Dear Friends,
I recently came across a beautiful true-life story about a man who has saved hundreds of lives from suicide. Nicknamed the "Angel of The Gap," Don Ritchie was a former Navy seaman in Australia who moved into a seaside house with his wife in 1964 that was situated just 50 yards away from a cliff overlooking the ocean in Watsons Bay, a suburb of Sydney known as The Gap. Through his living room window, he would often spot lost souls who were obviously there for no other reason than to attempt a jump that would end their lives. As soon as he spotted someone who was acting suspiciously, Don would immediately walk outside and calmly approach them, asking "Is there something I could do to help you?" He would invite them to his house for tea, and more often than not, they would accept his invitation.
In the 45 years that Don lived in Watsons Bay, he was credited with saving at least 160 lives by government officials, but his family has said that the actual number is probably closer to 500. A year before his death in 2012 at 86, he said this in an interview: "I'm 85, and even at my age, it has broadened my horizons with all the wonderful people I have met. It's important for troubled people to know that there are complete strangers out there like myself who are willing and able to help them get through that dark time and come out on the other side."
This inspiring story is an important reminder for us Christians to always be ready to give an account for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15), especially when we encounter someone who is clearly in need of help, whether it be a friend or a perfect stranger. As the "Angel of The Gap" demonstrated, we must never be afraid to reach out. God most often shares Himself through the witness of His instruments (us), and in so doing, He not only changes those that we touch, but changes us as well.
Thank you for your prayers and for your continued support of FRC and the family.
Sincerely,
Dan Hart
Managing Editor for Publications
Family Research Council
FRC Articles
Religious Freedom and National Security – Travis Weber
Summary of Trump Administration Policy on Transgender Military Service – Peter Sprigg
What Mike Pompeo understands about religion and national security – Travis Weber
Mike Pompeo, religious freedom and a safer world -- how are these three things connected? – Tony Perkins
Students Partake in National Walkout for the Unborn – Patrina Mosley
Dems in a panic as a major Planned Parenthood funding source is at risk – Kelly Marcum
Mike Pompeo Has the Correct Perspective on Human Rights – Travis Weber
Cardi B Chooses Life – Patrina Mosley
FRC Resources to Combat the Extreme Sex Ed Agenda in Schools
For the Sake of Our Security at Home, We Must Focus on Religious Freedom Abroad – Travis Weber
Religious Liberty
Religious Liberty in the Public Square
Sen. Cory Booker Violating Constitution: Voting Against Pompeo for Religious Beliefs – Ken Klukowski, Breitbart
Freedom of Speech Is the Antidote to Division – Buzz Brockway, The Daily Signal
Ex-NFL Cheerleader Says She Faced Discrimination for Christian Faith – ToddStarnes.com
International Religious Freedom
China Bans Online Bible Sales as It Tightens Religious Controls – Ian Johnson, The New York Times
Pastor Andrew Brunson trial begins with US religious freedom envoy Sam Brownback in court – Harry Farley, Christian Today
Why the US Must Befriend Hungary's Populist Leader – Mike Gonzalez, The Daily Signal
An Iranian Refugee's Terrible Journey to God – Annahita Parsan, Christianity Today
Vietnamese court jails Catholic activist for subversion – Crux
China Campaign Against Church Crosses Intensifies, Conditions 'Deteriorating' as Christians Cry Out – Stoyan Zaimov, The Christian Post
Jailed Chinese Pastor's US Family Seeks Mercy – CBN News
Military Religious Freedom
Advocacy Group Wants Bible Removed from POW/MIA Display – Matthew Burke, Military.com
Life
Abortion
Missouri House passes 20-week abortion ban – Morgan Gstalter, The Hill
350 Student Groups Will Join Pro-Life Walkout to Protest Abortion – Katie Yoder, LifeNews
Tennessee moves to defund Planned Parenthood, cut all state funding – Cassy Fiano, Live Action
Applying Lincoln's Logic to the Abortion Debate – Aaron Brake, The Stream
Interview with David Quinn on Ireland's Upcoming Abortion Referendum – Susan Yoshihara, C-Fam
The Future of the Pro-Life Movement Is in Africa – Stefano Gennarini, Public Discourse
Grateful women leave pregnancy resource centers positive reviews online – Sarah Terzo, Live Action
Adoption
Adoption and The Firing of Kevin Williamson – Dale M. Coulter, First Things
Two Indiana moms just chose life, thanks to safe haven baby boxes – Live Action
Bioethics
Vigils continue for Alfie Evans despite hospital complaint – Dorothy Cummings McLean, LifeSiteNews
Surrogacy: No Laughing Matter – Jennifer Lahl, Public Discourse
The Physician-Assisted Suicide Movement Is Gaining Ground in Two Major Ways – Gerard T. Mundy, Public Discourse
Family
Marriage
Please Don't Hide Your Happy Marriage – Alysse ElHage, Family Studies
Get Thee a Flawed Wife – Lore Ferguson Wilbert, Christianity Today
'We Love Each Other So Much, We're Getting Divorced' – Jennifer Hartline, The Stream
The Effects of Marriage Begin Before Marriage – Scott Stanley, Family Studies
The Social Assistance of Marriage – Convivium
Economics/Education
Betsy DeVos Says Federal Government Has Failed to Improve Education – Rob Bluey, The Daily Signal
Faith/Character/Culture
Watch Your Words – Justin Coulson, Family Studies
How the church can respond to a post-Christian culture – Matt Chandler, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Jordan Peterson on Adam and Eve – Christopher Kaczor, Public Discourse
7 Things All Great Friends Do – Jasmine McCain, Relevant
Children Need a Crisis of Faith – Jon Bloom, Desiring God
Morrissey's Defense Of Free Speech Underlines What Both Right And Left Get Wrong – David Marcus, The Federalist
The share of American young adults living with their parents is the highest in 75 years – Quartz
The Beauty of Submission – Amy K. Hall, The Stream
Human Sexuality
Gender Dysphoria and Children: An Endocrinologist's Evaluation of I am Jazz – Michael K. Laidlaw, Public Discourse
Alaskans reject transgender 'bathroom bill' – Emily Shugerman, Independent
Parent Kicked Out Of Sex Ed Class Because Planned Parenthood Doesn't Want Them To Know What They're Teaching – Grace Carr, The Daily Caller
How To Respond With Reason And Compassion To Transgender Bullies – Nathanael Blake, The Federalist
Can Sex Be Casual? Searching for Connection on Campus – Brittany Basile, Public Discourse
Why We Must Stop the Gov't From Outlawing the Ex-Gay Movement – The Christian Post
The Sex Education We Need – Abigail Rine Favale, First Things
Human Trafficking
DOJ Seizes Backpage.com Weeks After Congress Passes Sex Trafficking Law – Larry Magid, Forbes
5 Facts about the 'Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act' – Joe Carter, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Good News for Christians Battling US Sex Trafficking – Christianity Today
Victory: Amazon Halts Sale of Child Sex Dolls – Dawn Hawkins, National Center on Sexual Exploitation
Pornography
Digital Fingerprints: How Your Porn May Be Tracking And Watching You – Fight the New Drug