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Because of a recent change in the tax code, some non-profits—including churches—may be required to start paying federal income tax. No Images? Click here The Weekly is a rundown of news by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission highlighting the week’s top news stories from the public square and providing commentary on the big issues of our day. Survey Finds More Americans Say Pornography Is Morally AcceptableThe percentage of people who think pornography is morally acceptable has reached its highest level since Gallup began asking about it on surveys in 2011. A recent survey conducted by Gallup finds that 43 percent of Americans now believe pornography is “morally acceptable,” a seven-percentage-point increase from last year and a 13 point increase since 2011. The results show a strong correlation between political affiliation and acceptance of pornography. About 1 in 4 Republicans (27 percent) consider it morally acceptable, compared to 4 in 10 Independents (42 percent) and more than half of Democrats (53 percent). Democrats have seen the largest single year shift (11 points from last year), but it has been increasing for all political affiliations since the first year the survey was conducted. In 2011, 16 percent of Republicans, 32 percent of Democrats, and 38 percent of independents considered pornography to be morally acceptable. Two other demographic subgroups also saw a significant year-over-year spike in their acceptance of pornography. The percentage of non-married individuals who find pornography morally acceptable rose 15 points to 50 percent. In comparison, acceptance of pornography among married individuals decreased slightly to 35 percent this year, essentially no different from last year’s 37 percent. Men aged 18 to 49 also had a 14-point increase from last year. In contrast, perceptions of morally acceptability remained relatively stable across other age-gender categories, including men who are 50 or older (a 1 point increase), women aged 18 to 49 (4 point increase), and women aged 50 and older (7 point increase). Religion plays an important role in how a person perceives the morality of pornography. More than three-fourths (76 percent) of Americans who say religion is “not very important” and half (50 percent) who say religion is “very important” believe pornography to be morally acceptable. In comparison, only 22 percent who say that religion is “very important” claim the same. Even those who claim that religion is very important, though, saw an increase of 6 points since 2017, a change of 38 percent over last year. This week on ERLC podcasts: Daniel Darling talks to Brian Dembowczyk about passing the gospel to the next generation. On the Capitol Conversations podcast, Gary Marx of the Judicial Crisis Network and Madison Strategies joins Matt Hawkins and Jeff Pickering to discuss President Trump’s recent nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. On the Countermoves podcast, Andrew Walker interviews Catherine Parks and Palmer Williams on Christian womanhood and the local church in light of the cultural conversation around women’s empowerment and the #MeToo Movement. And on the ERLC podcast, Phillip Bethancourt, Don Carson, H.B. Charles, Crawford Loritts, Afshin Ziafat, and Beth Moore discuss the future of evangelicals and racial unity. Other IssueAmerican CultureKavanaugh's Judicial Record On Religion Issues To assist in evaluation of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's church-state and religious liberty views, here are all the D.C. Circuit cases involving these issues in which Kavanaugh was one of the judges deciding the case. A Closer Look at NIFLA v. Becerra and the Role of Crisis Pregnancy Centers as Part of the Social Safety Net In its recent decision in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA) v. Becerra , the U.S. Supreme Court struck down California laws mandating specifically-worded notices at pregnancy resource centers that provide prenatal and parenting assistance mainly to poorer women facing unexpected pregnancies. BioethicsRecent Polls Overstate Public Support for Roe v. Wade Public support for Roe v. Wade significantly drops in well-designed polls which fully explain its implications. The Overlooked Emotions of Sperm Donation Sperm donation offers a tidy solution to an aggravating problem: When a person or a couple wants a baby and needs a different ingredient than what they've currently got to make one, a man with viable sperm swoops in to help. The process can look like a seamless way to create a family, and for many, it is. International IssuesU.S. advocates say Christians in Myanmar's Kachin state need help The Tamadaw, the military of Myanmar, has been attacking the ethnic minority Kachin people in what some observers are calling a genocide. Although much attention has been given to the ethnic Rohingya, "If you ask the Kachin if they believe a genocide is taking place, everyone will tell you yes," said the Rev. Bob Roberts, senior pastor at Northwood Church in Dallas. Religious LibertyAmendment to Protect Religious Freedom of Adoption Providers Attached to Appropriations Bill in House An amendment to protect the religious freedom of adoption providers was passed by the House Appropriations Committee to be part of the fiscal year 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill in a vote Wednesday. "What occurred today is a milestone," Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., said in a statement provided to The Daily Signal. Trump's SCOTUS choices are religious liberty advocates. Here's what that means. All four of Trump's top picks have frequently defended the rights of religious institutions. President Donald Trump is expected to announce his nominee for the Supreme Court Monday night, with his choices to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy reportedly narrowed down to four candidates. UK appoints first religious freedom envoy LONDON, United Kingdom "” For the first time, a Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief has been appointed in the UK to promote international religious liberty and fight persecution. Lord Tariq Mahmood Ahmad, Minister of State for the Commonwealth and the United Nations, was selected for the role. of the Southern Baptist Convention 901 Commerce Street, Suite 550 Nashville, TN 37203 You are receiving The Weekly because you signed up at ERLC.com or at one our events. Like Tweet Forward Preferences | Unsubscribe |
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