Posted on 04/14/2005 12:00:51 PM PDT by Dean Baker
Baptist church 'fake pope' sign attracting attention, criticism By JEANNINE F. HUNTER, hunter@knews.com April 13, 2005
NEWPORT, Tenn. - Two days after being posted, a church marquee message that questions the purpose of the papacy is still attracting attention in this small community.
"What I am trying to do is to let people know there's only one way to heaven through Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Cline Franklin, pastor of Hilltop Baptist Church. "There's no need for help. God sent his son, Jesus Christ. We're all priests if we're saved. I don't need to go to anybody else to pray."
The sign's side facing Broadway, the main thoroughfare in Newport, reads, "No truth, No hope Following a hell-bound pope!" On the other side, facing the church parking lot, it reads: "False hope in a fake pope."
The message appeared days after Pope John Paul II's funeral last week.
"It is unfortunate when it comes from within the Christian church. It's really sad," said the Rev. Dan Whitman, 54, pastor of Newport's Good Shepherd Catholic parish and Holy Trinity parish in Jefferson City. "You learn how to deal with it and pray not to be that way yourself."
It does not reflect mainstream Baptist thought, said Dr. Merrill "Mel" Hawkins, associate professor of religion and director of the Center for Baptist Studies at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City.
"When you see signs like that, they are almost like relics or artifacts of a bygone era," Hawkins said.
He spoke about animus between Protestants and Catholics persisting after the Protestant Reformation and for centuries, during which "harsh things were said, couched within misperceptions, misunderstandings."
Among the major misperceptions is that Catholics "venerate the pope on the same level as Jesus," Hawkins said, and that "the pope is connected to their salvation in place of Jesus Christ."
Catholics make up about 12 percent of the population in the South.
"Catholics are a minority faith in the South, and there's often bias toward minority religious communities because people don't understand," he said.
James Gaddis, a lay speaker who also chairs the board at First United Methodist Church, said he had not seen the sign but had heard about it.
"I understand that it's very degrading," he said. "I think it's tragic that any church group would stoop to this posture."
Following Tuesday night's council meeting, Newport Mayor Roland Dykes Jr. said he was a little saddened by the message.
"It doesn't behoove any of us to determine who is going to heaven or hell. I think the pope is a highly, highly respected person," he said.
Franklin's church is a five-year-old independent Baptist church. When asked what the message meant, he said: "What does 'pope' mean? It means father. We have a heavenly father, and the Bible says we shall call no man a father. "
He said people have been driving by or taking pictures or calling to share their views. He said the intent was not to offend Catholics and people are misunderstanding the sign.
Copyright 2005, Knoxville News-Sentinel Co.
Wow, you think highly of yourself.
I don't mean to speak for the Catholic faith. I've tried to make it clear that I'm ignorant. Except for my 6 years of Catholic school. Of coruse that was a long time ago, and at a very early age. So, I don't pretend to speak for Catholics at all.
See, I knew someone would do it.:)
Honestly, I haven't seen Dean Baker do anything but post what appears to be an honest question. He's been respectful. Also, this thread has, to this point, been rather civil.
I don't see any problem with people discussing their different religious beliefs.
I don't like Masons. My grandfather was a mason, but if you read what they're about-that's the insidious satanism
Quite to the contrary. I know my weaknesses better than anyone else. But, I do think very highly of my Savior. The job of any Christian is to be an ambassador of Jesus. (2 Cor. 5) An ambassador does not go out with his own message, but with the message of his king. I do not want to sound arrogant, but simply Biblical.
They're just as widespread as those who disbelieve all the Scriptures like this: John 6:65.
Boiled down to their essence, there are only two religions in the whole world.
While...
...Mary's SinFULness has to do with the Bible verse:
Romans 3:23
...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,...
Thanks alnick.
And yeah, it has been a very respectful thread. Pretty much what I had hoped!
"What I am trying to do is to let people know there's only one way to heaven through Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Cline Franklin, pastor of Hilltop Baptist Church. "There's no need for help. God sent his son, Jesus Christ. We're all priests if we're saved. I don't need to go to anybody else to pray."
People who aren't Catholic American find no need to understand. Why would they? They're not Catholic American!
Next time you see someone on this board criticize Al Qaeda, the French, etc...make sure you tell them that those people shouldn't be expected to learn about Americans since they aren't American themselves.
As I see it, people who choose not to learn about other faiths, yet presume to criticize them, represent a sad combination of arrogance and ignorance. It's shameful behavior.
I have heard it all my life from fundies when they think everyone in hte room will agree with them.
It isn't common to see or hear it in public.
SO9
So that 50% of the world that isn't Christian is doomed?
Two wrongs may not make a right, but three lefts do!
(Thanks for an idea for my new signature!!)
LOL. Try a book on dispensation. It'll tell the history of all the Churches from their beginning, and covers prophecy from beginning to end from the different prophets point of vision. Sheesh! I'm Baptist, and the Baptist Churches came from a man who lived in the wilderness and ate locusts! Let's be fair, here!
The Internet is not always an all knowing source, you know? I'm sure they have the Pope as the Antichrist, too.
I suppose the Babylonian Brotherhood would be quite weird in the world today. LOL. They were even weird back then! It must be a real liberal strong hold by now!
And I bet you have a picture or your father and mother too. Thats strike two and three I guess.
"but if you read what they're about-that's the insidious satanism"
Don't have to read; memorized it --- York Rite, Knight Templar.
I am a Jew turned Christian --- and found out about Christ in no small part because I had mason friends at work (was the wife who pushed me over the edge, though).
Don't believe any of the crud you read; it's all horsehockey. The core of masory is the Holy Bible -- the "great light in masonry" and the inestimable gift of God to man.
That's a funny way of putting it. GOod one.
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