The listeners’ voice

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MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Next up: Doubletake is back with a new season. We’ve got some terrific episodes coming up this summer. You won’t want to miss any of them. 

We’re starting tomorrow with a story from WORLD’s Kim Henderson.

NICK EICHER, HOST: It’s about a young reporter at a conservative website in Alabama, it's called 1819 News. 

One day back in 2023, Craig Monger was sitting at home when he got a tip. It came with two photographs. One was of a Baptist pastor who was also mayor of a town called Smiths Station. His name: Bubba Copeland. The other was of a man in women’s clothing. 

Monger’s boss told him:

MONGER: We're being told this is the same person. We need you to find it out.

BROWN: Monger’s story on 1819 News prompted a round of pearl-clutching from the high priests of journalism, sent shockwaves through a community, and ended with gut-wrenching consequences. 

Doubletake host Les Sillars now, for a brief preview.

SILLARS: Can you tell us briefly what the Bubba Copeland story is for our audience who hasn't heard of it before?

HENDERSON: Well it's really the story of someone leading a double life and the consequences not only him, but for everyone around him. 

At the same time it's the story of a news organization and one reporter in particular, as they grapple with what would happen once the story becomes public. They knew there was going to be fallout, and there was.

SILLARS: So what did you think of Craig, and how he handled himself?

HENDERSON: Craig's a very grounded guy, and I believe he was the right reporter for this story. And I think listeners will understand what I mean by that as they get to know him in the episode. 

He reported what he discovered, understanding it would be controversial. But the backlash was severe and he was grieved over some things that happened.

HENDERSON: Really, the whole organization felt the weight of this story. But if they hadn't published it, who would have? Somebody had to take it on. And I've thought about that a lot, and I keep coming back to the fact that reporters play a vital role in holding people and institutions accountable. 

That's really an important part of this story, and it shouldn't be overlooked.

SILLARS: Well, you did a terrific job on this story, Kim. It's an incredibly compelling piece about a very, very sad situation. So, thanks for your work on this, and I think people are really going to enjoy the story.

HENDERSON: I hope so, Les. Thanks so much.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Good morning! This is the World and Everything In It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Myrna Brown.

NICK EICHER, HOST: And I’m Nick Eicher.

A clarification for a story we ran yesterday on forever chemicals: We said that Teflon, a synthetic chemical used in nonstick cookware, is “highly toxic.” Now Teflon is generally considered safe under normal cooking temperatures, but can be harmful when overheated.

BROWN: Alright, and now it’s time for Listener Feedback for the month of June.

Matt Brown listens in southern Arizona and he found the conversation with retired Lt. Col. Mike Nelson on June 16th helpful. We discussed the memorandum of understanding with Iran.

BROWN: I think the way he articulates issues regarding the conflict with Iran are spot on, and I think he frames this conversation and this perspective in a way that really does give us pause and reason to pray and not to have unrealistic expectations.

EICHER: Others wrote to say they disagreed with Nelson and found themselves more in line with Clifford May at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

BROWN : Anjinette Piland from Northeast Ohio had some thoughts on a metaphor John Stonestreet used during Culture Friday three weeks ago.

ANJINETTE PILAND: When he was explaining politics' place in today's American culture as being a table with very wobbly legs, I just found that idea to be right, hitting the nail right on the head. It reminded me of an idea that Carl Trueman has written about, that in a secular world where God is eliminated or ignored, people begin to prop up themselves as the ultimate authority on morals and thus treating themselves as God. 

So it seems to me that this wobbly table that John Stonestreet was talking about, this wobbly table of politics being king in our American culture, is just another attempt to create some moral compass or a god, to rule those who have decided to reject the true God.

EICHER: Adam Hines from Dallas, got in touch with us about Culture Friday two weeks ago. We discussed a social media influencer and his wife who aborted their baby who’d been diagnosed with Down syndrome.

ADAM HINES: This is a heartbreaking and unfortunately an all too often occurrence, as was addressed. 

My brother-in-law had Down syndrome and passed away suddenly one year ago at the age of 44. We cannot put into words fully what a gift he was. His joy of life and love for others quickly brings us to focus of what is actually important. 

I often think of Hebrews 13:1-2 when thinking about our relationship with kids with Down syndrome. I think most people tend to treat them as strangers to this world. It says, “Let brotherly love continue, do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.” 

BROWN: Leta Powell from New Mexico phoned in this comment:

POWELL: I am calling regarding Seth Troutt’s piece on June 18th before Fathers Day. I thought it was a great piece. It reminded me of how important our fathers are. I sent the piece to all my kids as an encouragement to them.

Pattie Hall from New Hampshire was encouraged by Janie B. Cheaney’s commentary about adult care-giving.

PATTIE HALL:. I've worked as a nurse for nearly 20 years, and my last two jobs were in home hospice and as a private duty caregiver. I am so thankful that many Christians are beginning to give end of life issues as much attention and thought as we have given pre-born life for the past 50 years. 

I want to thank Mrs. Cheaney for discussing this hard topic and for encouraging all of us to reframe our thoughts about what a burden is, and how we are to approach our burdens as we strive to follow Christ more closely. 

I have seen so much dignity given to both the person who is dependent or a burden, as well as those providing care for that dependent person, and it breaks my heart that our society has decided death is a better option.

I want to thank all of you for your tireless work to bring us opinions like this that challenge us to walk more closely with our Savior.

EICHER: Janie’s commentary on the 17th on fixing our own food at home brought a good natured reply from a blind listener of ours who described his own culinary skill as, his words, “terrible.” 

And then he insisted that we not be so hard on people like him who can only heat up the frozen chosen in the microwave and enjoy the food that friends bring over.

BROWN: And that’s Listener Feedback for the month of June.

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