On paper, the United States is a democratic republic. But one could argue that we have become a tyranny of thugs where people are afraid to speak their minds, and media giants shut down voices with which they disagree. In a republic the majority rules while the minority has significant protections. Amazingly, it is now an angry, vocal minority that rules. The majority is, by law, supposed to get its way, but many significant changes are being made in America against the will of the majority, the Constitution, and the laws of the land. We live in perilous times.

We’ve heard that the SCOTUS is threatening democracy. For example, the recent Dobbs decision broke democracy – or affirmed it, depending on your point of view. It turns out that the Court can easily break American democracy, if it’s inclined to. All that need happen is for some justices to stop acting like jurists, and start acting like they took bribes. This article explores:

In an alarming new trend, and in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the contrived “right” to abortion, more men and women are choosing permanent sterilization. According to an article published by the LA Times, if women were already planning not to have kids, they decided to get sterilized sooner, or they were thinking more intensely about sterilization after the Dobbs decision was leaked.

What do you expect from your church? Biblical preaching? A community where biblical values are exemplified by clergy and laity alike? A recent poll from George Barna’s Cultural Research Center (CRC) indicates that these are no longer reasonable expectations in American churches.

It has been interesting to read what Christians would like God to do for America.  I have read repeated prayer requests for God to spare the Country, and I heartily agree with the sentiment.  But I am also aware, as I hope most Christians are, that God operates sovereignly and wisely to achieve His own eternal purposes.  His plans may or may not coincide with ours.

Labor Day is approaching, and summer will soon give way to autumn. Many of us look forward to the change of seasons, watching the leaves change color, breathing in the crisp morning air, and picking apples with our kids or grandkids. We surmise too that many, like the IFI staff, look forward to a strong pendulum swing in the election on November 8th. In this season and every day the Good Lord grants us breath, Christians should be praying fervently for God's mercy on our state and nation. We urge prayers especially for God-fearing, pro-life candidates to prevail in this election cycle.

There are currently 11 casinos operating in Illinois: Rockford, East Peoria, Alton, Rock Island, Elgin, Metropolis, Aurora, East St. Louis, Joliet Hollywood, Joliet Harrah's and Des Plaines. There are 5 more being planned or built, in Danville, Carterville, Homewood, Chicago and Waukegan.

May I be blunt?  The heart of man is just as Scripture says it is, “deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.”  You may not want to hear that, and maybe you don’t believe it. But there Jeremiah 17:9 plainly...

Illinois House Bill 370, dubiously called “The Youth Health And Safety Act,” overturned the Parental Notice of Abortion Act (PNA) when it went into effect June 1, 2022. Minors in Illinois could already obtain abortion procedures without the consent  of their parents. Now, Illinois Democrats repealed the law requiring mere notification of parents despite the fact that public polling has consistently demonstrated Illinoisians overwhelmingly support parental rights and involvement.

Just as we should have compassion on those who truly struggle with their gender identity, we should stand firmly against transgender activism. Thankfully, there are more and more signs that the tide is turning against this latest example of sociological contagion.