RELIGIOUS HATE RADIO
A random sampling
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We listened to a variety of radio and television programs of
a religious nature during two time intervals: 1995-JUL and 1997-FEB/MAR/APR. We documented
any instances of religious
hatred, ridicule, misrepresentation, misinformation etc. that we found.
All of the radio programs which we cited here are produced by
Evangelical or Fundamentalist Christian ministries. This is not intended to
be an attack on conservative Christianity. It is just that the vast majority
of religious programs are produced by conservative Christians.
Focus on the Family; 1995-JUL-19
(Syndicated program heard on hundreds of North American radio stations
at least daily)
Dr. James Dobson was describing a policy of the Accreditation Council
for Graduate Medical Education" which requires all medical schools
to train some of their residents to be able to perform elective
abortions. The phrases "all the students" and "all the
residents" were used during the talk. Many listeners would have
concluded that all medical students or residents would have to be
trained in the procedure. In reality, the Council's ruling only applies to
obstetric and gynecology residents. To his credit, Dr. Dobson did clear up
any false impression on the following day's broadcast.
Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council asked the listeners
to phone Washington and indicate their opposition to this decision by
the Accreditation Council. If the Council's decision is overruled by
the Federal Government, then some Ob/Gyn residents will graduate without
the knowledge needed to perform a first trimester abortion. Women, for
whom a pregnancy could prove fatal might then go to their Obstetrician
and find out that their doctor was unable perform the abortion needed to
save their life.
Focus on the Family; 1995-JUL-19
Dr. Dobson described a procedure which he called a Partial Birth
Abortion. He described what he called a type of "Nazi era
experimentation" in which a full term fetus is in the process of
being delivered. With its head in the birth canal, the doctor puts "a
pair of scissors into the back of the head and spreads the wound, exposing
the brain. And then they inject a cannula (a tube) that has a suction device
on it and they suck the brain matter out of a living, viable baby for use in
medical experiments". The impression given was that this is an optional
procedure done by researchers eager to study brain functions, who didn't
mind killing an about-to-be-born fetus. If this procedure were done as
described, then it would be indeed be similar to experiments conducted by
Nazis. Fortunately, it is not done.
The term abortion means the termination of a pregnancy before
the fetus is viable (i.e. able to live on its own, at perhaps the 24th week
of pregnancy). Some abortions are spontaneous, and are popularly called
miscarriages. Others are as a result of medical intervention. Medical
societies in the various states and provinces of North America prohibit
doctors from intentionally terminating pregnancies beyond a certain stage -
typically after 20 or 21 weeks gestation. The term Partial Birth
Abortion is thus an oxymoron (a self-contradictory term). Any doctor
performing such a procedure on a viable fetus during an uneventful delivery
could have her/his license terminated. It would only be done under an
extraordinary condition, such as:
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the fetus was dead - a still birth was about to occur |
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the fetus had no brain, and thus was not viable |
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continued delivery would kill or very seriously injure the woman |
In fact, pregnancies are only terminated in the third trimester (6th month
of gestation to near birth) because of overwhelming health concerns. And
then they are usually terminated by hysterotomies (Cesarean section).
Canadian Perspective; 1995-JUL-19
(WMHI, Cape Vincent NY and a network of Canadian secular stations)
Laurie Zlatanovski, of Frontenac Coalition of Concerned Citizens
was discussing Bill C-41. This is a Canadian Federal Government bill that
is expected to become law shortly. She said "it's a hate crime bill and
it's to protect. Unfortunately, what's happened is that the homosexuals are
being given special rights. We as Christians don't feel that people who
have chosen this lifestyle. [sic] this is a lifestyle; this is not somebody
who is colored or of a different [sic]. This is a lifestyle that they
have chosen. And its a damaging lifestyle. We're not going to support
them."
OCRT Comments: Ms. Zlatanovski appears to make a number of points:
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Bill C41 is a hate crime bill. Actually, it is a sentencing bill.
Its title is "An act to amend the Criminal Code (sentencing)."
It contains a small section [718.2 (a) (i)] which recommends increased
sentences for crimes motivated by hatred of a group. For example, if an
individual assaulted a neighbor over a property dispute, they might be
given a certain sentence; if an individual assaulted a stranger because of
the latter's religion, they that sentence would be lengthened. |
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homosexuals are being given special rights. Actually, they are
not. The bill covers hate crimes which victimize a person because of their
"race, nationality, color, religion, sex, age, mental or physical
disability or sexual orientation". Gays and lesbians are obviously
not being given special privileges; just the same protection as is being
given to asexuals, bisexuals, heterosexuals, Christians, Buddhists, women,
old folks, etc. |
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homosexuality is a chosen lifestyle A substantial majority of
researchers into human sexuality agree that one's
sexual orientation is determined during
childhood, and cannot be changed. |
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it's OK to have laws that protect people of different colors or
nationalities; but it is not OK to protect people on the basis of
their choices. In that case, crimes based on religious hatred would
be exempt from the law; nobody has proposed that change. |
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homosexuality is a damaging lifestyle. This might be a reference
to AIDS. It should be noted that lesbians have a much lower infection for
AIDS and other STDs than do heterosexuals. |
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Christians are not going to support homosexuals. That is not
the issue here. The issue relates to a person who goes "gay bashing"
and assaults a stranger at random because the latter is perceived to be
a homosexual. The motivation behind the assault is often to terrorize the
gay and lesbian community. The question is whether that crime should
receive a longer sentence than a common assault. |
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Canadian Perspective; 1995-JUL-18
(WMHI, Cape Vincent NY and a network of Canadian secular stations)
Laurie Zlatanovski, of Frontenac Coalition of Concerned Citizens
said that "It's medical fact that the pores in the condom are large enough
for the HIV virus to pass right through. So its like playing Russian
Roulette to put a condom on and think that you are having safe sex."
[OCRT comment: The HIV virus causes AIDS. Latex condoms, which are available
in a bewildering array of colors, and shapes at every pharmacy, have no
pores and provide a barrier against the HIV virus. "Natural" condoms (made
of sheep intestines) are rarely found for sale; they do have pores and lack
effectiveness. Most clinics recommend that they not be used. In the area
covered by the radio broadcast, natural condoms must be specially ordered.]
Sponsored link:
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Through the Bible Program; 1995-JUL-14
(Syndicated program heard throughout the world) Rev. McGee:
Open Mike - Live; 1995-JUL-14
(Mars Hill Network in upstate New York USA) Nick Costello, of Combat Zone Ministries
Focus on the Family; 1997-FEB-5 to 7
Three consecutive episodes dealt with "the gay agenda, i.e. the
drive by gays and lesbians to have equal rights in America, including the
right to marry. Anthony Falzarano of Transformation Ministries and
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays said: "The gays are using the AIDS
epidemic to push the gay agenda onto our country right now and, in essence,
it's really the spirit of Anti-Christ..." Bob Knight of the Family
Research Council said: "Wherever you find gay rights laws, you find
the church being the ultimate target. I call it the criminalization of
Christianity because if you redefine bigotry as being opposed to homosexuality
or failing to affirm it, and then you bring the full power of the civil
rights apparatus to bear, you're talking about some pretty heavy
government coercion directed at Christians. We're sitting in the
middle of a bullseye right now."
Back to the Bible; 1997-MAR-17
(Syndicated radio program from Lincon, NE, broadcast over many Evangelical Christian stations
in the United States). On this episode, they discussed religion in Haiti. They stated that
in 1991, someone of the Voodoo faith had dedicated the entire island
to Satan. Later they said that the people of Haiti are trapped in "Witchcraft and
Satanism". In fact, Vodun is the religion which is followed by the vast majority of Haitians.
It is a religion based on African native traditions and is totally unrelated to Witchcraft and Satanism. Followers of Vodun
recognize neither the pantheon of deities of Wicca nor do they recognize the existence of Satan.
Linking the three together is an irresponsible example of religious misinformation.
Adventures in Odyssey program of Focus on the Family, 1997-APR-7/8
Two Adventures in Odyssey episodes attacked what they call "Role Playing Fantasy Games."
(The correct term is fantasy role playing games.)
Odyssey is a radio play about pre-teens and teens in an American town. In
both episodes, Dr. James Dobson presented a short talk directed to the children and youth
listening to the program and their parents. He attacked this type of game, because he
feels that its players actually become the pretend characters that they have selected. To
play the game properly, he said that the players need to practice magic and mysticism. His
choice of the terms "magic" and "mysticism" is unfortunate, because
both words have multiple, conflicting meanings. In the APR-7 episode, he said that some
gamers have reported involvement with demons and Satan worship.
In the radio play, "Jimmy" is visited by a RPG playing cousin,
"Len". Len's character in the game is known as "Luther the Magician."
The latter introduces Jimmy to a game called Castles and Cauldrons"; he gives
Jimmy's character the name of "John Dell, the Apprentice." They play the game
together. A battle is fought with some evil enemies; both experience auditory
hallucinations in which their plastic swords sound like real weapons. There were
many misconceptions mentioned in the play.
"Whit" Whittaker, the owner of a local store comes across Len and Jimmy
playing their game. He immediately destroys one of the tools of the game, called The
Board of Talisman. Later, Whit casually mentions that he has stolen and destroyed all
of Jimmies' gaming equipment. The implication is that a Christian is well within his
rights to destroy another person's possessions if he feels that they are unchristian.
The overall effect of the program is:
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to give a very distorted view of fantasy role playing games, |
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to link them with "The Occult", black
magick,
evil sorcery and demonic activity. |
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to imply that it is quite acceptable for Christians to destroy other people's
possessions. |
More details on these two radio plays are
available.
Copies of these episodes are available on tape from Odyssey, Colorado Springs, CO
80995.
Related essays:
Latest update: 1999-SEP-20
Author: B.A. Robinson
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