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| August 19, 2013 by Liz Tablazon, BR Editorial Aide | |
 | With the theme “A Lasting Legacy,” this year’s Pastors’ Conference aims to encourage pastors to influence others in ways that will endure past their own lifetimes. READ MORE  |
| Sergeant dismissed for not revealing stance on homosexual marriage August 19, 2013 by Bonnie Pritchett, Southern Baptist TEXAN/Baptist Press | |
 | Due to a perceived slight against homosexuality, Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Monk is in a fight for his career. The Lackland Air Force base first sergeant was told by his commanding officer to clear out his office on Aug. 9. READ MORE |
| Executive Committee approves committee appointments August 19, 2013 by Melissa Lilley, BSC Communications | |
 | The Executive Committee (EC) of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSC) met Aug. 15, via conference call for a brief meeting to hear and approve committee reports. |
| Guest column: What's with 'Duck Dynasty'? August 19, 2013 by Kelly Boggs, Baptist Press | |
 | It’s amusing, it’s quirky, it’s clean and it’s wildly popular. It’s the hit reality program “Duck Dynasty” on the cable network A&E. READ MORE |
| OTHER BR NEWS |
'Hardest days we've ever witnessed' in Egypt
Ministry to hurting pastors to expand nationally
'Bias' toward homosexuals debated
Cohabitation in the church
6 tips for prospective pastors
Suggestions for the pastor search process
 K. Allan Blume BR Editor | There is a state religion Much has been done in recent years to limit the practice of religion, especially as it is perceived to cross the lines of government. In the secularist’s view, one’s religion is supposed to be practiced in such a way that it is undetectable by others. They think your beliefs should be held silently in your mind and heart. You may gather with others who hold similar beliefs, but those meetings and other expressions of worship should be tucked away in a building with no freedom to apply religious convictions. "Leave your religion in the church," they say. "Don’t take it to school or work. And absolutely do not bring your faith into the sovereign world of government." In their mind there is no place in the courts, ballot box or the legislative halls for the practice of religion. They expect us to believe something, but not enough to practice it publicly. Of course when we don’t practice it, the same secularists are quick to call us hypocrites. In defining religion, a dictionary will typically say, "... a specific set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon ... a set of beliefs ... containing a moral code." But wait, isn’t the state promoting a religious view when a person in the military is dismissed or disciplined for not holding to the beliefs of the state? It seems that some have established a state church without notifying the rest of the country. Let’s say it, "We have a state religion!" The unmistakable evidence of this new state religion is found in the courts and in the efforts to silence all who disagree with this new system. Yet another report to support my argument is on BRnow.org. Read about this senior master sergeant who was released because his superior, a lesbian, disagreed with what she perceived he was thinking. Wake up, believers. There is a state religion, and it is not the faith of our fathers who fought for both the freedom of religion and the absence of a state religion! The Biblical Recorder exists to provide trusted news and information because people need to know! Email me: [email protected] |
