Below are this week's Articles of Interest as compiled by Mr. Van Baker. This collection of articles is cultivated by Mr. Baker with the goal of highlighting some of the trends, upheavals, and things to watch for in our society. These articles are not necessarily the express views of the United Church of God, Mr. Baker, or me as the pastor, but they are informative of what is occurring in our nation and culture. In accordance with Christ's warning to correctly discern the times (Matthew 16:1-4), it is wise to be aware of what is going on around us.
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CONSPIRACY theories about the solar eclipse swept the United States ahead of the eclipse – [for example] On TikTok, it was claimed that the solar eclipse would pass through [over] 7 or 8 US cities named Nineveh [actually there are 2 that were in the path of total visibility], which is the name of a city in Iraq that was described as "evil" in the Bible. The flurry of "bogus" worries online came as the total solar eclipse [was to be] visible across parts of North America on April 8.
https://www.the-sun.com/news/10977927/solar-eclipse-conspiracy-theory-wicked-path/

How Religions Have Responded to Total Solar Eclipses Over the Centuries – Throughout history, solar eclipses have had profound impact on adherents of various religions around the world. They were viewed as messages from God or spiritual forces, inducing emotions ranging from dread to wonder... here’s a look at how several of the world’s major religions have responded to such eclipses over the centuries and in modern times.
https://www.realclearreligion.org/2024/04/05/how_religions_have_responded_to_total_solar_eclipses_over_the_centuries_1023225.html

Vatican Releases "Shocking" Document – In what is a pleasant surprise to many, the Vatican has released a document over five years in the making titled "Dignitas Infinita," which is Latin for "Infinite Dignity." The document denounces the practice of transgender surgeries, gender theory and surrogacy, labelling them... as "affronts to human dignity."
https://www.charismanews.com/world/94783-infinite-dignity-vatican-releases-shocking-document-year-in-the-making

Michigan becomes last US state to endorse paid surrogacy – Catholic bishops in Michigan are warning that a newly enacted package of bills that decriminalises paid surrogacy contracts has ignored multiple concerns about the practice, including protecting women from exploitation and human trafficking. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the "Michigan Family Protection Act" on 1 April. Whitmer touted the package of bills as “common-sense, long overdue” action that not only repeals the state’s ban on surrogacy contracts, but also protects families formed by in vitro fertilization (IVF), and ensures LGBTQ+ parents are treated equally.
https://catholicherald.co.uk/michigan-last-us-state-to-embrace-paid-surrogacy-as-bishops-warn-of-new-unregulated-industry-that-preys-on-vulnerable-women/

The No. 1 TV Show on Netflix Is a Series about Moses – A three-part docuseries about one of the Bible’s most well-known characters has soared to No. 1 on Netflix. Testament: The Story of Moses (TV-14) launched on Netflix March 27 and quickly reached the top spot for TV shows, crowding out other titles that are filled with edgy content and are significantly less family-friendly. The docuseries tells the story of Moses through reenactments and includes interviews with pastors, rabbis and other experts. Although it includes different viewpoints -- Christian, Jewish and Muslim -- the viewpoint of historic Christianity is well-represented.
https://www.crosswalk.com/headlines/the-no-1-tv-show-on-netflix-is-a-series-about-moses.html

19 Facts / Principles the Bible Knew Before Science Did – [slideshow]
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/19-facts-and-principles-the-bible-knew-before-science-did/ss-BB1kGJ0j

The enduring value of physical Bibles in a digital age – Despite the convenience and accessibility of digital formats, the physical Bible holds an irreplaceable place in the hearts of many (I know it does for me), offering a sense of grounding and authenticity in an ever-changing technological world. In this blog post, we will dive into the enduring value of physical Bibles and explore why they continue to hold relevance amidst the digital age.
https://www.christianpost.com/voices/the-enduring-value-of-physical-bibles-in-a-digital-age.html

Red Heifers [already in Israel] get names – The Temple movement held a conference in ancient Shiloh on [3/27] concerning the red heifer. While the conference focused on the complex theoretical aspects of the esoteric Torah commandment to burn red heifers, the five crimson creatures who were the focus of the debate were off to the side, calmly chewing their cud. The rare yet adorable bovines were not entirely ignored. The organizers took a few moments to bestow names on the two-year-old cows: Tikva (hope), Geula (redemption), Techiya (life-giving), Nechama (comfort), and Segula (virtue).
https://israel365news.com/388499/red-heifers-get-names/

Scientists still baffled by giant human skeletons – A series of mysterious giant skeletons up to 10 feet tall reportedly discovered in and around Nevada caves last century — dubbed the “Giants of Lovelock” — are still baffling scientists decades later.
https://nypost.com/2024/04/04/us-news/mystery-surrounds-peculiar-giant-skeletons-claimed-to-be-found-in-nevada-caves/

World’s First Real-Time Wearable Human Emotion Recognition Technology Unveiled – Professor Jiyun Kim and his team at the Department of Material Science and Engineering at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology [in South Korea] have developed a pioneering technology capable of identifying human emotions in real time. This cutting-edge innovation is set to revolutionize various industries, including next-generation wearable systems that provide services based on emotions.
https://scitechdaily.com/worlds-first-real-time-wearable-human-emotion-recognition-technology-unveiled/