Faith Facts

• The Marriage Foundation highlights a 9% drop in heterosexual weddings in England and Wales during 2023.
• Many couples have not rescheduled ceremonies postponed by Covid-19 lockdowns.
• Recent data shows fewer than half of adults are married, and nearly half of UK teenagers do not live with both biological parents.

The Marriage Foundation is raising alarm as marriage rates continue to decline, a troubling sign for the future of family and faith in Britain. New data reveal wedding numbers remain far below levels needed to recover from lockdown losses.

Research Director Harry Benson notes tens of thousands of couples disrupted by pandemic restrictions still have not held their weddings.

While there has been some recovery since 2019, the rise in ceremonies is far less than the gap left by the sweeping closures of 2020.

“That so many couples appear to have abandoned their wedding plans is incredibly sad for them, their friends and families. But it may also have a serious knock-on effect on commitment.”

The foundation stresses the importance of marriage as a public covenant, affirming stability and support for couples and children. Marriage remains a powerful institution upholding God’s design for family and society.

Some couples have prioritized other goals, such as starting families or buying homes, but the foundation warns this may weaken generational ties and Christian values if formal marriage is forsaken.

Divorce rates are at their lowest since 1970, but genuine family stability remains elusive, with almost half of teens lacking both biological parents at home.

“This has knock-on effects on child poverty, crime, education and mental health. Until our national policies encourage couples to make the formal commitment of marriage, this situation will get worse.”

The Marriage Foundation calls for policies supporting the financial feasibility of marriage, reminding us that strong families are the cornerstone of a righteous and free nation. Let us pray and act to restore marriage as God intended.

Read more at Christian Today

Faith Facts

• Former President Bush gave the eulogy for Dick Cheney at Washington National Cathedral.
• President Trump and Vice President Vance were reportedly not invited to the service.
• Family, former leaders, and friends paid tribute to Cheney’s decades of public service.

George W. Bush remembered Vice President Cheney as a principled public servant dedicated to faith, nation, and family. The funeral, held at the Washington National Cathedral, reflected a solemn occasion marked by gratitude for leadership rooted in American and Christian values.

Bush praised Cheney’s steadfast character, noting he was “totally devoted to protecting the United States and its interests.”

Attendees included other former vice presidents, lawmakers, and members of the Supreme Court, each honoring Cheney’s life of service. The exclusion of some current leaders highlighted differences within today’s political landscape but did not diminish the impact of the ceremony.

Liz Cheney, his daughter, spoke about her father’s conviction that loyalty to country outshines all partisan ties. Family members and close colleagues also remembered Cheney for his commitment to duty and faithfulness in every responsibility he carried.

As believers, it is essential to recognize and honor a legacy defined by integrity, love of country, and devotion to God’s calling. May we seek to emulate such qualities in our own lives as we uphold faith, family, and freedom in our communities and nation.

Read the full article at The Christian Post

Faith Facts

• Forrest Frank alerted followers that top Christian music on iTunes comes from an AI artist, not a human creator.
• The AI album “Faithful Soul” by the persona Solomon Ray holds the top album spot, with two Ray singles leading the Christian iTunes chart.
• Frank cautioned that “AI does not have the Holy Spirit inside of it,” raising concerns about spiritual authenticity in worship music.

Popular worship leader Forrest Frank recently sounded the alarm about artificial intelligence’s rise in Christian music, highlighting that the current iTunes Christian charts are led by an AI performer.

Frank stressed his discomfort, stating that spiritual music should reflect the presence of the Holy Spirit and genuine faith, not digital simulation.

“At a minimum, AI does not have the Holy Spirit inside of it, so I think that’s really weird to be opening up your spirit to something that has no spirit.”

He shared that he will not listen to AI music and noted that music like this, created by technology without a soul, could never replace faith-driven worship.

The AI persona Solomon Ray, designed by Mississippi artist Christopher Jermaine Townsend, now leads the Christian and Gospel charts with multiple singles in the Top 40, accounting for 10% of the rankings.

As technology influences more areas of life, believers are called to discern and protect the sacredness of worship, ensuring that our praise remains rooted in truth and the life of the Spirit.

Townsend responded, asserting, “Nothing is morally or immorally right or wrong at this point,” and shifting the debate to personal preference rather than biblical mandate.

He continued, “Who am I to say what God will or won’t use to get the message His people need to them, I am just here being an instrument, and this is an extension of my creativity.”

These developments challenge Christians to uphold authentic faith in their music, guarding hearts and minds against anything not solidly grounded in the Holy Spirit.

Stay prayerful and steadfast as technology shapes culture, and always seek music that glorifies God and aligns with biblical truth.

Read the full article at The Christian Post