POT SHOTS: MARIJUANA IN BEER, ICED TEA, JUICE …

AUGUST 18, 2018 Voting with their feet Unable to push out their socialist dictator in a free election, hungry Venezuelans escape to Colombia

SPYING: THE EVANGELICAL CONNECTION TRENDING: PETERSON, PRAGER, AND SHAPIRO A Biblical, non-insurance approach to health care Monthly costs: As believers in Christ, we are called to glorify God in all that we do. (Ranges based on age, household size, and membership level) Samaritan members bear each other’s burdens by sharing the cost of medical bills while praying for and encouraging one another. Members Individuals $100-$220 can choose between two membership options for sharing their medical 2 Person $200-$440 needs: Samaritan Classic and Samaritan Basic. 3+ People $250-$495

As of July 2018

Find more information at: samaritanministries.org CONTENTS | August 18, 2018 • Volume 33 • Number 15

32 38 44

48 63

FEATURES DISPATCHES 7 News Analysis / Human Race / 32 The other border crisis Quotables / Quick Takes At the border with Colombia, hungry Venezuelans seek out supplies to survive their country’s harrowing economic collapse— while Christians try their best to help CULTURE 19 Movies & TV / Books / 38 Pot in the bottle Children’s Books / Q&A / Music Big Alcohol is adding a new ingredient—marijuana—to its moneymaking brew NOTEBOOK 55 Lifestyle / Technology / 44 Bad connections? Medicine / Politics A Russian spy drama entangles the National Prayer Breakfast, revealing both weaknesses and strengths of the prayer VOICES breakfast movement 4 Joel Belz 16 Janie B. Cheaney 48 Digital sages Mindy Belz Public intellectuals Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, and Dennis 30 Prager are speaking powerfully to a young generation trying 61 Mailbag to find its bearings 63 Andrée Seu Peterson 64 Marvin Olasky ON THE COVER: Venezuelan citizens cross the Simón Bolívar International Bridge to Colombia in Cúcuta, Colombia. Photo by Mauricio Duenas Castaneda/EFE/Newscom

Give the gift of clarity: wng.org/giftofclarity Notes from the CEO “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and those who dwell therein.” his month, we kicked off our 13th annual Hope Awards for —Psalm 24:1

Effective Compassion. Since we started the awards in 2006, Chief Content Officer Nick Eicher Editor in Chief Marvin Olasky we’ve covered 105 small ministries—including five feature Senior Editor Mindy Belz T ­stories in the previous issue of WORLD—that provide effective compassion in their neighborhoods. Editor Timothy Lamer National Editor Jamie Dean I urge you to make the effort to vote in this year’s Hope Managing Editor Daniel James Devine Art Director David K. Freeland Awards competition. Associate Art Director Robert L. Patete Reporters Emily Belz • Charissa Crotts We ask our members and the public to vote for their favorite Hope Awards Sophia Lee • Jim Long • Harvest Prude East Asia Bureau June Cheng • Angela Lu Fulton finalist for many reasons, primarily to promote your deeper engagement in the Story Coach Susan Olasky Senior Writers Janie B. Cheaney work these organizations are doing. Andrée Seu Peterson • John Piper Edward E. Plowman­ • Lynn Vincent Of course, all of our finalists are worthy of the $10,000 grand prize. It wouldn’t Correspondents Sandy Barwick • Megan Basham Julie Borg • Anthony Bradley • Bob Brown bother us just to split the prize money evenly among the finalists. But we’ve heard Michael Cochrane • John Dawson Juliana Chan Erikson • Katie Gaultney Charles Horton • Mary Jackson • Sharla Megilligan from previous years’ finalists (and winners) that the voting process itself produces Jill Nelson • Henry Olsen • Arsenio Orteza Jenny Lind Schmitt • Russell St. John ardent supporters for the organizations who provide for them in greater ways than Marty VanDriel • Jae Wasson Mailbag Editor Les Sillars even the biggest Hope Awards check could. Executive Assistant June McGraw Editorial Assistants Kristin Chapman In the same way, we’ve heard from Hope Awards voters who are inspired by Amy Derrick • Mary Ruth Murdoch Graphic Designer Rachel Beatty one of our finalists to start a similar poverty-fighting ministry in their own Illustrator Krieg Barrie community. Digital Production Assistant Arla J. Eicher Finally, as I have noted before, even our runners-up are encouraged by the Website wng.org votes they receive and the interest you show in their work. Executive Editor Mickey McLean Assistant Editors Kiley Crossland Voting is simple: visit wng.org/compassion to cast your vote. We will ask for Lynde Langdon • Dan Perkins Reporter Onize Ohikere your email address, just to ensure we don’t have one zealous voter who decides to Correspondents Gaye Clark • Samantha Gobba Rob Holmes • Bonnie Pritchett • Julia A. Seymour cast 1,000 votes—or otherwise to discourage election hacking by the Russians. Editorial Assistant Whitney Williams We don’t use your email to solicit or otherwise bother you. Vote today! Website wng.org/radio Executive Producer/Cohost Nick Eicher Managing Editor J.C. Derrick News Editor Leigh Jones Cohost Mary Reichard Reporters Kent Covington • Jim Henry Sarah Schweinsberg Correspondents Paul Butler • Mary Coleman Kevin Martin Laura Finch • George Grant • Kim Henderson Cal Thomas • Emily Whitten [email protected] Producers Johnny Franklin • Carl Peetz (technical) Kristen Flavin (field) Listening In Warren Cole Smith • Rich Roszel

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MISSION STATEMENT Biblically objective journalism that informs, WORLD (ISSN 0888-157X) (USPS 763-010) is published biweekly (24 issues) for $59.95 per year by God’s World Publications, educates, and inspires. (no mail) 12 All Souls Crescent, Asheville, NC 28803; 828.232.5260. Periodical postage paid at Asheville, NC, and additional mailing ­offices.Printed ­ in the USA. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. © 2018 WORLD News Group. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WORLD, PO Box 20002, Asheville, NC 28802-9998. Many Muslims are asking for Bibles. You can make an eternal investment Rev. Dr. Bassam Chedid President, Children Of Abraham Ministry by partnering with us to provide Bibles to Arabic speaking people.

Here’s how you can help. 1 Sponsor an Arabic Study Bible (ASB) to be placed in an Arab/Muslim home each month for $50 a month. 2 Purchase an Arabic Study Bible (ASB) and give it as a gift to your Arab friend. 3 Ask your church to partner with us.

The Word of God and Theological Library in one volume, based on the timeless Van Dyck faithful translation from the original languages.

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Call us or mail Children Of Abraham Ministry 719-344-5020 Office coabraham.org your check to: P.O. Box 63941, Colorado Springs, CO 80962 601-966-2022 Mobile arabicstudybible.net VOICES Joel Belz

quite where you want to be. Start with the fact that the airport is 26 miles from downtown Denver—26 miles of typically bumper-to-bumper freeways. And then, as I said in my column in 1996, “Give the designers credit for consistency— everywhere you want to go, you have to walk, ride, or climb in exactly the opposite direction to get there. While your instincts draw you one Flying through direction—toward the departure gate—the driveways, doorways, and escalators move you away from your target. Your heart pounds and Denver your insides seethe.” The result in the airport’s earliest years was FOR A BILLION DOLLARS, WILL IT GET ANY EASIER? that thousands of passengers missed their flights, just because either Almost 20 years ago, when Denver they or their luggage R International Airport was still brand new couldn’t get through the and I may have been a little too brash, I detailed terminal in timely fashion. in this space some of the airport’s most notice- The existing Denver able problems. A few Denver residents have airport was designed to never quite forgiven me. handle 50 million travelers Now I read that our friends in the Mile High a year. Instead, it’s now City are getting ready to spend over a billion handling 60 million—but dollars updating and expanding the fifth-busiest­ not very comfortably. For a airport in the United States. Yes, I said a billion I hear it billion dollars plus, planners say they’ll increase dollars. For that kind of money, maybe I can capacity to 80 million travelers a year. sneak in a few kind words. everywhere: But we haven’t done very well in our times For example, Denver’s main terminal build- Travel by air living up to our predictions—especially about ing really is a stunning piece of architecture. used to be travel. I hear it everywhere: Travel by air used Whether in your mind’s eye it reflects the to be fun. It used to be an adventure. These ­magnificent Rocky Mountain peaks just a few fun. It used days, it is neither. miles to the west, or perhaps a band of nomads to be an Hurrying down the B Concourse at New and camels wandering across North Africa’s adventure. York’s LaGuardia Airport just a couple of weeks deserts, high adventure obviously starts here. ago, and dodging the wall-to-wall crowds, I But so much for looks. If the place doesn’t These days, it couldn’t help stretching my mind around this work, who cares about appearances? Get me is neither. glum comparison: Just think how much better there fast, the weary traveler says, and get me we’ve been at learning to speed information there comfortably. Denver’s airport has a around the globe (so much faster and cheaper) ­second chance now to get a few things right. than at moving people across the same expanses Seems to me, for a billion dollars, they should (so much slower and more expensive). get some things very right indeed. Wouldn’t it be something if during the next The existing Denver airport enjoyed one generation we applied the same genius to mass great advantage when it was built in the early transit that we’ve applied in this generation to 1990s. It was designed, all fresh and new, from the digital reshaping of our lives? And wouldn’t the ground up. Airports like LaGuardia in New it be something too if we encouraged Uncle York, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, and LAX in Sam to keep his wildly wasteful hands off such Los Angeles were redo efforts of older models. projects and let a few enterprising young minds Denver, though, had this great chance to get take their turn, just as they’ve done with the

everything right. internet? GEORGE ROSE/GETTY IMAGES But—Denver didn’t. Remember how its And wouldn’t it be something if, 20 years opening was delayed for more than a year while from now, and maybe less than a billion dollars the automated baggage system manhandled and later, wisely invested in Denver, we might visit chewed up hundreds of suitcases? That was just the airport there—and report to you and others a symbol of a sad list of user-hostile problems. what a speedy and efficient delight we found What always frustrates me most about the whole experience to be? Check back with Denver’s airport is the sense that you are never us, please, in 2038. A

4 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018  [email protected]

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with biblical worldview textbooks.

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Summer rampage The River Fire destroys a house near Finley, Calif., on July 30. The River Fire, reaching a size of 27,000 acres by July 31, was one of 16 active wild- fires in Northern California in late July and early August. The largest of the fires, the Carr Fire, had burned through 110,000 acres by July 31.

NOAH BERGER/AP

Manage your membership: wng.org/membership August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 7 DISPATCHES News Analysis

Brunson arrives The lawsuit at his house in further states that Izmir, Turkey. the plaintiffs faced such discrimina- tion because “they do not conform to traditional sex stereotypes, including that a married woman should be in a different-sex relationship.” Walsh and Nance “felt humiliated, stigmatized, and demeaned. … Their security and dignity have been stripped away.” Also on July 25, but 6,000 miles away in Aliaga, Turkey, on the outskirts of Izmir, Norine Brunson was making one more visit to Kiriklar Prison, where her husband Andrew’s security and dig- nity had been stripped away. They are a Biblically married couple unable to live together since Turkey jailed the pastor from North Carolina in October 2016. Brunson, 50, has worked in Turkey for more than two decades, most recently as pastor of Resurrection Dictatorial ideologies Church in Izmir. No one knows for sure why Turkish authorities arrested him, HYPER-SEXUALISM AND HYPER-ISLAMISM IMPACT but the common presumption is he had CULTURES AND COURTROOMS AN OCEAN APART worked with refugees in largely Kurdish by Marvin Olasky areas of southeastern Turkey, and that became a pretext for charging him with “Christianization” and ties to terrorists. Two court dramas in the last half wanted to rent an apartment in The indictment against Brunson R of July and 6,000 miles apart Friendship Village (FV), a “continuing reads that he worked “to divide and showed the need for two new hyphen- care retirement community” in St. separate [Turkey], by means of the ated words: hyper-sexualist and Louis County that includes assisted Christianization of those from among hyper-Islamist. ­living and a nursing facility. the people of our Country who possess Definitions of the words’ cores run FV, established in 1975, has no formal a certain ethnic origin.” Those last like this: Stressing sex as a central church affiliation but calls itself “guided words appear to be a reference to Kurds. ­concern of life. Believing that Islam by Biblical values.” It has a long-standing Specific charges against Brunson should be a central concern of not only pro-marriage, anti-cohabitation policy, include these: One secret witness says individual living but political and with marriage defined as “the union of Brunson met with a lawyer to discuss ­societal structuring. one man and one woman, as marriage is how to establish churches in Turkey. Adding hyper as a prefix turns them understood in the Bible.” While FV did Another secret witness said Brunson from beliefs into dictatorial demands. not express doubt that Walsh and Nance met with a gang of Mormon teachers of Hyper-sexualism: the belief that sexual are nice people, it turned down their English, all of whom have the same freedom trumps freedom of religion, application for residence. identifying feature: a missing finger (it’s speech, and assembly. Hyper-Islamism: The lawsuit brought by Walsh and a different finger on each one). the belief that keeping Muslims from Nance argues that FV’s discriminatory And that’s not all: Brunson’s daugh- learning about any other belief system conduct has caused them to suffer ter sent him a video of maqluba, a is more important than freedom of “irreparable loss and injury, including ­traditional Middle Eastern dish of rice, ­religion, speech, and assembly. but not limited to economic loss, emo- meat, and vegetables: Accusers said Hyper-sexualism was on display in a tional distress, and the deprivation of that’s the signature dish of a Turkish EMRE TAZEGUL)/AP suit filed in Missouri federal district their housing and civil rights.” It states terrorist organization, so Brunson must court on July 25. The plaintiffs are that Walsh and Nance “could not be linked to it, they argued. Even more Mary Walsh, 72, and Beverly Nance, 68, believe that in 2016, as a married evidence: One of Brunson’s church lesbians who are now a married couple ­couple, they would experience such members sent him a text message under current court rulings. They open discrimination.” informing the pastor that he could not

8 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018 BY THE NUMBERS

make it to worship due to diarrhea. (The prosecutor did not explain how this implicates Brunson.) The charges were so ridiculous that Brunson’s real crime in the eyes of Muslim accusers was evident: He has helped some Turks learn of an alterna- tive to Islam. In the United States, hyper-sexualism means that bakers, photographers, bed-and-breakfast own- ers, adoption workers, public officials, and many more can lose their livelihoods The number of children doctors in Belgium have euthanized since 2014, for refusing to cheer on homosexuality, citing terminal illness. The victims’ ages: 17, 11, and 9. since sexual freedom now trumps all other liberties. In Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan uses 3 Islam to consolidate his power, a hyper- Islam steamroller increasingly flattens anyone standing in its way. But not always. Eyewitnesses say $120 billion The one-day drop in Facebook’s stock market value by the end of Brunson in July “defended himself with trading on July 26. The 19 percent decline in stock value came after a boldness” during a two-hour court disappointing earnings report from the social media giant. ­proceeding. That didn’t get him out of jail, but the U.S. State Department and President Donald Trump pressed the matter—and the Brunsons’ daughter, Jacqueline Furnari, told representatives of 80 nations at a religious freedom gathering “how proud I am of my father and what an example of Christ’s love he continues to be to the world.” Congress on July 23 cited Brunson’s imprisonment when voting to bar The number of Republican incumbents in the U.S. House of Representatives ­temporarily delivery of about 100 F-35 who were outraised56 by their Democratic opponents during second-quarter Joint Strike Fighters to Turkey. campaign fundraising this year. On July 25 the Turkish government allowed Brunson to move from prison to house arrest. He arrived with his wife Norine at their home, where friends greeted him with singing and dancing. 127 degrees Brunson’s trial, which could end The temperature (Fahrenheit) in California’s Death Valley this year on July 24, with him receiving a 35-year prison a record high for that date. The all-time high remains 134 degrees, set in 1913. sentence, is scheduled to continue on Oct. 12. Turkey continues to detain NASA research scientist Serkan Golge and at least three employees of the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. Nevertheless, Aykan Erdemir, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a former member of the Turkish Parliament, said Brunson’s release from prison “is yet another evidence show- ing how principled pushback can elicit The number of moons orbiting the planet Jupiter, according to a survey led by a researcher at the Carnegie Institution for Science. a more favorable response than 79 appeasement.” A

August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 9 DISPATCHES Human Race

in the area, working as a had said Gothard sexually heating engineer until his abused, sexually harassed, death. and inappropriately touched them when they Sentenced worked for the institute. An Indonesian “Plaintiffs’ right to re-file district court and maintain a sec- sentenced ond action against Martinus said Defendants Gulo, a within one year is Christian expressly university reserved,” student, to according to the four years February court in jail for a documents. Facebook post offensive to Muslims. Gulo, who told Died authorities he was angry at Mary Ellis, one of the last the insults to his own reli- surviving female World gion, had compared the War II pilots, died at the prophet Muhammad to a age of 101. Ellis joined pig in his post and said Britain’s Air Transport Syrian military and police forces in Muhammad Damascus permitted besti- ality. He was arrested after Captured Died the Islamic Syrian coalition forces cap- Vasily Kovalyov, one of the Defenders Front tured Ibraheem Musaibli, few remaining survivors of showed his post

28, an American citizen Stalin’s most horrifying to the police. HANDOUT • GOTHARD: IMAGES COURT/GETTY CARL • ELLIS: HANDOUT • GULO: AP VIA SANA FORCES: SYRIAN accused of fighting for the labor camps, died at age 89. Gulo was con- Islamic State. Musaibli, Kovalyov was 20 in 1950 victed under who grew up in Michigan, when officials arrested him Indonesia’s moved to Yemen and soon because he owned an old ­electronic infor- after to Syria. Officials sword he used to chop veg- mation and ­confirmed that he sent etables. They charged him transactions law, multiple text messages to with anti-Soviet sabotage which makes disseminat- Auxiliary (ATA) in 1941 his family in the United and sent him to Norilsk, a ing hatred toward anyone after hearing a radio States saying he planned to prison in the Russian based on their religion a ­advertisement. As part of join the Islamic State. He Arctic. Kovalyov made an crime. the ATA, Ellis delivered tried at one point to leave escape plan, was discov- planes to the front lines, the group, contacting the ered, and was transferred Dismissed flying around 1,000 air- FBI through his family. The into the Kolyma, a series of A $500,000 lawsuit against craft. This included 47 FBI said if he turned him- the harshest labor camps in Bill Gothard, founder of Wellington bombers and self in he could return to Stalin’s regime. In 1954, the Institute in Basic Life 400 Spitfires, her favorite the United States. Musaibli Kovalyov and two other Principles, ended after plane to fly. Ellis told the refused and disappeared prisoners made another plaintiffs’ attor- media years later that again until his recent cap- escape attempt, but neys filed a people used to stand and ture as he tried to escape were found and motion to watch her take off, sur- from ISIS-controlled brought back to dismiss prised to see a female ­territory. He is only the the camp. the case. pilot flying warplanes. second known male Kovalyov was The When the war ended, American ISIS member released in 1957 women Ellis moved to the Isle of captured. The first, “John during the era of who Wight, where she man- Doe,” had to be released Khrushchev’s brought aged the local airport due to lack of evidence. amnesty. He stayed the lawsuit until 1970.

10 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018 Visit WORLD Digital: wng.org

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‘Les Moonves is SUPREME IRANIAN • SOLEIMANI: PIZZELLO/INVISION/AP CHRIS • COLBERT: TIMES YORK NEW SALLY RYAN/THE • SHANNON: AP VIA CHRONICLE PHILLIP/HOUSTON MELISSA • IRSAN: MITTERMEIER/INSTAGRAM CRISTINA BEAR: POLAR my guy. … But accountability is ‘We had meaningless unless it’s for lost control of everybody, whether it’s for the narrative.’ the leader of a Photographer CRISTINA MITTERMEIER on network or the photographs for National Geographic of a starving leader of the polar bear that went viral last year as an example free world.’ of the effects of climate change. She says she STEPHEN COLBERT, host of and photographer Paul Nicklen meant the CBS’ Late Show, photographs to show what future effects on sexual of climate change might look like, not that harassment the polar bear itself was a victim of accusations climate change—but “people against his took it literally.” boss, CBS chief Les Moonves. Moonves hired Colbert to host the Late Show. ‘Honor killings ‘We are near you, have no place in where you can’t American society.’ even imagine. … MICHAEL CREED, brother of Coty Beavers, one of the If you begin the victims of Jordanian immigrant Ali Irsan of war, we will end Montgomery County, Texas. Irsan was convicted on July 26 of murdering Beavers and a female friend of the war.’ Irsan’s daughter in an honor killing. His daughter had converted from Islam to Christianity, left home, and married Beavers.

‘Whenever I’m feeling tired, I say, “I’m doing it for Maj. Gen. QASSEM SOLEIMANI, head of the Quds the babies.”’ Force of Iran’s Revolutionary KAITI SHANNON, 19, on canvassing voters in Guards Corps, to President Trump. In a speech (widely cov- Indiana to build pressure on U.S. Sen. Joe ered in Middle Eastern media) Donnelly, D-Ind., to vote to confirm Supreme Soleimani said Trump uses the Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Pro-life language of “nightclubs and LEADER VIA AP groups have reportedly canvassed more gambling halls” and said if he than 1.2 million voters nationwide wants to use the “language of in support of Kavanaugh. threats” he should address him, not Iran’s President Rouhani.

12 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018 Give the gift of clarity: wng.org/giftofclarity

CHILLAL: CHRISTINA HORSTEN/PICTURE-ALLIANCE/DPA/AP • ILLUSTRATION: KRIEG BARRIE • ROSES: RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES RYAN: J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP • WOODCHUCK: PETEMULLER/ISTOCK • ALLIGATOR: CBS3 was eaten by animals,” Ryan told the told Ryan animals,” by eaten was had the Ryan just dead.” “It’s gathering. home in his mother’s at SUV parked Wisconsin for the winter, and the the winter, for Wisconsin destroyed his Chevy Suburban. “My car Suburban. his Chevy destroyed woodchucks had woodchucks wiring enough through ate woodchucks under the hood to render the Suburban render under the hood to said a family of said a family plans a return to to plans a return inoperable and beyond repair. and beyond inoperable D.C., on July 12, Ryan D.C., Club of Washington, Club of Washington, Paul Ryan Gator guest guest Gator Pa., Park, Prospect a turtle in her at was looking Hoffecker Tracie a animal guest surprise another when she spotted on July 22 backyard in length. Hoffecker’s 3 feet 2 to measuring an alligator away: feet few workers rescue and animal who is a Philadelphia firefighter, cousin, illegally probably said was which authorities the gator, removed safely a pet owner. by dumped in the area Auto destruction Auto Speaker House As elections, congressional the 2018 after life ­private the Economic to Speaking car. a new need he’ll - -

Shridhar Chillal Shridhar Quick Takes

August 18, 2018 • A long siesta from taking any government jobs for nine years. jobs for government taking any from prosecute Recio, but a civil court in July banned him but a civil court Recio, prosecute administrators fired the man. Officials decided not to not decided the man. Officials fired administrators A Spanish civil servant’s decadelong hooky streak has hooky streak decadelong A Spanish civil servant’s ince archivist Carles Recio would clock in at a govern clock in at would Recio Carles archivist ince to clock out. Despite never producing any work, Recio Recio work, any producing never clock out. Despite to ment office, go home, and return at the end of the day at the end of the return go home, and ment office, managed to collect his $58,000 salary for years. Finally Finally years. salary for his $58,000 collect to managed come to an end. For more than 10 years, Valencia prov Valencia years, than 10 more an end. For to come last summer, Recio’s colleagues lodged a complaint and a complaint lodged colleagues Recio’s last summer, nerve damage and hearing loss. The nails collectively collectively loss. The nails and hearing damage nerve in length. 30 feet nearly measured shy of 6-foot-6. Officials at the Ripley’s museum museum in at the Ripley’s Officials of 6-foot-6. shy Chillal, tools. the nails with power removed York New problems health to them in response said he cut 81, of the nails, including weight the immense by caused According to Guinness World Records, Chillal stopped Chillal stopped Records, Guinness World to According When last the nails on his left hand in 1952. cutting just measured thumbnail Chillal’s in 2015, measured Then again, most people haven’t been growing their growing been haven’t most people Then again, decades. than six more nails for City to York New his home in India to from ­traveled 11. trimmed on July fingernails his world-record get A growing problemA growing a manicure. get to saw a circular need don’t Most people DISPATCHES WORLD Magazine 14 RACCOON: ITHACA FIRE DEPARTMENT • OFFENBACH, MOORHEN CHICK: BORIS ROESSLER/PICTURE-ALLIANCE/DPA/AP • ILLUSTRATION: KRIEG BARRIE • TYAGI: ANI Manage your membership: wng.org/membership take inthemassive catfish andharborit at aprivate pond. spokesman for Offenbach saidthecityhopesitcanfind someone willingto they hadhired aprofessional fisherman to catch and remove thebeast.A ­officials estimate themassive catfish at nearly 5 16 feetlongandsaidJuly Germany.toCity eating ducklings, according to cityofficialsin Offenbach, After eating allthesmallerfishinamunicipalpond,giantcatfish has turned Pond predator A cop inIndiahasfileda complaint against himself after hisoffice failed to pre toric corruption andnegligence. Tyagi hasalso filed vent cow slaughtering. Officers inthenorthernIndiacityof Meerut responded to areport ofcows beingillegally killedbut arrived 19 lawsuits against officers who have taken bribes. wrote upanofficial complaint against himself and house withapromise to reform thestation’s his too late to catch theperpetrators. Local police his agency. Tyagi took over theMeerut station responded to the tiptoo slowly, andtherefore Chief Rajendra Tyagi Rajendra United Arab Emirates. built two years ago inthe sculpture ofajetairplane structure, beating outarose it’s thelargest-ever rose Guinness World Records says mid using546,364 roses. ­replica ofanindigenous pyra reports thetown builta United Press International Tabacundo, Ecuador. The has nothing onthetown of The Tournament ofRoses success of Sweet smell Testifying against himself saidhispolice agency - - - Mustang andgesturedMustang to thetroopers to pullover. That’s whenthetroopers turnedontheirown real Disbro, 44,flippedonthepolice lights ofhisblack Dodge Charger, thetwo troopers inayellow Ford when hetriedto pullover acarcarryingtwo men police lights andpulledover Disbro. Thefake cop Safety say Matthew AllenDisbro ran into trouble was found withafake uniform andcharged with Officials withtheArizona Departmentof Public problem: Disbro wasn’t apolice officer, andthe troopers inanunmarked car. Police say when Mustang ranMustang acheck ontheCharger’s license plate. Disbro reportedly drove alongside the on state Route 51inPhoenixonJuly11. The two menhewanted to pullover were state Illegal procedure animal free inanearby creek bed. the raccoon, aconservation officer setthe from thejar. After aquickexamination of there, firefighters cutthe raccoon free they placed itinalarge plastictub. From remove theanimalfrom the tree, andthen Environmental Conservation workers to Fire crews worked withDepartmentof with itshead stuckinsidetheplasticjar. found araccoon hidingfar upinatree and firefighters responded toacallJuly12and stuck insideamayonnaise jar. Ithaca, N.Y., local firefighters after gettingits head A ravenous raccoon needed anassistfrom case Head impersonating apolice officer. August 18, 2018 18, August • WORLD Magazine WORLD 15 WM0818_CHM_VisionVideo 7/24/18 11:50 AM Page 1

VOICES Janie B. Cheaney

to judicial review—or determining whether laws passed by Congress or the states are constitu- tional. With 200 years of precedent behind it, judicial review has become an “originalist” principle, even though it isn’t strictly original. But SCOTUS has ballooned in importance since the 1950s, with Roe v. Wade as a notorious example of finding “constitutionality” within Branched out the margins of the text. To most Americans, the Supreme Court has become the guarantor of THE SUPREME COURT WASN’T SUPPOSED TO individual rights, pure and simple, even though HAVE THE MIGHTY AUTHORITY IT CLAIMS establishing one right almost always curtails another. How did an unassuming Sacramento Even worse, SCOTUS has become the R ­lawyer become the most powerful man in highest authority, the last word. All three America? branches of government were created That’s the question raised over the last two under the assumption of a higher law, decades when the Supreme Court was given (most of the framers agreed) by ­deliberating a high-profile social case. “It all God. God’s law instructed individual comes down to Kennedy,” speculation ran, and conscience, which the courts were speculation was often right. Justice Anthony intended to protect, mostly by restraining Kennedy was the wild card on the bench, the power of the executive and legislative whose decision could tip the balance between branches. And itself. Without the notion tradition and innovation. His vote denied the of a higher law, something has to fill the Know your story, right of states to set their own limits on abortion gap, and that something turns out to be (Planned Parenthood v. Casey), made same-sex the third branch of government. By ­marriage legal nationwide (Obergefell v. assuming the power of the last word, embrace the journey Hodges), and allowed local governments to the Supreme Court has become the . ­condemn private property in order to increase ­conscience of the nation. If you doubt tax revenue (Kelo v. City of New London). it, read some of Justice Kennedy’s But his decisions also allowed prayer at city ­philosophical—as opposed to judicial— council meetings, cleared away barriers to opinions for the majority. political speech, and freed crisis pregnancy With his retirement and a supposed centers from having to advertise abortion. A Without the originalist replacement in Brett Kavanaugh, the mixed record, meaning no one is completely left clings to hope by the brittle fingernails of happy with him. “Good Riddance,” said National notion of a Ruth Bader Ginsburg, or “Notorious RBG.” A Review; “a horrible justice,” according to Think higher law, biographical movie opening in November will Progress. Even before his replacement was something polish her credentials as a champion of the announced, the left was lining up with “Stop has to fill the marginalized. Her retirement, or sudden demise, CHRISTIAN [whoever]” posters and the right was scrutinizing would make Kennedy’s retirement look like a Uncover your faith heritage past decisions of every judge on the short list. gap, and that minor tremor. Court watchers are anxiously No one person should have that kind of something monitoring her workout routines. A Facebook HISTORY influence over policy. And, as countless turns out to meme facetiously (or not) offers replacement one story at a time. magazine ­observers have pointed out, when the retirement organs, should she need a new heart or liver. of a Supreme Court justice throws the entire be the third To the left, and to some extent the right, a nation in an uproar, something is out of whack. branch of slim majority on the court constitutes the It would probably surprise most Americans “Justice League,” a band of robed avengers that the constitutional purpose of the Supreme government. ­battling the evil foes of equality (for the left) or Please enjoy a FREE Subscription! Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is not to freedom (for the right). A very select number is Mention source code WM0818 ensure justice for individuals. The Constitution the last best hope of our democracy. For more than thirty years, Christian History

itself was not supremely clear in spelling out the This view is not an exaggeration, and that’s DKFIELDING/ISTOCK magazine has been telling the story of the constitutional purpose. Article III airily describes a problem. Supreme Court selections have Church to help guide each of us on our journey. the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction as “all cases ... more profound social consequences than Christian History is a donor-supported magazine. arising under this Constitution,” whatever that almost any other government act, and it was The entry to the means. It was Chief Justice John Marshall, in courtroom at the never meant to be that way. But it will be that Marbury v. Madison, who pegged the meaning Supreme Court way for a long, long time. A ChristianHistoryMagazine.org 1-800-468-0458

16 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018  [email protected]  @jbcheaney WM0818_CHM_VisionVideo 7/24/18 11:50 AM Page 1

Know your story, embrace the journey.

Uncover your faith heritage CHRISTIAN HISTORY one story at a time. magazine

Please enjoy a FREE Subscription! Mention source code WM0818 For more than thirty years, Christian History magazine has been telling the story of the Church to help guide each of us on our journey. Christian History is a donor-supported magazine. ChristianHistoryMagazine.org 1-800-468-0458 All suffering is worth it to follow Jesus. He is that amazing. —Nabeel Qureshi

A MODERN CLASSIC . . . NOW EXPANDED WITH NEW DETAILS Engaging and thought-provoking, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus tells a powerful story of the clash between Islam and Christianity in one man’s heart—and of the peace he eventually found in Jesus. The New York Times bestselling Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus has been expanded to include: • Additional behind-the-scenes stories told by Nabeel and his good friend David Wood • Reflections on Nabeel’s life and legacy by his wife, Michelle Qureshi • An afterword by Nabeel’s mentor Mark Mittelberg • And more! Visit NabeelQureshi.com CULTURE Movies & TV / Books / Children’s Books / Q&A / Music

Movie A clear afternoon CHRISTOPHER ROBIN REMINDS US OF THE JOYS OF TIME UNPLANNED by Megan Basham

As modern parents quiet reading side by side, done time and again. But Once he leaves the R we often find or leisurely­ drives headed there’s a reason certain serenity of boyhood behind, ­ourselves acting as “event no place in particular. ­storylines continue to a grown-up Christopher planners” for our kids. We Though he claims to be ­resonate. And this one cuts Robin (winningly played by put in countless hours of a bear of “very little brain,” a surprisingly fresh path Ewan McGregor) finds work so we can afford to in his new movie (and it is through well-trod ground. himself being crushed by a create memorable his movie, never mind the The idea of success as a doozy of a mantra. “Are you moments like trips to title) Winnie the Pooh ­virtue is so pervasive in a sinker or a swimmer?” his expensive theme parks and reminds us of this very Western culture, many of employer asks in a poor elaborate family vacations. great bit of wisdom—doing us feel guilty that we’re not (but sadly familiar) attempt What we don’t often give nothing often leads to the doing enough to achieve our to inspire. Christopher, our kids is nothing. That is, best kind of something. best life now. Mantras for who clearly understands the sweet, simple pleasure Of course, a workaholic achievement can motivate that sinker is synonymous of having no plans at all: father receiving a reminder in positive ways, but they with loser, mumbles that he afternoons that wind up as about what’s really can also grind down our wants to say he’s a swim-

LAURIE SPARHAM/DISNEY ENTERPRISES SPARHAM/DISNEY LAURIE aimless walks in the woods, ­important in life has been peace and contentment. mer. But of course he

 [email protected]  @megbasham August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 19 CULTURE Movies & TV

doesn’t feel confident about enjoy (though the very that because, well, how young may get a little many of us truly do, deep squirmy until animals start Movie down? He does put on a talking). show of having an The tubby little cubby ­impressive forward stroke, and his friends are voiced Mission: however, logging countless perfectly and provide plenty extra hours at the office, of hilarious one-liners. Impossible— alienating his wife (a Aside from a mildly fright- Fallout ­somewhat wasted Hayley ening sequence that finds Atwell) and daughter Christopher Robin under (Bronte Carmichael). water imagining a heffa- One moment early Lennon’s “Imagine.” The It is at this point that a lump, it’s hard to imagine R in Mission: plan of these radical sec- certain silly old bear senses why the movie is rated PG Impossible—Fallout seems ularists is to nuke three how much his old friend rather than G. It’s possible I intentionally to present a major religious sites—the needs him and returns to missed something, but I knowing contrast to that Vatican, Mecca, and Christopher Robin’s life to caught nothing to concern other famed international Jerusalem—to achieve a man of intrigue. vision of “no religion.” teach him some lessons parents and quite a bit that In the midst of plan- Tellingly, the movie never that are both counter-­ will delight them. ning a hijacking mission, suggests any part of the cultural and, frankly, Fair warning though, an exotic blond femme villains’ argument might ­stunningly original for a moms and dads may find fatale plants an aggressive have merit. The other standard Hollywood themselves shedding a tear kiss on secret agent antagonist Hunt faces, ­production. You see, Pooh over the fleetness of Ethan Hunt’s lips. Bond, the CIA’s Agent Walker doesn’t show up to teach ­childhood as young James Bond, would have (Henry Cavill), has, like Christopher Robin to be Christopher Robin says accepted this as par for the Apostles, no problem more confident in himself goodbye to his playmates in the course. Hunt (Tom taking down innocent or even, so much, to value the Hundred Acre Wood. If Cruise), on the other bystanders if it means his family more than work. you’re one of them, just hand, looks slightly achieving his aims. Christopher does learn this remember this other bit of unnerved. For an instant, But Hunt’s inability to second thing in the process, Pooh-inspired wisdom: his cover identity wavers. sacrifice one life on the but it’s not the main point. How lucky we are to have (I won’t spoil the plot, but altar of expediency is his The main point is for him these little people in our the PG-13 rating comes greatest strength and from language and action goes hand in hand with his to relearn what came lives who make watching violence rather than from uniquely American opti- ­naturally to him as a boy— them grow up so hard. A any Bond-style romances.) mism. He always believes taking joy in life divorced We expect spy he can find a moral way from any particular thrillers to offer to complete his mission. achievement. eye-popping Perhaps that’s why, while It’s a Christian message if BOX OFFICE TOP 10 FOR THE WEEKEND OF JULY 27-29 action sequences he may have racked up a ever there was one, though according to Box Office Mojo set in breathtaking few regrets over the years, the screenwriters may not foreign locales, we’ve never seen an Ethan have known it. Who more CAUTIONS: Quantity of sexual (S), violent­ (V), and on this score Hunt plagued by inner and foul-language (L) ­content on a 0-10 scale, than believers, blessed to with 10 high, from kids-in-mind.com Fallout unques- demons or tormented by tionably delivers. growing cynicism. have a Father who urges us S V L Even better, At 56, Tom Cruise is to cast our cares on Him `1 Mission: Impossible— and promises to make our Fallout* PG-13...... 1 6 5 though, is Ethan finally starting to show a paths straight if we in all `2 Mamma Mia! Here We Hunt’s classic few crinkles around the PG-13...... 4 2 1 our ways acknowledge Him Go Again* ­virtue and the way edges. Barely. They suit `3 The Equalizer 2 R...... 1 8 7 it contrasts against him. But even more, they (Proverbs 3:6), have better `4 Hotel Transylvania 3: the enemies he suit the trajectory of the reason to sit back and enjoy Summer Vacation PG...... 2 4 1 battles. Mission: Impossible a blissful afternoon of noth- `5 Teen Titans Go! To the If the terror ­movies, giving Ethan PARAMOUNT PICTURES PG...... 1 4 1 ing, free from fear or guilt? Movies syndicate Hunt a maturing edge `6 Aside from the lovely, Ant-Man and the ­self-dubbed as that makes his resistance Wasp* PG-13...... 2 5 4 iconoclastic theme, “The Apostles” of a world-weary persona `7 Incredibles 2* PG...... 1 3 2 Christopher Robin is simply had a theme song, all the more appealing. `8 Jurassic World: Fallen a warm, fuzzy hug of a film Kingdom* PG-13...... 1 7 4 it would be John —by MEGAN BASHAM that the whole family can `9 Skyscraper PG-13...... 1 7 5 `10 The First Purge R...... 5 8 10

20 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018 *Reviewed by WORLD the show feel more forced than with the character of Cole (Cory Gruter-Andrew), Anne with an agenda a sensitive and artistic class- mate who supplants Diana ANNE WITH AN E HIJACKS A CHILDREN’S CLASSIC (Dalila Bela) in Anne’s life—in essence, replacing her kin- AS A VEHICLE FOR LIBERAL VALUES AND 21ST- dred spirit with a gay best CENTURY ACTIVISM by Laura Finch friend. Cole attracts attention not only from the class bully, but from attendees at a “queer soirée” (the produc- ers’ term), who drape pearls around his neck. Even his male teacher in Avonlea, the one engaged to Prissy Andrews, has some sort of awakening during a moment of sexual tension with Cole. Eventually Cole is symbolized by a fox being hunted by the whole town, and moves in with Diana’s Aunt Josephine (Deborah Grover)—hinted to be a lesbian last season, and now confirmed to McNulty be so. Redeeming plotlines: a Let’s get one thing this season touches on. sweet love R straight: Extrapolating There’s school bullying, bully- story, and per- on and even profiting from a ing of homosexuals, guns in formances by classic isn’t new. It isn’t even the classroom, teenage sui- Geraldine necessarily a bad thing. cide, racism (both overt and James and R.H. Michael Landon did it with via microaggression), white Thomson, who Little House on the Prairie, fragility, and the definition of play Marilla and and he’s practically a national marriage. Two more topics Matthew and hero. top it off: consent for vaginal shine as the Neither is including a gay checks during birth, and strongest stars Gruter-Andrew character in a historical ­prejudice against people who of the cast drama: Downton Abbey did it never marry. despite some with the nuanced character A giveaway to what’s As one of the first shows seriously silly storylines of of Thomas Barrow, and in the coming is found in the show’s to capitalize on our post- their own. We also get a end, we were all rooting for magical opening sequence #MeToo world, this one semi-satisfying ending to the him to rejoin the downstairs (featuring an artistic blend of seems not to know how to school bully situation. It’s staff. owls, gold leaves, and the handle it. It fumbles with unclear but possible that Season 1 of CBC and image of actress Amybeth ­dialogue like an awkward Cole is basically written out Netflix’sAnne with an E was McNulty, who plays Anne) teenager. The writing is bad of the show, since, by the gritty, in many ways depart- where a singer croons, “You (see above), the plotlines end of Season 2, he lives in ing big-time from the book, are ahead by a century.” A contrived. Writers might faraway Charlottetown. but it still made pretty good century is right. It’s hard to think they’re bravely break- No doubt producers think television. Season 2, though, imagine TV writers of past ing barriers, but they’re really Anne with an E champions feels as if it were written by decades using lines like, “A just taking their values—the the marginalized. But it won’t a different team of writers, skirt is not an invitation,” good and the bad—and stand the test of time—not brought in mostly to drive or, “How can there be any- cracking them over our simply because it politicizes buzz about the show. thing wrong with a life if it’s heads like a school slate. Avonlea, but because it’s It’s hard to list compre- spent with the person you Not every storyline is poorly written. And Anne

NETFLIX hensively every modern issue love?” insidious. But nowhere does would never stand for that. A

See all our movie reviews at wng.org/movies August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 21 CULTURE Books

unemploy- ment, but he The road ahead lists the type WILL THE FUTURE BE HELLISH, of jobs least susceptible to by Marvin Olasky HEAVENLY, OR BOTH? auto­mation: ones where John S. Dickerson’s Hope of matter how noble the argument for it) every day is different and work occurs in R Nations (Zondervan, 2018) sees is one generation away from abandon- different physical locations, where train- persecution of Christians growing and ing Christianity entirely.” Professors at ing is long and decision-making is hard, wants us not to lose hope. He notes that hundreds of colleges and universities where creativity and emotional connect- Christians “cannot control what children that started as Christian institutions edness are important. Recommended are being taught by American society at began accepting materialist assump- for automation: hostage negotiator. Not large … cannot control the direction of tions while insisting that they were not recommended: fast-food order taker. cultural change in the U.S. … cannot hostile to Christ: Soon they were. Reese displays no faith in God but control the world my kids will inherit.” Byron Reese’s The Fourth Age examines speculations that we may be A Christian can control “what I teach (Atria, 2018) displays materialist living in a simulation created by a far- my kids and model for them … the assumptions about the bright future of advanced civilization. Creation, by moral direction of my own life … robotics and artificial intelligence. Whomever or whatever, is astonishing: what I will do with my day,” and He expects continued techno- Reese writes how one of the most can “believe that God has placed logical progress and discounts powerful computers in the world, to me here, now, for a reason … that original sin: “For ten thou- model 1 percent of the human brain for every obstacle is an opportunity sand years, good has edged one second, had to create more than when I am rightly related to out evil.” He thinks war will 1.7 billion­ virtual nerve cells and over Christ.” be rare because “trading part- 10 trillion synapses. Dickerson also points out ners seldom go to war with Furthermore, Reese notes, the that we can “influence each other.” (That’s human body contains 60 different many great Christian what European ­elements in various amounts: “No institutions that have trading partners known laws of physics can explain how not abandoned scrip- commonly those elements can be combined in tural authority.” He asserted before such a way as to create an entity with puts this reminder in World War I.) consciousness.” Mind and life itself “are boldface type: “Any Reese themselves the most utterly inexplica- ministry or family that doesn’t think ble things we know of. They are the abandons the author- robots will great mysteries, and may be forever ity of Scripture (no Dickerson create massive beyond our control.”

BOOKMARKS a Soviet spy and a hard-line propagan- Are we heading back to a religious world like that of the dist who supported Josef Stalin’s favor- Roman empire in the second century? Michael Kruger’s ite “scientist,” the crackpot Trofim Christianity at the Crossroads (IVP, 2018) describes the Lysenko. Joe Bastardi’s The Climate Christian presence in that era sociologically, politically, Chronicles (Relentless Thunder, 2018) intellectually, and economically. Brian Stanley’s is a populist attack on current environ- Christianity in the Twentieth Century (Princeton, 2018) is mental crackpots. a useful scholarly overview. Marissa Henley’s Loving Your Michael Best’s How Growth REALLY Friend Through Cancer (P&R, 2018) is a practical guide to Happens (Princeton, 2018) displays an moving beyond sometimes-tactless sympathy to thought- academic economist’s contention that government, ful support. instead of trying to pick economic winners and losers, can Gavan Tredoux’s Comrade Haldane Is Too Busy to Go be useful in creating interconnected infrastructures. on Holiday (Encounter, 2018) is the sadly amusing story of Jordan Hall’s Every Degree Debt Free (self-published, a British scientist who saved Darwinism in the first half of available through Amazon, 2018) is the exact opposite: an the 20th century by melding theories of natural selection earthy and concrete, nonacademic look at how to pay for HANDOUT with Gregor Mendel’s discovery of genes. Haldane was also college and graduate school without loans. —M.O.

22 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018 RECENT NOVELS FROM CHRISTIAN PUBLISHERS reviewed by Sandy Barwick

BEFORE I SAW YOU Amy K. Sorrells Jaycee Givens has more than her share of heartache. After an unspeakable tragedy, her heroin-addicted mother goes to prison. Seeking comfort and security, Jaycee becomes pregnant by her abusive boyfriend. She weighs her options: abortion, adoption, or keep the baby in her poverty-stricken, drug-infested trailer park. Sounds awful, but Jaycee is lovable and wise. “Where we’ve come from isn’t near as important as knowing Who we belong to,” she AFTERWORD says. And the story contains lighter moments like her shopping In the nonfictionLeaving excursion for stretch pants at Walmart. This uplifting story cele- Cloud 9 (Thomas Nelson, brates motherhood and highlights God’s redemptive power. 2018), Ericka Andersen chronicles her husband SEND DOWN THE RAIN Charles Martin Rick Sylvester’s experience Vietnam War veteran Jo-Jo Brooks lives a solitary life in the moun- growing up with a single tains of North Carolina. A chance encounter with a woman and her mother controlled by men- two kids leads him back to his childhood home in the Florida tal illness, drug and alcohol Panhandle, and back to the only woman he’s ever loved. Jo-Jo’s addiction, and abject pov- decision to live a lie for the benefit of others creates unnecessary erty. It details his journey to frustration for everyone—including the reader. Martin is a master adulthood including the storyteller, but in this case his protagonist’s self-sacrifice is painful. Moral of this vexing story: Honesty is the best policy, no matter how childhood traumas that led much it hurts. to his PTSD and bipolar disorder. Part THE HOPE OF AZURE SPRINGS Rachel Fordham social commen- tary on the invis- A young girl with seemingly nothing to offer brings joy and transfor- ibility of white mation to an 1881 Iowa town. No one—especially the sheriff— expects the injured and unconscious girl to make such an impact on poverty in the community. As he pursues the men responsible for Em’s condi- America and tion, he begins to see her as more than a pitiful waif. One thing part biography, keeps her going: reuniting with the sister she lost while traveling on the book’s over- an orphan train many years earlier. A sweet, ugly-duckling-turned- all message is, “You beautiful-swan story for historical romance fans, and a commendable don’t have to be a victim of debut novel for Fordham. your circumstances.” Similar to the fictional story THE LOVE LETTER Rachel Hauck Before I Saw You (reviewed Actress Chloe Daschle believes there’s one true love for everyone. on this page), this book’s But after several disastrous relationships, she’s lost hope for herself theme seems bleak but has a until she meets Jesse Gates, a writer whose screenplay is based on hope-filled conclusion: God a love letter written by his 18th-century ancestor. Chloe lands the is bigger than the obstacles female lead in the movie adaptation, but complications lead Jesse to we face, and He’s in the abandon both the project and her. The book jumps from present- day Hollywood to American Revolution–era South Carolina. The redemption business for author’s attempt to showcase Chloe’s faith in Jesus falls short when anyone willing to accept His

HANDOUT her attitude and actions contradict her words. free gift. —S.B.

To see more book news and reviews, go to wng.org/books August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 23 CULTURE Children’s Books Stories in pictures 2 CONFERENCES GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR KIDS reviewed by Lynde Langdon

SUPER NARWHAL AND JELLY JOLT Ben Clanton Narwhal wants to be a superhero, but other than his unique appearance (he’s the unicorn of the sea), he doesn’t have any powers. As he helps his friends uncover their abilities, though, he discovers the power of encouragement, and that makes him super after all. This second Narwhal and Jelly Jolt book keeps the 2 DAYS series’ signature hand-drawn look that engages emerging read- AFTERWORD ers, but the simplistic drawings and minimal dialogue make the Pat and Jen are among the storyline tough to follow at times. Some of the puns might also most successful YouTubers 2 IMPORTANT be too complicated for the book’s intended audience—all the ever, and they got that way more reason to read along with a grown-up. (Ages 6-9) by recording themselves just having fun. The couple REAL FRIENDS Shannon Hale (who use only first names or With this graphic novel memoir, Hale empowers grade school- usernames online) met in ers, especially girls, to seek out healthy relationships with their high school and married in peers. When the girls at school start to mistreat Shannon, she 2018’S PREMIERE has to decide whether to take the emotional beating or stand 2015. They’re not yet 30, but APOLOGETICS up for herself and risk isolation. Shannon handles her troubles Pat’s YouTube channel 2 MISS CONFERENCES with the help of her imperfect family and a perfect God. The “PopularMMOs” earns book includes a rare—for popular children’s novels—scene of ­millions of dollars in Shannon praying for Jesus to intervene in her friendship YouTube ad revenue from ­problems. The book is an antidote to the self-interest promoted NEW VISION BAPTIST CHURCH videos of the couple playing by Raina Telgemeier, another graphic novelist popular with This generation needs truth. God is calling you to help. tween girls. (Ages 8-12) the video game Minecraft with running commentary. MURFREESBORO, TN Join some of the nation’s top Christian worldview experts Their new graphic novel, ALL SUMMER LONG Hope Larson SEPTEMBER 14-15, 2018 A Hole New World for an unforgettable weekend of learning and inspiration. Larson’s latest book tries to answer the age-old question, “Can (HarperCollins, 2018), Friday night also includes the option of a concert with boys and girls just be friends?” Bina and Austin have been best­ ies their whole lives, but their relationship changes after they incorporates characters GREENWELL SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH acclaimed recording artist Tedashii. You’ll be equipped turn 13. When Austin leaves for summer camp and strands Bina from their videos and real and encouraged to impact lives and connect with a home alone, she searches for something meaningful to pass the life, including their white GREENWELL SPRINGS, LA nationwide movement to reach others for Christ. time. She learns to accept her circumstances and herself but Persian cat, Cloud. The plot doesn’t really resolve the interpersonal conflicts she has with and dialogue are as frenetic OCTOBER 26-27, 2018 Register now and help “Save a Nation.” other characters. Some critics have praised this book’s portrayal and silly as the of diversity, but rather than exploring their differences, the videos. Pat and characters in All Summer Long decide to ignore them and hope everything turns out OK. (Ages 10-13) Jen don’t take the Lord’s name Featuring: THE CARDBOARD KINGDOM Chad Sell in vain nearly as $34.95 much in the Author Chad Sell uses exciting illustrations to tell how Early Bird Pricing ­neighborhood kids have a magical summer. Children from all book as they do backgrounds live in the “Cardboard Kingdom” and learn to on camera, but Available until 8/19 have fun by including everyone. The book extols the lost art of at least one Includes Fri. & Sat. playing pretend as not only a pastime but a tool to make the instance makes General Admission to trials of childhood more bearable. Sell challenges traditional an appearance. A Hole New Conference & Exhibits gender roles as the kids transform into kings, queens, knights, World probably won’t and monsters. Parents should note that one character become a children’s classic, Josh McDowell Alex McFarland Daniel Ritchie J. Warner Wallace Tedashii ­cross-dresses, but the story stops short of openly exploring HANDOUT Apologist and Author Apologist and Author Speaker and Author Former Cold-Case Detective Christian Hip Hop Artist REGISTER transgenderism or sexuality. Overall, The Cardboard Kingdom but it may be the “it” book inspires children to put down their video games, go outside, at school book fairs over the Check out our website for a full listing of speakers and schedules for each event. TODAY! and play. (Ages 9-12) next year. —L.L.

24 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018 To see more book news and reviews, go to wng.org/books www.truthforanewgeneration.com

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NEW VISION BAPTIST CHURCH MURFREESBORO, TN This generation needs truth. God is calling you to help. Join some of the nation’s top Christian worldview experts SEPTEMBER 14-15, 2018 for an unforgettable weekend of learning and inspiration. Friday night also includes the option of a concert with GREENWELL SPRINGS BAPTIST CHURCH acclaimed recording artist Tedashii. You’ll be equipped and encouraged to impact lives and connect with a GREENWELL SPRINGS, LA nationwide movement to reach others for Christ. OCTOBER 26-27, 2018 Register now and help “Save a Nation.”

Featuring: $34.95 Early Bird Pricing Available until 8/19 Includes Fri. & Sat. General Admission to Conference & Exhibits Josh McDowell Alex McFarland Daniel Ritchie J. Warner Wallace Tedashii Apologist and Author Apologist and Author Speaker and Author Former Cold-Case Detective Christian Hip Hop Artist REGISTER

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3371AMC World magazine ad.indd 2 7/27/2018 11:46:30 AM CULTURE Q&A

MATTHEW KAEMINGK A space for freedom OFFERING HOSPITALITY TO MUSLIMS IN AMERICA by Mindy Belz

What’s a nice theologian doing in How does Abraham Kuyper help us earn and we cannot lose. We don’t offer R the middle of a political debate? think about Christian pluralism and a freedom to Muslims because we think Matthew Kaemingk, assistant professor third way? Kuyper was a Christian they earned it. We offer it because our of Christian ethics at Fuller Theological theologian and politician 120 years ago God demands it. Seminary, is the author of Christian in the Netherlands. The nation was I often get questions like this: In Hospitality and Muslim Immigration ­bitterly divided between Protestants Muslim countries Christians are not in an Age of Fear (Eerdmans, 2018). and Catholics, socialists and liberals, given religious freedom, so why should He says Biblical understanding on yet he developed a theological case for we give religious freedom to them? That ­immigration “should spring from the treating others with justice. Not is a fundamental misunderstanding of a actual work of Jesus, who made space because other ideologies were true or Christian approach to democracy and for me when I was His enemy.” We met deserving, but because God demands freedom. Christ offers us freedom, at a Center for Public Justice panel that we treat our opponents with love. ­dignity, and love as free gifts, not on ­discussion in Washington, D.C., and You spent time researching Muslim trade or contract. then continued the conversation via immigration in the Netherlands. What And therein is the risk. Democracy Skype. Here are edited excerpts: did you learn from the Dutch secularist is fundamentally a risk. Kuyper Since your book came out in January, responses to Islam? Secular liberals ­specifically speaks to the possibility you’ve been on the road talking about tend to misunderstand faith in three that a nation could be taken over by an this hot topic. Any lightning strikes ways. They believe faith is a private ideology wanting to crush you. He along the way? I’ve received critiques preference not relevant to the public says, “Leave it to Christian believers, if from both sides, left and right. But over- debate. Second, they believe that faith need be to Christian martyrs, to have all I sense a yearning, particularly among is a special thing only for some people, the honor of demonstrating the Christian audiences, beyond right and and they themselves have risen above ­intrinsic emptiness of non-Christian left: If you boil the debate down to faith. So they create a hierarchy of all spiritual life.” ­simply “Do you open doors or do you the religions down here and the liberals It’s one thing if you and I say we are close them?”—that’s not a helpful debate. up here. This makes it impossible for willing to take the risk, but should we The real discussions and hard questions them to treat religious minorities with take that risk for our children and are about how do we live together once justice because they believe they have grandchildren? As Christians we don’t differences are already inside the home. transcended religion and faith. They You write about multiculturalism cannot see their own faith-based on the left and nationalism on the ­foundations. Third, they believe we can right, but you also present a third be united through government-run way. What’s that? The third way education and awareness programs. acknowledges that the political right is Kuyper was perhaps ahead of his very correct, that Muslim immigration time in reflecting with some concern presents real challenges to the West. on Islam’s “summons to holy war.” The left is correct that Muslim immi- How do you address the real fears grants are human beings with rights, Americans have about Islam after 9/11 dignity, and freedom. Christian pluralism and other attacks? Bringing up the says if Christ is King, that means threats and real challenges with Islam Christians are not. I do not have the does not make you a racist or a bigot. right to exclude, demonize, or ­forcibly It’s important to challenge Muslims on assimilate Muslim communities. Christ those issues. But in Christian theology is King over the mosque, and it’s Christ we believe all of us are created with who will make those judgments. certain value and rights that we didn’t

26 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018 HANDOUT PHOTO want to be transformed by our enemies do it over and over again, practicing life the church, so I work really hard not to or by fear, we want to be transformed alongside our Muslim neighbors. So give specific political advice. by Christ. It’s tempting to try to “solve let’s think less about face-to-face theo- That’s why I’m asking you. It’s Islam” through government power, but logical debates or interfaith dialogues, important for pastors and theologians that government machinery can be and more about having one another not to dictate political policy but to turned around on Christianity as well. over for food, working together, caring empower Christian citizens to think You seem to leave us no alternative for one another’s sick. Here’s where Christianly about politics. I want to pro- but to practice hospitality to Muslim Christ comes in. Christ is our model of vide the Biblical framework for wrestling neighbors. How do we begin? hospitality in that He opens His arms with these tough political issues, but the Hospitality should be practiced much on the cross at great personal pain and decisions are going to be different in the same way we practice the piano. great personal sacrifice. He is not different places. Issues like the Syrian We will do it badly at romantic about hospitality, but He is refugee crisis require good theology, but first, but we with us. He shows up in those also political awareness and wisdom. small moments of having coffee What do you hope American with a neighbor, fellow Christians take from this book? My ­student, or friend. hope is that American Christians would Do you think this think of Muslim immigration not as a radical view of problem to be overcome but as a pro- ­hospitality can found opportunity to be grasped. Their affect our political Muslim neighbors are not an issue to be discourse and resolved, but people to be loved. This is engagement? As a unique historical moment in which the a theologian I church has the opportunity to be the think of myself church, the hands and feet of Jesus, to as a servant of share the hospitality we’ve received. A

‘Let’s think less about face-to-face theological debates or interfaith dialogues, and more about having one another over for food, working together, caring for one another’s sick.’

 [email protected]  @mcbelz August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 27 CULTURE Music

gripped Edwards ever since he emerged as the leader of the gothic-Americana outfit 16 Horsepower in the 1990s. Some of Edwards’ obsession is ­curiously numerological. In the runaway juggernaut “All in the Palm,” Edwards emotes about “eating [one’s] fill” on a “holy hill” and repeatedly cites the “12 and seven” baskets used to collect the uneaten scraps following Christ’s ­feeding of the thousands in Mark 6 and Mark 8 respectively. In “The Tell,” a pun-filled stream of consciousness (that includes “bull rushing” and “bar nun”) culminates with repeated Karen Peris ­references to “70 times seven.” and Edwards Edwards’ spiritual orientation is easiest to make out in the relatively quiet tracks “Lily” and “Triptych,” the former combining language from the ‘ ’ Song of Solomon and Psalm 139, the Usurped arts ­latter from James 1, Genesis 3, and the TWO NEW ALBUMS EXPRESS CHRISTIAN BELIEF— Lord’s Prayer. His artistic philosophy, by Arsenio Orteza on the other hand, comes through most IF YOU LISTEN CLOSELY clearly in the final line of “Helios”: “All the arts are dark.” Play the latest albums by the American Indian motifs, but maybe “The arts are just a part of [the R Innocence Mission and those qualities are just illusions arising world],” he told an interviewer last year. Wovenhand’s David Eugene Edwards from the song that alludes to the Kiowa “They are not something separate and for someone who doesn’t speak Five painters and the song that alludes holy. But the Lord has usurped art and English—someone, in other words, to parish chiefs.) music and literature, and everything else, oblivious to what’s being sung—and If you think that those ingredients on our behalf, because of who He is.” he’ll probably tell you that the two have sound like a recipe for a reverberant Karen and Don Peris, the little in common. din, you’re right. And a lot of the time ­husband-wife duo at the heart of the One of them, after all, is loud, dark, that din submerges much of what Innocence Mission, might not agree and turbulent; the other quiet, luminous, Edwards, occasionally suggesting about the darkness of the arts, but even and peaceful. ­latter-day Scott Walker, carnival-barks as A&M recording artists in the ’90s, But even if your hypothetical forth, leaving the words to rise fitfully they never shied away from letting ­listener were an English speaker, he’d to the surface like a drowning man their music reflect “who He is.” probably miss the albums’ profoundest fighting for air. Their new album’s title is Sun on the commonality: Christian faith. The When they do break through, Square (Badman), the sibilant ­reason that he’d miss it is that both though (or when listeners read along ­alliteration and visual imagery of which Edwards and the Mission’s Karen Peris with the lyric booklet that comes with betoken the delicately wrought folk deliver their lyrics in ways that require the album’s physical editions), they textures of the diaphanously ghostly an uncommon degree of patience and reveal the same obsession with songs therein. Its 10 songs read and

concentration. ­explicitly Scriptural imagery that has sound like childlike meditations on BARRIE KRIEG ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO Edwards’ album is called Risha kindness and the ultimate “healing” (Glitterhouse). It’s a collaboration with awaiting those held in God’s arms. the co-billed Einstürzende Neubauten As with Edwards and Hacke’s Risha, bassist and guitarist Alexander Hacke, however, listeners will want to consult who has described Risha’s music— the printed lyrics. Now as ever, Karen accurately—as a combination of Peris’ gossamer soprano voice and ­electronics, ethnic instruments, and dreamy enunciation combine to create “overdriven guitars with Oriental a first impression that’s more rhythms and scales.” (He left out ­impressionistic than expressive. A

28 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018  [email protected]  @ArsenioOrteza NOTEWORTHY NEW RELEASES reviewed by Arsenio Orteza

GOOD THING Leon Bridges Bridges’ sophomore effort begins with “Bet Ain’t Worth the Hand,” which sounds enough like his retro Southern-soul debut to placate continuity lovers. With the second song, though (“Bad Bad News”), the album shifts into something else—the Sound of Philadelphia, say, slowed down and reimagined as old jack swing except when it’s sped up to approximate Quincy Jones–era Michael Jackson. And if the lyrics aren’t always deeper than those of Bruno Mars, they have more integrity. The only song with bedroom eyes is ENCORE called “Mrs.” for a reason. “Drake Charts 7 Songs on Billboard Top 10, Besting MY MOOD IS YOU Freddy Cole Beatles Record,” proclaimed The melody with which the saxophonist Joel Frahm a recent headline. “Odd,” one bookends PJ Morton’s “First Began” borrows enough might’ve thought, “I haven’t from “Never My Love” to make one fantasize about caught wind of Drake- Cole’s tackling ’60s AM gold. But “tackling” isn’t what mania.” But the headline was Cole does. Rather, he eases into songs as his quartet true. It was also misleading: softens them up. This album’s clearest example is In the streaming era, the “Almost in Love,” the song that Elvis sings to Michele methods that determine Carey in Live a Little, Love a Little right after Carey which songs chart and how asks, “How about a little cocktail music?” If this be they chart differ radically “cocktail music,” how about a lot? from the methods of the buying era. To say that Drake CALL THE COMET Johnny Marr has “bested” the Beatles is as silly as saying that the It feels odd to call a 54-year-old’s music the Beatles bested Mozart ­apotheosis of what was once known as “college radio,” (although they did—Mozart but that’s what this album by Morrissey’s former had zero Billboard hits). ­right-hand man sounds like. Then again, Marr himself Drake, by the way, is an wrote the line “Now is an old re-run” (“Day In Day inexplicably popular rapper, Out”), so maybe everything old really is new again. and his seven Top 10 songs Layers of guitars shimmer and shine atop and beneath come from Scorpion (Cash melodies hooked to catchy rhythms. That Marr can Money), his new 25-track sing is a bonus—and apparently the main reason that album (available in “edited” he writes lyrics. and “explicit” versions). His beats are tame, his hooks ZEENITH Zuider Zee minimal, his voice annoy- Zuider Zee was a Louisiana-by-way-of-Memphis ing, his subject himself. He power-pop band that recorded an album for Columbia credits his success to God’s in 1975, then, when it didn’t sell, broke up. These “workin’ way harder than demos from a few years earlier, with the exception of Satan.” He shrewdly an early version of “Haunter of the Darkness,” observes that ­comprise entirely different material, material that its “a wise man composer, the group’s lead singer Richard Orange, once said now considers superior to its counterpart on nothin’ at Columbia. He’s right. It’s also better played, better all.” Then he sung, better produced, and more eccentric. “Earworm doesn’t shut

ARTHUR MOLA/INVISION/AP ARTHUR music” one might call it nowadays. up. —A.O.

To see more music news and reviews, go to wng.org/music August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 29 VOICES Mindy Belz

One thing the State Department did right in the three-day July ministerial was focus not only on the big picture of global persecution, but highlight its faces. Besides Murad, moving testimonies from Uighur Muslims, Iranian Christians, Nicaraguans, and Tibetans gave Bring the Bible to Life voice to persecution’s real terror. I found Murad again on day two of the ministerial, Minding the victims speaking to officials in a small anteroom TRUMP OFFICIALS HIGHLIGHT RELIGIOUS marked “Survivor Safe Space” in the State in Your Sunday School Department’s basement. The professionals in FREEDOM—AND HAVE WORK TO DO this arena must continually focus on the real lives, particularly the young ones. Nadia Murad moved quietly, almost invis- The U.S. fail- Another thing the State Department did R ibly through the crowd in Remembrance right was highlight not only Christian Hall at the U.S. Holocaust Museum. In a sea of ure to grant ­persecution but the persecution of Muslims heels and pencil skirts, she wore a khaki jacket safe haven to in China, Jews in Europe, Yazidis in Iraq, over a black T-shirt and pants, her dark hair some of those and others. Christians are among the most loosely pulled back. persecuted, but they are not the only ones. We Murad was among a gathering of modern- who clearly at WORLD also want to continue this focus—a day holocaust survivors with U.S. Ambassador- can’t remain reflection of humanity created in the image of at-Large Sam Brownback for the opening of a in their own God and religious liberty a universal right He three-day U.S. Ministerial to Advance Religious gives. Freedom. I had looked for her among the country Due credit goes to the State Department for lineup as Brownback spoke on July 23, and undermines highlighting religious freedom with a high- missed her. Murad’s story is so large in my the message level event—one that included top government mind I wasn’t prepared for how small she officials from 85 countries plus hundreds of would appear. on religious civil society workers in the trenches. Secretary We spoke, and at first Murad protested that freedom. of State Mike Pompeo committed to holding her English was poor, but she warmed and such an event every year. The diminutive 2nd Edition gazed into the distance as she talked about her Murad receiving a standing ovation before family. I had to remind myself she is 25 years such a crowd truly was moving. old. She could be a girl, but her face wears more But the Trump administration has more years. It registers something between anguish work to do. Nadia Murad may be welcome to and surprise, like someone who has seen some- the United States as a visitor, but not as a refu- Whole Bible. Whole family. Whole truth. thing terrible she cannot shake. gee. In 2016 the United States admitted 524 Take students of all ages on an exciting Powerful Core Features By the time ISIS completed its invasion of Yazidis from Iraq. In the 10 months of fiscal chronological journey through the Bible! Iraq in 2014, Murad’s village was wiped out, six year 2018 it has admitted 0. Zero. From nearly brothers killed, and every woman taken captive. 2,000 Iraqi Christians admitted in 2016, the Bring the whole family together with  faith-building Full of apologetics Murad herself would be traded to multiple ISIS number in FY2018 has fallen to 14. lessons for six age groups from Pre-K to Adult. and life application leaders and at one point locked in a room with When I asked Pompeo about this before six militants who “continued to commit the ministerial, he said, “Our preference is Teachers and students alike will enjoy diving into rich Whole Bible in  crimes to my body until I became that we have ministerials like this one so content, memorizing scripture, and learning how to unconscious.” they can experience religious freedom in years for all ages You can read her story in her excellent their own countries. The objective is to apply the Bible to their daily lives. 2017 book, The Last Girl. But when it was all ­create a capacity for every country to Focus on God’s over Murad was an exile in Germany, receiv- protect the religious freedom of its own plan of redemption ing a phone call from Iraq when the army citizens.” discovered her mother’s body in one of To a watching world the U.S. failure to Posters, handouts, ­dozens of mass graves. grant safe haven to some of those who clearly and other extras Aug. 3 marks the fourth anniversary of the can’t remain in their own country undermines VIT SIMANEK/CTK/AP SAVE ­€% Expires 9/30/18 • Use coupon code ABCWBTS1 ISIS genocide of Yazidis in Iraq. Besides the the message on religious freedom. Be assured, thousands ISIS killed and enslaved, thousands the left is not watching these numbers, is not remain missing, including some of Murad’s standing up for persecution victims. It will ­relatives. A Yazidi population of 400,000 fall to Christian believers to seize the before 2014 in Iraq has been obliterated. Murad moment created by the State Department. A AnswersBibleCurriculum.com • 1-800-778-3390 30 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018  [email protected]  @mcbelz Bring the Bible to Life in Your Sunday School

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Whole Bible. Whole family. Whole truth. Take students of all ages on an exciting Powerful Core Features chronological journey through the Bible! Bring the whole family together with  faith-building Full of apologetics lessons for six age groups from Pre-K to Adult. and life application Teachers and students alike will enjoy diving into rich Whole Bible in  content, memorizing scripture, and learning how to years for all ages apply the Bible to their daily lives. Focus on God’s plan of redemption

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THE OTHER BORDER CRISIS

32 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018 Venezuelans cross the Simón Bolívar International Bridge into Cúcuta, Colombia.

SCHNEYDER MENDOZA/EFE/NEWSCOM

At the border with Colombia, hungry Venezuelans seek out supplies to survive their country’s harrowing economic collapse—while Christians try their best to help

by JAMIE DEAN in Cúcuta, Colombia

August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 33 ach morning, as the hot sun rises over the Simón Bolívar International Bridge, thousands of Venezuelans lift their eyes to the hills of neighboring Colombia, and ask a simple ­question: From where will our help come?

Over the course of the day, as many as 30,000 Venezuelans will cross this bridge into northeast EColombia by foot, looking for food or medicine or other supplies they can’t get in their home country. Some push or pull suitcases filled with a few items they hope to sell to Colombians. By nightfall, many return to Venezuela with whatever supplies they’ve managed to find. Colombians call the migrants pendulums—as they swing back and forth between the two nations each day. Others stay—perhaps hiring a young man from among the crowds of them waiting on the Colombian side with hand trucks to transport the possessions of Venezuelans who don’t plan to go back. Nearly five years into Venezuela’s catastrophic downfall from the once-richest nation in Latin America to a failed state with bare grocery shelves, crumbling hospitals, and an astronomical inflation rate, help isn’t easy to find. Venezuela’s socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro denies his Barbosa (right) Venezuelans received millions of Colombian country’s collapse and refuses international aid, so border leads a Bible migrants fleeing economic hardship, drug study for towns like Cúcuta, Colombia, have become ground zero for Venezuelans trafficking, and guerilla wars. Venezuelans fleeing for survival—and for churches grappling in Cúcuta. But years of socialist rule by President with how to help those struggling on both sides of the border. Hugo Chávez and his successor Nicolás While relief agencies are at work here, there are no refugee Maduro have sent Venezuela into an camps or a highly visible aid presence set up at the border. ­economic tailspin. Chávez won the presidency in 1998, Sometimes the efforts are far simpler—like on this warm July ­promising to improve conditions for the country’s poorest morning, as a Colombian pastor makes his way toward the ­citizens. He launched vast social welfare programs, and paid for dusty border crossing to meet a Venezuelan minister already them with the country’s oil profits. He also seized land from trekking across the bridge. private owners. Farms languished, production plummeted, and the country grew dependent on imports. In 2014, the system t’s early on this weekday morning, but Pastor Samuel imploded: Oil prices sank, and the government couldn’t pay for Barbosa is already thinking about the 30 names the Red unsustainable subsidies and welfare programs. Cross has asked him to submit for a food distribution the Nicolás Maduro doubled down. The country’s new president group is planning for needy Venezuelans. printed more money, and the value of currency plummeted. Here in Cúcuta, aid workers often depend on local Basic goods became unaffordable. Ichurch leaders to help them know who most needs help in a city The country’s paper currency is so worthless, Venezuelans where thousands could easily show up for limited supplies— use it to weave bags and wallets. The souvenirs sell for the and where Colombians in the overcrowded border town often equivalent of around $5 in Colombia. need help too. The influx of Venezuelans has squeezed Barbosa holds up a 3-inch stack of 100-bolivar notes he says resources in Cúcuta, and residents say they often lose jobs to wouldn’t buy a bottle of water: “It’s meaningless.” Bloomberg migrants willing to work for less pay. News reported in June that to buy a cup of coffee in Venezuela

Making a list is hard for Barbosa, who knows far more than with the 100-bolivar note, you’d need 10,000 of the bills. JAMIE DEAN 30 families who need assistance. The International Monetary Fund warned inflation in As he drives through early-morning traffic, the pastor Venezuela could reach 1 million percent by December, a crisis ­contemplates the countries’ striking reversal: For years, that would be on par with the economic chaos in Germany after

34 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018 JIM WYSS/MIAMI HERALD/TNS VIA GETTY IMAGES Colombia forsuppliesisatleast apossibility forthoseinneed. farther intotheinteriorofVenezuela, hesays, sincecrossing into on theothersideofborder. It’s easierinSan Antoniothan an outdoortableatasmallcoffee shop, andGomezdescribeslife still abletoenter. ­entering thecountry, butthosewhoalready hadthepassesare cards inFebruary, asa response tothe swelling numbers process thattakes lotsoftimeor ofmoney.) into thecountry. (He’d needapassportforlongerjourney—a the countryonshorttrips, butitdoesn’t allow them totravel far border withamigratory card thatallows Venezuelans toenter Venezuelan town ofSan Antonio. Gomezisabletocross the friend. the broken pavement, ashepullsover topickupaVenezuelan merchants, taxis, andpeopledragging pilesofluggageacross Colombian friend.” Barbosa. “Now alotofVenezuelan peoplearea tryingtofind come andhow longtheymay stay. and thegovernment isplacingmore restrictions onwhomay their homecountry),resources andpatienceare wearing thin, in thelast two years (includingColombians returning backto ­million peoplehave fledfrom Venezuela intoColombia to stay who hadwelcomed themforyears. But asanestimated 1 last two years. the blackmarket, butthepricesare outofreach formany. ­grocery stores, oftentofindbare shelves. Items are available on ­dwindled, andVenezuelans now stand inhourslonglinesat ­sometimes runningwatersuppliesalso andsoap—food As hospitalsstarted runningoutofbasicmedicines—and barter forbasicservices—perhapsaneggortwo foracabride. World War I.Even inthecapitalcityofCaracas, residents often Up asteep sidestreet inanearby neighborhood, we tuckinto The Colombiangovernment stopped issuingthemigratory Ricardo Gomezisapastor livingjust across theborder inthe Near theborder, Barbosa navigates through amazeofstreet “Not longago, noonewould want tobeaColombian,” says As Venezuela tottered, many Colombianswelcomed those The average Venezuelan haslost more than20poundsinthe B helps hundreds more inthecommunity, able. asthey’re He’s he’s pastored fornearlythree decades, butthecongregation toilet paper or cheap car parts. Others bring products they’re toilet paperorcheapcarparts. Othersbringproducts they’re areas, andsomesellextra bananasorpotatoes tobuyitemslike used, baldingtires. are piledhighwithcansofmotoroil,whileother vendors sell a glimpseoftheshortagesjust acoupleofmiles away: Tables can’t buy. the spotwhere migrants trytofindsuppliestheyotherwise strength. But theLord’s work keeps going.” and tohelponeanotherwithpractical needs, hesays: “We need are suffering. Churches are bandingtogetherforprayer groups have togive hopethrough themessageofgospel.” eaten, includingtheirown families,” says Gomez.“But theystill to sellneartheborder. But it’s still achallenge. example, somehave learnedtomake cleaningsuppliesorsoap them make moneytosustain themselves and theirfamilies. For Venezuelan pastors cangainadditionalskillsthatcouldhelp ­automobile partsaren’t available tokeep theirown carsrunning. ­congregation when localtransportation isexpensive and face dailydilemmasonhow tovisitmembersoftheir also country, churches are emptying outaspeopleleave. Pastors they mightgetby with eatingfewer meals. He says parents lettheirchildren sleepaslongpossibleso because teachershave simplyhungry: quit,orbecausethey’re most concernedaboutchildren. Many don’t attendschool Some Venezuelans dogrow smallamountsoffood insome Driving through thecrowded streets, theitemsforsalegive He says thatmessageisstill goingforward, even aspeople “Some pastors have topreach infront ofpeoplewhohaven’t Some localchurches inColombiaoffertraining so He’s alsoconcernedforfellow pastors: Farther intothe destination formany crossing from Venezuela and Parada”—or thestopping place. It’s theprimary workers by midmorning. ack neartheborder, thestreets are packed with The area just over thebridgeisknown as“La far, hesays, “God hasgiven usgrace forthat.” packages inorder tohelpmore people, andso or keep itemsforthemselves. Others say guards sometimesdemandbribes Venezuelan government frowns onoutsideaid. other substantial quantitiesofgoods, sincethe sometimes confiscatedonatedsuppliesor about quantities. Localssay border guards ­communities, thoughtheyhave tobecareful to church membersandthesurrounding food packages backwithGomeztodistribute into Colombiaorfindinglocal resources. Mountains toreach thecityinhopesofcrossing in Cúcuta currency for sale out of Venezuelan Souvenirs made Gomez hasabout100peopleinthechurch Gomez hasbeenwillingtorisktakinglarger Barbosa’s church helpswitheffortstosend August 18, 2018 18, August days across theAndes take busesorwalk for town, andmany people buy foodinthecrowded • Still, it’sto difficult WORLD Magazine WORLD

35 still able to get in Venezuela to sell for a profit in Colombia. Barbosa turns another corner and notes it’s a particularly dangerous section, where merchants sell medicines and gangs sometimes control what comes in and what goes out. Nearby, throngs of Venezuelans are flowing across the international bridge into Colombia, stopping at checkpoints to show their papers to border guards. Some push elderly family members in wheelchairs. Others carry toddlers on their shoulders. Midway across the bridge, pedestrian traffic is so thick in narrow passages, we stand for a moment with our backs to the wall. When I glance over the side to look at the rocky riverbed below, a face stares back at me. A boy—perhaps 12 or 13 years old—is crawling along the side of the bridge, balancing only on a beam running across the span. For those without papers, treacherous and illegal crossings are commonplace here and elsewhere. Within walking distance of the bridge, a Catholic church in Cúcuta serves more than 1,000 meals a day to those who show up early enough for a ­breakfast ticket. In an outdoor area behind a rented house, scores of men, women, and children line up around the block. Many are visibly thin. Some of the volunteers here are Colombians, but others are Venezuelans. A father and son say they left the country when they lost their jobs and couldn’t find enough food. Here they eat two meals a day, but Venezuelans wait Because as a church we can’t be indifferent. they also do something they say they missed when they first left in line for food at We can’t.” home: They work hard and try to help others in distress. a Catholic church Like many other Colombians, Barbosa in Cúcuta. Finding a job elsewhere in Cúcuta can be tough. experienced the chaos of his own country’s Venezuelans line medians, selling candy or trying to wash militant conflict and drug wars as he was windshields for cash, but with an influx of migrants, steady growing up. “I heard the shots. I saw the dead people,” he says. work is hard to secure. Colombians know this too, and say the “We got used to seeing it.” swelling population is squeezing them out of jobs. His father faced death threats from guerillas persecuting In the streets of downtown Cúcuta, nefarious work is a pastors in rural areas, and Barbosa met his wife after she and growing problem. Locals point out parks that are now known as her parents returned to Colombia from Venezuela a few years hot spots for drugs and prostitution. Adult prostitution is legal ago. They had fled conflict in Colombia years earlier. in designated zones in Colombia, but the sex trade spills over (Though Colombia has reached a peace agreement with the into other parts of town, and reportedly includes girls well largest guerilla group in the country, militants still roam the below the age of 18. mountains, including in the areas around Cúcuta, making it a At night, people sleep in large groups outside the bus station dangerous hotspot beyond the border concerns.) and in local parks. Enduring suffering has cultivated Christian compassion in For Barbosa, it can all be overwhelming. “This produces Barbosa and others, and he seems pained by the limits on the stress for us,” he says. “But we try to help and not be indifferent. help he can offer: “We can’t do everything. But we try.” Later in the afternoon, down the street from Casa de mi Señor, the church where Barbosa serves as a pastor, we drop by the offices of the Norwegian Refugee Council. The aid agency is helping with aid projects in the area, including trying to enroll refugee children in local schools. Cúcuta VENEZUELA In a side room, we meet Yanet Sanchez, a Venezuelan woman who arrived four days earlier with her 2-year-old Panama Guyana grandson and a daughter who is seven months preg- COLOMBIA nant. The family members rode a bus for 14 hours Suriname over two days to arrive at the Colombian border. They’ve run out of food in their hometown, French and they’re concerned about the Guiana ­daughter’s approaching childbirth. Ecuador Brazil Peru

36 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018 ALL PHOTOS: JAMIE DEAN T small, self-sustaining businessesforlonger-term stability. neighborhood aswell. It hopestohelplocalresidents start children inCúcuta—isgatheringinformation toassist inthis works withlocalchurches toofferfoodaidandprograms for meetings. place fortheirweekly church gatheringsand youth small mountain,where aconcrete padserves asameeting roofs. Otherresidents have builtwithbricksand concrete. encampments. Somehomesare madeofscrap wood andtin Colombians displacedby violenceorpoverty have setup “invasion” areas—places allover thecountrywhere to visitalarge, informalsettlementknown asoneofthe with Colombianpastor John Peña tothehillsoutsideCúcuta of bodiesandsoulsmadeintheimageGod. people, here was apiercing reminder oftheeven deeperneeds ­personal visit.Inthecrushofphysical needsofthousands expresses gratitude forperhapsthesimplest kindofaid:a of Him who calledustoHis light.” of God/We are aspecialpeople /Called toannouncethevirtues a tinroof, andtheyoung menjoininsinging: steep concrete staircase toanoutdoorarea partiallycovered by room foreveryone tosleepinside. We make ourway down a jobs whentheycanfindtheminthecity. living here arrived by themselves afewmonthsagoandwork before Barbosa offersashortBible study. Four ofthe young men tonight, encouraging theresidents andleadingthesinging to helpwithbasicneedsandaregular Biblestudy. some oftheresidents inthestreets andstarted anoutreach trying tofindotherplacesgo. AColombian pastor met Venezuelans lived here atonepoint,sharingtherent before the streets ofdowntown Cúcuta.More thanadozen ­herself like alifeline:“Barbosa, Barbosa.” and hischurch, andSanchez repeats theinformationto Cross list he’s still tryingtoassemble. He tellsherhisname food parcel forthefamily—he’s addinghernametotheRed arm around herthinshoulder. grows quiet.Barbosa prays forher, whileacolleagueputsan she looksdown atthefloorandbeginsto weep. The room stay. When shetalksaboutthefamilytheyleftbackhome, are sleepingatthebusstation untiltheycanafford aplaceto her familyhave afewavocados andsomecookiestosell, and Vice President Mike Pence calledit“neitherfree norfair.”) term inMay. (TheUnited States deemedtheelectionasham, her hometown andisastonished Maduro won anothersix-year The Christian aidorganization World Vision—which Peña hasaregular ministry totheresidents atthetopofa On thedarkstreet outside, thegroup lingerstotalkand There’s littlefurniture inthehouse, butnow there’s enough Alejandra Munoz Mondragon, afriendofthepastor, ishere As nightfalls, we make afinal stop ata rented homeoff In thehallway, Barbosa tellsherwherea togofind For now, Sanchez isfocusedonsurvival. Shesays sheand Sanchez says sheworked fortheelectoral commissionin  [email protected] rhythms. Venezuelans have beguntosettleintoregular ­particularly hard foradjusting, other hough thefirst days andmonthscanbe On thefollowing afternoon, Itraveled



@deanworldmag “We are thepeople child tutoring a Peña’s wife and mother with her sisters Helen (center) to prepare foranhourlongwalk toschool. Themothersays it’s this hard-to-reachcorner. thankfulforachurchfind andapastor here work, butthey’re in home, butare working tobuildafirmer structure. It’s hard to chaos inVenezuela two years ago. Theyhave asmallwooden daughters talkabouttheirlifehere sincetheylefthungerand While thewindwhipsacross thehilltop, amotherandthree plastic chairsonthedirtroad andtake uptheir lesson. The three sisters, ages16, 14, and9, wake upbefore 5:00a.m. The communitynow includesVenezuelans fleeingdistress. boy runs out with his notebook full of letters boy runsoutwithhisnotebookfullofletters when we arrive onthewindyhilltop, alittle he’s practicing. Thepairpromptly sitdown in Peña’s wifetutorssomeofthechildren, and of thehill.Her favorite subjectsare artand is already tutoring otherstudents atthetop on theirattendance. Helen, the14-year-old, important theybeeducated,andsheinsists August 18, 2018 18, August • WORLD Magazine WORLD it’s quiet.” “We like itbecause here,” says Helen. “We dolike it ­gratitude issimple. others here, their neighbors. Like ­trying tobegood here andkeep stay say they’ll family members world.” ­anywhere inthe can travel I “My teachersays English,” shesays. “I want tolearn other languages. interested in ethics, andshe’s For now, these A

37 FEATURES SECOND IN A SERIES ON THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA BIG ALCOHOL IS ADDING A NEW INGREDIENT— MARIJUANA—TO ITS MONEYMAKING BREW

by JIM LONG photo illustration by KRIEG BARRIE

HREE MAJOR BEER SELLERS ensure appropriate and effective regula- ­marijuana references in marketing and with familiar labels—Heineken, tions are enacted to protect the public even accounting (ending its inventory Corona, and Coors—are blazing from the dangers associated with the numbers with “420,” a common pot the path to marijuana-infused abuse and misuse of marijuana.” ­reference to getting high at 4:20 p.m.). alcohol. How they got to this WSWA reported, “In the years since But much of Big Alcohol subtly fought point is a story of marketing the state legalized medicinal use, marijuana usage throughout 2016—until maximizing, whatever the social Colorado law enforcement officials have California’s legalization of marijuana via effects. documented a significant increase in Prop 64 in November suggested the By 2015, U.S. alcohol sales traffic fatalities in which drivers future was arriving faster than had dropped 15 percent in states (most tested positive for marijuana.” LEB T expected (see “The Green A EA T of the country) that had legalized Huddle is widely read in C M Rush begins,” Aug. 4).

­marijuana for medical use. That’s congressional offices, so A A Gallup poll last year

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T according to a study conducted from here the WSWA punch line N reported that almost 2 out

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2006 to 2015 by researchers from the was a demand that E O of 3 Americans approved S P University of Connecticut, Georgia State Congress fund procedures T E of legalizing pot—a fivefold I G R University, and Universidad del Pacifico. to “document the prevalence A T I V E increase since Gallup first This may explain why in 2016 the of marijuana impaired driving, started tracking the topic after Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America outline impairment standards and 1969’s Woodstock event. Big (WSWA), a Big Alcohol lobbyist, determine driving impairment detection Alcohol’s response to this change: Can’t expressed concern about marijuana- methods.” beat ’em, let’s join ’em. The “buds or impaired drivers in those states. While Beer companies were looking to the suds” answer may now be: both. The claiming to be “neutral on the issue of future, and Heineken International Guardian reported how the Bernstein legalization,” WSWA placed a paid ad in ­purchased a 50 percent stake in the investment firm in 2017 found that “in the political newsletter Huddle advising Lagunitas Brewing Co., located in states where medical marijuana is legal, that states legalizing marijuana “need to Petaluma, Calif., and known for its beer consumption was down 0.6 percent

August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 39 HI-FI HOPS: HANDOUT • DEBROUX: JASPER JUINEN/BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES

- -

“recreational” “recreational” honestly, “I don’t “I don’t honestly,

The Bible is abundantly clear that The Bible is abundantly clear We also know that the recreational the recreational that know also We of collegiate a group long ago, Not this: “If a student came up to I asked think so. Not then, anyway.” Being sober- anyway.” then, Not so. think than being sober, more minded means less. mean does not but it certainly is a sin and a pathetic drunkenness can of God. We of the image ­distortion of the use claim that no credible make this Biblical from marijuana is exempt admonition. the Christian church needs is for more more is for needs the Christian church alert and be less to believers sober-minded. dangerous of cannabis is particularly use adults. The and young teenagers for to Exposure is clear: medical research of the brains marijuana damages young adolescents. particularly people, claims that seriously take to It is hard be put will not and teenagers children marijuana.legalizing by risk greater at marijuanaChristians and I discussed thought very The students were use. was trust in Christ and their sincere ful, trying mari admitted Several evident. it where a state juana while on a trip to what that felt if they I asked legal. was One student wrong. had done was they a but I need wrong, said, “I think it was wrong.” it was why for argument good marijuana, used you you would after you of 1 the mandate fulfill be able to really an answer give to be ready to 3:15, Peter Looking is in you?” the hope that for with marijuana, his experiment to back ­ the student answered THINKING BIBLICALLY RECREATIONAL ABOUT MARIJUANA marijuana legalize to the movement As gains momentum, use recreational for theologians evangelical asking are we not use cannabis discuss to and pastors to but in relation the law, to in relation thoughts are Here faithfulness. Christian the of president Mohler, Albert from Seminary: Theological Baptist Southern of using ­ purpose The sole state an altered marijuana achieve is to reflex The Christian of consciousness. alter to attempt any avoid should be to any and specifically consciousness, form of intoxication. a achieve to effort the last thing bluntly, put the matter To Sands is watching more than the more is watching Sands “Our company’s success is the result success is the result company’s “Our of our focus on identifying early and this is consumer trends, stage in that direction.” another step After Lagunitas White North. Great vodka, has been less coy. It made a It has been less coy. vodka, into the marijuana major move spending $191 October by last ­market a minority interest million to acquire marijuana largest in Canada’s Growth. Canopy ­company, said, Sands CEO Rob Constellation August 18, 2018 • THC, the particular chemical THC, . So: first a “beer” first . So: without THC, WORLD Magazine Constellation Brands, the U.S. the U.S. Brands, Constellation Looking at? On July 30 Lagunitas Looking at? On July Heineken publicly played it both it publicly played Heineken Heineken last year bought the year last Heineken 40 Heineken Heineken Debroux CFO seller of Corona, Modelo, and Svedka and Svedka Modelo, seller of Corona, and marketing and gauging political and marketing feedback. (California claims it won’t pot and alcohol to mix.) pure allow brewer, Heineken has avoided direct has avoided Heineken brewer, labels, competition with its big brand brewing test while benefiting from with THC and hops, but not a “beer.” but not a “beer.” with THC and hops, a Lagunitas, purchasing By Clever: beer and THC-friendly smaller craft debuted “Hi-Fi Hops,” a THC- and debuted “Hi-Fi Hops,” sparkling hops-infused “IPA-inspired” water a “water”but with marijuana; now added, “It’s a situation that of course a added, “It’s at.” looking we’re Bloomberg TV interviewer asked asked TV interviewer Bloomberg in February Debroux CFO Laurence in invest would whether Heineken then marijuana, she said, “No,” ways concerning its intent to enter concerning ways When a the marijuana market. beer infused with marijuana—butbeer infused without an India palethat leads to highs—in ale beer named “Supercritical.” other half of Lagunitas, a company Lagunitas, other half of $1worth billion. reportedly That its first out Lagunitas rolled summer, on average in the three years leading years in the three on average 0.1 but rose legalization up to after.” years in the three ­percent SANDS: JONATHAN FICKIES/BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES • HUNTER: ALEX WONG/GETTY IMAGES • EBBU: HELEN H. RICHARDSON/THE DENVER POST VIA GETTY IMAGES tunities of entering the cannabis space tunities ofenteringthecannabisspace to actively explore therisksandoppor “We have assembledateaminCanada Mark Hunter, toldinvestors inJune, also seemsready tojumpin.Its CEO, of whatwe canlegallydo, we willdoit.” see thatopportunitywithintheconfines with investors heseemedeager:“If we ization, butinaJune 29earningscall marijuana market untilnationallegal pledged toholdoffentryintothe U.S. and how itwas doingit.Last year Sands what theCaliforniacompany was doing, Constellation was “pretty interested” in announced itsHi-FiHops, hesaid CHARISSA CROTTS CHARISSA BY COMPILED DRIVING UNDER Constellation’s rival, Molson Coors, THE INFLUENCE TRY TO STOP WHEN USERS LEGAL FOR POSSIBLE POSSIBLE EFFECTS MENTAL DEATHS ADULTS HEALTH HEALTH RISKS RISKS

car crashes in2015 29 percent offatal U.S. related diseases deaths from alcohol- fatalities each year, plus 2,200 alcohol-poisoning Depression andanxiety cancer ­problems, digestive ­disease, disease, stroke, liver blood pressure, heart Alcohol poisoning, high Yes ALCOHOL fever, agitation hallucinations, ­confusion, unusual heart rate, high bloodpressure, ­nausea, abdominal pain, Anxiety, insomnia, followed by hangovers blackouts, ­coordination, memory, poor impaired attention or ment, slurred speech, moods, impaired judg amounts: unstable Large ­relaxation. Small amounts: - - to BNNBloomberg. ­cannabis-infused beverages,” according about how to“collaborate onfuture producers, Aphria andAurora Cannabis, has talked withtwo bigCanadianpot legal by thisfall[Oct.17].” Molson Coors in thatmarket, where itwillbefederally - Sands

State by state MARIJUANA physical discomfort and/or various forms of cravings, restlessness, decreased appetite, sleep difficulties, Irritability, moodand lowed by hangovers anxiety; sometimes fol occasional feelings of time, increased appetite; altered perception of laughter, ­perception, heightened sensory sense ofrelaxation, When high: often a crashes 12 percent offatal car suicide doses, buthigher riskof from ­ No reported deaths hallucinations learning andmemory, Problems with immune system, cancer infections, suppressed dizziness, respiratory Increased heart rate, marijuana overmarijuana

Hunter - - and science-based platform,”and science-based now makes ­technology through apatented,lab-tested infused products anddisrupting streaming adult-use cannabis, powering which proclaims itsgoalof“main on related cottageindustries. EbbuLLC, juices, andsportsdrinks. soda, spirits, wine, coffee, icedtea, ­drinkables willincludeTHC-infused ­markets whentheyopen.Their in placetoensure bigsplashesin ­manufacturing, anddistribution ­ Alcohol there willhave product testing, allowed ­ edibles (includingdrinkables) won’t be in Evergreen, Colo. Propagation Lab Industrial Hemp at work intheir Ebbu employees using cannabis, especiallyCBD, for those wholove working outhighand for 90. is (Another innovation, Dro-tein, within five to 15 minutes and will last for It claimsthedrops willmake peoplehigh 5-milligram THCdrops toadddrinks. the big companies learn about potential the bigcompanieslearnaboutpotential ­consume edibleproducts. Although U.S. markets. ADeloittestudy pub market would probably chooseto consumers inthelegalizedmarijuana in June lished foundthat6outof10 Big Alcoholisprobably keeping tabs Those Canadianmoves willalso help August 18, 2018 18, August immediately in Canada, Big immediately inCanada,Big • WORLD Magazine WORLD products islikely into familiar ). and painrelief anti-inflammatory ­post-workout Infusing THC Infusing THC centers centers - - 41 BILL ALKOFER/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER/SCNG VIA AP • WEEDMAPS BILLBOARD: ALEX MILAN TRACY/SIPA VIA AP - - ­liquid A the party? looks forward looks forward donations to container—like a container—like after marijuana invisibly marijuana invisibly suspended in a ­conventional and ­ to escalate ­marijuana’s social normalization. the psycho Having component of active companies will try to High Times High cocktails will be expected at cocktails will be expected parties. ­parties. Big Alcohol ­ Pot advocates imagine a day whenday imagine a advocates Pot legalized that have Other states limit of 72 ounces on liquid edibles, of THC than 7 grams with no more concentrates. sell the right buzz without attracting the fuzz. They’ll also be competing and Big Pharma, with Big Tobacco and and ­ using lobbying about thisMore Politics. ­influence Big stories. WORLD in future can of beer or champagne glass—will can of beer or champagne glass—will of the negatives pot use from separate skunk smell, cotton mouth, and cough smoking. reefer ing tied to traditional cannabis ­ most the user at 5-30 by to highs “felt 2-4 between ­minutes and [lasting] What about hours.” much THC is too much to impair How ­driving? defines California explicitly blood content (by percent weight) 0.08 for alcohol but offers no guidance for determine ifTHC users who must “under the influence.” they are marijuana do have recreational sets the law DUI Colorado’s ­standards. THC in a driver’s legal limit for active per milliliter of at 5 nanograms system has the of Washington blood. The state same limit and also places a possession Fullerton, Fullerton, Calif. Police arrest arrest Police a driver of suspected driving while by impaired marijuana in marijuana National Website and app that Website —Harvest Prude —Harvest ASA advocates legal legal advocates ASA Nonprofit with Nonprofit LEAP wants to improve improve to LEAP wants too close to schools. In 2011 it bought In 2011 schools. to close too the domain name Marijuana.com for million.$4.2 nonviolent drug offenders and offenders drug ­nonviolent their records. expunge WEEDMAPS marijuana dispensaries and reviews find a user’s to tracking location uses has dispensaries. Weedmaps nearest hosting fraudulent for criticized been illegal advertising reviews, ads billboard ­dispensaries, and placing Campaigns & Campaigns s Hugh Hefner, NORML maintains a NORML maintains Hefner, s Hugh ’ PRO-MARIJUANA GROUPS PRO-MARIJUANA Playboy Nonprofit that receives receives that Nonprofit Lobbyist group that wants the federal government to to government the federal wants that group Lobbyist remove cannabis from a Schedule I classification under the a Schedule I classification cannabis from remove of Appeals Court but the U.S. Act, Substances Controlled not are there since said no, the District of Columbia for studies.” and well-controlled “adequate AMERICANS FOR SAFE ACCESS ACCESS SAFE AMERICANS FOR 100,000-plus medical cannabis and claims to access to government federal the It sued states. in all 50 ­members reforming “unfair” banking and tax laws. and tax banking “unfair” reforming legalizing cannabis throughout the United States and States the United cannabis throughout ­legalizing MARIJUANA POLICY PROJECT PROJECT POLICY MARIJUANA trade association with 1,530+ members and the goal of and the goal members 1,530+ with association trade August 18, 2018 • 40,000-plus members that focuses on legalizing marijuana, on legalizing focuses that members ­40,000-plus NATIONAL CANNABIS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION INDUSTRY CANNABIS NATIONAL establishing shorter sentences for people convicted of ­ convicted people for sentences shorter establishing magazine named ATACH the “Corporate “Corporate the named ATACH magazine ATACH promotes businesses in the legal marijuana in the legal businesses promotes ATACH

WORLD Magazine deductible contributions to support its attempts to end the War on Drugs, on Drugs, end the War to its attempts support to deductible contributions

42 police-community relations, find alternatives to incarceration, make adult drug make to incarceration, find alternatives relations, ­police-community and release matter,” enforcement a law and not problem a “public health use LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION PARTNERSHIP PARTNERSHIP ACTION ENFORCEMENT LAW reported $40,412,322 in total assets. in total $40,412,322 reported ­ ­tax- kids, between conversations more and encourage overdoses, drug combat marijuana which supports has The alliance, legalization, and teachers. ­parents, and last year Soros, George and billionaire the ACLU from money received Elections of the Year.” Organization Grassroots ALLIANCE POLICY DRUG HEMP the cannabis of moving with the goal and hemp trade, In 2016, culture. mainstream industry into remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act, and get rid of tax rules that rid of tax and get Act, Substances the Controlled cannabis from remove get. businesses other deductions using the tax from block cannabis businesses CANNABIS AND FOR ASSOCIATION AMERICAN TRADE marijuana offenses in 11 states. in ­marijuana offenses FUND NEW FEDERALISM regulation, state-based marijuana, to promote approach faire adopt a laissez Nonprofit that receives tax-deductible contributions and boasts 150-plus chapters. chapters. 150-plus and boasts contributions tax-deductible receives that Nonprofit with help from in 1970 Founded minor to decriminalize efforts and led lawyers defense of criminal ­committee crimes, political candidates. and supporting pro-pot financially LAWS OF MARIJUANA THE REFORM FOR ORGANIZATION NATIONAL POT PLAYERS: JAE C. HONG/AP  giving thefragrance, andthe manwearing it,an edge ofrisk.” then mellows withaherbaceous cannabisaccord intheheart, ­elegant, refined summer scent that opens withaspicyenergy spokesperson told name for acannabis-themedscent aimedat men.Theretailer’s chain sell “Carolina Herrera 212VIPMenParty Fever,” along high-end perfume. InEngland, 260stores ofthePerfume Shop and make theprocess less intimidating.” way to “get into anichemarket, …disassociate thestigma abit local dispensary. Thechain’s CEO told the ­lozenges, anddiscount coupons (and transportation) to the 420 Suites chainoffers hemp-infused shampoos,CBD-laced attract tourists. marijuana new chainof200Massachusetts hopeto establishments, hotels from beingpot-friendly, butsome inCalifornia, plusa skunks. Independent pot plantsare inbloom.Someresidents told the with theskunkyodors that settle over thecoastal town when a new use: growing legal pot. Someneighbors aren’t thrilled America. Many ofCarpinteria’s decrepit greenhouses now have United Statesthe allowed inflowers from Central andSouth famous for itscut flower industry. That industry suffered as CHANGE ISINTHEAIR.CARPINTERIA, CALIF., WAS ONCE WINDS SHIFTING [email protected] Stench andstigma go handinhand,unless you’re talking Concern aboutmarijuana’s odorkeeps mostmainstream the town sometimes smellslike anew litter of The Telegraph  @WORLD_mag The Boston Globe that theperfume has“an Globe reported that the that itwas a Santa Barbara

of theday.” The center hasmoved to San Francisco. over the facility andthe“patients that were high for amajority ­management wasn’t impressed at thecloudofsmoke that hung weed asthey want whiledetoxing from other drugs. New formerly inLos Angeles that allowed residents to smoke asmuch increased demandfor rehab facilities like High Sobriety, acenter next 12months.” so that’s going to change andIthinkit’s going to change inthe taxable revenue, andcertainly theIRS expects to bepaid taxes, contribute to changingthefederal law: “Revenue isgenerated, taxes into thetreasury.” and ex-military personnel walking inbags oflarge depositsfor equivalent ofaBrinkstruck, two guys withGlocksontheirhips walk into thetreasury withabag full ofdimes;it’s onerous … the this year to businesses, described theproblem­advising marijuana earlier [California Highway Patrol].” Hall: “Ondrop-off day, there are armed guards there from the pays histaxes by hand-delivering cashto theSan Diego City website­marijuana Leafly that he basis. OneSan Diego retailer told pot businesses operate onacash ­providing service. MostCalifornia illegality bars mostbanks from find banking difficult, since federal not want to live ontheedge ofrisk The “change” that seems to becoming could lead to Rogalski thinkstheseediness ofthose scenes willeventually Alan Rogalski, aDetroit-area lawyer whospecializes in U.S. companies marijuana that do Crain’s Detroit Business August 18, 2018 18, August : “They are going to have to grow marijuana. nearby greenhouses Carpinteria, Calif., as in hisbackyard in deputy,sheriff’s stands 73-year-old retired Xave Saragosa, a • WORLD Magazine WORLD —Susan Olasky 43 COE: A. LARRY ROSS • NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST: WIN McNAMEE/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES • TORSHIN: SASHA MORDOVETS/ GETTY IMAGES • PUTIN: ALEKSEY NIKOLSKYI/SPUTNIK VIA AP • BUTINA: FREEDOMFEST/REUTERS/NEWSCOM “You don’t bat a thousand don’t “You Fellowship ethos is that Fellowship can reconciliation ­relational problem. geopolitical any solve said Fellowship with people,” EMILY BELZ

by • The Fellowship has had some success with this approach; The Fellowship In October 2016 in Twitter direct messages, again from the again from messages, direct in Twitter In October 2016 into as part of his probe Mueller, Special Counsel Robert and the Fellowship- breakfast, The purpose of the prayer longtime Fellowship leader Doug Coe, who died last year, was was year, who died last leader Doug Coe, longtime Fellowship “hatchet man” Chuck Colson to Nixon in bringing instrumental with also built relationships the Fellowship faith. But Christian The the Indonesian dictator Suharto. bloody men, like Prayer National the 2017 Coe, in Washington, Breakfast and Butina Putin, Torshin, left) top from (clockwise affidavit, Butina told the “Russian Official”: “I am following our “Russian Official”: “I am following Butina told the affidavit, breakfast the prayer I will be connecting the people from game. responded, in part: “This is the battle The official to this group.” will lose.” Or everyone cannot be lost! it for the future, whether election, is investigating U.S. influence in the Russian Rifle the National money through channeled Russian Torshin to the McClatchy according Association to support Trump, in dozens of so far has resulted probe Mueller’s news service. sanctioned States United The guilty pleas. indictments and several officials and oligarchs along with dozens of other Russian Torshin National did not attend this year’s and Torshin early this year, did not attend either. Butina as a result. Breakfast Prayer among behind it, is to build relationships associated organizers that of the clouds regardless for Jesus, powerful the world’s is that Jesus a particular person. The rationale hang over may no matter his or her sins. spend time with anyone, would A Russian spy drama entangles the the drama entangles spy A Russian both Breakfast, revealing Prayer National prayer the of strengths and weaknesses breakfast movement August 18, 2018 • in Washington, D.C., with close ties to the breakfast’s with close ties to the breakfast’s D.C., in Washington, The Fellowship. the associated organization, Torshin is official Alexander government op Russian Breakfast Prayer a longtime attendee of the National

The documents do not name Torshin, a member of Russian The documents do not name Torshin, The general outline of Butina’s case—that she formed an outline of Butina’s The general U.S. authorities arrested Butina in late July and charged her and charged in late July Butina arrested authorities U.S. “A new relationship between two countries always begins countries always two between new relationship “A

WORLD Magazine the National Prayer Breakfast (check). Breakfast Prayer the National Torshin’s profile perfectly: He is a top official at the RussianHe is a top official at the perfectly: profile Torshin’s bank (check), a former member of the Russian central boss (check), and a participant in (check), Butina’s ­legislature “Russian channel create a “back Official” had attempted to of breakfast. the prayer communication” through Official” fits but the “Russian party, Vladimir Putin’s President extensive network in the conservative world—was public world—was in the conservative network extensive But from the FBI agent handling her case. before the affidavit added a new detail, alleging that she and a the affidavit operation in the United States, citing evidence of her contact with citing evidence States, in the United operation Russian intelligence agency. the suspected officers in the FSB, simply a networker. said she is not a spy, has lawyer Butina’s with being an unregistered foreign agent—a spy. Prosecutors spy. agent—a foreign with being an unregistered influence Russian covert part of a yearslong alleged that she was better when it begins in faith,” wrote Torshin’s aide, Maria aide, Torshin’s wrote better when it begins in faith,” in organizers breakfast in an email to one of the prayer Butina, affidavit. Department Justice to a recent according 2017, breakfast is a gathering of thousands of political and ministry is a gathering of thousands ­breakfast and the the world, and all over States the United leaders from since 1953. year has attended every president U.S.

connections? Bad

FEATURES T 44 August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 45 EVANS OUMA/AFP/GETTY IMAGES organization’s effort to work behind the scenes effort to organization’s “Afterwards I talked to Torshin about it. I said, to Torshin I talked “Afterwards of the Fellowship’s the results Whatever Torshin has been going to the National Prayer Prayer has been going to the National Torshin talking about plans for the 2017 recalled Burleigh to wanted if a spy determined? First, is attendance ow or she couldn’t he Breakfast, Prayer go to the National delegation the night after the breakfast, several of the several ­delegation the night after the breakfast, on or disrespectful—talking inattentive were guests alcohol. wasn’t or complaining that there their phones, to be want people who really should invite we ‘Brother, and apologized.” agreed “He said Burleigh. there,’” the $12 among the powerful, ­relationship-building ­million ­ after Butina’s reports Media aura. it a sinister can give contacts.” contacts.” friends with than a decade and was for more Breakfast in news agency report to a Russian According Coe. breakfast prayer the U.S. from returned Torshin 2006, NGO, with a plan to set up an anti-terrorism that year the idea. and he said FSB officers “heartily approve” with Butina dinner, over with Torshin breakfast doesn’t said Torshin (Burleigh for Torshin ­translating would whom Torshin asked speak English). Burleigh said he would and Torshin bring if he had 10 invites, but got the 10 spots, Torshin leaders. bring top Russian of them had a dinner for the Russian when the two The Fellowship seems aware that those with “ulterior that seems aware The Fellowship at the prayer all kinds of espionage practiced probably “There’s Many of the invites go to those in the web of Fellowship of Fellowship web go to those in the of the invites Many Harvard MBAs the year before. the year MBAs Harvard hopes that the but Ross attend the breakfast, may motives” will be at the center,” with “Jesus there, ­relationships He said Ross. to God,” the results “We … leave ­transformative. for “profit,” the breakfast try to use would added that if anyone but that hasn’t action,” “appropriate take would the Fellowship been a complaint. international the the decades because of how across breakfasts are there,” senior officials many is and how breakfast prayer and on Religion of the Institute president Tooley, mused Mark to seek out for governments be natural would “It Democracy. breakfasts feature many international guests, so the presence of presence so the guests, international many feature breakfasts the if what But itself nefarious. by not is officials Russian government forms of Putin’s a picture allege is true, ­documents political to accomplish its to use American Christians attempting and associate Fellowship a longtime Ross, Larry purposes. try not “While we in an email said, group, for the spokesperson anyone certainly discourage we motives, attendees’ to question or geo-political for personal, financial, using the NPB from gain. … open, the NPB is and came for all people, who loved Jesus, Like as to who attends.” and inclusive welcoming of Congress— members Two be invited. must You buy a ticket. a prayer from drawn and a Republican, Democrat a always that meets at the Capitol—officiallybreakfast.group manage the list. invite on the associates also work Fellowship But get specified blocks countries of and different relationships, for a set aside of a block of 40 tickets The organizers tickets. but they this year, entrepreneurs Russian delegation of young and one for year, the previous set aside a block for Ukrainians H The court documents here show show The court documents here “Never again shall a Kenyan die again shall a Kenyan “Never at the breakfast. Breakfasts are “a “a are Breakfasts at the breakfast. reconciliation place where said. Burleigh ­happens,” breakfast that prayer no evidence The wrong. did anything organizers because of an election,” Odinga said because of an election,” reports that Spanish police were police were that Spanish reports El País El August 18, 2018 • He recalled several situations of successful spiritual several recalled He Burleigh, the former head of Young Life and son-in-law to Life and son-in-law the former head of Young Burleigh, Torshin has long had some reputation problems: Spanish problems: reputation has long had some Torshin WORLD Magazine Nairobi on May 31, 2018. 31, on May Nairobi opposition leader Raila Raila leader opposition together Odinga pray during the annual for breakfast prayer in the country unity of Kenya’s President Uhuru President Kenya’s and (left) Kenyatta for wrongdoing in the campaign. Odinga had previously alleged in the campaign. Odinga had previously for wrongdoing him, and some of his from stolen that the close election was killed in the aftermath. supporters were diplomacy, like this year’s prayer breakfast in Kenya where the where in Kenya breakfast prayer this year’s like ­diplomacy, his and Uhuru Kenyatta President elected Kenyan recently Raila Odinga hugged and apologized to each other ­election rival meet with people?” he said. “It’s not a political thing for me—if not a political thing for said. “It’s meet with people?” he meet don’t good things happen. When you meet together, you usually bad things happen.” together, working in Russia. Burleigh still works closely with the closely with works still Burleigh in Russia. working head of the prayer denies that he is the group (the Fellowship the and explained to media reports) contrary breakfast, don’t something done if you get ever you would “How ­rationale. Torshin didn’t show up.) show didn’t Torshin and has spent decades of his ministry Torshin knows Coe, Spanish newspaper Spanish newspaper were they where in 2013 in Mallorca, Torshin planning to arrest party of an accused Russian him to attend a birthday expecting has since pleaded guilty to money laundering. who mob leader, investigators have accused him of laundering money for the him of laundering accused have investigators (The bank denies. central the Russian charge a mob, Russian associate Doug Burleigh, in reference to bad eggs coming to the coming to bad eggs to in reference Burleigh, Doug associate worked He work—Jesus, about this I love “The thing breakfasts. with worked Doug [Coe] people. of disreputable with all kinds Qaddafi?” Muammar Jesus love Does Qaddafi. Muammar 46 TORSHIN: DENIS SINYAKOV/AFP/GETTY IMAGES • BUTINA: ASSOCIATED PRESS • BURLEIGH: YOUTUBE leaders have instead focusedtheirattentioninRussia thelast ­disagreements withlocalleadersover management.Fellowship ­disassociated withtheRussian Prayer Breakfast after Before allthisspy drama, theFellowship leaders had Traditional values.” Influential Protestants. We have onewiththem. Positions: “There isnoinfluentialOrthodox Church inthe United States. ­noting thatTrump isa“proponent oftraditional familyvalues”: Protestants. Ina2015tweet, Torshin saidinRussian, after Christian, saw anopportunityinworking withAmerican Russian government weakened inRussia, Torshin, anOrthodox the localexpression oftheFellowship. not familiarwiththeleadershipofRussian prayer breakfast, formerRockford(like Institute President AllanCarlson)were social conservative activists Italked towhoworked with Russia with Russia afteritsactionsinUkraine. Andprominent American diminished. Many Christian activists backed away from working have existed onissueslike marriageandabortion,theyhave and someU.S. socialconservatives, andwhilethosealliances others atease. or “Jesus ofNazareth” asaway toputMuslims, Hindus, and like “Christian” or“Christ,” referring instead mainlyto“Jesus” with adegree ofwariness. TheFellowship avoids usingwords organizers “America’s homegrown Christian nationalists.” column in Embraced Putin,” declared aheadlineinthe organization andRussia. “Why theChristian RightHas evidence ofcollusionbetweenas asecretive Christian papers arrest seizedonthementionofprayer breakfast incourt The Russians, meanwhile, have theirown prayer breakfast. Even astiesbetween conservative Christian activists andthe Last year WORLD investigated thealliancebetween Putin In reality, someChristian conservatives viewtheFellowship  [email protected] The New York Times  @emlybelz termedtheprayer breakfast New York Post . A . A E be corruptedor decay if you don’t keep Christ inthecenter.” become asocialthing. Sadly, even thebest thingsmightfadeor as muchpossible. Thelesstheyknow, themore itwill more theyknow goingtotrybring Christ theLord …they’re Bakhmutsky. “But itdependsonthepeople[involved]. The going tobemore ofasocial,economical,business event,” said talked tosincethenhave started tobelieve inJesus. politicians andentrepreneurs hemetthere. He saidtwo thathe Washington thisyear, withthegoalofpreaching thegospelto the sake ofspiritualgrowth isstill a“fairly newidea.” as a“private thing,” hesaid,someetingataprayer breakfast for more itwillgrow, itmightbeused.” Russians viewspirituality such ahugeevent yet; it’s alittlebitprotected becauseofthat.The their own sake,” hesaid.“[TheRussian Prayer Breakfast] isnot on thebreakfast thisyear, sohe’s opentocomingback. recently withdrew from thebreakfast. He heard goodreports years, and“lesslessChrist-centered,” sotheBaptist Union breakfast hadbecome“more andmore politicized”over the Russian prayer breakfasts inMoscow. Bakhmutsky feltthatthe said, echoingacommonFellowship refrain. problems that are causingissuesbetween your countries,” he and thenunderthoserelationships you couldthenwork out (bottom) (top), andBurleigh Torshin (left), Butina “The longer[theNational Prayer Breakfast] isaround it’s Bakhmutsky attendedhisfirst National Prayer Breakfast in “It’s natural forpoliticianstousesomethingprominent ...for

evangelical Baptist Union andhasattendedmany ofthe vgeny Bakhmutsky isaRussian pastor affiliatedwiththe breakfast, according tothose ­significant presence atthe Russian few years onaseparate prayer between thenations. Christian effortat reconciliation ­meeting later, saying itwas a Voice his localnewspaper, come topass. Yenason talked to campaign—a meetingthatdidnot evangelical religious practice. breakfast foryoung professionals. with topmembersoftheTrump involved. But oneAmericanwho and government restrictions on August 18, 2018 18, August to set up a meeting for them to setupameetingforthem did attendin2016 was Johnny hegemony inRussian politics is now runby acoalitionof Americans were never a “Relationships couldbebuilt, Torshin there, andlater tried Yenason, aPennsylvania despite theOrthodox Church’s Russian evangelical pastors. described “devout Christian.” ­businessman andaself- evangelical-led breakfast Russian politiciansattendthe The Russian Prayer Breakfast , about the attempted , abouttheattempted Yenason metButina and • WORLD Magazine WORLD The Citizen’s A 47 48 FEATURES WORLD Magazine WORLD PUBLIC INTELLECTUALS GENERATION TRYING TO FIND ITS BEARINGS BEN SHAPIRO • August 18, 2018 18, August SPEAKING POWERFULLY TO AYOUNG , AND DENNIS PRAGER DENNIS JORDAN PETERSON by SOPHIA LEE SOPHIA DIGITAL ARE ARE ,

SAGES DIGITAL

PETERSON & SHAPIRO: MARK PETERSON/REDUX PRAGER: MICHAEL BROCHSTEIN/SIPA/AP SAGES T ­suicidal thoughts, desperately clickingthrough ­analyst inNijkerk, Netherlands, was battling ­responsibility andbearingone’s suffering. furrowing as hespoke aboutpersonal communicator, hands gesticulating andbrows of Toronto psychology professor was askilled At thetime, Timmer, a30-year-old data Kermit, this56-year-old University like Kermit theFrog’s. Andlike video, hethoughthisvoice sounded Jordan Peterson speakinaYouTube he first time Youp Timmerheard you.” Timmerwas transfixed. Every word from waits until you’re notatyour best, andthen it eats turns intothedragonIt ofchaos. It accumulates. … around merely lie suffering, you “thenit if but beyond you.” It doesn’t take muchefforttosuffer, complex, short,finite, fullofsuffering, and ­tragedies are ­ Be prepared, hewarned, becausestorms of Biblical story ofNoah the andtheFlood. behind that video, Peterson was unpackingthemeanings live on—andhesays hefoundit inPeterson. In streams ofmotivational videosforinspiration to coming. Life, hedeclared, is“really August 18, 2018 18, August left to right) and Prager (from Peterson, Shapiro, • WORLD Magazine WORLD 49 Peterson struck close to heart: He had been doing spoke to about a dozen of his followers ages 22 to exactly that—lying depressed, mulling over how 35. I also met with two other influential thinkers, he had gotten the job he wanted but still couldn’t Dennis Prager and Ben Shapiro. What I found is find meaning in it. He was struggling with that neither Peterson, Prager, nor Shapiro is ­marriage and financial issues, tension with his hawking new truths. Nothing they say is a parents. He felt unhappy and directionless—until ­smack-the-head revelation. Instead, they seek to he heard Peterson’s ­challenge: “Pick up your help people understand what they already know [profanity] cross and walk up the hill.” Yes, life is deep within their souls—timeless, elementary, painful and unjust—“So what are you gonna do common-grace truths and values that are embed- about it? Accept it ­voluntarily and try to transform ded into our very being, nature, and substrata of as a consequence.” consciousness. Their messages won’t save a It’s a message that falls far short of the gospel, ­single soul, but they appeal to people because of but it spoke to Timmer. Nobody had been able to the law of God written on the listeners’ hearts. reach him in his darkness, not even psychologists People have hailed Jordan Peterson as a father or his baby daughter, but for some reason, figure, a modern-day prophet, a free speech Peterson did. The way Peterson used Biblical ­warrior. Stripping all those fancy titles aside, ­stories to illustrate his points made sense to him: Peterson is a grim-looking Canadian scholar who “It felt as though he told me what I knew for a lectures in a quaint three-piece suit. He was an long time, but couldn’t phrase correctly.” obscure professor until he criticized a bill in Something about the way the man spoke—that Canada that proposed banning discrimination straightforward, unapologetic manner, like a based on gender identity and expression. He said stern father to a delinquent son, spiced with a the bill threatened free speech and was a slippery thick Albertan accent and old-fashioned swear slope toward totalitarianism. Student activists words, shook Timmer awake: “I realized I was heckled Peterson on campus, and a video of that only making things worse by my own choice.” confrontation gained millions of views and From then on, Timmer listened to every comments. Peterson lecture, some more than 10 times. He Then in January, journalist Cathy Newman credits Peterson for saving him from suicide attempted to paint Peterson as a misogynist twice, once under suicide watch at the hospital. ­during an interview with him on Channel 4 He set up specific life goals, starting with cleaning News. That video attracted more than 10 million up his room. His parents told him he became a views on YouTube, and Peterson’s book soon more pleasant presence. After being a “very topped the bestseller charts. ­earnest” Muslim for 10 years, he now concludes Peterson is obsessed with Jung, Nietzsche, that Islam is “not the right tool.” He estimates and Dostoevsky, and his house is reportedly a having spent 600 hours poring through showroom of 20th-century horrors: A massive Peterson’s materials. And he wonders, “Why collection of original USSR propaganda art hangs didn’t anyone tell me this before?” on every wall, even ceilings and bathrooms—a Timmer is one of thousands of young people solemn, grotesque self-reminder of what tuning in to Peterson’s lectures, podcasts, ­devastation the pursuit of utopia can wreak. ­interviews, and books. When Peterson went on a Peterson’s three-hour lectures center on ideas global speaking tour across North America and such as: (1) All human beings are capable of the United Kingdom, many venues (1,000- to unspeakable evil, especially in the name of good. 2,000-seat auditoriums; cheapest ticket in Los (2) Change starts with the individual. (3) Ancient Angeles was $55) sold out weeks ahead. His new stories, from the Bible to Egyptian mythology, self-help book 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to hold profound, still-applicable truths about Chaos, a string of essays on how to live one’s life, human nature and life. He weaves together has already sold more than 700,000 copies in the social science, neuroscience, his own clinical United States. The book reigns as the No. 1 experiences, Biblical literature, and evolution to ­best-read book on Amazon in North America. He present a systematic understanding of the world now has more than 790,000 Twitter followers, and us in it. But his theories are not ivory-tower 340,000 followers on Facebook, more than 1.3 abstractions. He drills those ideas down to million subscribers on YouTube—and many are ­practical, traditional values: hard work, personal willing to support his work financially: Peterson responsibility, and virtue—hardly the most earns about $80,000 a month on Patreon, a endearing or sexy subject matters. crowdfunding platform where “patrons” fund Yet those ideas are captivating thousands of influencers to create content. fans, mostly young men. They’re flocking into Why is a middle-aged guy like Peterson Facebook groups, Reddit chatrooms, and Meetup ­commanding such influence on young minds? To gatherings to discuss all things Peterson, often

Yes, life is painful and unjust—‘So what are you you are what and unjust—‘So is painful life Yes, and try it voluntarily do about it? Accept gonna as a consequence.’ transform to understand the larger movement, I listened to spouting “Petersonisms” to encourage and hours of Peterson’s work, read his book, and ­motivate each other, like Bible study group

50 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018 RENE JOHNSTON/TORONTO STAR VIA GETTY IMAGES and storytelling. Thosevideostaughthermore using history, psychoanalysis, neuropsychology, chological differences between menand women ­listening tohimoutlinethebiologicaland psy Peterson’s videos, andspent50-plushours resorting toideology. Sheclicked onmore of such amature andempiricalway”—without “bluntly questioning theseideasanddoingitin gap. For thefirst time, Hernandez saw someone personality, interests, andskillsthatleadtowage Peterson explains themany variables suchas see himasabadperson,” Hernandez recalled. women isn’t agenderissue, “Ireally started to argued thatthewage gapbetween menand began debatingpolitics. Whenherbrother whom sheshared acloserelationship untilthey andhas abrother with herself “left-leaning” Brooklyn whogrew upnonreligious. Shecalls is a22-year-old fashiondesignassistant in work infashion,tech,construction, film,music. vatives, moderates, liberals, andapoliticals. They Asian andLatinoJewish; conser self-defined diverse: Theywere maleandfemale;white benefits them. But thepeopleIspoke to were their fists atanewsocial stratum thatnolonger fans are mostly right-wing whitemalesshaking instant gratification. commentaries,280-character andpursuitof given thisageofpostmodernism, ever-chirping ­members quotingScriptures. That’s extraordinary, Then shewatched aYouTube videoinwhich Meet IrinaHernandez, forexample. Hernandez To hearthemediadescribethem,Peterson’s - - what’s missinginmodernsociety. ­racist transphobic charlatan,theystart towonder culture sostrongly denounces himasasexist important butmakes sense, andwhenadominant recognize thatwhatPeterson issaying isnotonly People don’t like beingtold whattothink.They “dangerous.” several publicationssuggested that Peterson is Affairs young menattracted tothealt-right.” views “weaponize thegrievances ofthekind Enabling Jew Hatred?” Vox stated thatPeterson’s published anarticletitled,“Is Jordan Peterson down onmediainterviews.) Peterson, cutting hispublicist toldmethey’re hate. (WhenIrequested aninterviewwith has becometheNo. 1personthemedialoves to shut down. Inthelast several months, Peterson Peterson withhermore liberal friends, shefelt engaged. and now they’re the way Hernandez datedherthen-boyfriend, Fortune 500company?” Thosethoughtschanged equal … but doIreally want tobeaCEOin Kids? Women my age, we’re socaughtupinbeing questions aboutherfuture: “DoIwant marriage? Hernandez saidPeterson’s lectures provoked who cared deeplyabout genderequality, consuming alotofmisinformation.” and thatmadeherangry: “Ifeltlike before, Iwas than allherclassesincollegecombined,shesaid, Perhaps that’s alsowhy Peterson issopopular: But whenever Hernandez triedto talkabout A career-driven,woman “superindependent” calledPeterson a“tedious crackpot,” and Forward magazine magazine Current August 18, 2018 18, August of Toronto. at theUniversity lecture duringaclass Peterson delivers a • WORLD Magazine WORLD

51 MICHAEL BROCHSTEIN/SIPA/AP - by Richard Richard by by Richard Richard by That sort of honest intellectual That sort of honest appeals Shapiro Peterson, Like more brains, less red meat tossing less red brains, more enlightenment. In aand more and divorce by ravaged ­generation misconduct, he also seems sexual kind a clean family guy—the like notorious for jettisoning who’s night for family time. poker men’s he who says Jew an Orthodox He’s until marriage, a virgin remained observes day, every and he prays and provides weekly commentary on weekly and provides Papers. the Bible and the Federalist to his young ism is attractive who tell me ­audience members, they’re political sick of surface-level the media. who saturate jabberers writer a 30-year-old Charles, Joshua said he in Sacramento, and historian “intellectually see many doesn’t serious” media personalities in the out pundits “throw spotlight. Many applause lines that their particular but they to hear, audience wants challenge their audience.” don’t millennials because histo many and seems less drivel approach The Russian Revolution Russian The Passion of the Western Mind of the Western Passion

Even off-air, Shapiro is constantly interacting interacting is constantly Shapiro off-air, Even to appeal is his willingness of Shapiro’s Part other people’s as a pundit, he presents Even why he disagrees with them. He says he’s he’s says with them. He disagrees he why imply events in what certain current ­interested explain To deeper values. about society’s he reviewed for example, sentiments, ­anti-Israel 400 the last of nationalism over the evolution books such as highbrow recommends He years. The and Tarnas and Brahms, Bach compositions by plays Pipes, 2:8-11. He did this completely unscripted, letting unscripted, this completely did He 2:8-11. little page with a single at his notes: me peek video clips. than links to more between In on Twitter. mostly with his audience, trainer, visiting his personal penning articles, and ever- are book, his thumbs writing his new things retweeting his iPhone, through scrolling mic-dropping snarky he finds interesting, haters. to both fans and and responding remarks, years Three working: it’s doing, he’s Whatever on followers had about 100,000 Shapiro ago, million. he has 1.4 now Twitter; party if it violates his conservative buck his own into your to be sucked principles: “I’m not going I’m part of your think if you even tribal mentality, was stance an anti-Trump Taking I’m not.” tribe. from but he gained respect risky move,” “a based holding his ground him saw ­millennials who not ideology or politics. and virtue, on values then explains views, his own against arguments - - , a conserva audience is also saw an uptick in Twitter Twitter an uptick in also saw downloads and podcast ­followers When he big controversy. with each he same holds true for former holds true he same He Shapiro. Ben editor Breitbart The Ben Shapiro Show Shapiro Ben The I joined the 34-year-old Shapiro at his Shermanat his Shapiro joined the 34-year-old I needs no sledgehammer: Once the camera He When Shapiro first started his news site Thestarted his news first When Shapiro investigation, and the Israel-Gaza clash, then investigation, Joshua signed off with a Bible talk segment on downloads per day on SoundCloud and YouTube and YouTube on SoundCloud per day downloads views on Facebook each, and up to a million of the ­ 70 percent about Live—and old. under 35 years was in He a show. he films his Oaks office where “non the media’s over mood that day rampage comments on MS-13 of Trump’s sense” coverage joking about bringing into the studio and stormed time. a sledgehammer next out an hourlong raged Shapiro began rolling, or nary a stutter monologue—with impromptu Mueller the media bias, pause for air—about came out as a Never Trumper and castigated the and castigated Trumper a Never came out as of 1 target the No. he became movement, alt-right anti-Semitic Each at a journalist. aimed tweets speech on his tried to shut down time protesters $600,000 spent Berkeley college campuses (UC visit), he earned more on security for Shapiro’s fans. he Now employees. he had five Wire, Daily 50. employs gets about 350,000 program, daily talk show tive T August 18, 2018 • tribal mentality.” WORLD Magazine to be sucked into your your into be sucked to Shapiro: “I’m not going not “I’m Shapiro: 52 MICHAEL ROBINSON CHAVEZ/LOS ANGELES TIMES VIA GETTY IMAGES B diverse presenters suchas comedianAdam five-minute videoswithniftygraphics and ideas suchasracism andclimatechangeinto online mediaportalthatcondenses complex the future. He’s ofPragerU, the co-founder an “LMAO” means—buthe’s constantly gazinginto to aska19-year-old production assistant what savvy barely asShapiro—he usesTwitter andhad religious Jews. attend anOrthodox synagogueandbecomemore little boy when Prager inspired hisparents to wisdom inhumanhistory.” Infact,Shapiro was a calls “thegreatest repository ofgoodnessand as possibletotake seriouslythe Torah, whichhe lifelong goal,then,istoconvince asmany people ence asmany peopletodogoodas­ Prager hatedevil—and hedetermined to“influ watched aWalter Cronkite program on Hitler, evil andsuffering. Ever sinceasa10-year-old he and curious. with booksthatkeep hismindsharp, expansive, but alsofloor-to-ceiling bookcases overflowing her toe. He hasabadhipandsnowy-white hair which languageshecusseswithwhenstubs humming Brahms as he isaskinganimmigrant ­comfortable smokingcigarsaloneinhisstudy kind ofgenialsocialadroitness that’s just as 6-foot-4. He hasabelly-shaking laughandthe and happiness. himself chortle, andpontificateabout relationships baritone, crack jokes thatmake even voice, preferring tospeakinacalm political talk,Prager rarely raises his intellectual. Inatimeofblustery may bethelongest-lasting public from Brooklyn. Today, atage69, he speaking lifeasa21-year-old Jew host whokick-started hispublic in themud.” we’re destined toberolling around eternal, unchanginghumanvalues, life, andifwe don’t return tothese ­values thatare importanttohuman “There are eternal,unchanging become outdatedinthefirst place: Shapiro says theyshouldhave never might callhisvalues old-fashioned, and two children. Shabbat, andisdevoted tohiswife Prager mightnotbeashipandtechnologically Prager, like Peterson, isobsessedwithhuman Prager isalarge manwithafullpresence at Though somemodernfolks  [email protected] ­conservative talkshow Dennis Prager, a Shapiro, there was heard ofPeterson or efore anyone ever  @sophialeehyun possible.” His - iiiain yet. ­civilization grin andbrighteyes: There’s hopeforour shock ofmy life.” He saidthatwithadelighted book onAmazonforweeks, hecalledit“thebest on theTorah, became thesecond-best-selling Bible: Exodus truths. Andpeopleare listening. Bible, becauseitreveals importantandrelevant ­values, andwe dosoatourown peril.Read the exist forareason. We cannot invent ourown share acommonmessage:Traditional values to scientificandsymboliclanguage, butallthree divine revelation, whilePeterson prefers tostick everyone wants wisdom.” don’t know thattheyeven want wisdom,but this elsewhere. Theydon’t getwisdom,andthey respond withhunger“becausetheydon’t hear have tomake young itrelevant”—and people ­communicate very old ideasinafresh way. You What isthemeaningoflife?“My taskisto good? Whatisevil? Whatistrue, whatisfalse? interested in“thebigissues”—Whatthey’re is people don’t care muchforit,either. Rather, doesn’t interest him,andherealized most young viewers are underage35. founding in2009, andabout65percent ofits ­collected more than1 billionviewssinceits Williams. PragerU’s 300-plusvideoshave Lindzen, andeconomicsscholarWalter Carolla, MITmeteorology professor Richard Still, whenPrager’s newbook Prager andShapiro say wisdomcomesfrom Like Shapiro, Prager news says day-to-day , a559-page line-by-line commentary A The Rational August 18, 2018 18, August ideas inafresh way.” communicate very old Prager: “Mytask isto • WORLD Magazine WORLD 53

NOTEBOOK Lifestyle / Technology / Medicine / Politics

A poster inside the Takoma Wellness Center

Lifestyle Center may sit next door to The Kahns believe more a shuttered liquor store, could still come. But since but as one of five dispensa- states have been left to Smoke signals ries serving 6,000 regis- decide whether to allow tered medical marijuana marijuana within their bor- A PATCHWORK OF STATE LAWS patients in Washington, ders, this leaves potential MAKES MEDICAL MARIJUANA D.C., business was clearly patients in the middle of a AN IMPRECISE PRACTICE picking up. When it opened national debate with no five years ago, the Kahns consensus. At last count, by Juliana Chan Erikson in Washington, D.C. saw seven patients a week. nine states and the District Today I easily counted of Columbia have legalized Rabbi Jeffrey Kahn the Kahns hesitated. seven in half an hour walk- it for both recreational and R and his wife This past April, nearly ing up to order from a medical use. Twenty- Stephanie debated for five years after opening, 40-item menu advertis- two states are testing the years whether to open they decided to do it. ing colorful names like waters, legalizing just for their medical marijuana I visited them on one of Dreamsicle Skunk, Ghost medical use. Which means dispensary on Saturday, the those Saturdays, and it Train Haze, and Merry’n it’s still illegal (except some- day Jews observe Sabbath. wasn’t hard to see why Berry (a nod to D.C.’s times in low-THC forms) in Some clients said it was the they’d changed their ­infamous crack-smoking the other 19 states, not to

JULIANA CHAN ERIKSON CHAN JULIANA best day to visit, but still minds. Takoma Wellness former mayor). mention under federal law.

Visit WORLD Digital: wng.org August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 55 NOTEBOOK Lifestyle

It also leaves dispensa- ries like Takoma Wellness in an awkward position, since it sits between two states with differing rules on marijuana. Walk half a mile north, past a vegan soup shop and a subway station, and you’ll be in Maryland, which didn’t open its border for medical marijuana until this past April. But go 12 miles in the other direction and you’ll be in Virginia, where ­marijuana remains illegal. The Kahns said they have had to turn away patients simply because Inside Takoma Wellness they live in the wrong Center (above) with its state. “It’s medicine by 40-item menu (left) ZIP code,” says Jeffrey. Marijuana remains a controlled Schedule I add that patients struggling ­substance that according to find a doctor or dispen- to the Drug Enforcement sary may give up and get it Administration has no illegally. Meanwhile, grow- legitimate medical use. ers and dispensaries may Some doctors have started take advantage of the cur- to warm to the possible rently chaotic patchwork of benefits of cannabis, with state regulations to make a medical associations now quick buck. So the tempta- supporting decriminaliza- tion may be all too great for tion or downgrading ­physician assistants, natu- They won’t tell you how a dispensary in Colorado, ­marijuana to Schedule II. ropaths, and dentists are many to eat or how often, where recreational and Yet they caution that a now allowed to sign off on but you’ll know when to medical marijuana is legal, state-based approach will marijuana. As of last year, stop once you get the to slip a few bags across the not protect patients, with only 294 of D.C.’s 11,000 desired result. border to Kansas, where it the American Medical doctors are registered to A patient next pays a isn’t. Association going so far as recommend marijuana, but visit to a dispensary, but Back at the Kahns’ to call current state pro- the city’s Department of before he can even glance ­dispensary, once patients grams “woefully inade- Health won’t tell you who, at the menu, he must decide on a regimen, the quate” at safeguarding since it hasn’t published a first apply for a medical Kahns’ adult son Joshua patients from a potentially list. (Interestingly, 10 D.C. marijuana card, pay a doles out the requested addictive drug. physicians write close to nonrefundable $100 to amount of marijuana from 13,000 of these the district’s Department a back room and five min- R To understand some of recommendations.) of Health, and show two utes later sends the patient the hurdles medical mari- The doctors may only forms of D.C. residency. off. Joshua isn’t a trained juana faces to find legal and recommend marijuana— Six weeks may pass before pharmacist, and the dis- medical legitimacy, it helps not write prescriptions— the card arrives in the mail. pensary staff members JULIANA CHAN ERIKSON to know about the journey and since marijuana dosing aren’t doctors, so they can’t a patient takes to get the is more art than science, R The fact that doctors are guarantee the marijuana drug. Kahn says doctors recom- often left out of dosage won’t get you high or cause In Washington, D.C., mend marijuana in much decisions has not inspired adverse side effects. most patients start at a the same way they would confidence among medical The patients have only ­doctor’s office, though prunes for constipation: marijuana’s critics, who one way to find out.A

56 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018 Give the gift of clarity: wng.org/giftofclarity NOTEBOOK Technology Carpool future SELF-DRIVING CARS MAY SOON BE IN THE RIDE- SHARING BUSINESS by Michael Cochrane

What’s the future of personal R ­transportation? The car industry is betting heavily that it involves driverless vehicles and ride-sharing. Major car­ makers are pouring billions of dollars into PHONING IT IN autonomous vehicle research and devel- “Blockchain,” the technology opment ($60 billion this year, reports behind cryptocurrencies such Investor’s Business Daily), with General as bitcoin, could potentially Motors planning to roll out its autono- provide a mechanism for mous vehicles next year and Ford by 2021. secure, verifiable, and Yet, Americans still aren’t that ­auditable electronic voting. In June, the tiny Swiss tax ­interested in driverless cars. A recent haven town of Zug success- ­survey by online insurer Esurance found An autonomous looking for a parking fully tested a blockchain- shuttle used in that 83 percent had little or no interest in space. Driverless ride- based voting system.­ relinquishing driving to a computer. In a downtown sharing could radically Minneapolis Participants voted using their 2017 MIT study, nearly half of 3,000 reduce the need for smartphones after download- ­people surveyed said they would never urban parking. Cities ing an app and digitally buy a fully autonomous car. anticipating a shift to driverless technol- ­verifying their identity using But carmakers don’t envision selling ogy, such as San Francisco and Chandler, a city-issued electronic ID, driverless cars primarily to individuals. Ariz. (a Phoenix suburb), are already according to the Swiss News They’re deploying fleets of driverless ­converting parking spaces into parks, Agency. In the United States, vehicles in the hope that consumers will according to MIT Technology Review. West Virginia became the gradually accept the concept of driverless Despite the anticipated benefits, first state to allowinternet ­ taxis as a way of saving time and money. ­robo-taxi services will have to overcome voting via blockchain in a An Esurance study found that trading car consumer safety concerns. A recent small pilot test during the ownership for ride-sharing could save a report by AlixPartners Global Automotive May 8 primary, Government Technology magazine household up to $4,100 a year. Outlook found that large majorities of reported. Driverless ride-sharing could save consumers had concerns about hardware A blockchain is a public time as well. Analysis has shown that and software malfunctions and vulnera- digital ledger of individual drivers spend 17 hours every year just bility of autonomous vehicles to hacking. transactions distributed across a network of comput- ers. Each vote is a single­ transaction, and the block- FACE CHECK chain securely records the vote tally so that the entire In a joint venture, hotel chain Marriott International and process is transparent while Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba are testing an protecting the privacy of the ­automated, facial recognition check-in system at two voter. Marriott properties in China. “Mobile voting using a safe Guests simply insert an ID into a self-help kiosk, and tested interface could pause for a photo, and add contact details on a screen. eliminate voter fraud and After verifying the guest’s identity and booking boost turnout,” write Kevin ­information, the machine automatically dispenses a Desouza and Kiran Kabtta room keycard. Somvanshi of the Brookings The new system, which Marriott hopes to roll out Institution. “It is also a globally, could let guests bypass lines and cut check-in ­beneficial tool for the election times down to less than a minute, according to the com- commission to … streamline pany. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the biometric the process of counting votes data would stay private from Chinese surveillance. —M.C. and ensure that all votes are

SHUTTLE: MNDOT • MARRIOTT: HANDOUT • ILLUSTRATION: KRIEG BARRIE counted.” —M.C.

August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 57 NOTEBOOK Medicine

What happened to the iconic inhalers from years Pricing power? ago? They’re still around, but since the propellant has CORPORATE AND NONPROFIT GROUPS HOPE TO BRING changed from CFCs, and DOWN THE COST OF LIFESAVING DRUGS by Charles Horton since any new formulation is eligible for patent once As the opioid crisis ­rescuers without medical forms of naloxone exist: more, generic albuterol R rages on, police offi- training normally receive Diabetics who need insulin inhalers disappeared from cers in many areas have nasal sprays or auto-­ and asthmatics who need the American market in one more weapon: New injectors instead. Even albuterol inhalers have no 2008. laws permit them to give with steep discounts for generic choices in America, New corporate and non- the rescue drug Narcan public providers, brand- even though the patents for profit market players hope (naloxone) to overdose name Narcan nasal spray both original forms expired to disrupt the status quo: A ­victims without waiting for costs $37.50 per use; the decades ago. Dr. Jeremy consortium of hospitals has paramedics. It works, and other ready-to-use Greene, a professor at Johns teamed up with the VA to start a nonprofit generic- drug manufacturer, arguing in the New England Journal of Medicine that since older drugs often cost very little to manufacture, their non- profit will be able to sustain itself while charging far below current prices for medicines. To help drugs reach the generic market, the Initiative for Medicines, Access, and Knowledge plans legal challenges to patents it considers ques- tionable. The biggest news, however, is how those drugs will ultimately reach consumers: Amazon’s pur- chase of online pharmacy it saves lives—Leana Wen, A Narcan nasal device, which Hopkins, cited a newer-is- PillPack gives it a pharmacy the health commissioner of delivers naloxone better attitude in a 2015 license for all 50 states. Baltimore City, credits the Journal of the American If this array of new drug with saving 14,000 ­naloxone, the Evzio auto- Medical Association article ­market players brings back people since 2015 in her injector, costs them $180 as the main reason why affordable generic insulin, city alone. But that success each. Multiplying those older animal-derived insu- it would bring the drug’s comes at a cost, and Wen numbers by thousands of lin products are no longer journey full circle. When goes on to state in a prospective uses has led available here. He added in surgeon Dr. Frederick Washington Post op-ed that many departments to an NPR interview that “we Banting and medical stu- her city is now rationing ­cobble together their own don’t believe that there is a dent Charles Best first the drug. naloxone nasal sprays, conspiracy to keep insulin ­isolated insulin from ani- Naloxone’s patent pro- using generic pre-filled expensive.” mals in 1921, they sold their tection expired decades syringes and atomizers. The situation is murkier discovery to the University ago, and the drug itself Wen argues that the for albuterol inhalers. of Toronto, putting the retails for perhaps $15 a government should invoke Generic albuterol itself wellbeing of diabetics MARY ALTAFFER/AP vial—and often less for its rarely used ability to remains widely available at above their own profit. The organizations that buy in bypass the patent system in modest prices—but only in price they charged, for a bulk. But giving that vial to exchange for “reasonable vials for nebulizers, whose discovery that would yield an overdose victim would compensation” to patent size makes them unpopular a Nobel Prize two years require an injection, so holders, but at least generic as a rescue treatment. later: one dollar. A

58 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018 NOTEBOOK Politics

Left to right: Díaz-Balart, Paulsen, MacArthur

reelection. Both districts went for President Obama in 2012 but went over- whelmingly for Donald Trump in 2016, and these “Obama-Trump” voters, largely whites who did not graduate from college, are the reason Trump is in the White House. Republicans think they can pick up both seats, but to do so they must transform these voters’ ­allegiance to Trump into support for the GOP. If they can, Republicans could hold on to similar seats already represented by Republicans and pick up enough A trio of bellwethers seats from Democrats to offset losses WATCH MIAMI, MINNEAPOLIS, AND PHILADELPHIA in Hispanic or suburban areas. If they AS MIDTERM RACES HEAT UP by Henry Olsen cannot, Election Day might be very dark for the GOP. The Philadelphia media market The fall midterms will be fought turn out in large numbers and vote as will be ground zero for control of the R in thousands of towns and cities they did in 2016, they could flip Díaz- House. Six seats held by Republicans nationwide. But if you want to get a Balart’s seat—which Trump narrowly are under threat there. Redistricting quick idea about the outcome, go to carried—and reelect Democratic Sen. placed two beyond the GOP’s reach Miami, Minneapolis, and Philadelphia. Bill Nelson, who is facing a tough while failure to recruit a good candi- Together these areas include 13 in- ­challenge from the current Republican date has made a third a sure Democratic play House seats and contain concen- governor, Rick Scott. pickup. That leaves three seats, each of trations of the types of voters up for Minneapolis is thought of as a very which was either narrowly carried by grabs in other places. liberal, Democratic area. That is true Trump (New Jersey’s 3rd) or Clinton Miami-Dade County is dominated for the inner cities, but the suburbs (Pennsylvania’s 1st and 7th), as the by Latin Americans, especially those send two Republicans to the House. prizes to be won. Each seat has a mix of Cuban heritage. It normally votes Both face serious challenges: One, Erik of both types of swing voters, the Democratic in presidential races, but it Paulsen, represents a seat that Hillary “Romney-Clinton” and the “Obama- currently sends three Cuban-American Clinton won by 9 percent in 2016 but Trump,” and the results here will be a Republicans to the House. That’s that supported Barack Obama by less good bellwether for the nationwide because Cuban immigrants have long than a point in 2012. It’s no accident outcome. voted Republican due to the party’s therefore that Paulsen’s first television In every race the individual candi- traditional opposition to the island’s ad emphasizes that he opposes Trump dates matter, so if someone commits a Communist regime. But younger when he thinks Trump’s acts will hurt serious gaffe or has unusually strong Cubans have no memories of the old Minnesotans. These “Romney-Clinton” grassroots support, that candidate land and vote much more for voters exist throughout affluent sub- could stand apart from national trends. Democrats. Miami-Dade also has large urbs nationwide: If they don’t come But as a general matter, Democrats numbers of recent émigrés from home to the GOP, Republicans will be need to pick up at least eight of these throughout Latin America: These very hard-pressed to hold the House. 13 seats to retake the House and must ­voters are staunchly Democratic. Outside Minneapolis, but still within retain Florida’s Senate seat to have a Together, these trends make it the Twin Cities’ media market, are two shot at winning that chamber. The likely that two of the GOP-held seats totally different House districts, the 1st outcomes in these three areas on elec- will flip parties and have placed the (Rochester) and the 8th (Duluth). tion night will likely tell us a lot about third, Mario Díaz-Balart’s 25th dis- Each of these seats is currently held by the outcome once all the votes are

DIAZ-BALART: BILL CLARK/CQ ROLL CALL/GETTY IMAGES • PAULSEN, MACARTHUR: BILL CLARK/CQ ROLL CALL/AP trict, under severe pressure. If Latinos a Democrat who is not running for counted. A

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‘Follow the Assembly line’ JUNE 30 This is a very good review of the political and legal landscape we in California face. The bill to make “conversion therapy” illegal will likely become law, so the last recourse will be the courts. Such laws are undemocratic and possibly unconstitutional, but never underestimate the ability of judges to see what they want to see. —CHRIS ROSIK on wng.org

Some researchers are perpetrating a ‘What kind of safety?’ fraud on the public regarding “conver- JUNE 30 These school shootings are not sion therapy” and same-sex parenting, a mental health issue but a spiritual yet mob-style intimidation tactics pre- health issue. We have exchanged prayer vent most academics from speaking up. for guns in our schools and “Love thy I agree with Peterson. In high school For institutions purporting to advance neighbor” for “It’s all about me.” and college I participated in several truth, this is unconscionable. —RUSSELL GUETSCHOW / Vicksburg, Mich. exercises to demonstrate my “white —SVEN TRENHOLM on wng.org privilege,” but I grew up without an Thank you for another superb column involved father, qualified for reduced Thank you. We need resources like this on the damage to our children’s souls. lunches, and worked three jobs to get article to not grow weary in doing good. —CURRY PIKKAART / South Haven, Mich. through college. My faith in Christ and —JANET SEAGRAVES on wng.org my willingness to work gave me the I am with Joel Belz on public schools’ “privilege” to enjoy the fruits of my ‘Thirty beach reads’ underlying problem and the obvious labor. JUNE 30 As a compulsive reader, book results of the intentional neglect of —AMBER McGUIRE on wng.org club member, and volunteer librarian, teaching morality. thank you for your book reviews. I —REBECCA BROWN / Keenesburg, Colo. We all can have many different kinds appreciate the warnings about “bad” of inherent advantages and disadvan- words and other unpleasant writing, ‘People in pain’ tages in life, but God looks for our and I’m going to try to find a copy of JUNE 30 Jamie Dean’s article is an exam- stewardship of opportunity and Dickens’ Hard Times. ple of why I subscribe. It is an excellent humility of attitude. —DONNA BUDDEN / Scotts, Mich. explanation of suicide from a Biblical —ED SCHICK on wng.org worldview. Thank you for introducing me to Daniel —NEIL SLATTERY / Fort Worth, Texas ‘A novelist’s struggles’ Silva and his Gabriel Allon series. Silva JUNE 30 Min Jin Lee’s responses were brilliantly crosses the 9/11 chasm and If you don’t believe in a hereafter, or a refreshingly genuine, but I’m sur- has provided many entertaining and life purpose that transcends discom- prised to hear about the language in eerily prophetic novels since then. fort, or a God who has a plan for you, her book—which I now intend to read. —DARLA DYKSTRA / Kansas City, Mo. suicide becomes more attractive. —TIM FRIEDRICH / Sterling, Ill. There may still be eternal hope for Thank you for this issue’s treasure those people, though; such judgments ‘Cruel summer’ trove of reading material; I’ve added 12 are best left to God. JUNE 30 Lydia Brownback suggested books to my reading list. Your reviews —TONY McCORD on wng.org that lonely people “curve outward,” help me use my time wisely. and one aspect of that is to abide by —KEN BUBNICK / Punta Gorda, Fla. ‘Standing in place’ the two greatest commandments. JUNE 30 Andrée Seu Peterson missed the When I obey the first, I connect with I send each of our 10 grandchildren a mark. The video attempted to show how Someone who gives me perspective, new book to start off their summer “white privilege” is real and then sug- courage, and strength to go forth and reading, and I rely heavily on your gested a godly response rather than divi- obey the second. excellent books issue and reviews sion. Many white Americans find “white —MIKE DOHERTY / Cleveland, Ohio throughout the year. With your help, privilege” difficult because we focus on I’m doing my part to build their library those in front of us, but we rarely notice Lonely people should go to church and their character. our advantages over those behind us. and introduce themselves to others —STEPHANIE CONRAD on wng.org —KEITH TELLE on wng.org who look lonely. Go to lunch. Find out

Visit WORLD Digital: wng.org August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 61 VOICES Mailbag

where they need help and show up. gious era, it seems everyone is so Those advocating religious freedom Ask people about their lives and just much more compassionate, progres- are being compared to Nazis and listen. Finding ways to help others sive, and reasonable than God. slaveholders. Really? Here the only

helps you gain confidence that you are —SUZANNA PETERSON McDOWELL agencies being punished are those valuable. on Facebook refusing to comply with the govern- —MEG COLEMAN on Facebook ment’s beliefs about marriage and ‘Trans-forming record family—that sounds like Nazi ‘Beloved dust’ books’ Germany. JUNE 30 This column brings everything JUNE 30 We cannot have rights based —KARRIE POPE on wng.org back to our Creator, who brought hope both on sex and on gender identity, and a marvelous plan to His creation. and to choose gender identity is to Read more Mailbag letters at wng.org He knew we would mess things up, choose subjectivity over objective but He continues to breathe life into reality. us. —DAVID MADIO on Facebook LETTERS & COMMENTS —ELLEN A. DIEMEL / Port Orford, Ore. ‘Adoption defense’ Email: [email protected] Mail: WORLD Mailbag, PO Box 20002, ‘Mixed-up morality’ JUNE 9 Those who insist adoption Asheville, NC 28802-9998 JUNE 30 Megan Basham observed that ­agencies must serve same-sex couples the characters in First Reformed are focus on the rights of the adults. They Website: wng.org “too proud of the maturity of their should consider instead the needs of Facebook: facebook.com/WORLD.magazine pain to turn, like children, to the com- the children. God’s plan is that a child Twitter: @WORLD_mag fort their Father offers.” Well said. In grow up with a mother and a father. Please include full name and address. Letters the sophisticated apostasy of our reli- —CLYDE HERRIN / Bonner Springs, Kan. may be edited to yield brevity and clarity.

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No guesswork on why Joseph’s great: “His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him” (Psalm 105:18-19). How did the word of the Lord test him? By giving him a daily choice between it and appearances. By my rough calculation, Joseph had about 4,745 successive chances (13 Waiting gains years of days) to choose trusting God’s word and faithfulness over bailing out of his teenage IT’S HARD TO WAIT FAITHFULLY, BUT THE vision of the bowing sheaves and stars. PROCESS BUILDS GODLY CHARACTER Waiting was the secret sauce in Moses’ life too. You’re still too A big hit in the summer of 1963 was Allan proud and self-reliant, R Sherman’s novelty song Hello Muddah, Moses. Go herd goats Hello Faddah (A Letter from Camp). Here is the in obscurity in gist: It’s raining; Joe Spivey has developed poison Midian for 40 years. ivy; Leonard Skinner got ptomaine poisoning The waiting will do after dinner; the counselors hate the waiters; the something to you. lake has alligators; the head coach wants no sis- Next time you’re in sies—he’s quoting from Ulysses; they’re conven- Egypt you won’t be so ing a search party for the missing Jeffery Hardy. hot-headed as before; Worst of all, moans this most unhappy you’ll be “the meekest camper in his missive home, “I’ve been here man on earth” if you one whole day.” let waiting have its The trouble with the trials God sends into way. And you are to our lives is that He never tells us in advance “let steadfastness how long they’re going to last. The danger have its full effect, therefore is to bail out of the testing just before that you may be you have a victory: It was a six-month trial and ­perfect” (James 1:4). you gave up on the 29th day of the fifth month. What trial does Waiting is not cancer, but it’s hard in its own God have you in? Is way. One rarely waits to a John Williams Abraham is your job a drag? Is your husband mean? Is your soundtrack, which would at least ennoble the health subpar? What if there’s a different job monotony. One goes to the office. One does the one of the around the corner, which you don’t see yet? laundry. One gets no pat on the back and no greatest men What if your mean husband is about to be sign in the sky that anything is coming or will in history ­converted by some guy at work, which God ever be different or better. “Where is the foresees but you do not? What if when you ­promise of his coming? … [A]ll things are for simply wake up sick each morning and you make a ­continuing as they were from the beginning believing choice to praise the Lord, He notes it in His of creation” (2 Peter 3:4). God for a book and it accrues with interest (Philippians Abraham, who lived 4,000 years ago, is still 4:17; Revelation 2:7; 20:12)? revered above most men who ever walked the long, long Waiting is the laboratory of the godly earth. Yet what did he do? Did he conquer a time. ­character. We have it all backward when we continent like Genghis Khan? Did he end think our best times are our happy and ­slavery in America like Abraham Lincoln? Did ­successful times. It’s just the opposite. I have he climb Mount Everest like Edmund Hillary? nothing against happiness and success, but Nothing of the sort. He waited. nobody ever learned much by them. Twenty-five years he waited. Unglamorous The sun came out at camp, and our young years of eating sand and believing for a son. camper changed his mind about his bailing-out Just think of the daily talking to yourself you’d idea. He starts a different tune before he ends have to do under these conditions to keep his letter to the folks back home: “Wait a ­waiting for something humanly implausible ­minute, it’s stopped hailing / Guys are based only on a word you heard way back when. ­swimming, guys are sailing / Playing baseball, Abraham is one of the greatest men in history gee that’s bettah / Muddah, Faddah, kindly

KRIEG BARRIE KRIEG for simply believing God for a long, long time. ­disregard this letter.” A

 [email protected] August 18, 2018 • WORLD Magazine 63 VOICES Marvin Olasky

the central figure. President Reagan tactfully contributed to that notion. At a press confer- ence during his Moscow trip 30 years ago he said, “Mr. Gorbachev deserves most of the credit, as the leader of this country.” Others have disagreed. A Slate article in 2004 had this headline: “How Reagan won the Cold War.” Fred Kaplan wrote, “Did Ronald Improbable events Reagan bring on the end of the Cold War? Well, WHY THE COLD WAR ENDED WITHOUT yes. Recently declassified documents leave no doubt about the matter. … The Soviet system NUCLEAR DISASTER was dysfunctional; its empire was collapsing; the cupboard was bare. And Reagan’s surging Thirty years have gone by since Ronald military budgets, without question, brought R Reagan in 1988 spoke to students at this internal crisis to a head.” Moscow State University. At a time when the To put it simply, the U.S. and the S.U. in 1988 Soviet Communist Party still claimed to be the were runners near the end of an ultramarathon. vanguard of wisdom, Reagan said, “Freedom is Both were tired, but the U.S. suddenly surged and the recognition that no single governmental the S.U. couldn’t keep up. In 2014 George Weigel authority has a monopoly on the truth, but that noted “the Soviet Union’s economic vulnerabil- every individual life is infinitely precious.” ity” and said Reagan exploited “that vulnerability Reagan for 40 years, ever since he fought by launching a full-throttle American defense Communists in Hollywood and faced threats of expansion that he knew the Soviets … could not acid being thrown on his face, had been one of match, given their system’s economic, techno- the Soviet Union’s staunchest critics—but 1988, logical, and bureaucratic incapacities.” miraculously, was a time in Moscow when, in Weigel also emphasized the ethical attack: his words, “the accumulated spiritual energies The Cold War “Reagan understood that the Soviet Union was of a long silence” were breaking free. ideologically vulnerable: that a steady, fact-based, I deliberately use the word “miracle.” It suddenly morally-driven critique of communism’s comes from the Latin miraculum, “object of ended and the ­abominable human rights record would rattle wonder.” We believers in God think of miracles Soviet Union the men in Moscow, expose cracks in the Soviet as events that occur because of God’s super­ system, encourage brave dissidents to exploit natural power. The more general definition is disintegrated. those cracks, and hasten the end of what “a highly improbable or extraordinary event, Ever since Reagan called, perhaps undiplomatically but development, or accomplishment that brings then, certainly truthfully, an ‘Evil Empire.’” very welcome consequences.” So if Reagan did it—and Gorbachev contrib- The sports use of “miracle” is part of that journalists uted by being, unlike other Soviet Belshazzars, broader usage. Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug and historians someone who could read writing on the wall— Pederson told his players after their Super have debated then why did Reagan have the opportunity to Bowl victory this year, “An individual can make do it? Neither Jimmy Carter nor Walter a difference, but a team makes a miracle.” who or what Mondale, the two Democrats he defeated, When the United States hockey team beat the was key. would have escalated the arms race to where defending gold medalists from the Soviet Union the gasping Soviets had to give up. at the 1980 Winter Olympics, announcers Pundits had dismissed Reagan as too waxed eloquent about the “Miracle on Ice.” ­conservative to gain election. He won because That success prefigured what would happen “Reagan Democrats” voted for him. The No. 1 a decade later, when the Cold War suddenly issue prompting that party switch was abortion. ended and the Soviet Union disintegrated. Few It’s highly likely that Reagan would not have people other than Ronald Reagan expected been elected without 1973’s Roe v. Wade decision. that. Even his prescient predictions were more The Cold War would have gone on. A nuclear hope than forecast. Ever since then, journalists war could have destroyed the world.

and historians have debated who or what was President Reagan I don’t know why terrible things happen, DOUG MILLS/AP key. Reagan? Mikhail Gorbachev? Material addresses students but I do know that preborn babies aborted circumstances? and faculty of ­during the 1970s did not die in vain. I’m still Moscow State William Taubman’s Gorbachev: His Life and University on May amazed that since 1945 nuclear weapons have Times (Norton, 2017) sees the Soviet leader as 31, 1988. gone unused. Thanks be to God. A

64 WORLD Magazine • August 18, 2018  [email protected]  @MarvinOlasky