NPR Station Censors 'God'

FamilyNews ^ | 2/19/03 | Terry Phillips

[ppaul]

A National Public Radio station in Colorado has touched off a controversy by deciding that God can't be mentioned in what are essentially commercials.

A dentist in the Four Corners area of the Southwestern United States uses the phrase, "Gently Restoring the Health God Created," as a theme in his practice. "It's on our stationary and our appointment cards, and things like that," said Dr. Glenn Rutherford, based in Pagosa Springs, Colo.

But when he used the phrase in sponsorship of programs on KSUT-FM, a taxpayer-funded National Public Radio station in the area, the staff wouldn't have it. A station representative broke the news to the doctor.

"He said, 'Well, we had a staff meeting and there was universal agreement that that couldn't go on," Rutherford said.

The "that" was the mention of God. But when Don Wildmon, president of the Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association, got involved, the reason for editing "God" appeared to have changed. Wildmon said KSUT station manager, Beth Warren, wrote a letter that said, in part: "'The station is bound by (Federal Communications Commission) rules for public broadcasting, and works daily to comply with lots of regulations set forth by Congress.' "

Said Wildmon: "She's implying that it's illegal to do this, when it's not."

When Family News in Focus called Warren for clarification, she said the matter was between the station and Dr. Rutherford, and hung up. Subsequent calls to KSUT were not returned.

Said Rutherford: "I was a little incensed the station could run gay and lesbian coalition sponsorship spots — but I couldn't mention God in mine?"

TAKE ACTION

The KSUT Web site contains a contact form that you can use to send comments.

[Bogey78O]

"He said, 'Well, we had a staff meeting and there was universal agreement that that couldn't go on," Rutherford said."

That's the most important thing to remember. They all think alike just like all good leftists.

[exit82]

Shouldn't this be a matter between an advertiser and his God? Our tax dollars at work. NPR needs to be defunded.

[Mo1]

Hmmmm sounds like censorship of an ad to me

[xzins]

There is not a reason in the world to be funding NPR.

It is a business and the gov't is not instituted among men to run businesses.

Defund it. Close it down.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Freepin' time. There's a link, and you can send an email.

[applemac_g4]

Ok,

So let's defund it. What's stopping us? We have the house, the senate, and the white house.

Or maybe the problem is that in fact, we don't.

[sheik yerbouty]

Defunded and defenestrated.

[azGOPgal]

Thanks for the ping BG.

I heard someone on Bill O'Reilly say that he doesn't need our President referring to God as much as he does. He is there to lead us, and not make us feel obligated to worship God. O'Reilly responed (and I love him for saying this) "That George W. Bush is the closest President to what the Founding Fathers had in mind." I think O'Reilly was right on with that comment. The FF wrote the Constitution with God in mind. And I'm so glad we have President Bush in the White House. I'd hate to think of the alternative.

[xzins]

The Rules of the Senate mean that a real majority in the Senate is 60 (61?)

[Squantos]

These socialist are laughable at best.....they have no problem taking money which has "In God We Trust " printed on it but yet they play this game..........Lets Freep em back into the ice age. Do ya have a list of their sponsors , donors , supporters ? I search for em , post em if ya have em .......

Stay Safe !!

[Tamzee]

Total idiots...

We have GOT to pull funding from NPR. It' like free 24 hour 600 stations a day advertising for liberal issues. That's fine, but I don't think taxpayers should have to PAY FOR IT, too.

Ick...

[Popof8]

A felony criminal complaint should be filed against Beth Warren as the station manager. The County Shrieff should be called to effectuate a citizens arrest. The charge -- conspiracy to deprive a citizen of Constitutional rights, racketeering, misappropriation of public funds and probably a dozen other miscl charges.

A letter of complaint should be filed with the FCC challenging the stations license on the grounds of discrimination, censorship and malfeasence in station operations.

The Constitution clearly states that Congress (and by extension, any federal agency including the FCC and NPR) shall make no law (or rule or regulation) establishing religion OR PREVENTING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF. Even a GS puke like old Beth Warren should be able to comprehend the simple language in this Constitutional Ammendment!

Preventing an advertiser from invoking the name God in their advertising is by definition, "...preventing the free exercise thereof," hence prima facie - an illegal act by a governmental, tax payer supported agency.

[nutmeg]

ping

[ppaul]

Do ya have a list of their sponsors , donors , supporters ?

Yeah.
The US taxpayers.

[bluefish]

Nice. You get it. I've never it seen it made so clear. Amazing how the left has turned this whole concept on its head, isn't it?

[Tamzee]

Sent the station a letter that this type of discrimination is just as shameful as discriminating against someone due to their race.

I also stated that I would be writing my representatives to ask that Congress no longer provide taxpayer funding to a service that doesn't serve the entire community.

[Drango]

We have the house...

Click on my profile (name) for 100 Republicans who voted against reducing NPR/PBS's budget.

[goldstategop]

I love God unashamedly. Faith has seen me through the dark times in my life to the sunnier uplands of life. He is my light and my salvation - of whom shall I be afraid? Let NPR censor the human spirit and its love of the Perfect Father.

[Robert_Paulson2]

Do ya have a list of their sponsors , donors , supporters?

---

yes S.... they are US... it is a tax funded PUBLIC RADIO NETWORK... financed by dollars from US the US people... and funnelled to the leftists that are permanently enscounced behind the mikes at the National Public Radio organizaton... and network.

and no there is not much we can do to cut off their funding... yet