Tim 2 Dec 2004
7:31 am

Here is an example of how progressive religion has been squashed within the US. Progressives of all persuasions, religious and secular, need to speak loudly on this one. If one of us is silenced, we all will be silenced under the all too convenient rationale that our views are “too controversial”

Kuya 2 Dec 2004
8:31 am

UCC says “Come in, worship with us and be loved” and that’s controversial, too much so to even be put on TV. Is there any clearer example that the politicization of religion has invalidated its supposed message? For what little we know of Jesus’ teachings, does anyone really think he’d excoriate men who love men? There’s no record that he ever did so, and if you think there were no gays in Roman-ruled Palestine, better read some history. The networx are participating in persecution without even having the balls to stand up and condemn gay folk, shit, they’ll pull a profit off the next sitcom that pokes fun at gays, pun intended. Hypocrites definitely are maligned in the New Testament, you lost souls of TVland.

Lee Lears 2 Dec 2004
8:49 am

Outrageous, but not surprising, given that the

FBI is investigating the American Friends Service Committee as part of the endless War on Terrorism.

Liberal AND Proud 2 Dec 2004
8:50 am

One problem is yes, the ability of true Christian values to be silenced…that is indeed scarey.
But even scarier is the actual statement issued by the network…“the fact the Executive Branch has recently proposed a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, this spot is unacceptable for broadcast on the [CBS and UPN] networks”.
PROPOSED a Constitutional Amendment. It’s not law, it’s not edict and at least THEORETICALLY…is still under debate and will continue to be debated until the STATES decide.
What is really goin on here? Media complicity with the government to control public discourse?
There are serious discussions going on right now related to school text books, literature and other forms of media…and what is “acceptable”. And the MAJORITY of the public is not paying attention. I’m not going to get into my view on how and why this all really started, but we have been headed down this path for 25 years, beginning with the “deregulation” of the mass media and commensurate “neutering” of the FCC. The end result of that has been effectively taking public property away from its rightful owners (the PUBLIC) and placing it within the hands of a privileged elite. All in the name of so-called free enterprise.
We are sliding down the slippery slope America.

Constitution Is My Bible 2 Dec 2004
11:20 am

So much for “hate the sin, love the sinner,” as they like to use for cover for their homosexual intolerance. I guess they prefer to love the ‘sinner’ from afar and praying with the ‘sinner’ is out of the question.

Bill Talkington Jr 4 Dec 2004
5:48 pm

Jesus is Liberal.  Jesus’ teachings are Liberals.  That’s why the Cafeteria Christian Right needs to hold tight to the Old Testament Jewish Law.  Hell, even the Old Testament Jews didn’t adhere to Jewish Law.  But Falwell, Robertson, and Phelps love the Law; it has nothing to do with Jesus and neither do they.

nothalo 5 Dec 2004
6:17 am

Think for yourself, Watch the ad for yourself.
http://www.stillspeaking.com/default.htm

See if it’s a commercial about homosexuality and gay marriage. Who’s gay?
After watching 3 times, I can say that the gay couples is so subtle that most people would not recognize the ad as concerning gay couples but rather about racism/classism.
There are those who argue that the “gay marriage ammendment” was merely an excuse for the networks to not air the commercial.
Those same people argue that it is part of larger corporate suppression of freedom of religious expression.
For example, ABC has a policy of not airing religious commercials. 
Here’s curious point by Ted Olsen that i read in searching articles from this story;
“The larger story here is a cultural disconnect between persuasion and evangelism???or, to use the pejorative phrase, “proselytizing.” Tell someone that they’re uncool, stupid, or in danger unless they buy a certain product, you’re in the clear. Tell them that they’re endangering their eternal soul unless they turn to God, and you’re infringing on their freedom. “

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/148/41.0.html

I wonder how many groups are being kept off the air by corporate television. Any reader of Adbusters.org knows of their being prevented from purchasing advertising time for “Buy Nothing Day” from ABC, CBS, NBC, MTV, etc.
An almost surreal interview of the Adbuster President on CNN concerning the issue is linked here.

http://www.adbusters.org/metas/eco/bnd/wrapup/kalle.html

Michael 5 Dec 2004
3:52 pm

Funny thing is, I saw this story at around 3am CST here in Houston on World News Now on ABC.It was immediately followed by a PSA starring Della Reese for “Faith In Action.org” does that not sound odd????

Jill 5 Dec 2004
9:47 pm

There IS something constructive you can do 10 minutes every week to get our country back on track.
At http://www.NoMandate.org we believe reform is both a short term and a long term battle.  The long term battle will require persistent pressure on the roots of the problem. Every liberal I???ve spoken with - whether their primary concern is morality, the environment, voting reform, health care, civil rights - agrees that our voices are not represented adequately in the mainstream press.
Once a week, http://www.NoMandate.org posts action letters directed at the mainstream media, urging them to cover important issues in depth, rather than repeating Admininstration talking points and glossing over important stories.
This week???s letter urges the mainstream media to acknowledge and represent the voices of the millions of Americans whose view of morality is depicted in the UCC ads. Our letter stresses the importance of a free press. This is in keeping with our overall mission and strategy.
Please add your voice to this effort.
Thanks -

Jill & Sim

NoMandate.org
“No one can terrorize a whole nation, unless we are all his accomplices.”

-Edward R. Murrow

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