# 7-18-23 | Sound of Freedom Frenzy, Hollywood Implosion, Bombs in Crimea

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 18 Jul 2023, 15 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/89bdb34f-cf55-4c5e-ae95-b4d7002b5e70/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is PrayNews, your beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current events. Sign up to receive PrayNews in your inbox every weekday: https://www.praynews.com/ Today’s News at a Glance: • Partisan news outlets take some jabs at “Sound of Freedom” • Hollywood is eating itself alive. • The Ukrainians are getting more bullish with their attacks. Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:00] Speaker 1: Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
[0:05] Speaker 1: Romans 12, 21. Dear God, in a world where evil
[0:10] Speaker 1: often seems to prevail, we have been called to rise
[0:13] Speaker 1: above the darkness. You have called us to combat the
[0:16] Speaker 1: darkness around us by illuminating the power of your goodness
[0:19] Speaker 1: and love. We acknowledge that this is a challenging path.
[0:24] Speaker 1: When faced with hostility, it can be difficult to respond
[0:27] Speaker 1: with kindness. Grant us the courage and resilience to remain
[0:32] Speaker 1: steadfast in goodness, even when evil seeks to sway us.
[0:36] Speaker 1: May we be bearers of your love, channels of your peace,
[0:40] Speaker 1: and ambassadors of your kingdom, transforming this world one act
[0:45] Speaker 1: of kindness at a time. We pray for your guidance
[0:48] Speaker 1: and strength as we strive to overcome evil with good.
[0:52] Speaker 1: And it's in the name of Jesus, our perfect example
[0:55] Speaker 1: and Lord, we pray. Amen. Welcome to Prey News, where
[1:01] Speaker 1: hope is our only bias. Today's news at a glance,
[1:04] Speaker 1: partisan news outlets take some jabs at the sound of freedom.
[1:07] Speaker 1: Hollywood is eating itself alive, and the Ukrainians are getting
[1:10] Speaker 1: more bullish with their attacks. You're listening to the first
[1:13] Speaker 1: official episode of Prey News. We aim to leave you
[1:16] Speaker 1: informed and transformed. How? By humbly reporting the news and
[1:21] Speaker 1: seeking a balanced and Christ-centered perspective. Will we always succeed?
[1:25] Speaker 1: Probably not. Will we always try our best? You bet.
[1:30] Speaker 1: Our first story of today has to do with the
[1:32] Speaker 1: movie Sound of Freedom. In recent news, the movie Sound
[1:36] Speaker 1: of Freedom, starred by Jim Caviezel and directed by Alejandro Monteverde,
[1:41] Speaker 1: has gained tremendous success, with a stunning box office collection
[1:45] Speaker 1: around $ 40 million in just a few days. This feat
[1:48] Speaker 1: is no less than remarkable, as it rivals the latest
[1:51] Speaker 1: release of the iconic Indiana Jones franchise. The movie is
[1:54] Speaker 1: based on the life of Tim Ballard, played by Jim Caviezel.
[1:58] Speaker 1: He is the founder of Operation Underground Railroad, an organization
[2:01] Speaker 1: committed to fighting global child trafficking. The film offers a
[2:05] Speaker 1: dramatized depiction of the fight against child sex trafficking organizations
[2:09] Speaker 1: around the world. Despite its clear humanitarian theme, it has
[2:13] Speaker 1: become embroiled in controversy due to some media outlets associating
[2:17] Speaker 1: the film with QAnon conspiracies. According to some media organizations,
[2:21] Speaker 1: this film has been politicized, with critics claiming it bolsters
[2:25] Speaker 1: QAnon conspiracies by validating child sex trafficking as a pervasive
[2:29] Speaker 1: global issue. However, do you see the paradox there? This
[2:33] Speaker 1: critique seems paradoxical, as the same critics also acknowledge that
[2:38] Speaker 1: child sex trafficking is an unfortunate reality and a pervasive issue.
[2:43] Speaker 1: You see, CNN, Rolling Stone, and The Guardian have all
[2:46] Speaker 1: leveled criticisms. against Sound of Freedom, and they argue that
[2:51] Speaker 1: the film is being marketed towards QAnon believers or those
[2:54] Speaker 1: unknowingly buying into such conspiracies. The Rolling Stone even went
[2:58] Speaker 1: so far as to say that this is a QAnon-tinged
[3:00] Speaker 1: thriller about child trafficking designed to appeal to the conscience
[3:04] Speaker 1: of a conspiracy-driven adult boomer. The media's criticism seems to
[3:09] Speaker 1: pivot on the assumption that acknowledging child sex trafficking as
[3:12] Speaker 1: an issue somehow validates conspiracies. This argument appears to miss
[3:18] Speaker 1: the film's core intent, though. Interestingly, demographic data indicates that
[3:22] Speaker 1: the movie's primary audience consists of females and Hispanics, not
[3:26] Speaker 1: boomer dads as the Rolling Stone described. The large Hispanic
[3:30] Speaker 1: audience in particular may point to a very personal connection
[3:33] Speaker 1: to this issue, considering that Latin America is a hotspot
[3:36] Speaker 1: for child trafficking. Despite the media controversies, the success of
[3:41] Speaker 1: Sound of Freedom seems to be sending a message. about
[3:44] Speaker 1: the audience's choice to be entertained and educated simultaneously. People
[3:49] Speaker 1: want to be informed and transformed, as it turns out.
[3:52] Speaker 1: People want to be entertained, but also they want to
[3:54] Speaker 1: be informed on some of the most pervasive issues we
[3:57] Speaker 1: are facing as a society. Moreover, it shows that people
[4:01] Speaker 1: are unwilling to be dictated on what to think, a
[4:04] Speaker 1: trend that bodes well for independent productions like ourselves. The
[4:09] Speaker 1: attempt of CNN and The Guardian to undermine this film's
[4:11] Speaker 1: message reveals a party-first reporting style. Since many right-leaning people
[4:16] Speaker 1: enjoyed the film, they believe it's necessary to take shots
[4:19] Speaker 1: at it. We at Prey News, however, believe that there
[4:23] Speaker 1: are some things Republicans, Democrats, Independents, and Libertarians alike can
[4:27] Speaker 1: all unite over. One of those issues being the protection
[4:31] Speaker 1: of children around the world. It seems like a no-brainer. See,
[4:35] Speaker 1: Psalm 82.3 says, Defend the weak and the fatherless. Uphold
[4:39] Speaker 1: the cause of the poor and the oppressed. We are
[4:41] Speaker 1: called to be advocates for those who cannot defend themselves,
[4:45] Speaker 1: including children who are victims of human trafficking. Regardless of
[4:49] Speaker 1: politicization and conspiracy theories, the core message of Sound of
[4:53] Speaker 1: Freedom aligns with our values to combat evil and seek
[4:56] Speaker 1: justice for the oppressed. Let's continue to pray for the
[5:00] Speaker 1: fight against the atrocities of child trafficking. The controversy surrounding
[5:04] Speaker 1: this film serves as a reminder that Christians need discernment
[5:07] Speaker 1: when approaching topics in the public sphere. We should focus
[5:11] Speaker 1: on the reality and the issues at hand rather than
[5:14] Speaker 1: allowing political narratives to cloud our judgment or sway our
[5:17] Speaker 1: commitment to uphold justice and compassion. Our second story of
[5:22] Speaker 1: today has to do with the recent strikes in Hollywood.
[5:25] Speaker 1: Hollywood is facing a major crisis as members of the
[5:28] Speaker 1: Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America went
[5:31] Speaker 1: on strike last week. The crux of their demands revolves
[5:34] Speaker 1: around more equitable pay, increased residuals, and revenue sharing with
[5:38] Speaker 1: streaming platforms. They also seek protection against using AI to
[5:42] Speaker 1: simulate background actors, a change that really threatens their livelihoods.
[5:47] Speaker 1: The ongoing discord pertains to work agreements and is emblematic
[5:51] Speaker 1: of a broader societal concern about fairness and growing divide
[5:55] Speaker 1: between the 1% and the working class. In an interview
[5:59] Speaker 1: on CNBC, Barry Diller, chairman of IAC and Expedia, warned
[6:04] Speaker 1: of a potential industry collapse. He suggested that the lack
[6:08] Speaker 1: of content can lead to a declining subscription base to
[6:11] Speaker 1: streaming platforms such as Disney Plus and Hulu, creating a
[6:15] Speaker 1: negative cycle of reduced revenues for producing new shows. No
[6:19] Speaker 1: new revenue, no new hires. Perhaps there's going to be
[6:22] Speaker 1: no jobs. In an attempt to bring stability, Diller proposed
[6:26] Speaker 1: a 25% pay cut for top studio executives and highest
[6:30] Speaker 1: paid actors. Union president Fran Drescher, however, slammed the call
[6:36] Speaker 1: for pay cuts and the comments of Disney CEO Bob Iger,
[6:39] Speaker 1: who urged strikers to be realistic with their demands. Drescher
[6:43] Speaker 1: criticizes Iger's comments as being out of touch with the
[6:46] Speaker 1: reality of hardworking people, further fueling a class warfare narrative
[6:51] Speaker 1: between the unions and CEOs. The discussion has shifted to
[6:55] Speaker 1: highlight the economic disparity in the industry, with actors earning
[6:59] Speaker 1: significantly different incomes. For instance, Bob Iger, Disney's CEO, was
[7:04] Speaker 1: reported to have earned $ 65 million from Disney in 2018,
[7:06] Speaker 1: and that's about 1,400 times the company's median employee salary.
[7:15] Speaker 1: It's crucial to remember that not all actors share the
[7:18] Speaker 1: same financial status. We think of these big-time actors like
[7:22] Speaker 1: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, whoever, and we think, well, why
[7:25] Speaker 1: should I cry for them? They're super rich. But many
[7:29] Speaker 1: union members are background actors, earning approximately $ 26, 000 a year
[7:33] Speaker 1: from acting. In this light, the strike does not merely
[7:37] Speaker 1: represent a conflict between rich actors and even richer CEOs.
[7:41] Speaker 1: but it draws attention to the struggle of lesser-paid workers
[7:44] Speaker 1: in the industry. There doesn't appear to be a resolution
[7:47] Speaker 1: in sight, and with the shifting landscape of social media, streaming,
[7:51] Speaker 1: and AI, who knows if the film industry will ever
[7:53] Speaker 1: be the same after this. We do know this. There
[7:56] Speaker 1: are many more people than just actors and writers with
[7:59] Speaker 1: their jobs on the line here. Camera operators, set designers,
[8:03] Speaker 1: and administrative assistants are all waiting with bated breath to
[8:06] Speaker 1: see if they will be able to go back to
[8:08] Speaker 1: work anytime soon. As Christians, We want to find a
[8:11] Speaker 1: balance and Christ-centered angle with everything. In this case, we
[8:15] Speaker 1: can't help but empathize with people concerned about their job security.
[8:19] Speaker 1: As we said, many of these people rely on the
[8:21] Speaker 1: film industry to feed their families. The people striking aren't
[8:24] Speaker 1: just rich, big-named actors. They are people trying to make
[8:28] Speaker 1: it in an already cutthroat sector. In James 5.4, employers
[8:32] Speaker 1: are actually rebuked for not paying their workers the wages
[8:35] Speaker 1: that they deserve. The situation in Hollywood invites us to
[8:39] Speaker 1: reflect upon the vast income disparities within our society and
[8:42] Speaker 1: calls for the recognition of the dignity of every worker,
[8:45] Speaker 1: irrespective of their role or status. However, we also recognize
[8:50] Speaker 1: that sometimes strikes like these can stall industries and do
[8:53] Speaker 1: irreparable damage. Jobs are being held hostage, so a fraction
[8:58] Speaker 1: of people in the industry can get paid more. But
[9:00] Speaker 1: what about the other people in the industry? You see,
[9:02] Speaker 1: there's a ripple effect sometimes with things like these. In
[9:06] Speaker 1: navigating this tumultuous period, it is essential for all parties
[9:09] Speaker 1: involved to approach discussions with openness, compassion, and commitment to justice,
[9:14] Speaker 1: reflecting Christ's teachings in all aspects of their negotiations. We're
[9:18] Speaker 1: reminded that every discussion we have ought to also be
[9:22] Speaker 1: peppered with the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, self-control,
[9:27] Speaker 1: all of these things against which there are no laws.
[9:30] Speaker 1: You see, regarding unions and strikes, there are definitely differing opinions.
[9:35] Speaker 1: It's rightfully divisive. It's a complicated and nuanced issue. Do
[9:40] Speaker 1: we focus on the business's success and trust that their
[9:43] Speaker 1: success will trickle down into more opportunities and jobs? That's
[9:46] Speaker 1: the philosophy of many. Or do we recognize the need
[9:49] Speaker 1: to stand up to corporate greed and demand fair wages
[9:52] Speaker 1: for every worker? Wherever you stand on the issue, one
[9:55] Speaker 1: thing is clear. We serve a generous God who has
[9:58] Speaker 1: given us the greatest gift of all, salvation. You see,
[10:02] Speaker 1: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. And
[10:05] Speaker 1: this causes us, or ought to cause us, to have
[10:08] Speaker 1: patience with those who frustrate us. Since Jesus has been
[10:11] Speaker 1: abundantly patient with us in our sin and our ignorance,
[10:15] Speaker 1: we ought to be patient with those who have differing
[10:17] Speaker 1: opinions than us. You see, it also says in James,
[10:20] Speaker 1: for judgment is without mercy to him who has shown
[10:23] Speaker 1: no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Even though we were
[10:29] Speaker 1: once sinners raging against God, he showed us mercy. This
[10:32] Speaker 1: should cause us to pause and consider extending mercy to
[10:36] Speaker 1: others who disagree with us. Our last story of the
[10:39] Speaker 1: day has to do with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
[10:42] Speaker 1: Ukrainian security officials have claimed responsibility for an attack on
[10:46] Speaker 1: the Crimean Bridge that connects the annexed Crimean Peninsula to
[10:49] Speaker 1: the Russian mainland, which holds strategic and symbolic significance in
[10:53] Speaker 1: the ongoing conflict. This bridge, which President Vladimir Putin personally initiated,
[10:58] Speaker 1: serves as an essential supply line for Russia's war efforts
[11:02] Speaker 1: in Ukraine. This attack marks the second since Russia began
[11:06] Speaker 1: its invasion of Ukraine, following an incident in October when
[11:10] Speaker 1: a fuel tanker exploded while crossing the bridge. Speaking anonymously,
[11:15] Speaker 1: a source from Ukraine's security service revealed to CNN Monday
[11:19] Speaker 1: that this attack was a joint operation of the security
[11:22] Speaker 1: service and Ukraine's naval forces. The Kerch Bridge, the longest
[11:26] Speaker 1: bridge in Europe at almost 12 miles long, has been
[11:30] Speaker 1: targeted due to its critical role in the war. This
[11:33] Speaker 1: news comes amidst the fallout of a deal between Russia, Ukraine,
[11:37] Speaker 1: and other nations to secure grain shipments to maintain stable
[11:40] Speaker 1: global food prices. Russia withdrew from this agreement, and that
[11:45] Speaker 1: caused a growing concern for potential spikes in food prices worldwide.
[11:50] Speaker 1: Ukraine's claim of responsibility for the attack on the bridge
[11:54] Speaker 1: reveals a bold shift in its strategic response to the conflict.
[11:58] Speaker 1: As Ukraine's conventional counteroffensive have seemed to be faltering, a
[12:02] Speaker 1: more aggressive focus appears to be disrupting Russia's supply lines
[12:06] Speaker 1: and infrastructure. The Kerch Bridge has been a lasting monument
[12:11] Speaker 1: to Russia's assertion of perpetual dominion over the Crimean Peninsula,
[12:15] Speaker 1: a region annexed by Putin in 2014 and lauded as
[12:19] Speaker 1: one of his most enduring successes. So at least in
[12:23] Speaker 1: Russian media narratives, this bridge was a big deal and
[12:28] Speaker 1: a symbol of Putin's power. So we can surmise that
[12:32] Speaker 1: this attack didn't just have to do with the food
[12:34] Speaker 1: supply line, but also acted... as psychological warfare from Ukraine.
[12:39] Speaker 1: Reports on Ukraine's diminishing defenses have obviously led to an
[12:43] Speaker 1: intensified offensive strategy. As both countries up the ante in aggression,
[12:48] Speaker 1: we can't help but wonder what will happen to the
[12:51] Speaker 1: world if this conflict doesn't cease soon. This escalating situation
[12:55] Speaker 1: is a painful reminder of the brokenness of our world. War,
[13:00] Speaker 1: although a necessary evil sometimes, should never be celebrated. Loss
[13:04] Speaker 1: of life, destruction of culture, and hatred between countries grieves us.
[13:09] Speaker 1: As believers, we are called to seek peace and promote justice.
[13:13] Speaker 1: We will continue to pray for those in power, for
[13:16] Speaker 1: wisdom and discernment in their decision-making, and for the safety
[13:19] Speaker 1: and well-being of the affected by this conflict. Global news
[13:23] Speaker 1: has the potential to paralyze us in fear, helplessness, and anxiety.
[13:27] Speaker 1: These issues can seem too big for us to address.
[13:30] Speaker 1: As everyday Christians, how do we respond to global war
[13:33] Speaker 1: and unrest? Because the solution can't just be shouting at
[13:37] Speaker 1: a computer screen or tweeting something out. How do we
[13:41] Speaker 1: begin to solve this big issue? Well, we begin by
[13:45] Speaker 1: looking inward. War begins with the bitterness and contempt of individuals,
[13:50] Speaker 1: and then it snowballs into global destruction. This escalating conflict
[13:54] Speaker 1: reminds us of the importance of reconciliation and forgiveness in
[13:58] Speaker 1: our own personal lives. Have we practiced peacemaking in our
[14:01] Speaker 1: own communities, families, and workplaces? Christ says, blessed are the peacemakers,
[14:06] Speaker 1: for they shall be called children of God. May we
[14:09] Speaker 1: endeavor to be peacemakers today, wherever we are, in whatever
[14:13] Speaker 1: context we find ourselves in. Some of us may also
[14:16] Speaker 1: be led to help and support those in need. Many
[14:18] Speaker 1: Christian organizations work tirelessly to aid those displaced and affected
[14:22] Speaker 1: by this war. Maybe we should consider volunteering, giving, shouldering
[14:26] Speaker 1: some of the burdens these brave people have taken upon themselves.
[14:30] Speaker 1: We will continue to pray for Ukraine and for Russia
[14:34] Speaker 1: and for the citizens and civilians that are experiencing the
[14:38] Speaker 1: highest loss of their lives. We will pray for peace, wisdom,
[14:41] Speaker 1: and diligence for the leaders and the safety of civilians
[14:45] Speaker 1: and those working tirelessly on the ground to bring aid
[14:48] Speaker 1: and comfort to the affected. In these trying times, let
[14:51] Speaker 1: us remember the words of Paul in Romans 12, 21.
[14:55] Speaker 1: Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
[15:00] Speaker 1: Thank you for joining us today on Pray News. It
[15:03] Speaker 1: is our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray
[15:06] Speaker 1: today that you would proceed with hope, love, and determination
[15:09] Speaker 1: to be a force for good. Join us daily for
[15:12] Speaker 1: Pray News, where hope is our only bias. And if
[15:15] Speaker 1: you enjoyed this take on the news, consider sharing with
[15:17] Speaker 1: a friend so that we can spread hope globally. And
[15:21] Speaker 1: always remember to go to Pray.com to make prayer a
[15:24] Speaker 1: priority in your life.

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