Is it really the middle of August already? Here at CT we're wondering where summer went, but we have slight suspicion the sunny days passed while we were staying up to date on the news.
We tweet news updates to past Gleanings items. But in case you're not one of our more than 131,000 Twitter followers (and really, why aren't you?), here's what you missed this week:
(Editor's note: This is NOT a roundup of the new blogs we've posted lately, so it shouldn't replace your daily reading!)
Record Baptisms in Iran Overshadowed by Church Closure as Presidential Election Looms Update: Iranian pastor "silent" after release from jail, even as eight Iranian Christians sentenced for supposedly threatening the state.
North Carolina Aims to Restrict Abortions—as Part of Anti-Shari'ah Bill Update: New version of bill—sans abortion restrictions—now heads to governor for approval.
New Wave of Fetal-Pain Abortion Bans Faces Court Scrutiny Update: New poll shows majority of Americans favor a ban on abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Hobby Lobby Solidifies 'Major Victory' against HHS Contraceptive Mandate Update: Third Circuit 'respectfully disagrees,' upping the odds that Supreme Court will weigh in on employer-provided contraceptives.
'Wrath of God' Keeps Popular Worship Song Out of 10,000-Plus Churches Update: Turns out 'satisfied' (not 'wrath') is atonement language that got 'In Christ Alone' blocked from new PCUSA hymnal.
Supreme Court Will Re-Examine Prayer at Government Meetings Update: Southern Baptist Convention files in support of town's 'constitutionally protected' speech.
Indian Converts Must Get Government Permission (One Month in Advance) or Face Prison Update: A new, no-confidence vote in Madhya Pradesh's Hindu government has delayed ratification of the state's anti-conversion bill.
Will State University Strip C. S. Lewis from Science Course? Update: Ball State decides intelligent design must go, but professor may stay.
Football Team Decides Churches Want Too Much Money for Stadium Shift Update: Atlanta Falcons will bypass land owned by historic churches.
Top Baby Names Reflect Old–Not New–Testament Update: Rising on the list of most popular baby names of 2012? "Messiah." But not without controversy.
North Korea Moves Ailing Imprisoned Missionary to Hospital Update: Kenneth Bae supporters plead for U.S. help after recent hopes were dashed.
