Why materialism makes the worst worldviews

How do we determine whether one worldview is better than any other? If some worldviews are better than others, then at least one worldview must be worse than all others. Based on criteria outlined previously, the obvious candidates for the worst worldviews are those that are built upon materialism. The adoption of materialism into a belief system automatically makes a worldview unaffirmable and unlivable.

How is your church responding to a post-Roe world?

The Dobbs decision marks a true turning point in the pro-life movement — a moment that Christians, pro-life advocates and many others have worked toward tirelessly for 50 years. As we respond to the ruling in this case, we want to be faithful to pray.

This free Dobbs prayer guide contains a list of 48 specific prayer requests to guide you, your family, and your church in your prayers over the coming weeks and months.

This Week in Washington, D.C.

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in 303 Creative v. Elenis, an important case for free speech and religious liberty.

The plaintiff in the case, Lorie Smith, operates a website business in the state of Colorado. She has created all kinds of custom websites for all types of people, but she refuses to use her “design skills and creativity to express messages that violate her deeply held religious convictions.”

The state of Colorado views Smith’s work as a public accommodation, and thus, it is subject to Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act, which prohibits discrimination, including refusal of service, against any protected class, including sexual orientation or gender identity. This puts Smith’s desire to run her business according to her beliefs in direct conflict with Colorado’s law.

The ERLC is urging the Court to rule in favor of 303 Creative and will be preparing Christians and churches to respond to this important decision next year. Read more about the case here.

Featured Podcasts

This week on the ERLC Podcast, Lindsay and Brent talk with their former ERLC colleague, Dan Darling. Dan is now the director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and assistant professor of Faith and Culture at Texas Baptist College.

From The Public Square

Both sides see high stakes in gay rights Supreme Court case
Associated Press

The Supreme Court is being warned about the potentially dire consequences of a case next week involving a Christian graphic artist who objects to designing wedding websites for same-sex couples.

Poison center reports for child marijuana use rose 245% in last 20 years: Study
ABC News

Between 2000 and 2020, reports to poison centers for child and teen marijuana use increased by 245%, according to a new study from the Oregon Health and Science University.

Some Republicans say the midterms were a mandate for further abortion restrictions
Politico

With sweeping abortion legislation having little chance in a divided Congress, conservative state legislators are stepping into the void, proposing to limit when the procedure can take place, enact new regulations on abortion pills and strengthen penalties for doctors who break the law.

U.S. same-sex couple households surpass 1 million for the 1st time
The Week

The number of same-sex couple households in the U.S. surpassed one million for the first time in 2021, The New York Times reports, per recently-released data from the Census Bureau.

What You Need to Read

Hannah Daniel with How the ERLC is advocating for life and religious liberty in appropriations

Each year, the ERLC is actively engaged in the appropriations process, working alongside committee and leadership offices to ensure that important pro-life, religious liberty, and conscience protections are included. The ERLC will continue to advocate for these pro-life provisions and other legislative measures that reflect God’s gracious love for every human life.

Austin Gravely and Ian Harber with 4 social media shifts the church should know about

This is an opportunity for the church to regroup, take things more seriously this time around, and work to get in front of the change instead of lagging behind it.Now that we all know the formidable foe that the algorithm is in our spiritual lives, we can develop the tools and strategies to guard our hearts and prepare our minds as we work to follow Jesus in an increasingly digital age.

Jennifer Pepito with Overcoming fear by reading and speaking words of life

I believe that God is saying the same thing to us, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV) God loves us, celebrates us, calls us his own, and when we agree with God and start speaking life over ourselves and our children, fear has nowhere to land.