5 Facts about Down syndrome

October is Down Syndrome Awareness month, a time to both learn more about this common disorder and to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

Here are five things you should know about the condition:

This Week at the ERLC

The Pearl Brown Story was highlighted by Religion News Service.

Travis Wussow was quoted by Fox News about the Supreme Court conformation hearings of Amy Coney Barrett.

Russell Moore was interviewed by Lisa Whittle about his book Courage to Stand. He was also quoted in Baptist Press in response to the Pope’s comments on same-sex marriage.

Elizabeth Graham was quoted in Baptist Press about a court ruling that upheld a state pro-life law.

Jeff Pickering was on the Brian and Jannelle morning show on Moody Radio to talk about the Supreme Court and the pro-life movement.

What You Need to Read

For a time as tumultuous as this one, there are perhaps no perfect answers on how to encourage and exhort a discouraged, anxious, and frustrated congregation, and pastors will likely find themselves failing over and over again. But despite his shortcomings, Raymond’s constant joy has been the firmest reassurance of the Lord’s steadfast love a church could ask for. I encourage you to find the evidences of grace in your pastor’s life during this season, and then let him know that you are thankful for all he does.

How does my faith in Jesus connect with my work life? How does Sunday relate to Monday? What difference does the gospel make when I’m stocking shelves, turning wrenches, or answering phones? These are the types of questions that commonly haunt the everyday, ordinary Christian. For those who are serious and sincere in their faith, but who are not part of a pastoral staff or religious nonprofit, what role do they play in God’s kingdom on a day-to-day basis?

So as ambassadors for Christ, interns for the eschaton, temporary residents in a foreign land, we plead with people to “be reconciled to God.” We trust the Lord has planted us in the middle of this contentious political environment as a divine appointment to live for Jesus’ kingdom, serve with distinction, seek the common good, and invite others to follow Jesus with us.

News From Capitol Hill

On Thursday morning, Judge Amy Coney Barrett was successfully voted out of the Judiciary Committee and will soon be before the full U.S. Senate for confirmation to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Commenting on her committee nomination vote, Travis Wussow told Baptist Press:

“Judge Barrett is a brilliant constitutional scholar and imminently qualified jurist. Yet what might be most impressive is how she approached the Senate Judiciary Committee with a humility and civility unusual in such high stakes settings in Washington. I’m glad she is moving forward from the committee to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.”

The nomination and confirmation of Judge Barrett remains a top issue in Washington, as most other political news is focused on the election. As of now, the ERLC policy staff expects a few procedural votes in the Senate going into the weekend followed by Barrett’s final confirmation vote on Monday.

For more on Judge Amy Coney Barrett, see this explainer on the inspirational judge, this article from Josh Wester on her judicial philosophy, and these comments from Russell Moore affirming Barrett as a Supreme Court nominee.

Featured Podcasts

Dr. Jamie Aten, a disaster psychologist and disaster ministry expert, joins Jason Thacker on the WeeklyTech podcast to talk about technology, humanitarian disasters, and some of the psychological aspects of the pandemic. They discuss how technology has been a gift during this season and how we can navigate the pitfalls of technology use.

Jeff Pickering and Travis Wussow welcome Charles Hedman, a pastor and elder from Capitol Hill Baptist Church, to the Capitol Conversations podcast to talk about the journey this church took to meet again in D.C. during the pandemic. Hedman is also an attorney, and a graduate of Notre Dame Law School, where Amy Coney Barrett was one of his professors.

From The Public Square

Divorce is Down During COVID
W. Bradford Wilcox, Institute for Family Studies

For many couples who make it through this pandemic together, their marriages will likely emerge stronger and more stable.

Tennessee 48-Hour Abortion Waiting Period Struck Down
Howard Friedman, Religion Clause

In Adams & Boyle, P.C. v. Slatery, (MD TN, Oct. 14, 2020), a Tennessee federal district court struck down Tennessee's requirement that women seeking an abortion must receive specified information in person and then wait 48 hours before undergoing the procedure.

America’s New Birth of Marriage: Reconsidering the Founders’ Understanding of Marriage and Family
Brandon Dabling, RealClear Public Affairs

The Court thus stripped marital unity from the legal understanding of marriage and replaced it with a liberationist account consistent with the sexual revolutions of the 20th century.

Facebook bans Holocaust denial, distortion posts
Matt O'brien, Associated Press

Facebook says it is banning posts that deny or distort the Holocaust and will start directing people to authoritative sources if they search for information about the Nazi genocide.