4.1.26 Signs of the political season underway, using hymns for faith and memory, NASA’s Artemis II mission, and That Holy Week So Long Ago

This episode of The World and Everything in It, aired on April 1, 2026, covers a wide range of current events and cultural reflections. The Supreme Court’s recent 8-1 decision in *Childs v. Salazar* affirmed the First Amendment rights of a Christian counselor to offer therapy aimed at helping minors move away from same-sex attraction, marking a significant victory for free speech and drawing comparisons to Orwellian thought control. The episode also examines the ongoing legal and political debate over birthright citizenship, with constitutional scholar Hunter Baker discussing how the 14th Amendment’s language is being challenged in light of alleged exploitation by foreign powers like China. Meanwhile, political developments include President Trump’s executive order to create a national voter list and his announcement of a military campaign in Iran, which has sparked international condemnation and legal pushback. On the cultural front, the episode explores the growing phenomenon of underpopulation in the UK and how churches are using hymns to connect with aging populations, particularly those with dementia, as a form of spiritual outreach. NASA’s Artemis II mission, set to launch in April, is highlighted as a pivotal step toward returning humans to the moon by 2028. The episode closes with a reflection on patriotism and national loyalty, as commentator Daniel Darling warns against the corrosive trend of rooting against one’s own country, advocating instead for a love of nation rooted in gratitude and a commitment to its ideals.