Tolerance is "too controversial" for CBS and NBC

The CBS and NBC TV networks have refused to run a commercial from the United Church of Christ which expresses tolerance for homosexuals. The networks claim that the commercial, which states that "Like Jesus -- the United Church of Christ seeks to welcome all people, regardless of ability, age, race, economic circumstance or sexual orientation." was deemed "too controversial" to be aired.


http://www.ucc.org/news/u113004a.htm

 

this is so sad. people need to hear the voices of more tolerant christians. it seems like the far-right hate-mongers for jesus are the only ones that ever get heard.

 

they dont want anyone to know what jesus was REALLY talking about!

 

The article you reference says the refusal to air the ad "recalls the censorship of the 1950s and 1960s".

In other words it recalls the racism of that earlier period in our history.

This shows once again that discrimination against homosexuals is THE bigotry of the modern day. Except this time the racists are winning. It is a litmus test of fundamental moral stature and that's exactly how the issue should be aggressively and relentlessly used to confront individuals and institutions. If you don't support equality for your fellow man you are immoral.

It obviously calls for protest against CBS and NBC in whatever ways possible.

 

What a crazy political climate we have these days. Truly depressing...

 

this was from CNN...

"Because this commercial touches on the exclusion of gay couples...and the fact that the executive branch has recently proposed a Constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, this spot is unacceptable for broadcast," the church quoted CBS as saying.

A CBS spokesman confirmed that the ad was banned, but would not comment directly about the above statement.

"It was against our policy of accepting advocacy advertising," said the spokesman.

An NBC spokeswoman said the problem with the ad was not its depiction of same sex couples at church, but its implication that other religions are not open to all people.

"It went against our long-standing policy of not accepting ads that deal with issues public controversy," said the NBC spokeswoman.


http://money.cnn.com/2004/12/01/news/fortune500/jesus_ad_ban/index.htm?cnn=yes

there are other networks they can run their ad on..you cant ask companies to break their policies...

 

If they applied these "policies" in an evenhanded way, you might have a point. But they don't, rendering their "policy" nothing more than a political whim.

These networks gladly aired those "Drug Free America" commercials that equated potsmoking with supporting terrorists, even when a large percentage of the population thinks that pot should be legalized. In other words, they aired an "advocacy advertisement" which takes a definite stance on "an issue of public controversy".

 

Well, its fully within your right to write a letter and complain and to boycott them. It is fully in their right to deny air time to that church. Thats freedom of choice for you.

what is a large %?

The difference is this: the ads you reference were part of the war on drugs, they were not advocating whether we should have a war on drugs or not. The war on drugs was already decided and the ads were the outcome. If NBC or CBS airs these ads, you can take it that they believe that homosexual marriage is acceptable. Since the nation is deciding where we stand on homosexual marriage, they do not want to advocate for or against gay marriage.

 

What makes you say that?

Often times, networks put up a disclaimers saying that they do not necessarily support the claims made by the advertiser. They do this a zillion times for products advertised on tv.

 

But it's ok for networks to show made-for-tv movies about a priest having an affair with a young woman (and running it during the week of Easter). So that means the networks automatically condone that type of behavior?

 

Wow I'm not the only pot smoking Christian who has tolerance for all. Cool! I think I found a new favorite forum! Peace

 

Whether it is a "Drug Free America" commercial, or a commercial dealing with "tolerance," I loathe having shit pushed down my throat.

I am extremely liberal when it comes to issues of personal choice. If two people of the same sex want to get married or whatever, that's their choice and has no affect on me.

If anything, it's the gay agenda and overt political correctness involved that makes so many people so bigoted towards gays in this country, aside from religion.

But for them to not air that commercial because it says "the Church of Christ welcomes all people regardless of sexual orientation," well, that's just ridiculous.

 

Huh? What kind of dolt would take it that way?

What does the ad have to do with marriage?

 

Dated they are my friend!

 

And if an empoyer runs an ad on TV saying he hires regardless of race or creed, there's something wrong with him. And his ad shouldn't be aired because he might hire a gay, which means the network might be supporting the gay lifestyle.

 

Damned if we do damned if we dont!

 

funny that he now has no response.

 

The three networks do all sorts lf crazy things. CBS a few years back ran a 'documentary' by someone who claimed that the moon missions were faked. Kids all of the country were telling their teachers that the missions were faked. The teachers bombarded NASA with questions so much that NASA had to print up a pamphlet for teachers on how to refute the claims. Then, the public got upset that NASA spent tax payer money on the pamplet.

CBS later apologized for presenting the public with goofy claims.

If the networks can do things this goofy, they can let someone have a legitimate spot on the air.

(I believe it was ABC that ran the drama about the priest having sex. That was many years ago.)

 

And here's more.

"If NBC or CBS airs these ads you can take it that they believe gay marriage [that is, equal rights for homosexuals] is acceptable" Megara says.

Well if so then you can take it that not running the ads means they believe equality for gays is unacceptable.

***

"It is against our policy of accepting advocacy advertising and ads that deal with issues of public controversy" says CBS.

Total bullshit. The networks run ads on behalf of political organizations all the time.

***

"The difference is the war on drugs was already decided and the ads were the outcome" says Megara.

So tell me Megara JUST WHO MADE THAT DECISION? It was the GOVERNMENT. So what Megara is saying is that only government policy qualifies as free speech presentable to the public through the media. Sounds like totalitarianism to me.

***

Of course it's not really about free speech is it and it never was. It's power and money and bigotry. Power and money? Networks will do whatever serves their financial interest. Bigotry? For CBS and NBC to not run these ads because they are inclusive is exactly like if back in the civil rights days they had refused to run ads for a university offering education to all races and colors.

Whatever the admixture of motivations the decision by CBS and NBC
not to run ads supporting equality and tolerance qualifies as naked immorality of the first degree.

 

Thats how it will be received, whether they put up that disclaimer or not.