Greetings. It's Thursday, February the 20th, 2025. Welcome to the Daily Article Podcast.

I'm Chris Elkins with the Denison Forum, narrating today's daily article written by our co-founder, CEO, and Christ follower, Dr. Jim Denison.

Wicked star Cynthia Erivo will play Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl this summer.

The musical is already offensive to many Christians as it suggests a romantic relationship

between Christ and Mary Magmeline and puts Judas in a more sympathetic light than Scripture portrays.

Now, our Savior will be played by a woman who came out as, quote, queer a few years ago.

One fan calls the decision for a female to play Christ, quote, downright disrespectful, adding

that her opinion has nothing to do with the color,

it has to do with the fact that the Son of God is a man. That fan also stated,

if this was another religion, you would not do it out of respect, end quote.

In use closer to home for me, the United Church of Christ Cathedral of Hope in Dallas hosted a service last Sunday dedicated to celebrating drag performers and transgender individuals.

A, quote, drag king, a woman wearing a bedazzled beard and religious garments, was among the performers.

A, quote, drag queen, a man dressed to appear as a

woman, performed at a fundraiser following the service. He proceeded to criticize Texas

Governor Greg Abbott, a paraplegic, for approving conservative laws and recommended stopping him

by taking away wheelchair ramps.

If Dallas is the buckle of the Bible Belt, the belt seems to be in disrepair.

One reason such stories are discouraging is that we're not sure what, if anything, we can do in response.

And we instinctually want answers to our questions and solutions for our problems.

This is because our culture rewards those who try harder and work longer,

refusing to take no for an answer and striving for perfection.

There's even a name for this.

...