Posted on 01/24/2006 7:28:48 PM PST by churchillbuff
THE OMBUDSMAN's COLUMN
Too Much Religion?
One of the interesting aspects of ombudsmanship is that at times you can see broad themes emerge among viewers — again, the numbers are small but perhaps reflective of a wider group — that are not so easily visible to producers of individual programs and local stations, or perhaps even to the programmers and executives of the Public Broadcasting Service.
For example, in recent weeks I have received dozens of e-mails from all parts of the country about the religious content of several recent offerings on PBS. For the most part, these have been commentaries on specific programs. But within this correspondence is a broader theme, expressed this way by a viewer in Milwaukie, Ore.: "I am very concerned about the amount of Christian-related content oozing onto PBS. It seems each show, whether it's historical, scientific or documentary in nature is flush with some sort of Christian angle. In this age of growing multi-ethnicity in the U.S., and increased conflict and tension between cultures of religion around the world, I find this bias highly disturbing and worse — validating the new Right Wing Evangelical perspective that has become oppressive in this country." This viewer mentioned recent, high profile and high viewership series such as "Walking the Bible" and "Country Boys" and an earlier documentary on "The Appalachians."
Another Oregonian said, "Would you please tell me why we are receiving so much 'Christian' religious programming on PBS lately? If people want religion, they can either go to church or watch the 'Christian' TV stations. I expect better from PBS."
A couple of California viewers e-mailed to complain about a program called "The Privileged Planet," describing it as "faith-based propaganda and disinformation." A viewer in Vermont complained about "an episode of NOW" featuring what the viewer described as "a Christian fanatic giving her view of how the media has not given a fair view of the anti-abortion crusade." A couple of other California viewers wrote to complain that even "the lovely concert with Renee Fleming singing Christmas music was marred by awkward segments between songs in preachy tones about the importance of Christmas," as one said. "I question the judgment of that heavy dose of religious programming which, except for the artistic merits, left those of us of a different persuasion out in the cold," wrote another. A viewer in Blacksburg, Va., writes to complain about the regular airing of Christian religious programs by Blue Ridge Public Television in prime time." In her opinion, she said, this "violates the mission of PBS."
Viewers in Texas, Pennsylvania and two or three other states wrote to complain about what they viewed as "make-ya-feel-good religion" programming, as one put it, during PBS fund drive weeks that featured the work of Dr. Wayne Dyer and "The Power of Intention."
It is hard to know what to make of all this, and I'm not going to try at this point, other than to think that coincidence may have played at least some role in this convergence.
We have, of course, just passed the Christmas season. And we are also at a time, in mid-January, when the three-part documentary "Walking the Bible" is airing around the country. This series is based on the best-selling book by author Bruce Feiler, who also hosts the series and takes viewers on a 10,000-mile journey based on a retracing of the routes contained in the first five books of the Bible. This series drew above average viewership nationwide, and, according to the producers, the "vast majority" of the responses sent directly to them were positive. I got some of those as well. But the majority of people who wrote to me complained. "The show is simply religious propaganda wrapped in pseudo-history and dubious legend," wrote a Baltimore viewer. A resident of Omaha, Neb., said, "The schools and governments are prohibited from promulgating superstitious dogma. How is it that PBS can even consider such as 'Walking the Bible'?"
The "Walking the Bible" miniseries also roughly coincided in January with the airing of "Country Boys," a three-part, six-hour documentary presented by PBS's highly respected "Frontline" program and produced by widely-acclaimed producer David Sutherland. This was a very powerful program. The mail to me was overwhelming positive, and I'm the guy to whom people are supposed to complain. This painstakingly documented portrait of two teenagers struggling to escape poverty in a small Kentucky town also achieved solid viewership around the country, although not as high on average as the Bible series. But "Country Boys" also had a sizeable dose of religion throughout.
On the other hand, religion is a big part of life in those communities, and that's just the way it is and it needs to be reported and reflected. I didn't see "The Appalachians," which aired well before I got to PBS, but it is the same region. Indeed, Christianity, and religion generally, have always been a very big part of American life and it is only natural that portraits of who we are as a country will contain this as one aspect.
Yet, I found this collection of messages from viewers around the country to be important and worthy of attention and discussion within PBS and its vast network of independent member stations. Is religious content being elevated these days? If so, why is that happening? Is it intentional and how should public television handle it?
IF the numbers of complainants are small, how does this Getler character deduce that they reflect "a broader group"? Sounds to me like he might be using these few letters as an excuse for his own message of trying to intimidate local PBS programmers out of religion-friendly, or Christian-friendly programming.
The focus group was bored by The Atheists' Hour?
Here, the leftists feel that everyone (they know) will understand that they are just "normal people" when they complain about Christians has having too much influence on society in the USA. How much influence is "too much", and how much is "just enough". And how much is too much when those rascally Christians are doing their influencing via the ballot box?
In fact, Christians (I mean the "right wing" fundamentalist kind who are so offensive) are a minority in te USA and the World. I could see these left wing letter writers feeling just as comfortable in white sheets with torches, as long as the minority being hung was a Christian.
Now, where'd I put my guns and ammo again ...
SFS
That's it! No more.
Why PBS and NPR get one thin dime of taxpayers' money is beyond my ken. The suits in DC are not doing their job. Defund 90% of the crap that's ruining the country and most of it will stop or diminish to a trickle without the lifeblood of public funding.
This is a list of bigoted commentary from PBS viewers angered over the mention of Christians in America. Since Christians make up 90 percent of the country, it would seem that PBS is way behind in it's representation of Christians in programming. But instead, this lady is going to take the bigotry seriously and ask: Are we being too tolerant of Christians at PBS? If so, why?
DISCUSSION ABOUT: "PBS On Politics, Religion, You and Now Too Much Religion? (Christian-haters beef)"
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Regarding your tagline: "And some spit [or worse...] in it."
Like these idiots objecting to the mention of anything remotely religious on PBS.
I've read comments by people who were ticked off by the Guaranteed Overnight Delivery trucks I used to see around so much. Some folks so hate God and even the idea of God that ANY mention of Him is too much for them.
I live next door to a bozo just like this. And while I'm pretending not to live 20+ feet away from him so as not to irritate him, he'd prefer that I stop breathing altogether, so that he won't accidentally inhale any Alex-Murphy-flavored carbon dioxide.
From the article:
"I question the judgment of that heavy dose of religious programming which, except for the artistic merits, left those of us of a different persuasion out in the cold," wrote another.
Heh heh heh. If you don't like it, don't watch it.
At least that's what you secularist clowns say to us when we and our children are deluged with hard core porn.
Schadenfreude. (Too lazy to look up proper spelling...)
Objectivity is clearly tossed out the window when the ombudsman calls Christians "right-winged fanatics".
In short, it's a load of garbage.
Speaking of PBS programming that is religious in nature:
Please try and catch the program called: "The question of God"
It is a very intelligent discussion on whether God exists and for a change our side was very well represented.
fortress
("I am very concerned about the amount of Christian-related content oozing onto PBS. It seems each show, whether it's historical, scientific or documentary in nature is flush with some sort of Christian angle.)
I feel this way about gay content "oozing" onto every entertainment angle.
You know, I actually like seeing Jewish life and aspects of Jewish faith. Same thing goes for Hinduism, etc... I find the spiritual side of people beautiful and the workings of religion both beautiful and fascinating.
Out in the cold? Woman, the only reason you're out in the cold is because you put yourself out there and shut the door while everyone else was inside. And while you're at it, take off that prayer shawl you have wrapped around your ears and give it to us because we have use for it inside.
In pledge period, PBS puts on series about the Irish, Chinese, Italians, Jews, Blacks, Poles, Hispanics, Armenians etc. in America, or films shot from helicopters over Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany and Italy. There must be some demand for those programs, and they reflect American society. It's the same way with Walking the Bible.
The idea that PBS has some "mission" to promote secularism is just silly. In any case, nothing prevents atheists or agnostics from putting on their own programs.
IF the numbers of complainants are small, how does this Getler character deduce that they reflect "a broader group"?
For the same reason that Congress says every letter they recieve is 10,000 voters thinking the same thing.
"Walking The Bible" (I admit I have not seen this show)
It's pretty good. Granted it strays close to the "all religions are just different paths to God" nonsence, but still it's well done.
one mans opinion freely given and worth almost that much
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