005 Pentecost 13: Darkness Creeps, Light Redeems
Cultural paganism, vaccine fights, Trump's Department of War
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners..but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” ~ Psalm 1
The New Blasphemy
The high-profile arrest of Irish comedian, Graham Linehan, at Heathrow Airport last week, made news on our fair shores. His crime? Posting online that men don’t belong in women’s spaces, triggering complaints about incitement. The complainant who pushed for his arrest is transgender and a former policeman. The stress of the arrest sent Linehan to the ER with blood pressure issues. However, the man clearly has convictions–for his court date, he wore a Billboard Chris-style sign boldly stating the obvious that there is no such thing as a transgender child. Like the proverbial vegan cat–it doesn’t exist unless someone is manipulating reality.
This isn’t just a British problem. Europe is on a censorship binge, and it won’t stop at its own borders. German prosecutors are investigating three X employees—two American, one Brazilian—for refusing to hand over user data in speech-related cases. France is also driving a global censorship push, using lawsuits, NGO pressure, and political lobbying to force social media companies to toe the line. Eye-watering fines have been levied against American tech companies.
Some in Washington are taking notice. The House Judiciary Committee recently held a hearing titled “Europe’s Threat to American Speech and Innovation,” inviting British MP Nigel Farage to speak. He testified that U.K. speech codes are being exported to American platforms—codes that would be laughed out of a First Amendment court.
While the little people have been standing up for a while now, it is nice to have air cover from some of the heavy-hitters. J.K. Rowling has been vocal, condemning U.K. authorities as “tyrannical” and calling Linehan’s arrest “deplorable”. She also had words for author Malcolm Gladwell for aiding and abetting the transgender juggernaut’s demolition of liberties. She’s clearly got no time for Johnny-come-latelys who surfed the vibe shift over to the where the popular hot takes are. Gladwell confessed last week that he had been “cowed” into publicly supporting transgender athletes in women’s sports, despite believing it was wrong.
What we’re seeing isn’t “progress,” it’s a reboot of blasphemy laws. Only now the saints are men in skirts, the prophets are climate doomsayers, and the commandments are enforced by vengeful influencers. Mock Christ all you like—Hollywood does it on the regular. Ridicule those who call on God in the face of abortion or violence, call God’s Word hate speech. That’s all fair game. But hurt someone’s feelings and you will be made to care. It would be nice if more in Hollywood would use their clout for good, but we can’t wait for them. Jesus gave us mouths to proclaim truth in words and actions. Be ready to be hated. Better to stand trial for truth than bow to the idols of the age.
‘Til all is made new,
Frisby
Noise Decoder
Vax Attacks
Public health is still in the news this week, with Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. testifying before a tense Senate hearing over recent turmoil at the CDC. (See last week’s write-up for context.) Ahead of the hearing, 1,000 current and former Health Department employees signed a letter demanding his resignation, accusing him of “endanger[ing] the nation’s health” and sidelining doctors and scientists. Kennedy rejected claims that he’s politicizing the department, arguing instead that he’s removing conflicts of interest from public health.
Some senators accused him of making vaccines harder to access, pointing to recent changes in COVID vaccine guidelines. Kennedy countered that vaccines will remain available but said Americans deserve better information about their risks and benefits. In a charged exchange, he also accused Sen. Elizabeth Warren of accepting large pharma donations and criticized longtime lawmakers for doing “nothing” about rising childhood illness rates.
In related vaccine news, President Trump, once a vocal supporter of his own Operation Warp Speed, is now urging vaccine makers to “justify their success” by releasing data. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has announced the state will end all vaccine mandates not explicitly written into law, including those for school children. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will soon review a range of vaccines, likely affecting insurers, doctors, and drugmakers.
The Pagan Descent
Nicole Shanahan posted last week about her experiences at Burning Man festivals. Shanahan, once Silicon Valley royalty and a former running mate of RFK Jr., said she sees the weeklong celebration of hedonism very differently now that she is a Christian. Burning Man, held annually around Labor Day in the Nevada desert, is guided by ten stated principles, including radical self-expression, communal effort, and anti-capitalist ideals.
As a VIP attendee, Shanahan mingled with celebrities “many of whom treat [the festival] as their personal playground.” She describes the week being characterized by sex, nudity, occult symbolism, magic, and drug use. The “darker side of Burning Man,” she wrote, “prioritizes expression and freedom before safety and virtue—a trade that everyone must make if they wish to attend.” Participants are encouraged to take new names and can visit The Temple, where possessions are burned as a form of sacrifice.
“The ritual was always the same,” Shanahan recalled. “The Temple became a vessel for grief, sorrow, and suffering. When it burned, it was meant to be a collective release. As the structure collapsed, great spirals of smoke would rise into the sky, and dust devils would swirl across the desert floor. Among Burners, these were spoken of as ‘the spirits.’”
Deaths have occurred at the festival, including this year when a young man was reportedly stabbed to death. Shanahan says safety and comfort are not priorities: “The dark side of Burning Man is an accepted reality and risk because the organizers and the most devout Burners believe that the upside of Burning Man is vital enough to risk a few lives here and there.” She warns against surrendering to such ideals: “You do not simply embrace freedom; you also open yourself to profound distortions of what is good.”
Shanahan’s reflections echo concerns voiced last week by Christian author and apologist Lee Strobel, who told Tucker Carlson that “Satan and the demonic realm are likely working through Hollywood and mass media to corrupt society by normalizing evil.” Strobel, a former atheist turned outspoken defender of Christianity, argued that it makes sense for evil to target the powerful and influential people who shape cultural spaces.
Looking to the cross: You don’t need to hold out for the Epstein list or subscribe to fringe conspiracy theories to see that elites and culture shape each other in ways hostile to truth, beauty, and goodness. The societal drift away from God’s design fed by the arts and media is often subtle, dressed up as “freedom” or “self-expression.” That’s why Christians must be anchored in Scripture and committed to one another’s accountability. The Word of God doesn’t just expose deception—it steadies us in a world bent on calling darkness light.
On the Radar
Health
Medicine and Food
A new study claims that folks who consumed the largest amounts of artificial sweeteners, such as those found in low-calorie drinks and desserts, may experience increased cognitive decline. (EuroNews)
A small trial is confirming what many found out during the pandemic: “Daily squirts of a safe, over-the-counter allergy nasal spray may prevent COVID-19 infections from taking hold.” (ArsTechnica)
Study: CT scans increase risk of cancer, depending on body size and the type of x-ray. (Epoch Times)
A new study found that the contraception pill “influences brain areas involved in emotions and memory, which are central to mental health.” (Not the Bee)
A supercharged stethoscope can detect a number of heart maladies within seconds. (Newsweek)
Life
Birth, Death and Marriage
A plurality of Americans still say two children is the ideal family size, according to new Gallup poll. (Gallup)
Treasure
Money, Markets and Jobs
American job openings fell in August, according to latest reports, with June and July numbers also adjusted down. The poor report may trigger the Fed to cut interest rates. (AP)
Hearts and Minds
Philosophy, Hacks and Human Connection
“Magic phrases” that get kids to listen to their parents. “When you regularly protect your child’s dignity, make them feel safe, and follow through on boundaries, listening becomes the natural outcome.” (CNBC)
How to think of questions to ask people. (Art of Manliness)
Quests, not goals. (Raptitude)
Got inner critic? Positive self-talk can reduce stress. (Nice News) Or try saying this:
Reality Bytes
Digital Technology
In its antitrust case, a court ruled Google can keep its Chrome browser but cannot maintain exclusive search contracts. The tech giant was found last year to hold an illegal monopoly in internet search. (CNBC)
Knowledge
Science and Data
SpaceX is considering adding a fuel plant to its Texas Starbase. Getting a steady supply of rocket fuel to feed its massive Starship launches is proving to be a bottleneck. (ArsTechnica)
“For the first time, researchers have mapped decision-making at single-cell resolution across an entire mammalian brain.” (IFL Science)
Researchers have devised a wearable balloon robot to help stroke patients recover strength. (Popular Science)
The Bride And The Counterfeits
Religion and the Church
A new survey says young people are the steadiest church attenders. (WNG)
The Vatican is about to canonize its first Millennial saint. (USA Today)
Heritage
Arts, History and Sport
How Hawaii’s princes brought the royal sport of surfing to the mainland. (NPR)
Some great reading in Luther Classical’s magazine new issue. (Luther Classical College)
War and Rumors of War
Conflict and Weaponry
President Trump has ordered that the Defense Department be known as the Department of War. "I don’t want to be defense only. We want defense, but we want offense, too," Trump said. "As Department of War, we won everything." It is understood that Congress would have to approve the change for it to be permanent. (NBC)
A leaked government letter has warned French hospitals to be prepared to receive casualties in the event of a potential armed European conflict within the next year. (The Independent)
Hamas is reportedly preventing anyone from leaving Gaza City as Israel announces it has been taking over the last remaining stronghold, Gaza City. (Hot Air)
President Trump says a U.S strike on a Venezuelan ship killed 11 drug runners on their way to America. He said the “strike took place while the boat was in international waters and was transporting “illegal” narcotics. Venezuela has sent military jets over an American warship in the area. (The Hill, CBS)
What do dictators talk about when they think mics are switched off? Immorality, apparently. (Politico)
Ukrainian authorities have detained a man who is believed to have killed the former speaker of Parliament. Ukraine’s police chief suggested the attack was "not random" and had "a Russian trace. (Kyiv Independent)
Stories From Far Away
World News
🇮🇳 India is banning online gambling purportedly in response to suicides induced by financial losses. The industry, which is worth $23 billion, “industry stakeholders largely attribute these incidents to offshore betting and gambling apps, which many believe will not be addressed by this legislation.” (TechCrunch)
🇸🇩 Sudan has called for international aid after a landslide killed around 1,000 people. (AP)
🇮🇩 Anti-government protests across Indonesia have claimed seven lives, with many injured and property torched. The protests began after it was revealed that politicians were being given housing allowances many times larger than the average wage. (The Guardian)
🌍 The African Union wants to correct maps to show how big Africa really is. (Big Think)
🇳🇿 New Zealand has spent a small fortune repairing a memorial bell tower, but has fired the only man who knows how to play them. (RNZ)
Quickhits For The Eyebuds
🍟 A fast food mystery: a solitary bag of chips appears every night on a Toronto porch..
🎒 Where did freshman, junior, sophomore and senior come from?
📞 Yikes! A fighter pilot was on hold for 50 minutes with experts as his plane was malfunctioning
🪖Do we need a Call of Duty movie? Well, Hollywood thinks so
💤 Why your dreams are weirder on holiday
🌑 Some of the world’s dark days are still a mystery
🗽 The career of the man who built the Statue of Liberty.
☠️ Just touching this tree can put you in hospital
🪩 The new Lego Deathstar will set you back a grand
And..
Three Scottish lads have made history by completing the fastest unsupported non-stop row across the Pacific Ocean - the world’s largest ocean - with 139 days at sea. Rowing 14 hours a day, the Maclean brothers survived on fish and dried food. "This won't surprise anybody - but all I want is a pizza.” (CNN, ABC News)
Let us pray. O merciful Lord, You did not spare Your only Son but delivered Him up for us all. Grant us courage and strength to take up the cross and follow Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
You can also make a one-off or recurring donation here. Thank you!