Tony Evans: Church Involvement Key to Behavioral Issues in Schools
by Ed Thomas and Jody Brown
September 21, 2006
(AgapePress) - - A former CBS news executive is criticizing NBC for the network's plans to air a special featuring Madonna in a blasphemous musical performance later this year. Author and political pundit Bernard Goldberg has told the Fox News Channel that he finds nothing admirable in what NBC is trying to do.The television special reportedly would feature the same musical presentation included in Madonna's recent world tour: a mock crucifixion of Christ. In the show, the singer -- wearing a fake crown of thorns -- descends to the stage on a suspended cross of disco-type mirrors. NBC has thus far ignored Christian leaders who have complained about the mockery. In fact, according to the American Family Association (AFA), an NBC official has stated the network finds nothing wrong with the mock crucifixion scene.
Goldberg, the author of 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America, told an audience on The O'Reilly Factor that there is nothing courageous or cutting-edge about offending Christians. "Christians are the only group in our entire culture who are fair game," he said. "You'll never get in trouble for attacking Christians or taking their most sacred symbols and trashing them."
According to Goldberg, the decision-makers in media are not afraid of Christians like they are Muslims when they bash religion, because Christians are civilized in their response. "Christians, by and large, are reasonable people. When they protest, they protest within reasonable parameters," the former CBS reporter observed. "Radical Muslims, on the other hand, are not reasonable people."
Goldberg asserts that NBC is risking the controversy for one basic reason: ratings. "If they can get enough controversy over this, Madonna hanging from a cross is just gold as far as they're concerned," he said.
Goldberg advocates Christians threaten to withdraw support from the show's sponsors if it airs. That follows AFA's urging of its millions of supporters to e-mail the network in vigorous as well.
Obvious Double Standard
The president of the Parents Television Council (PTC), L. Brent Bozell, says he sees a "shocking double standard" in how NBC treats religious controversies. Bozell has asked for an explanation from a network executive about airing the Madonna concert, which the PTC leader describes simply as "hostile towards Christianity."
In a letter to NBC Universal's Bob Wright, Bozell couples the pending Madonna broadcast with NBC's recent move to begin airing VeggieTales cartoons, which have been an entertainment staple among many Christian families for the past decade. But the network, as Bozell points out, insisted the cartoons be retooled so the stories do not "preach to kids" or show Bible verses at the conclusion of each cartoon. (See related story) Yet, he says, NBC is willing to go to court for the right to air "the 'F-word'" -- but deem the use of Bible verses to be "wholly unacceptable."
Bozell also points out that NBC Nightly News chose not to show in its reports the editorial cartoons that so greatly offended many in the Muslim world several months. The network contended then that it was not necessary to show those editorial depictions of Muhammad in order to "convey the essence of the story." The PTC spokesman wonders why NBC cannot apply the very same standard to the Madonna concert.
"This attitude toward Christianity is inexcusable," writes Bozell. "It's also a shocking double standard. This is Madonna doing her utmost to deliberately insult the Christian faith. NBC must surely know that this scene will offend hundreds of millions of Christians across the country.
The PTC president implores the NBC executive to at least consider cutting the cross scene from Madonna's concert broadcast. He asks that the network offer an explanation that help Christians in America understand why NBC is "so obviously and overwhelmingly hostile to Christians and to Christianity."
