Where are the Seculars?
Sunday School On Sunday Morning TV?
November 30, 2004
A plethora of "reverends," mostly conservative, dominated last Sunday's morning news programs. Jim Russert, the self-avowed Roman Catholic host of "Meet the Press" on NBC News, invited four ministers to debate religion in politics on Nov. 28. Not one secular in sight! "Dr." Jerry Falwell, "Dr." Richard Land (president, Ethics & Religious Liberty Committee, Southern Baptist Convention) were on the right, and Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jim Wallis (Call to Renewal) were the moderates.
The transcript of the Nov. 28 "Meet the Press Show" (the reverends follow another brief interview).
A clue to where Tim Russert is coming from can be gleaned from his NBC bio. It proudly lists one of his chief accomplishments as negotiating and arranging an appearance in 1985 by Pope John Paul from Rome, "a first for American television."
Please contact Meet the Press by email or mail, to request at least a window-dressing attempt at balance! Seculars and nonreligious are 14% of the U.S. population, the fastest growing segment, according to the definitive American Religious Identification Survey.
If Russert demands a "reverend," he could invite Dan Barker, Co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation (a former minister). Atheists and agnostics watching NBC News have to pinch ourselves to remind ourselves of our existence! It does a grave disservice to the religious and nonreligious diversity in the United States to invite only Christian ministers to debate the place of religion in politics! Most Americans are in fact unchurched.
Contact:
Meet the Press
c/o NBC News
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York NY 10112
Similarly, on ABC News' "This Week," hosted by George Stephanopoulos, among his 17 guests or so (on diverse issues) were several reverends to similarly debate religion in politics--no seculars. Rev. Floyd Flake (Pastor, Allen AME Church), ultra-right wing Gary Bauer (pres., American Values), and Tony Campolos (Evangelical Assn. for the Promotion of Education) were featured. (The ABC transcript is not available for free.)
Suggest that "This Week" balance its invitation to these reverends in the future by featuring representatives of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and secular advocates such as journalist Susan Jacoby.
ABC News
47 W 66th St
New York NY 10023
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