1| Asia Bibi’s last appeal against death sentence for blasphemy to be heard in October |Christian News
***A year ago I interviewed Todd Nettleton from Voice of the Martyrs, about the case. A year later, we continue to pray for Bibi’s release. Here’s the latest update.
2| Here’s How Faith Groups Are Helping Louisiana Flood Victims |Sojourners
Tens of thousands of people have been displaced. State officials say at least 40,000 homes have been severely damaged or destroyed. And the full magnitude of the devastation is not yet known.
As the crisis continues to unfold, faith-based groups are mobilizing to help on many fronts: supporting rescue efforts, providing temporary shelter, organizing teams of volunteers, distributing aid and working to develop plans for long-term recovery and rebuilding.
Bethany Church’s south Baton Rouge campus has become a key local relief point, where victims are receiving food, clothing, toiletries and other desperately needed supplies. Lead pastor Jonathan Stockstill, who is Jared Stockstill’s brother, says the work is an expression of their faith.
“What we’re trying to see happen is for people to see that God loves them by seeing his church move like we are moving,” the pastor said.
Bethany is doing the work amid its own losses.
The church’s campus north of Baton Rouge was flooded and sustained extensive damage to the 6,000-seat sanctuary and school. Because the facility was not located in a traditional flood zone, the church — like many residents here — did not have flood insurance.
3| Pew: Americans giving up on God, miracles |Washington Examiner
Half of Americans who have left their church no longer believe in God, leading a surge of nearly one-quarter of the nation who have no affiliation with any religion, according to a new survey.
Pew Research Center said Wednesday that 49 percent of what they term “nones” left their church and religion because they “don’t believe.” Another 20 percent said they don’t like organized religion. Other reasons included “common sense” and a lack of believe in miracles.
The survey is the latest from Pew that demonstrates a growing trend in America: More and more people are junking religion and many are giving up on God.
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