As a self-diagnosed news junkie, each day I scour dozens of websites, feeds, and posts to better understand what’s going on in the world—especially as it pertains to the church and the people God has called us to reach. 

Starting this week, I’ll be hosting the Resurgence Roundup to share some of the more interesting items I come across: articles, blog posts, images, video—whatever strikes me as helpful, thought-provoking, challenging, or just plain fascinating. Keep in mind, I don’t necessarily endorse or agree with every media channel or opinion you’ll see included in the roundup. I’m just the messenger, and the Internet says all kinds of crazy things.

Britain’s largest abortion agency: It’s legal to abort babies based on gender 

Christian News Network

Anne Furedi, head of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), states that the law allows women to terminate their pregnancies if they are unhappy with the baby’s sex, and that the parliament does not need to create any clarifications on the matter.

The punishment was death by stoning. The crime? Having a mobile phone

The Independent

This barbaric form of execution is on the rise, and campaigners are calling on the UN to act. Two months ago, a young mother of two was stoned to death by her relatives on the order of a tribal court in Pakistan. Her crime: possession of a mobile phone.

Forced acceptance for same-sex marriage in Washington

World

Washington State’s judicial ethics body reprimanded a state judge this week for refusing to officiate same-sex wedding ceremonies. Thurston County Superior Court Judge Gary Tabor originally told a meeting of judges and court personnel he was uncomfortable preforming the ceremonies because of his religious beliefs… But the Judicial Conduct Commission filed a complaint against him anyway, saying his refusal to perform same-sex weddings violated the state’s anti-discrimination law.

In conversation: Antonin Scalia

New York Magazine

On the eve of a new Supreme Court session, the firebrand justice discusses gay rights and media echo chambers, Seinfeld and the Devil, and how much he cares about his intellectual legacy (‘I don’t’).

Sin Awareness Month

World

October has been designated LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) History Month, in which we’re to recognize the achievements of people with same-sex attraction. Sexual activity, deviant or otherwise, is no longer private. It’s on display for public consumption. And accepting homosexual behavior isn’t enough—we’re to celebrate it.

Does Faith = Hate?

The American Conservative

There is an accelerating awareness that the consequence of marriage equality is going to be extremely negative for traditionalist Christians.

The new narcotic

Public Discourse

What if I told you that the internet "is the greatest drug dealer in the United States"? A growing body of research supports such an assertion as it relates to a new "narcotic": internet pornography.

1 in 10 young people have perpetrated sexual violence

USA Today

Nearly one in 10 young people report being a perpetrator of sexual violence — either coercing or forcing some type of sexual contact upon another, according to a new national study that suggests a connection between such behavior and being exposed to violent X-rated material.

Miley Cyrus and the pornification of America

The Rutherford Institute

For those wondering if [Miley] Cyrus will be the next Lady Gaga, a better question to ask is what are the consequences of a whole generation of pornified Gagas coming of age, given that so many of our young women have been raised to think that Gaga and Cyrus and the many other gyrating, minimally clad celebrities and models who pass for ‘sex symbols’ today are the pinnacle of womanhood.

Interview: Malcolm Gladwell on his return to faith while writing ‘David and Goliath’

Religion News Service

“I had drifted away a little bit. This book has brought me back into the fold. I was so incredibly struck in writing these stories by the incredible power faith had in people’s lives, it has made a profound impact on me in my belief. That’s been the completely unexpected effect of writing this book. I am in the process of rediscovering my own faith again.” –Malcolm Gladwell

Study says we unlock our phones a lot each day

TIME

According to a study released by app maker Locket, the average person unlocks his or her phone 110 times each day. If you’re at the 110 average, that’s exactly 10 times every hour.

The way we work is soul-sucking, but social networks are not the fix

Wired

We spend nearly half our waking hours at work, and much of that time is not even spent doing our actual job: It’s all work about work. Email is broken, and what works on social networks like Facebook just doesn’t work for enterprises.

The 2013 create your own religion competition

Huffington Post

Did a voice from the sky recently ask you to sacrifice your son? Maybe you’re the next Abraham. Have you ever been crucified and then resurrected? Maybe you’re the next Jesus. Feeling enlightened after sitting under a fig tree? Maybe you’re the next Siddhartha.

US adults are dumber than the average human

New York Post

It’s long been known that America’s school kids haven’t measured well compared with international peers. Now, there’s a new twist: Adults don’t either.