By Christy Barritt

News Media Considered Less Reliable

Recently the Pew Research Center released its annual report on the state of the news media. Not only did the report show that staffing in most news organizations is decreasing, it also showed that the public is losing its faith in most news outlets.

Seventy-two percent of those surveyed said, instead of turning to news outlets such as the TV, newspaper, or magazines, they’re most likely to get news from friends or family either in person or on the phone. Among that group, 63 percent somewhat or very often seek out additional sources for news story afterward.

Social networking has also changed the news and information dynamic. Among 18-29 year olds, nearly 25 percent rely on social media for updates on world and local events.

The report showed that more news mediums are relying on politics, government agencies, and companies for their stories instead of journalists. News outlets are also spending less time on research and more time promoting their own viewpoints.

Parents Transition Young Son into Girl

Last year, when a boy living in Colorado decided he wanted to be a girl, his parents decided to let him start dressing like a girl and, in essence, become a female.

The school where the six-year-old boy attended initially let him use the girl’s restrooms after his transition. But halfway through the year, the school contacted the boy’s parents and stated he was no longer allowed to do this—he could either use the boy’s restrooms or the teacher’s bathrooms, which are private.

The boy’s parents told the school that because of Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws, he should be able to use the girl’s restrooms. The administration refused, so the boy’s parents pulled him out of school.

The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund has now filed a complaint with the state’s Division of Civil Rights. This is the first case of its kind under Colorado’s anti-discrimination law.

Atheist Group Demands “God” Be Removed from Currency

An atheist activist group has now filed a lawsuit in federal court. They’re seeking to have the phrase “in God we trust” removed from U.S. currency.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, who’s helping to publicize the case, asserts that the motto violates the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution and proselytizes unbelievers.

Those filing the lawsuit said they don’t like being forced to look at the name of God on currency because it makes them feel discriminated against and rejected by society.

“Because it appears on national currency and states ‘in God we trust,’ the phrase necessarily makes full citizenship contingent on the belief provided,” said FFRF.

The phrase has appeared on U.S. coins since 1864 and on printed currency since 1957.

Support Grows for Gay Marriage

A new report by the Pew Research Center shows that support for same-sex marriage is on the rise.

Much of the shift has occurred among the Millennial generation—those born since 1980 who are 18-32 years old. Seventy percent of Millennials support same sex marriage. The Millennial generation makes up 27 percent of American adults. 

The report also showed that 14 percent of Americans say they’ve changed their mind on this issue in favor of gay marriage. In 2003, 58 percent of Americans were opposed to gay marriage. Today, only 44 percent are opposed.

Most people surveyed whose views had shifted said they changed their minds because they know someone—either a friend, family member, or other acquaintance—who is a homosexual.

Christy Barritt is an award-winning author, freelance writer, and speaker living in Chesapeake, Virginia. She and her husband Scott have two sons.
www.christybarritt.com