There’s no question that the news media focus on violence in our society. That is “news” – right?
But do the headlines report all kinds of violence? Sometimes that’s a valid question. One area that might fit that would be the ongoing, and increasing, violence against churches, mainly Catholic churches. How often do you read or hear about that?
The latest report issued by the Center for Religious Liberty at the Family Research Council (FRC) addressed the growing assaults against churches. The study said the increase “contributes to an environment of hostility toward Christianity.”
The study showed that there were 69 attacks against churches and places of worship during the first three months of this year compared with 24 during the same period last year.
That’s a 288% increase. These attacks ranged across 29 states and the “reasons” for them were broad, from activism to just senseless acts of destruction. The threats and attacks included arsons, bomb threats, vandalism and sacrilege.
The author of the report, Arielle Del Turco, is assistant director of the Center for Religious Liberty at the FRC. As reported in The Wanderer, the report stated that “American churches are increasingly bearing the brunt of anger and aggression, whether from political or other motivations.”
The report shows that the number of church attacks this year is the highest in six years, already exceeding the total in 2018 and 2020. The month of January this year alone, had more attacks than any single month in the last five years.
When we’re talking about attacks, we are really talking about everything from pure vandalism to severe damage and threats. There has been spray painting of building facades, statues, signs and even the interiors of the churches themselves in addition to actual church burnings.
Just between January and March, there were three bomb threats, including a pipe bomb discovered inside the 127-year-old St. Dominic Catholic Church in Philadelphia.
The report showed that between January 2018 and March 2023, there were 543 attacks on 517 separate churches. The attacks include church burnings, along with vandalism, other arson, gun- related incidents, 14 bomb threats and 25 miscellaneous acts of aggression.
It’s interesting to note that the increase of attacks seems to parallel news incidents – for example, after the Supreme Court Dobbs decision, after Black Lives Matter riots and after certain political actions – for example, transgender legislation recently passed in Kentucky.
It’s not surprising that there is disagreement between Democrats and Republicans on this issue, with Democrats accused of being too lax on enforcement concerning the violence.
In January, the GOP-controlled U.S. House, passed H. Con. Res.3, which noted that abortion extremists had “defaced, vandalized, and caused destruction to over 100 pro-life facilities and churches in 2022 – yet the Biden administration did nothing to take action in response.”
The Senate has taken no action on the bill.
With the election upcoming and political issues taking over headlines, the church violence problem will continue. Whether or not it makes the headlines will depend on the politics of the reporters, the editors and the newspapers themselves.
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Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.