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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Has AI Transformed Religion? For many, A.I. is “a win for atheism and a blow against religious ideas of soul and spirit,” with our minds seen as “just computers.” Others think religion is enhanced when the mystery of our personal consciousness becomes more profound and humanity more exceptional. A third attitude is simply becoming more uncertain about everything. Then this unsettling phenomenon. As Religion Unplugged reported on May 21, a Barna Group poll found that 30% of adults, and 34% of practicing Christians, agree “strongly” or “somewhat” that “spiritual advice from artificial intelligence is just as trustworthy as advice from a pastor,” a confidence that reaches 44% with the “Millennial” generation. Naturally, clergy members are far more skeptical.
https://religionunplugged.com/news/chatbots-and-the-soul-has-ai-transformed-religion

An OpenAI model solved a famous math problem that stumped humans for 80 years – In mid-May, OpenAI announced that an internal AI model had disproved a famous problem in discrete geometry that had stumped human mathematicians for the last 80 years.
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/06/openais-math-breakthrough-played-to-ais-strengths/

MAiD in America – In the United States, almost one third of Americans will live where doctors can “assist” a person who wants to die because of their terminal medical ailment. On August 5, 2026, an “aid in dying” bill will take effect in New York State. A similar law will take effect in Illinois in September. When that happens, 13 states plus the District of Columbia will legally allow the medical profession to help kill the dying.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/06/maid_in_america.html

‘Suicidal empathy’ is pushing the West toward collapse – From reactions to the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks to gender ideology and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), author and scholar Gad Saad warns that Western civilization is on the brink of collapse. In his new book, "Suicidal Empathy: Dying to Be Kind," Saad argues that the West has taken compassion to a dangerous place by prioritizing ideological virtue-signaling over truth and common sense.
https://www.foxnews.com/media/gad-saad-suicidal-empathy-antisemitism-west

The growing interest in 'prenups' signals a dangerous trend for marriage longevity – Historically, only celebrities or the very wealthy got prenuptial agreements. But in the last decade, these arrangements have become a lot more mainstream. In 2022, 15% of married or engaged people had signed a prenup, up from 3% in 2010. Many couples sign these contracts to make divorce less complicated, and advocates say prenups could actually help married couples avoid breaking up. Some Christians believe prenups might have their place, depending on the circumstance. But others warn the broader trend points to some major problems: A growing number of couples maintain complete independence during marriage, view marriage as a contractual arrangement, and plan for divorce before ever saying “I do.”
https://wng.org/articles/exit-plan-1778035651

Your dentist knows more than you think — the secrets revealed in your mouth before you say a word – A dentist explains the surprising things he can read from your teeth, gums, and jaw during a routine dental exam
https://creators.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/your-dentist-knows-more-than-you-think--the-secrets-revealed-in-your-mouth-before-you-say-a-word-020855868.ht

MIRACLES BY DESIGN: The Amazing Tongue of the Hummingbird – There is a feeling, or perhaps it would be better described as an unexpected recognition, that we humans get whenever we first encounter a piece of music that is so beautiful, so satisfying that we listen to it over and over again, and it never gets old. The natural world is full of such “songs” and we find them when we encounter aspects of the animal world that inspire in us a combination of awe and indescribable respect. [video]
https://www.hillfaith.org/hillfaith/miracles-by-design-the-amazing-tongue-of-the-hummingbird/

Colorectal Cancer Spikes in Young People – Colorectal cancer rates are rising in younger people, with one in five diagnoses now in individuals under 55.
https://health.yahoo.com/conditions/cancer/colorectal-cancer/articles/blood-test-added-colorectal-cancer-194458977.html