Encouraging Stats on Gen Z's motivation for Faith; 'Evil Agenda' of Trans Lobby; Israel & Ukraine War Updates
Plus: New and old names and it might be time to do some adulting
Welcome to The Cultural Compass with Billy Hallowell – your guide to navigating faith and culture with insightful news, analysis, and biblical perspective through articles, podcasts, and interactive videos. First-time reader? We’d love your feedback on our story selection! Already a subscriber? Thanks for being here – and please consider sharing!
Magnetic North: Faith
Barna Research’s new study on faith and American teens is in … and the data is encouraging. Tré Goins-Phillips of CBN’s Faithwire has more on the research which shows that while church attendance is steadily declining, the majority of teens (77%) are at least “somewhat motivated” and more than half (52%) are “very motivated” to learn about Jesus. Read more on the study here.
To the East: Culture
We recently introduced you to the “Generation Indoctrination: Inside the Transgender Battle” podcast, hosted by Brandon Showalter of The Christian Post. This week he shared the five ways we can pray for the spiritual battle raging in our culture. Showalter writes:
“With Trump’s gender [executive orders], the fight has only started … It’s time to intercede that the depth of depravity of what has been happening in the shadows and in medical facilities nationwide be exposed for all to see. Being mindful that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers, principalities, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph 6:12) here are five things to pray for as the tide, at long last, begins to turn against this monstrosity.”
ICYMI … Billy Hallowell interviewed Oli London, a detransitioner from the United Kingdom who shared his story of redemption from being gender confused to being saved by grace through Jesus.
“It’s a very evil agenda, but there are a lot of parents that generally think they’re doing the best for their kid,” he said. “They’re being told by a medical professional and they trust that person. They’ve seen their kid going through something very difficult and they just want their kid to be happy.”
“The trans lobby has a lot of money, a lot of power. They do try to suppress any study,” he continued.
To the South: World News
Today (Saturday, February 15) is the deadline for Hamas to hand over all the remaining Israeli hostages. This deadline was set by President Donald Trump earlier this week in response to the health and welfare of returned hostages who “looked like Holocaust survivors.” Hamas released the emaciated hostages during chaotic handovers that were full of terrorist propaganda and massive crowds of Hamas supporters.
"It’s Israel’s decision," he said, "but as far as I'm concerned, if all of the hostages aren't returned by Saturday at 12:00, I think it's an appropriate time. I would say cancel it—let hell break out."
In a battle of ultimatums, Hamas said they were suspending hostage releases because Israel was the one breaking the ceasefire deal by not allowing aid into Gaza and not withdrawing IDF troops from certain areas.
"It looked like something out of the 1930s," Trump observed. "It’s an absolute disgrace. And I think they saw the way the world viewed it. They’re looking for a reason not to send more."
Last week, we covered the developments related to the ceasefire agreement and Trump’s announcement that the U.S. would play a major role in rebuilding Gaza and would send Palestinian refugees elsewhere in the Middle East.
After 497 days, we ask you to continue to pray for the hostages, their families, and all of Israel. We’ll update you more on this story next week.
Two thousand miles away, after a collect call to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump announced that negotiations to end the war in Ukraine have begun.
To the West: Just for Fun
It’s official folks: The Gulf of America now appears on Google Maps and Apple Maps.
And while we’re renaming things … Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth signed an order to change the name of Fort Liberty in North Carolina [back] to Fort Bragg. This time, the base name is after World War II Battle of Bulge hero, Silver Star, and Purple Heart recipient Roland L. Bragg. Roland Bragg was stationed at Fort Bragg (previously named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg) for his military training in the lead-up to WWII.
Fort Bragg was renamed Fort Liberty in June 2023 under a Biden administration initiative to scrub U.S. military installations of Confederate names. The 2023 change cost $6 million and it is unknown what it’ll cost to revert the name to Fort Bragg.
Compass Rose
If you want to keep flying, it’s time to do some adulting. There are only three months left for all Americans to get a Real-ID. The Real ID Act turns 20 this year, so feel free to celebrate like you're 20 again … but don’t take it too seriously because you still have to adult in the morning.