Prophecy: New Deliverance Technologies Revealed to Combat Demonic Resistance

Abortion rights activists try to burn Mexico City cathedral

Amid a demonstration Saturday urging the legalisation of abortion, activists tried to set fire to the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral.

Students Around the World Pray Together for 'See You At The Pole'

This year's "See You At The Pole" prayer rally is set for Wednesday, Sept. 25. It's an event organized and led by students around the world.

According to the SYATP organization's website, it's just about one thing—prayer.

Public school students are urged to pray at 7 a.m. Wednesday around their school's flagpole.

The theme for the event is a Bible verse found in the Old Testament: 2 Chronicles 7:14.

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

The event is a part of the Global Week of Student Prayer held from Sept. 22 to Sept. 28.

Other private or home-school students will pray in unique ways, places and times all during the week.

'Fastest-growing church' has no buildings, no central leadership, and is mostly led by women

For the last few years, researchers have credited the underground church in Iran as the fastest-growing Christian church in the world. It has unique characteristics that defy comparison with churches in America and Europe, and in the opinion of some who know it well, the church in the West could learn by studying it.

“The fastest-growing church in the world has taken root in one of the most unexpected and radicalized nations on earth,” according to “Sheep Among Wolves,” the outstanding two-hour documentary about the revival that has taken place inside Iran. “The Iranian awakening is a rapidly reproducing discipleship movement that owns no property or buildings, has no central leadership, and is predominantly led by women.”

Biblical Secrets to Shatter Your Financial Misery

Do you find yourself struggling monthly to make ends meet? Wealth Codes coach Rob Saunders says you don't have to live such a mediocre existence.

It's all a matter of biblical wisdom. In the Bible, Jesus talked more about money than he talked about salvation and grace. And when you understand and choose to practice the Lord's way of doing business, you will experience the abundance that exceeds all you can ask or think, dream or imagine.

5 Things You Need to Know About Depression, Mental Illness

Many know all too well the debilitating effects of mental illness. We do a great disservice when we tell those struggling to "just get over it and think positive thoughts" or "read your Bible more." Although positive thinking (the right kind) is biblical, and it's crucial to meditate on God's Word, one cannot simply turn depression, anxiety and hopelessness on and off like a light switch. But on the flip side, there are factors that contribute to mental anguish. After many years of praying with, talking to and counseling thousands of people, I've found five factors that stand out that may cause mental pain. (Watch the short video here outlining these same points.)

1. Chemical imbalances and other physical factors can cause mental illness. Medication has a place, such as when neurotransmitters and hormone levels need assistance. In the same way that diabetes needs to be treated with insulin, some struggling with emotional pain may need medication, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, but medication doesn't always fix the problem. Often, it complicates it. Before jumping immediately on the medication bandwagon, consider the next four points. There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach, but we can look at a combination of things that may be adding to mental anguish.

Edward Snowden brands advancing AI ‘greatest danger’ for future

A bus passes by a poster of Edward Snowden, a former contractor at the National Security Agency (NSA), displayed by his supporters at Hong Kong's financial central district during the midnight hours, while Snowden is engaged in a live chat online believed to be in Hong Kong, on June 18, 2013.

Former NSA contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden warned that continued advancement of artificial intelligence could lead to more pernicious policing of people around the world through the creation of a “permanent record” of their life.

The warning comes ahead of the release of Snowden’s book, Permanent Record, set for release on Tuesday.

Pope Francis to visit Thailand and Japan in November

The Vatican confirmed Friday that Pope Francis will travel to Thailand and Japan in November with stops scheduled in Tokyo, Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Pope Francis will visit Thailand Nov. 20-23 in commemoration of the 350th anniversary of the Vatican Mission to Siam in 1669. The pope will then travel Nov. 23-26 to Japan, where the theme of his visit is “Protect all life.”

Arizona M.D. Reveals: 4 Weird Signs You'll Live Past 100

At some point, one question has crossed everyone's mind:

"When am I going to die?"

And while none of us have a magic crystal ball...

What if there was some scientific way to know for sure?

Well, one Arizona doctor may have just cracked the code.

Why Your Christian Marriage Doesn't Have to Be Boring

As a counselor, I have helped many people grieve many different events or realities in their lives. In grief counseling, the model for grief comes from Elisabeth Kübler Ross, who studied people dying. She identified the grief stage as: shock, denial, anger, bargaining, sadness and acceptance.

The very first stage of grief is shock. Shock is kind of visceral feeling throughout one's body. When you genuinely hold tightly to an idea and a truth comes against that idea, you can experience shock. It can feel like disconnection or pain or numbness depending on the intensity of what you are grieving.

New study ‘finds genetic links to same-sex behavior’: 3 facts you need to know

LGBTQ advocates have long sought evidence for the claim that same-sex sexual attraction is genetically conditioned. “God made me this way” is a common claim.

If it could be proven that same-sex sexual attraction is inherited, many would find it even easier to liken homosexual persons to racial minorities and castigate those who affirm biblical sexual morality as prejudiced and homophobic.

We should therefore not be surprised by the way a new study of same-sex sexual behavior is being reported. “Research Finds Genetic Links to Same-Sex Behavior” headlines the Wall Street Journal. The New York Times headlines the story a bit differently: “Many Genes Influence Same-Sex Sexuality, Not a Single ‘Gay Gene.'”

If these headlines were all you read, you’d assume that the “God made me this way” claim has finally been proven. The opposite is actually true.

Christian authors blast Amazon for banning their books, selling pedophilia titles

Christian authors who once identified as gay or lesbian are highlighting the double standard Amazon is applying by removing their books from the platform while continuing to sell titles that promote pedophilia.

Restored Hope Network Executive Director Anne Paulk and pastoral counselor Joe Dallas both saw their books removed from the retail giant. Amazon told some authors that their books, which detail how Jesus transformed their lives and sexual identities, were in "violation of our content guidelines."

Paulk, the author of Restoring Sexual Identity: Hope for Women Who Struggle with Same-Sex Attraction, said in a statement to local media on Thursday that she's not surprised books like her's and Dallas' have been banned by the retailer.

“But it is literally criminal what the site still offers for sale,” she said.

Nigerian priest killed as car set ablaze

A Catholic priest was killed in Nigeria this week when the car he was driving was set ablaze.

Fr. David Tanko was traveling within the Jalingo diocese of Nigeria, near the country’s border with Cameroon, when he was attacked Aug. 29. The priest was traveling to a “peace meeting” of local clergymen to discuss a conflict between the local Tiv and Jukun ethnic groups.

“We received the news of his death with shock. This is sad. The diocese is mourning,”  Bishop Charles Hammawa of Jalingo told local media.

“We have been preaching peace and making efforts to bring both parties in crisis in the area to a roundtable discussion,” the bishop added.

Shiban Tikari, chairman of Taraba State Council, told local media that a Tiv militia carried out the attack.

Hammawa encouraged a peaceful response to Tanko’s killing.

“Our basic concern now is to give him a befitting burial,”  the bishop said.

“We don’t want any group to go on reprisal. Going on reprisal will only worsen the situation.”

The bishop announced a Vigil Mass for the priest on Monday, Sept. 2; and burial the following day at the diocesan cemetery in Jalingo.

Death row inmates appeal to North Carolina Supreme Court, citing racial bias

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

The Supreme Court of North Carolina is set to hear the case of six death row inmates who say a repealed state law should still allow them to be resentenced to life without parole, since they were able to successfully demonstrate that racial bias was a factor in their death sentences.

The court is scheduled to hear arguments Monday and Tuesday in the cases of four death row inmates who briefly were resentenced to life without parole when state legislators approved the Racial Justice Act in 2009, the AP reports.

10th Avenue North Frontman: Stop Begging to Know God's Will for Your Life

After years of wrestling with his obsession to know God's will for his life, Tenth Avenue North lead singer Mike Donehey came to an "aha" moment. God had not revealed His plan to Donehey because God Himself was the plan.

Donehey had to ask God to change his will to seek the Lord first and focus on serving Him. And it all began with his prayer life.

Bishops praise proposal to clarify religious exemptions for federal contractors

Leaders at the U.S. bishops’ conference have praised a U.S. Labor Department proposal to clarify protections for religious employers seeking federal contracts.

“Faith-based groups should have the opportunity to compete on a level playing field as they seek to partner with the federal government to provide critical social services,” said the heads of three committees for the U.S. bishops.

Holy Spirit Shows Music Industry Veteran What Our Culture Gets Totally Wrong About Success

Mark Maxwell is an entertainment lawyer and a music business veteran, but he's also a committed Christian with a unique and refreshing perspective on integrity and success.

Maxwell was once a record label executive, but he doesn't approach life in the stereotypical way some might expect from an attorney and music industry pro. Rather than putting business, money and materialism first, he follows a totally different blueprint.

Migrant families to face longer detention under new Trump rule; faith groups concerned

Christian advocacy groups are speaking out after the Trump administration announced a new regulation Wednesday that would allow for undocumented migrant children to be detained without limit in immigration detention facilities.

The Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services unveiled the new rule that opens the door for the Trump administration to detain migrant families who cross the U.S. southern border indefinitely.

Hong Kong student leader: Catholics should take 'major role' in peaceful protests

Protesters hold placards during a rally in Chartered Garden on August 16, 2019 in Hong Kong, China.

The acting president of the Hong Kong Federation of Catholic Students told CNA this week that he would like to see Catholics and other Christians take on a larger role in ongoing protests against the government, amid fears of a crackdown by Chinese authorities.

"For this movement, it's a great chance for the Catholics and [Protestant] Christians to cooperate with each other," Edwin Chow, a student studying Government and International Studies at Hong Kong Baptist University, said in a statement.

Are You Rebuking Satan the Wrong Way?

Is it enough to just rebuke the enemy?

Are we missing an important element of prayer? We've all heard people say, "I rebuke you, devil" or "I rebuked the enemy."

But, are we following up those words with an action we want the enemy to take as Jesus did? Are we binding and restricting our situation or storms and then speaking to it and declaring over our situation what it should do?

This Spiritual DNA Is Vital for a Healthy Marriage

When we come at our marriage to be served instead of to serve the other person, we are setting ourselves up for significant, unnecessary pain. If a man or woman is not a servant, he or she is not ready for marriage.

If there is not a servant at the very core of who you are, you have totally missed why you are here on planet Earth, and why you are married and received a family. Each responsibility is designed to expand your ability and capacity to serve with excellence and a great attitude.

Survey on Catholic belief in the Eucharist prompts calls for better catechesis

After a recent survey found that two-thirds of Catholics do not believe Church teaching about the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, Catholic commenters are stressing the importance of better faith formation.

“We should never assume that ‘everyone here knows the basics.’ We have to constantly reiterate the basics and take every advantage that we have to catechize,” said John Bergsma, a professor of Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

VP Mike Pence: Spend more time in prayer than online

Vice President Mike Pence is urging people to spend more time on their knees in prayer than they do online, particularly when faced with challenges.

Speaking at Alliance Defending Freedom's fireside chat Tuesday, the vice president addressed the controversy that surrounded his wife, second lady Karen Pence, earlier this year when it became known that she was returning to teaching art part-time at a Christian school in northern Virginia where she previously taught when he was a Congressman.

Is Loving Yourself Selfish?

While loving yourself as God loves you is an important experience and practice, many can struggle and wonder, Will this lead me to become selfish? Will loving myself lead me to become self-centered?

In this video, I want to address the question that asks, "Is loving yourself something that can lead you to becoming selfish?" I want to help you apply some wisdom so you can address this issue with fruitfulness, balance and grounded living.

I will address the tension between loving others sacrificially and also tending to the needs of your own heart. I will share what loving yourself is not while also getting to some of the core issues we need to address when it comes to loving God, loving yourself and loving others.

White roses fall inside Roman basilica to mark 4th century Marian miracle

White rose petals fell from the ceiling of St. Mary Major Basilica Monday, as Romans celebrated the anniversary of a 4th century Marian miracle.

The miracle, which inspired the construction of the papal Marian basilica, involved a miraculous snowfall in Rome on Aug. 5 in the year 358.

The Dormition Fast: The Eastern Christian season leading to the Assumption

Theophanes the Greek's Dormition of the Mother of God (1392).

Each year the Eastern Catholic Churches, as well as other Eastern Christians, participate in a fasting season Aug. 1-14 in preparation for the Aug. 15 feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God (which is celebrated as the Assumption in the Latin rite).

Traditionally, during the strict fourteen day fast, Eastern Catholics abstain from meat, dairy, fish, wine, and oil on weekdays, with some relaxation on the weekends and on the feast of the Transfiguration. The fast is relaxed for children and the elderly, or for those with a medical condition.

Coalition of left-leaning pastors warn against Christian nationalism

The Right Rev. Michael Curry, the first African-American Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church

A coalition of mostly left leaning pastors have joined a campaign warning against Christian nationalism.

Among the endorsers of the campaign's statement is bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church, the Rev. Michael Curry, a supporter of same-sex marriage who presided over the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

After Norway Seizes Pentecostal Family's 5 Kids, Top European Court Will Hear Case

The European Court of Human Rights has agreed to hear the case of a Pentecostal family after Norway seized their children.

Barnevernet—Norway's child-welfare agency—took the children in 2015 under claims that the parents were using spanking as a form of discipline, which is illegal in that nation. The agency took action after a school principal expressed concern that parents Ruth and Marius Bodnariu were indoctrinating their children with their Christian beliefs.

Village Church staffer axed from design conference after group protests over his religious views

David Roark, the communications and resources director for The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, was recently axed as a speaker at an annual design conference after the Dallas Fort Worth arm of the American Institute of Graphic Arts protested his religious views.

The annual Circles Conference, a three-day design and development conference that brings together designers and makers from around the globe is set to take place Sept. 18-20 in Richardson, Texas, this year, but the local AIGA announced it wouldn’t partner with the conference this year because of Roark’s inclusion as a speaker.

Authorities investigating criminal reports of men buying kids in Mexico before crossing US border

Authorities are investigating claims that migrant men in Tijuana, Mexico, are attempting to buy children from poor, single mothers living at shelters so they increase their chances of being released from border detention centers sooner and gaining asylum in the U.S.

The San Diego Union-Tribune has reported that women staying at Tijuana shelters fear their children will be kidnapped after seeing groups of men approaching mothers offering to purchase their children to expedite their process of seeking asylum.

Here's the Spiritual Connection to Your Emotional Eating

My emotions used to be very well-hidden, buried under more than 250 pounds of flesh. I never wanted them to raise their ugly heads or be noticeable in public. I just wanted them to stay put and act nice, not get all in a wad where I'd have to deal with them. I've learned, though, that life is messy so we might as well feel it. But that lesson was a long time coming.

I have always valued what I know much more than what I feel. Many times though, actually most of the time, my behaviors ruled me. For years, my emotions were partnering with the evil one to end my physical existence on this earth.

Chinese officials crack down on religious funerals, weddings

As the Communist Party of China continues to tighten its grip on the regulation of religion and religious activity, a human rights group is reporting that officials are disrupting religious rites and ceremonies such as funerals and weddings that take place outside of church buildings.

Bitter Winter, a magazine documenting human rights and religious freedom abuses in China, reported that attendees of such ceremonies have been threatened with investigation and jail, and in some cases have been arrested and detained for more than two weeks at a time.

Egypt Legalizes 127 Churches in Sweeping Approval

A committee set up by the Egyptian government has approved the legalization of 127 churches that were previously being run in an illegal capacity.

A law passed in 2016 hoped to speed up the process of legalization, with thousands of churches being built without a permit and operating in fear of government reprisals.

Prior to the law being passed, it was notoriously difficult to attain state approval and, therefore, congregations could find themselves at risk of prosecution.

What God Wants to Do With These 3 Prophetic Types of Kings in This Hour

I wrote an article, "Calling Out the Emerging Kings," published on Elijah List, Oct. 19, 2018. Two days after that article came out, my husband, a brilliant attorney and a major "king" himself, died unexpectedly. I lost my best friend, my confidant, my adviser, my financial partner. In a moment, my world as I knew it disintegrated.

Shocking as it sounds, I could not allow this tragedy to be wasted without it being woven into God's greater plan of redemption and victory. I knew I was onto something with my revelation about kings; I had to persist in declaring the call. Even more mind-blowing, God has been confirming the coronation of kingship in my own personal life. Since my husband's passing, I have assumed massive, sole responsibility for the management of our family assets, overhauling our lives and portfolios. God's inexplicable favor acted like a shield around me as I worked tirelessly with some top tax and legal advisers (kings of this world).

Previously, I had shared a vision of Jesus casting out crowns to countless souls who rejected them. These were leaders and rulers who would have otherwise extended God's kingdom on earth by boldly executing heaven's blueprints.

3 Strategic Growth Secrets to Get People Flocking to Your Church

We are on to something. At first glance you may find yourself thinking: This isn't anything new, been there and done that. Or how about this one: There is no "one size that fits all." Actually, there is. I have found that there are major gaps in the retention and assimilation processes in churches of every size and I will bet, after you have read this, you will see the gaps in yours and have a road map to explosive growth at every level.

Adults

The back door out of most churches is just like the song, "deep and wide," and many can be found there. But the wide-open back door is only there not because your front door is broken---in most cases, it's because you aren't pastoring the ones God sends you beyond the first few weeks. It's as simple as that. I offer an idea that can work at your church every bit as well as it has worked at ours.

Christian Publishers: China Tariffs Could Lead to 'Bible Tax' in US

If President Trump gets his way, reading the Bible could get more expensive.

The parent company of the two largest Bible publishers in the United States has warned the Trump administration that proposed tariffs on China would amount to a "Bible tax."

Trump's proposed tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese-made products would affect books and other printed materials, according to Bloomberg. That includes Bibles, which are overwhelmingly printed in China because of the specialized technology and skills they require to produce.

In Naples, Pope Francis calls for theological dialogue with Islam, Judaism

In Naples Friday Pope Francis delivered a speech calling for theological dialogue with Islam and Judaism in pontifical universities as part of “a theology of dialogue and acceptance.”

“Theology students should be educated in dialogue with Judaism and Islam to understand the common roots and differences of our religious identities, and thus contribute more effectively to building a society that values ​​diversity and fosters respect, brotherhood and peaceful coexistence,” Pope Francis said June 21 in front of Naples’ Jesuit-run pontifical Catholic university.

When You Pray for Someone's Healing, Do You Need all the Details?

A reader asks; "Do you have to know all the details of what needs to be healed in order to pray for healing for someone?"

This is a good question, for which many want to know the answer. No, we do not need to know all the details to pray for one another for healing. During healing lines, I have already given instruction to the people that now is not the time for a long explanation for what they need healing from. It's not necessary for me to know all the details of what has happened for me to pray in faith for their healing. And you do not need to know all the details either.

Amazon Synod to consider possible ordination of married men

The working document for the special assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazonian region, released Monday, recommends study of the possibility of ordaining married men in remote areas for the priesthood.

'Sing Hallelujah to the Lord' marks Hong Kong anti-extradition protests, 'anthem' of demonstration

As record numbers demonstrate in the streets of Hong Kong to protest a proposed extradition law and the mainland Chinese government, a Christian song penned in 1974 has become an "unofficial anthem."

Christian groups in the autonomous territory in southeastern China of approximately 7.4 million people — a former British colony — have been singing "Sing Hallelujah To The Lord" by Linda Stassen-Benjamin while protesting and marching in the streets. The song, which is catchy and simple in melody, is popular around the world and has been translated into many languages.

The demonstrators have also been protesting against police brutality. The authorities apparently have a distaste for the Christian song, as evidenced by one sign a protester carried, which reads: "Stop Using Baton Or We Sing Hallelujah To The Lord." Numerous clips of protesters singing the hymn have been posted to Twitter and other social media.

St Louis University: employee who signed abortion rights letter apologized, retracted support

A group of 180 business leaders this week signed an open letter, published June 10 as a full-page advertisement in the New York Times and online, in support of abortion rights and declaring abortion restrictions “bad for business.”

“Restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health, independence and economic stability of our employees and customers. Simply put, it goes against our values and is bad for business,” the letter read.

Among the original list of signatories was Cindy Mebruer, director of the Center for Supply Chain Excellence at Saint Louis University’s Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business. SLU is a Jesuit institution with a total enrollment of 13,000.

Mebruer signed the letter on behalf of the center, and the name of the university was included in the online version of the letter.

“Saint Louis University had no knowledge of the New York Times advertisement until it was brought to the University’s attention Thursday,” the university said in a statement to CNA.

Cities, states ask courts to block HHS conscience protections before taking effect

Santa Clara County, California is the latest entity to ask a federal judge to block a new rule from the Department of Health and Human Services designed to protect the conscience rights of healthcare workers.

The new HHS rule, announced May 2 and published May 21 in the Federal Register, strengthens a series of laws intended to protect the conscience rights of doctors and nurses.

“Even though Federal conscience and anti-discrimination laws are currently in effect, the public has sometimes been confused about their applicability in relation to other Federal, State, or local laws,” the new rule reads.

“Some advocacy organizations have filed lawsuits claiming that Federal or State laws require private religious entities to perform abortions and sterilizations despite the existence of longstanding conscience and anti-discrimination protections on this topic.”

Under existing law, medical providers may opt out of direct participation, as well as having to refer patients to other providers who will perform procedures to which they object, such as abortion and sterilization. The rule is due to take effect July 22.

Terrorists Threaten Christians: Leave or Be Killed

Boko Haram militants reportedly kidnapped a Christian woman, whom they later released with a letter for other Christians living nearby: "Leave the town within three days or be killed."

According to Open Doors USA, the woman was taken by Islamic terrorists from the village of Kintchendi in the Diffa region in southeastern Niger on June 7.

Unnamed sources on the ground in Niger told Open Doors that Christians in the region and in other rural areas of Diffa are being told to relocate to the capital city of Niamey. Several families have reportedly already fled the area.

Click here to read the rest of this story from our content partners at Faithwire.

Pope Francis on Pentecost: 'Christian life unravels' without the Holy Spirit

Without the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Christians lack that which animates them and gives them internal life and harmony, Pope Francis said on Pentecost.
   
“Without the Spirit, our Christian life unravels, lacking the love that brings everything together,” Pope Francis said at Mass in St. Peter’s Square June 9.

Alabama plans chemical castration for pedophiles seeking parole. Ethicists raise concerns

A Catholic ethicist raised concerns over a bill that would mandate “chemical castration” as a condition of parole for incarcerated pedophiles. The issue is at the crux of an Alabama bill that has passed the state’s legislature and now is awaiting the governor’s signature.

The bill, HB379, would mandate so-called “chemical castration” as a condition for granting parole to convicted sex offenders who offended against children 13 years of age or younger. The treatment would be provided and supervised by the Department of Public Health, and would be paid for by the parolees, unless they could demonstrate the inability to pay, the bill states.

Everything you need to know about Pentecost

This weekend, the Church celebrates Pentecost, one of the most important feast days of the year that concludes the Easter season and celebrates the beginning of the Church.
 
Here’s what you need to know about the feast day:

Religious couples are the most sexually satisfied

One of our world’s most persistent myths is that religion is the enemy of good sex. The idea of Christians as repressed Puritan prudes—as historically inaccurate as that is—still exerts enormous power over our imaginations.

The other side of that myth is perpetuated in the glamorous portrayals in movies and TV of sexual liberation juxtaposed alongside frigid marriages. The message is clear: Faith and tradition are shackles that must be shed if we are to enjoy the kind of freedom the sexual revolution promises.

Are You Inviting Demonic Spirits Into Your Home?

Is there something in your life and home inviting demonic spirits? Today we allow so many ungodly things to enter our homes. Our lives are being affected by everything that is unholy, opening doors to rebellion, disobedience, promiscuity and the realm of defiant evil spirits.

Unfortunately it's not only what we allow into our homes, but it's also what adults are modeling in today's Christian home. Many allow violent movies and indecent entertainment, telling small children to cover their eyes until the violent or indecent episode is over. I know couples who constantly fight over this issue. The husband wants to see the violent and explicit videos, and the wife wants no part of it.

Scientists Sound the Alarm on 5G Networks

Even though many in the scientific community are loudly warning about the potential health effects that 5G technology could have on the general population, Verizon and AT&T are starting to put up their 5G networks in major cities all across the nation. Today, the total number of cell phones exceeds the entire population of the world, and the big cell phone companies are making a crazy amount of money providing service to all of those phones. And now that the next generation of cell phone technology has arrived, millions of cell phone users are looking forward to better connections and faster speeds than ever before. In fact, President Trump says that 5G networks will be up to 100 times faster than the current 4G networks we are using right now:

5G will be as much as 100 times faster than the current 4G cellular networks. It will transform the way our citizens work, learn, communicate and travel. It will make American farms more productive, American manufacturing more competitive and American health care better and more accessible. Basically, it covers almost everything, when you get right down to it. Pretty amazing.

And just as 4G networks paved the way for smartphones and all of the exciting breakthroughs — they made possible so many things — this will be more secure and resilient. 5G networks will also create astonishing and really thrilling new opportunities for our people—opportunities that we've never even thought we had a possibility of looking at.

Sounds great, right?

House passes LGBT Equality Act; conservatives say it 'undermines women’s equality'

The Democrat-controlled U.S. House of Representatives passed the Equality Act Friday afternoon, hotly-debated legislation seeking to codify LGBT non-discrimination protections into federal law.

H.R. 5 passed by a vote of 236-173. The bill would expand the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to also ban discrimination on the basis of “sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition” in housing, public accommodations and hiring.

The bill was first introduced in 2015 but never passed in the Republican-controlled House. However, it is unlikely to be voted on in the Republican-controlled Senate.

German bishop supports 'Church strike' for women's ordination

At least one bishop has offered his support for a week-long “Church strike” organized by German Catholic women, during which participants organize their own prayer services rather than attending Mass.

Calling itself "Mary 2.0" the initiative issued an open letter to Pope Francis, which called for the ordination of women, and claimed "men of the Church only tolerate one woman in their midst: Mary."

"We want to take Mary off her pedestal and into our midst, as a sister facing our direction," the letter said.

The website features paintings of Mary and other women with their mouths taped over.

How the Trade War Is Going to Affect You And Your Family

As expected, trade negotiations with China concluded on Friday with no trade deal in sight. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin called the negotiations "constructive", and that helped calm the financial markets, but there really isn't any reason to be optimistic at this point. The negotiations that happened this week did not even come close to producing a deal, and neither side is attempting to claim that there will be an agreement in the near future.