Evangelicals and the Shadow of War in Europe

https://cne.news/article/4780-as-war-looms-in-europe-some-christians-pursue-pacifism

Articles such as this are always going to grab my attention. I was disappointed to read the statement of Fernando Enns who apparently is unfamiliar with the argument that taking up arms in warfare is viewed by war-advocates as self-defense on a large scale, or even better they will argue that invading a country is an act of love - defending people from a murderous tyrant for example.

Bureaucratic Persecution in Italy

https://evangelicalfocus.com/features/22760/the-harassment-of-italian-evangelical-churches

Some of the events reported here are limited to the city of Rome as the article acknowledges. I remember back in the 1990's when I spent a fair bit of time there that Protestant churches couldn't ring bells and so forth – orders from the Vatican, or so it was said. The Pope does indeed possess a degree of unofficial leverage within the larger city.

Canberra, China, and Trade

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Beijing's-failed-'trade-war'-against-Canberra-54240.html

There's another way to frame Beijing's turn with regard to Australia and issues of trade. It can be viewed as a failed boycott and in a sense it was. On the other hand, Beijing is watching Canberra cozy up to the United States as exemplified by the recent AUKUS agreement. It's easier for Australia to enter into an anti-Beijing alliance when China is not deeply entangled with its markets. And China's demand for Australian coal is no light thing.

Catholic Ireland and the Christianity That Would Replace It

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oF4OG4f4xU

I found this Evangelical coverage to be far more disturbing than the actual decline of Catholicism within Ireland – a reality no New Testament Christian would lament.

Christian Persecution in Nepal

Rarely gaining much attention in the international news, Nepal is garnering attention due to its position between India and China and increasingly it's receiving focus due to religious tensions.

A majority Hindu nation, there is great concern and hostility to Christian proselytism and the Himalayan republic is starting to put pressure on missionaries and church leaders. Laws which were passed last year are now being implemented and as of August 2018 sentencing guidelines are set to become significantly harsher. Many fear the state will look the other way if mob violence is used against Christians.

Lopez-Obrador, PES and Mexican Evangelicals

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Encounter_Party

http://www.mexelects.com/blogeng/mexelects/lopez-obrador-and-his-troubling-alliance-with-the-far-right-pes/

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mexico-election-amlo/mexico-presidential-race-roiled-as-leftist-front-runner-embraces-right-wing-party-idUSKBN1EA00L

http://evangelicalfocus.com/world/3634/Mexico_presidential_election_winner_will_work_in_coalition_with_evangelicals

Now that Lopez-Obrador has won, we're all waiting to see what will become of him. He's been one of the big players at the centre of Mexican politics for some time and like Nixon he's one of the few able to make a successful comeback.

Many people are excited and believe he represents real reform and will put a stop to the pervasive corruption that has taken over Mexico these past couple of decades. Many hope he will end the Drug War which has largely destroyed Mexican society.

And yet as many have pointed out, during the campaign he was long on talk and yet pretty short on the details. Additionally there are many indications pointing to a reality that he's not as 'Left-wing' as many seem to think he is.

Feeding on the Corpse of Brazil

At this point it's difficult to point to hard evidence but there are rumours, suggestions and hints that the toppling of Rousseff in Brazil has at the very least been instigated by forces associated with the United States. The case is growing almost by the day.

Some Comments on: Dispatches (In God's Name)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gqhlRdOxJg

This episode of Dispatches is worth watching. It's one of those documentaries where you find yourself not really agreeing with anyone but it's informative and helps to make you aware of what's happening.

It's quite biased but I suppose that must be expected. As I watch this I sometimes wonder why these Christians are consenting to this. Do they not recall the teaching of the Scripture? The world will think we are fools. To put it on display (in this sense) is not helping the cause. We're sideshow freaks to them.