TV Standards council: Jimmy Swaggart breached guidelines

Religion News ^ | June 15th, 2005

[missyme]

When televangelist Jimmy Swaggart said he would kill a homosexual who looked at him romantically, he violated the ethics code of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, an industry panel has ruled.

Swaggart made the remarks during a discussion of same-sex marriage on a Sept. 12 broadcast that was carried by the Toronto station Omni 1.

"I'm going to be blunt and plain: If one ever looks at me like that, I'm going to kill him and tell God he died," Swaggart said.

Swaggart also said that politicians who are undecided on the issue of same-sex marriage "all oughta have to marry a pig and live with him forever."

The comments prompted a complaint that was filed with the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, the arm of the CAB that deals with viewer feedback.

A few days later, Swaggart backtracked, saying the expression was a figurative one. He said he has used the expression "killing someone and telling God he died" in jest thousands of times.

"If it's an insult, I certainly didn't think it was, but if they are offended, then I certainly offer an apology," he told the Associated Press.

The council ruled that Omni 1 was entitled to broadcast Swaggart's views opposing same-sex marriage, as well as his criticism of politicians who take no stand.

But it added that the station breached the CAB's human rights and religious programming clauses "on the basis of Swaggart's suggestion that killing someone would be the proper way for one to respond to homosexuality."

The panel said the debate over same-sex marriage is "more than legitimate" and "democratically essential" but said Swaggart's "negativity" was "visceral."

"The problem of Swaggart's language is, in a sense, exacerbated by the fact that he, as a religious figure, can be presumed to set an example for his community. It would, therefore, be easy for someone to infer that this might be the proper way for a Christian of this sect (or possibly of any sect) to respond to homosexuality," the ruling added.

Omni 1 issued an on-air apology shortly after the broadcast, so it is not required to broadcast the council's decision.

Both the CAB and CBSC are non-governmental organizations.

[Skooz]

Swaggart has condemned Catholics, Jews and non-Pentecostal Protestants in the most vicious ways possible. His anti-Catholic bigotry is well documented. How is his hate any different from a mullah's?

Not true.

He has never, at any time, "condemned Catholics, Jews and non-Pentecostal Protestants" in any way. Ever.

[Bombardier]

Then I guess I was imagining it when he said that Catholics are "going to Hell," and that Catholics aren't Charistian. I heard him say this in 1987, and a few times since. My mother used to watch him regularly until he made a snide remark about Lutherans being "Catholics who speak German." And what about the times he called Jews "evil"? Did those also not happen?

You're defending the indefensible. Swaggart is a fraud and a hypocrite. I'll still pray for his miserable coal black soul, because if anyone needs God's love, it's that pathetic, hateful POS.

[Skooz]

"All true Christians love the Jewish people." A direct quote from Swaggart. He has never called Jews "evil."

He never said that Catholics are "going to Hell." He merely has said on many occasions that Catholics who are not born again are not Christian. That is orthodox Protestant doctrine, unchanged for centuries.

You know nothing about tha man.

[Bombardier]

Jimmy Swaggart appeared on WWOR for a few consecutive days during which he stated that the Pope was the most evil man alive today and that Catholics are idolaters. The following day he repeated the latter charge along with more anti-Catholic statements.

And here's the link: http://www.catholic-league.net/1996report/media96.htm

Again, tell me how that POS isn't a bigot and how he never says these hateful things......

[Bombardier]

You know nothing about tha man.

I know all I need to know about him. When I did my search for his comments, I was amazed at how often he was referenced on Stormfront and by David Duke. I think that says it all right there. The people who call him an inspiration and call him the "quintessential" Christian are white supremacists and anti-Semites. That should tell you all you need to know about Swaggart.

[Ladysmith]

Get all you can, can all you get and sit on the can.

LOL! Hey, that's about right!

[Skooz]

That the website does not directly quote Swaggart is quite telling. It would be interesting to hear exactly what he said, what words he used and in what context.

But, that would not inflame hatred toward Swaggart, which is clearly the intent of the paragraph.

Sorry, but without direct quotes in context, that blurb is utterly worthless.

I have the highest respect for Dr. Donohue. He is a one-man gang against the anti-Catholic/anti-Christian bigots in the entertainment industry. He ALWAYS wins the debate (or at least every one I have sen televised). But, that paragraph is evidence of nothing.

I watched Swaggart for years. I have also read many tracts and books he has written. Not once have I heard him say or read anything he has written that was hateful toward anybody (unless we accept the liberal definition of the word hate as "disagreement"). As an Pentecostal Christian, his doctrine disagrees with Catholic doctrine in many ways. But, that does mean that he "hates" Catholics. One of the few times I remember referencing Catholics at all was to praise them for believing in the Virgin Birth. Direct quote: "Thank God for the Catholics. They believe it."

But, you have made up your mind to hate the man, which is your right. But, to compare what he has said to mullahs who have openly called for the extermination of all Jews and the murder of all who will not submit to Islam is erroneous.

Have a good day.

[Skooz]

I was amazed at how often he was referenced on Stormfront and by David Duke. I think that says it all right there.

I live in Louisiana. I know all about David Duke. He also quoted Reagan extensively. He also became a registered Republican and ran for Governor on the Republican ticket.

I guess that tell us all we need to know about Reagan and Republicans.