquois treated missionary Isaac Jogues and his companions.” (Paul Kengor, American Spectator)

* “Teachers Unions Are Still Just ‘Doing’ Socialism -- And it’s hurting our kids.” Aubrey Harris, American Spectator)

The Top 5 Plus (October 11)

1) “The Left Must Acknowledge Its Violence Problem” (Yoe Suarez, Washington Stand)

From the article -- Joanne Chesimard (“Assata Shakur” to her revolutionary fans) died a few days ago in Havana, under the protection of Castroism. The former member of the Black Liberation Army had been living in Cuba since 1984 after escaping from prison, where she was serving a sentence for murdering a police officer in New Jersey. Shakur went from the FBI’s most wanted list to the pages of leftist American media, which applauded her as a revolutionary example.

The fashion and entertainment magazine Essence romanticized Shakur as if she were a runway model: “She is survived by a legacy of revolutionary thought which urges us to reflect on the lessons of power, beauty, and preservation that can be found through her physical representation.” The website Democracy Now! republished a letter from the woman “in memory of her life and her work.” The Chicago Teachers Union’s social media account honored “the life and legacy of a revolutionary fighter, a fierce writer, a revered elder of Black liberation, and a leader of freedom whose spirit continues to live on in our struggle.”

If the Left is willing to bring its murderers from the violent 1960s and 1970s, when “anti-colonial” and Marxist terror reigned, out of the basement, it’s no wonder they celebrate or justify today’s political violence. The Center for Strategic and International Studies defines left-wing terrorism as “that which is motivated by an opposition to capitalism, imperialism, or colonialism; black nationalism; support for LGBTQ+ rights; support for environmental causes or animal rights; adherence to pro-communist, pro-socialist beliefs or ‘anti-fascist’ rhetoric; opposition to government authority under the belief it is a tool of oppression responsible for social injustices; support for decentralized political and social systems, such as anarchism; or partisan extremism, where violence is justified against political opponents and parties perceived as advancing right-wing agendas.”

The last 12 months have exposed the Left as the protagonist of violence, although today its main stenographers misinform their own audience and remain in denial.

2) “Don’t Buy The Lie: Over Half Of US Adults Claim Religion Should Not ‘Influence Political Decisions’” (Ken Ham, Harbinger's Daily)

From the article -- Survey respondents were asked to either strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statement (or they could select “not sure”): “Christians should not allow their religious beliefs to influence their political decisions.”

Over half (54%) of US adults agreed with this statement. Filtered for those with Evangelical beliefs, the number dropped . . . but only to 29%. That means nearly 1 in 3 supposed Evangelicals does not believe that their religious beliefs should impact their political decisions. They don’t understand what a truly biblical worldview is. Ironically, at the same time, 95% of the same group believe that “The Bible has the authority to tell us what we must do.” So the Bible has the authority to tell us what to do—unless it’s a political decision. That’s inconsistent nonsense!

This idea that our beliefs shouldn’t impact our politics stems from the lie that there is such a thing as neutrality. But there is no neutrality. Scripture makes this plain. Matthew 12:30 reads, “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Politics is legislated morality. And morality is the result of your worldview. Leftists legalize the murder of unborn children, the genital mutilation of children and teens, and the perversion of marriage and sexuality because of their worldview (their religion). They believe that absolute personal autonomy is the highest good, and they legislate in accordance with this belief. They are not neutral, nor are they parking their religious beliefs at the door when they vote, propose legislation, or sign bills into law. They are actively employing their religion in the decisions they make.

Christians must do the same. We cannot leave our Christian beliefs—our biblical worldview—at the door when we engage in politics as a citizen or as a politician. We’re not neutral, and neither is the sphere we’re entering. We’re to seek the good of the nation we’re in and use our influence to be salt and light for such a time as this as we do the King’s business until he returns.

Related article: “Among Evangelicals, Essential Doctrines Lacking” (Decision Magazine Staff)

3) “The fact is that appeasing Islamism is the cause of the rise in anti-Semitism” (Bruce Newsome, TCW)

From the article -- Western European politicians are in the habit of avoiding the fact that most deadly terrorists are Islamist. We should be able to admit this fact without being accused of denying that most Muslims are not terrorists, that most victims of terrorism are Muslims, and that non-Muslims too can hate.

For years, Britain’s government (going back through Conservative administrations too, in common with Democratic administrations in the US) has invented a myth that most violent extremists are white supremacists. British popular culture routinely depicts terrorists as white supremacists, and the victims as Muslims, lest any reality is called out by a politician, lobbyist or journalist as ‘Islamophobic’. Inevitably, exaggerating Islamophobia has made Britain’s government Islamophilic.

Both biases are discriminatory. They’re bad for social cohesion and for counter-terrorism. Britain’s government won’t take the counter-Islamist actions that are normative in other Western countries. For instance, it hasn’t banned the Muslim Brotherhood. It still consults the foul and unrepresentative Muslim Council of Britain. In July, it proscribed Palestine Action, but not because of any terrorism by Palestine Action, rather because it broke with the Labour Party.

Islamism has been allowed to normalise on our streets and in our institutions. For the last two years, most protests in Britain have been in support of Gaza and hence the terrorist group Hamas, which controls Gaza, and against Israel. Political assembly is fine. But these protests routinely feature chants in favour of Hamas, intifada, Palestinian expansion ‘from the river to the sea’, and the killing and rape of Jews.

Related articles: “Britain has abandoned Jews to this savagery: The writing was on the wall long before the horror in Manchester.” (Tom Slater, spiked!)...“How Did Oct. 7 Become a Distant Memory? What terrorists do best.” (Larry Elder, Front Page Mag)... “7 October: a war for the soul of the West: Two years on from Hamas’s fascist pogrom, the fight for civilisation has never felt more urgent.” (Brendan O'Neill, spiked!)...“The Spiritual War of Oct 7: There was a moment when I told myself, ‘I’m not going to pray to Allah.’” (Daniel Greenfield, Front Page Mag)

4) “Does God exist? Modern science shows He must, bestseller argues. A book by two French authors that challenges a longstanding academic consensus is being published in Britain next week” (Ben Spencer, Science Editor, The Sunday Times -- London)

From the article -- Science and religion have never been easy bedfellows. As Thomas Jefferson put it in 1820, priests “dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight”. Five centuries of scientific breakthroughs — from Galileo to Darwin to Crick and Watson — have eroded our belief in the divine. But now, according to a new book, a “great reversal” is under way. Science, its authors argue over 580 pages, has come full circle and “forcefully put the question of the existence of a creator God back on the table”.

In a striking challenge to the academic consensus, two French authors, Michel-Yves Bolloré and Olivier Bonnassies, argue that the latest scientific theories lead to only one logical conclusion: an all-powerful deity created the universe and all life within it...

Both are also men of faith. Bolloré is a lifelong Catholic. Bonnassies, who did not find his Christian faith until his twenties, said he thought before his conversion that “believers were irrational people”, adding: “God, the Resurrection, the Virgin Mary — I found it crazy.” Yet it was logic, he said, that won him around: “The surprise was there were many rational reasons to believe in God.”

Despite their beliefs, they insist their book is not about spirituality. Bolloré, who has lived in west London for the past 15 years, said: “This is not a book about faith or religion. Who God is, what does he want, what does he think, what does he say: that’s very interesting, but it’s a question of religion. That’s not what this book is about.” Instead, the authors have written a critique of materialism — the theory that all reality, including our origins, thoughts and consciousness, can be explained solely by physical matter and physical processes.

5) “Why All Christians Should Reject Open Borders: Progressive Christianity takes a breathtaking leap from ‘God loves everyone’ to ‘therefore nations shouldn’t have borders.’” (John MacGhlionn, American Spectator)

From the article -- he latest theological contortion from progressive Christianity has arrived, wrapped in the familiar language of divine grace and social justice. Writing for Sojourners, Yanan Rahim Navarez Melo argues that Christians must embrace open borders because God’s grace is “borderless.” The argument sounds spiritually sophisticated until you realize it’s built on the same flawed foundation that supports most progressive Christian causes: the complete abandonment of biblical wisdom in favor of contemporary political fashion.

Melo’s essay represents a dangerous trend among progressive Christians who consistently twist scripture to validate whatever cause captures elite liberal imagination. Today, it’s open borders. Tomorrow, perhaps, reparations for the serpent in Eden. The maddening method remains the same: find a theological concept, rip it of context, and use it to baptize progressive politics.

The fundamental problem with Melo’s argument isn’t his concern for the dislocated and dispossessed. Christian compassion toward the vulnerable represents one of faith’s noblest traditions. The problem lies in his breathtaking leap from “God loves everyone” to “therefore nations shouldn’t have borders.” It’s a theological card trick that would shame even a Vegas hustle

Other Important Reads from the Week:

* “Biden FBI Spied On 8 Republican Senators In Get-Trump Probe” (Shawn Fleetwood, Federalist)

* “The REAL costs of illegal aliens in America” (RushBabe 49)

* “Fatal crash report finds nearly half of deadly wrecks tied to illegal drug: THC levels in hundreds of crash victims far exceeded legal limits across all states” (Melissa Rudy Fox News)

* “90,000 Canadians Dead by MAID And Counting: Canada’s Quiet Genocide of the Vulnerable” (Kelsi Sheren, National Right to Life)

* “The Trouble With Progressivism: The progressive mindset views history as a series of mistakes to be overcome rather than a source of insight, and they tear down every fence without knowing why it’s there.” (Michael Smith, Patriot Post)

Making Prayer a Crime?

“So, are you praying?” asked the British policeman to the woman who had been standing quietly across the street from an abortion business in Birmingham.

“Well, I’m not saying anything.  But, yes, I’m praying in my mind.”

“So, you are praying?” the policeman repeated.

“Well, yes.”

“Then you’ll have to come to the station with us, ma’am.”  And he put Isabel Vaughn-Spruce, a local leader of 40 Days for Life, under arrest.

Tragically, denials of what have historically been the sacred freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, and conscience are happening more and more as leftist tyrants and their all-too-willing toadies in the press, schools, business, and government bureaucracies ramp up their intolerance of the ideals of Western civilization, Christianity, and Christians.

We have, of course, been dealing with this sad injustice for awhile now. Bakers, innkeepers, and florists are denied the freedoms of religion and conscience. Coaches cannot pray with their teams (no matter how willing the student/athletes are to do so) and valedictorians are not allowed to mention Jesus to their classmates. Wearing a Christian T-shirt gets you thrown out of the mall, the school, the public library, the company picnic. And on and on. 

Indeed, the arrest of Mrs. Vaughn-Spruce provoked a vivid reminder of a similar situation I encountered a few years ago outside the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C.  It was the night before the March for Life and Claire and I were in town with three of our Omaha colleagues for the event.  

But on the night before the March, we had gone to spend a few minutes in prayer outside the U.S. Capitol, the Senate and Congressional offices, and now we were at the Supreme Court.  It was late.  It was very quiet.  There was no one besides the 5 of us on the whole plaza. But just a few seconds into our corporate prayer, one of the Supreme Court police (yes, they’ve got their own) interrupted us and told us that we couldn’t pray there. Though incredulous and angry, I was calm, respectful, and very courteous in my response…as was he. Here’s how it went:

“Officer, thanks for checking on us. But let me ask, did I hear you correctly that we aren’t allowed to pray here?”

“That’s right.”

“Good grief. May I respectfully ask by what authority you make this remarkably un-American demand?”

The Supreme Court policeman was a bit disconcerted.  “Look, I know it doesn’t seem right but they’ve told us not to let crowds gather here or to let anyone do any demonstrating.”

“Officer,” I spoke gently, “are you considering five people a crowd, especially when we’re the only ones in this whole plaza?  And do you really interpret the five of us quietly standing here a demonstration? And I haven’t even mentioned you telling us we can’t pray!”

“I know it doesn’t seem right, sir. But I’m just following orders.”

“Okay, let me ask you this -- when I saw you coming across the plaza, it looked to me like you were already determined to chase us away.  But what if we were simply tourists enjoying the sights of D.C.? Would you have ordered us to leave?”

“No, of course not; that would have been fine.  But I could tell that you were praying by the way you had your heads bowed.”

“Wow; that’s interesting. So, let me get this straight; you’re suggesting that it wasn’t the prayer itself that bothered you. It was seeing us in a posture of prayer.”

“Yes, I guess so.  Because the way you looked, anybody could see that you were praying. And that’s I when I could get in trouble.”

“Got it. But I’ll bet you’ll agree with me that with all the murders and the rapes and the robberies in this city, you’ve got to feel at least a little silly for telling us that praying in this empty place at night is the crime you’re determined to prevent.” He looked kinda’ crestfallen at that and so I followed up quickly, “Look, I’ve got an idea. You and I are not going to settle here tonight the Constitutional legality of our freedom to assembly. And I have no desire to get you or me or any of my friends here in trouble. So, here’s my suggestion.  Why don’t you walk away and leave us alone for another few minutes.  I promise we won’t get on our knees or bow our heads or intertwine our fingers.  We will look just like tourists -- tourists that are simply appreciating the beauty of the Supreme Court lit up at night and thinking about the things it has traditionally stood for…things like, say religious freedom and other stuff!  Then you walk back by here in ten minutes and we will be gone. What do you say?

“I guess that would be okay.  ‘Cause, you know, I don’t want to be a hard-case about all this.  Still, I’m pretty sure that when I walk away, you folks will probably start praying again.”

I smiled.  “But, officer, even if we were so bold to do that, you wouldn’t know.  Nobody would know.  And why? Because you came over here and warned us against assuming a posture of prayer. Mission was accomplished. I promise we won’t do that.  And, like I said, we’ll just be here a few minutes more.  How about it?”

The fellow paused a moment.  “Okay, goodnight, folks.”  He finally walked away and left us to finish our prayers (abstaining from a prayer posture, of course) before we headed back to our hotel. It was a memorable night, for even though we managed to escape penalties for praying in the public square, it was a clear warning of what was coming. And, as I suggested, that incident came back in a rush when I watched the video of Mrs. Vaughn-Spruce’s arrest.  “So, you are praying?  Then you’ll have to come with us.”

My friends, because of the accelerating hatred of the world for God and because the Church has cowardly surrendered so much of her responsibilities to live holy, separated lives as well as to lovingly speak truth into the culture, this is going to keep happening. The powers that be will tell us -- “Sure, it’s fine to have your religion. We will graciously allow that. However, your religion must be a totally private (even secret) thing that finds no expression whatsoever in the public square, the schools, the marketplace, politics, the local library, etc. And, as long as your convictions give way before the ideals (and compulsory orders) of Science, Progress, the State, and the “enlightened elite,” you can feel as many religious feelings as you’d like. ‘Cause, you know, we don’t want to be a hard-case about all this.”  

Lord, have mercy. Help us to hold on tight to a heavenly perspective regarding the trials of living all-out for You. Please be our strength and shield as we pursue godliness in our personal lives and as we undertake the light-bearing responsibilities we have been given as Your ambassadors.

There Are Wolves in the World

"Brothers and sisters, there are wolves in the world — ravenous, treacherous, and relentless wolves in the world. These beasts are also proud, wicked, and full of bloodlust. And, make no mistake, their frantic passions are ever-increasing to kill and devour, to spread panic and despair..."

The rest of the September letter from Vital Signs Ministries is right here.

The Top 5 Plus (October 4)

A jam-packed Top 5 Plus this morning with special emphasis on Israel, anti-Semitism, the doctrine of the Rapture, and a shout-out for Sarah Holliday of The Washington Stand.

1) “Megyn Kelly is wrong: Neutrality on right-wing antisemitism is immoral: The podcaster and the late Charlie Kirk were wrong to refuse to cut ties with Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens. This failure is poisoning American conservatism.” (Jonathan S. Tobin, JNS)

From the article -- Now that the full contents of that letter have been published, everyone can see that Owens is a liar and that Kelly is trying to salvage an argument that hasn’t a leg to stand on.

The letter makes clear that the claims that Kirk had turned on Israel were false. He was as dedicated to its support as ever; however, he was also concerned about the nation losing the information war with so much of the public on social media and the mainstream media being deceived by Hamas propaganda and lies about Israeli military conduct during the battle against the Hamas terror organization in Gaza.

That’s a problem for a small but not insignificant collection of voices on the far right.

They have joined forces with their counterparts on the left to attack Israel in a manner that is not only unfair and disconnected from the facts about the events in the Middle East, but also increasingly indistinguishable from antisemitism. Their demonization of Israel and attempts to delegitimize its right to defend itself against Islamist foes -- who are just as interested in waging a religious war on both the West and the United States -- is deeply hateful. But it is also no different from the arguments heard from the red-green coalition of Islamists and leftists that have sought to silence, intimidate and target Jews for violence on the streets of American cities and college campuses in the last two years.

Related articles:  “Kirk Cameron Has Done Wonderful Things For The Gospel But He Is Greatly Mistaken About Israel” (Olivier Melnick, Harbinger's Daily)

“Be Careful, Church: The ‘Theological’ Arguments Against Israel Are Shamefully Wrong” (Robert Gottselig, Harbinger’s Daily)

“J’accuse: Britain's political and cultural establishment has blood on its hands today” (Melanie Phillips, Substack)

“God’s Character And Unchanging Word Dismantle The Lie Of Replacement Theology” (Josh Davis, Harbinger’s Daily)

2) “No Service for Jesus Is Small” (Stephen Witmer, Desiring God)

From the article -- The word for serve in verse 31 refers to attending, caring for, and helping others, including waiting on them at table. Simon’s mother-in-law is probably bringing bread, refilling cups, wiping crumbs, clearing dishes. Her service is ordinary. She’s not painting a masterpiece to honor Jesus, or building a cathedral for him, or composing a song to be performed by a two-hundred-member choir. Her service is more ordinary than that. She herself is an ordinary person. In fact, she’s not even named in the story — instead, she’s identified by means of her relationship with her famous son-in-law (Simon). Moreover, she’s performing her humble service in a humble town: the fishing village of Capernaum, which had perhaps fifteen hundred residents.

So, her service for Jesus is not an extraordinary effort by a famous person in a famous place. It’s not Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling, Bach’s Mass in B Minor, or a Charles Spurgeon sermon. It’s just a no-name woman in a no-name place putting bread on a table.

And yet it gets a mention in the Bible. “She began to serve them.” Mark considers her service worth including. We still read about it two thousand years later. It matters greatly. Why? To understand, let’s draw two implications from this passage for our own service to others.

3) In the Number Three slot this week, I’m going to draw your attention not only to one of my favorite sources, but also to one of the best, most perceptive, and most relevant writers for that publication. The website is The Washington Stand, a terrific service provided by the Family Research Council. And the writer I’m showcasing? Sarah Holliday. Here you go...

“Half of American Adults Reject the Bible. Christian, Here’s What that Means for You” (Sarah Holliday, Washington Stand)

“Meat vs. Sugar: The Need for Healthy, Strong Churches amid Increased Attendance” (Sarah Holliday, Washington Stand)

“Pro-Lifers Slam FDA’s ‘Reckless’ Move to Quietly Expand Abortion Pill Access” (Sarah Holliday, Washington Stand)

4) “Laugh All You Want, The Rapture Is Not Escapism Or Fantasy...It’s Biblical” (Greg Laurie, Harbinger’s Daily)

From the article -- Here’s why this isn’t just a fun theological parlor game: the Rapture gives hope. Paul calls it the “blessed hope.” When you’ve buried a loved one, you don’t need vague talk about them being “in a better place.” You need the solid promise that in one split second, you’ll be with them again. Parents reunited with children. Husbands with wives. Brothers and sisters together again. And at the center of it all—Jesus Christ Himself.

And it does more than comfort grief. It motivates godliness. If you really believe Jesus could return at any moment, maybe don’t binge sin like it’s Netflix. You wouldn’t invite your best friend into a house piled with dirty laundry and Taco Bell wrappers. Don’t greet your Savior that way either. You want to be ready—walking with Him, keeping your spiritual house in order.

Of course, there’s always the circus clowns with their calendars: “88 Reasons Jesus Will Return in 1988!” They were wrong, just like every other date-setter before or since. Jesus made it pretty clear: “No one knows the day or the hour.” Which, funnily enough, includes you, me, and that guy on YouTube with the chart and the whiteboard. The Rapture isn’t about prediction—it’s about preparation.

Excellent articles related to this provocative and very important topic? 

“Those Who Reject The Rapture, Tribulation, Or Millennial Kingdom Perform A Great Disservice To The Body Of Christ” (Jonathan Brentner, Harbinger’s Daily)

“Examining Motivations: Why The Rapture’s Timing Truly Makes A Difference In The Christian Life” (Josh Davis, Harbinger’s Daily)

5) “Pope Leo XIV Defends Pro-Abortion Dem Senator, Says Those Opposed to Illegal Immigration Are Not ‘Pro-Life’” (Michael Schwarz, Western Journal)

From the article -- In a video posted to YouTube on Tuesday, a reporter from the Catholic television network EWTN asked Pope Leo XIV to help people of faith understand a decision by Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago, to honor pro-abortion Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, to which the pope delivered a hideous, hypocritical reply.

On its face, the first part of the pontiff’s answer had some merit. “I think that it’s very important to look at the overall work that a senator has done during, if I’m not mistaken, 40 years of service in the United States Senate,” the pope said.

What came next, however, was downright appalling. “I understand the difficulty and the tensions,” he continued. “But I think, as I myself have spoken in the past, it’s important to look at many issues that are related to what is the teaching of the church.” In other words, the pontiff suggested that “many issues,” alone or combined, might involve moral truths that match or exceed that of an innocent life’s sanctity. What issues did he have in mind?

“Someone who says, ‘I’m against abortion,’ but says, ‘I’m in favor of the death penalty,’ is not really pro-life,” the pope tragically insisted. “So,” he added, “someone who says that ‘I’m against abortion, but I’m in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants who are in the United States,’ I don’t know if that’s pro-life.”

Ugh.

As one would expect, conservative Catholics on the social media platform X rejected the pope’s claim of moral relativism. Moreover, they cited not their own preferences but the writings of past popes and theologians.

Other Important Reads of the Week:

* “The NFL’s Cultural Catechism: Bad Bunny and the War on Tradition” (Virgil Walker, Sola Veritas)

* “The Courage to Stand Alone in an Age of Cowards” (Maureen Steele, American Greatness)

* “From the League of Nations to the United Nations to Trump Global?” (Victor Davis Hanson, American Greatness)

* “Docs Knew Gender Science Was ‘Shoddy,’ But Pushed Chemical Sex Changes On Kids Anyway” (Megan Brock, Daily Caller)

* “Chirping for Chesimard”(Scott Johnson, Power Line)