Controversy continues over pope reference on church sign

Controversy continues over pope reference on church sign

April 12, 2005

By SHASTA CLARK
6 News Reporter

NEWPORT (WATE) -- Controversy continues in Newport over a sign outside a Baptist church that makes reference to the pope and hell.

The sign at Hilltop Baptist Church reads, "No truth. No hope following a hell-bound pope." The other side of the sign reads, "False hope in a fake pope."

6 News first reported on the sign Monday. [ first report ]

Returning on Tuesday, 6 News cameras caught Mary Ann Williamson's reaction when she saw the sign for the first time. "I was shocked. I was really shocked."

"You shouldn't judge other people for what they are or who they are," Melissa Maxwell says.

After watching the Monday night report, a viewer e-mailed the newsroom saying, "It's disgusting to see such bigotry and ignorance."

However, the newsroom received an equally passionate e-mail from a Hilltop Baptist member that says, "You people are misunderstanding the sign. The Bible clearly states not to have other gods and many, many people put the pope as their god and that's wrong."

Dr. Rich Lloyd, pastor of First Baptist Church in Newport, says, "I can't speak for their intentions so I don't think I will." But he says he wasn't pleased to see the marquee. "They're reflecting a statement of belief but we also have Catholic brothers and sisters in our community and it affects them. It offends them."

At Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church in Newport, Pastor Craig Ward says he's afraid the sign and the media attention reflect poorly on Cocke County. "It's a danger to take that one sign and project it on the whole county because it's a faction. It's a small group in the county, just like my church is a small group in the county. Our county is a good place to live."

The senior pastor of Hilltop Baptist Church, Cline Franklin, spoke with 6 News by phone Tuesday but wouldn't talk on camera.

Hilltop Baptist isn't part of the Southern Baptist Convention but the convention says it would like for the sign to be taken down.