RELIGIOUS HATE RADIO

A random sampling

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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.

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:

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:

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