Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

TOP 10 MOST-READ STORIES OF 2020

Baptist and Reflector Staff

FRANKLIN — The Baptist and Reflector website, launched in 2016, is the digital counterpart to the print edition.

The site inlcudes stories, information and photos that are published in the print edition of the B&R, and is also the home for breaking news that pertains to Tennessee Baptists.

This past year, the B&R website experienced its biggest year to date (see below for a look at the increases in numbers).

The chart below recaps the most-read stories from 2020 based on website views.

Spotted on the list are feature stories, hard-news stories and opinion columns. Interestingly, some of the stories were published before the start of 2020, but still received a high amount of views this year. [Read more…]

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BAPTISTS RESPOND TO POPE’S ENDORSEMENT OF SAME-SEX CIVIL UNIONS

By George Schroeder
Baptist Press

Pope Francis — Photo from Wikimedia Commons

NASHVILLE — In response to Pope Francis’ endorsement of same-sex civil unions for the first time as pope, Southern Baptist leaders reiterated their commitment to the authority of the Bible’s teaching regarding sexuality and marriage.

Francis’ endorsement came while being interviewed in the documentary “Francesco,” which premiered Wednesday (Oct. 21) at the Rome Film Festival.

“Homosexual people have the right to be in a family. They are children of God,” Francis said in an interview, as reported by The Associated Press. “You can’t kick someone out of a family, nor make their life miserable for this. What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.”

It wasn’t exactly new territory for Francis, who had endorsed civil unions for gay couples as an alternative to same-sex marriages while archbishop of Buenos Aires. But it was the first time he had publicly endorsed civil unions since becoming pope in 2013. [Read more…]

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BAD CALL BY THE POPE

By Lonnie Wilkey
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Before it Hits the PressPope Francis’ endorsement of same-sex marriages is a blow not only for many Catholics but also for other religions and denominations that continue to fight for the biblical view of marriage.

Though Pope Francis had expressed support for civil unions for gay couples in the past, his endorsement — which was shown during the premier of the documentary “Francesco” on Oct. 21, at the Rome Film Festival — has created a stir.

Because he is the first pope to publicly declare his support, his remarks were labeled “historic” by gay Catholics and supporters of same-sex marriage.

I personally would use the term “appalling.”  [Read more…]

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TRANSGENDER THERAPY FOR DALLAS BOY CLOSER TO REALITY AFTER JUDGE’S RULING

By Diana Chandler
Baptist Press

James Younger with his twin sons.

DALLAS — A Dallas boy whose father says is content as a boy may face transgender therapy after a district court judge gave the child’s mother full conservatorship, according to news reports.

Without holding a scheduled hearing, Dallas District Court Judge Mary Brown on Aug. 10 reversed her earlier ruling that upheld joint conservatorship for both parents, who divorced in 2015 when James was 3. The son is one of twin boys.

The boy’s true desire regarding his gender is not known. In the controversial case dating back to 2018, James’ mother Anne Georgulas, a pediatrician, has said the boy desires to live and dress as a girl. The boy’s father, James Younger, has said he has only seen his son behave as a boy. [Read more…]

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STANDING FOR GOD’S TRUTH CAN’T BE AN OPTION

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

In today’s world, anyone who stands boldly on the Word of God will be ridiculed and criticized.

Yet, it’s really not an option to not stand firmly on God’s Word. As Christians, we really don’t have a choice if we have truly given our lives over to God.

Acts 16:13 (HCSB) reminds us, “Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be brave and strong.”

James 4:17 (HCSB) says the same thing, but even stronger, “So, for the person who knows to do good and doesn’t do it, it’s a sin.” [Read more…]

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TWO TRAINS APPROACHING HEAD-ON COLLISION

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Two trains from opposite directions are moving toward each other at breakneck speed. A collision is inevitable.

Train one is religious freedom. Train two is the Equality Act, H.R.5.

The United States House of Representatives passed the Equality Act, H.R.5. on May 17 by a margin of 236-173. See story on page 1. This would eliminate the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the classifications protected in the federal civil rights law. The likelihood of this bill passing the Republican-controlled Senate in the near future is not likely. The key words, however, are “near future.” [Read more…]

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‘HATE’ SHOULD BE USED ONLY FOR SIN

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

“Hate” is one of the most powerful words in the English language.

Most dictionaries define the verb “hate” as to “feel intense or passionate dislike for (someone).”

“Hate,” when used as a noun means “intense or passionate dislike.”

How we use the word “hate” is important. In and of itself, “hate” is not a bad word. There are some things we need to “hate” — violence, poverty, abortion, liver and onions, Clemson, etc. But there are some people who use the word to stir up bitterness and anger. That needs to stop. The word “hate” is polarizing our nation as never before, especially when it is used to describe Christians. [Read more…]

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UMC ACTION PROVIDES HOPE: MOHLER

Baptist Press

Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey chaired the conference as the United Methodist Church narrowly upheld traditional marriage and a ban on LGBT ordination.
-Photo by Paul Jeffrey/United Methodist News Service

ST. LOUIS — United Methodist bishops are promoting unity in the global church after delegates narrowly retained biblical marriage and a ban on LGBT ordination at a contentious 2019 General Conference in St. Louis.

Delegates approved Feb. 26 the so-called Traditional Plan by a margin of 53.3 percent to 46.7 percent, going against the One Church Plan backed by the United Methodist Church (UMC) Council of Bishops in advance of the conference. The Plan would have largely left LGBT marriage and ordination in the hands of local church pastors, while the Traditional Plan strengthens church policy prohibiting same-sex unions and the ordination of practicing homosexuals. [Read more…]

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CITY SETTLES WITH FORMER FIRE CHIEF

Baptist Press

Kelvin Cochroan
-BP file photo

ATLANTA — The Atlanta city council has agreed to a $1.2 million settlement with former fire chief Kelvin Cochran over his January 2015 termination for his views about marriage and sexuality.

The city council voted 11-3 after an executive session Oct. 15 during which city attorneys recommended a settlement and legal fees negotiated with the religious liberty organization Alliance Defending Freedom, which has handled Cochran’s court case, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. [Read more…]

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A CRAZY WORLD

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Screen capture/YouTube

If you ever doubted we’re living in a crazy, mixed up and definitely sinful world, just read this latest article from Baptist Press about popular Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie.

Bert and Ernie and Big Bird and all the gang have been around for decades. My children are ages 33 and 29 and they watched Sesame Street faithfully as preschoolers and young children. I watched it with them at times. [Read more…]

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