Televangelist Loses Show After Muslims Complain

@Riptide (2758)
United States
August 25, 2007 1:22am CST
I just found this article on a website. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A Christian televangelist who harshly criticizes Islam and other religions said Friday that his late-night program is being pulled off the air because of pressure from a Muslim group. http://www.wftv.com/news/13966843/detail.html I am not a christian, but I find this horrible. What ever happened to freedom of speech? How many muslims have been pulled of their tv shows in THEIR country for bashing christianity? Why is it allright for muslims to continously talk bad about other religions, but as soon as someone speaks bad about theirs, they are all up in arms. What is your take on this subject?
4 people like this
5 responses
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
25 Aug 07
I am a devout Catholic and I feel that I agree with the producers of the show to take out the televangelist out of the show. Even if Muslims bashes Christians and never loose their shows, it doesn't mean that it is alright for us to do the same. I condenm violence and terrorism, but i don't condenm Islam. If all of us would just keep on bashing others, then we are no better and we will end up living in a hatred filled world. I still believe that love should prevail and it is love that should be preached. We will only be cultivating more hatred if we do that. There are many ways to skin a cat and I don't think open verbal aggression would do one any good. As Jesus Christ said, that if your enemy throws stones at you, then you should throw back bread or manna. In this case, we should rise above those things and teach them not to hate but to love and we can't do that if we keep on bashing them too.
1 person likes this
@Riptide (2758)
• United States
26 Aug 07
But what happened to freedom of speech? Shouldn't he be allowed to say how he feels, regardless of if he's a preacher or not?
2 people like this
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
28 Aug 07
I am all for freedom of speech. But in everything that we do, should be done on the basis of Love and not hate. I also believe that freedom of speech should be tempered with truth, wisdom, fairness and social responsibility. A lot of people uses the guise of freedom of speech to spread their own brand of hatred.
@soadnot (1606)
• Canada
25 Aug 07
The problem with religious people attacking other religions is outlined here http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1222703.aspx They dont stop and look at their own religion critically.
1 person likes this
• Thailand
28 Aug 07
Free speech is not endangered by this. He is free to say what he wants in his own pulpit, just not on someone else's TV station. The people who own the station have every right to determine what can be said on their station. It is their business and they have every right to determine the content of what is broadcast.
• Thailand
30 Aug 07
The linked story clearly states; "The hourlong show, which airs nightly at 1 a.m., is broadcast on WTOG-TV, a CBS-owned station that airs the CW network locally. WTOG station manager Laura Caruso said the decision to end Keller's contract was a programming one, made by station executives and the televangelist." While you may have a point you have chosen the wrong soap box to make it on.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
30 Aug 07
There is that side of it and yes I can see it from there. But other took advantage of this to silence (even partially) a side they did not agree with. Its occurring more and more, people complaining at other different viewpoints and some trying to get sources of authority (especially the government) to shut down the viewpoints. Yes its their business, but this is clearly a complain and devastate job by people who simply didn't agree and the owners simply caved under the pressure of a few. (Apparently its harder to turn off the TV in the states these days, but thats a discussion for another day.) Its happening with other programs, people and outlets too.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
30 Aug 07
Oh and why is there no recourse over differing anti-Christian viewpoints, especially those inciting, praising or threatening violent acts? Do they have the right to spew such nonsense day in and day out, night in, night out? They really don't have the right to do so, however people like this are not silenced either. Most of the people they speak out against have enough sense to not pay attention or just debate in a civil manner.
@herrbaggs (1308)
• United States
25 Aug 07
If I though it might get rid of all the televangilists I might adopt a camel and buy a rug.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
25 Aug 07
Hate them all you want, they still have the right to say it. At least for now, but eh, soon it'll be First Amendment version 2. Free speech only if it "plays ball", "doesn't offend anyone", "doesn't sound bad" and "doesn't question certain people and ideas". Its like that in some parts of the world, and throughout history, so why not? -_- Again, I'm just posting how I feel about it. You know one of the best things about free speech is, its best supporter free will. You have the ability to NOT listen if you don't agree. You also have the ability to COUNTER the argument. And I find that very enriching and powerful. Thanks for your counter point though Herrbaggs, it at least helped me out.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
26 Aug 07
And if thats what you believe fine, I'm not to thrilled with a couple of them either. But still to just unplug them for speaking out, is that really right? What the heck happened to free speech?! Oh wait, that's right society is trying to make it so its only there for people they agree with or non-offensive people, sorry for asking.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
26 Aug 07
If that's really the case then why is the televangelist silenced but an islamic preacher and other groups and organizations have gone out with speech to incite and even praise violence against innocents as heroism, and nothing happens to them? Again, you are not convincing me of anything. Its a bias, society only wants to silence some people like I've said, but others it's free pass time.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
25 Aug 07
Well thanks Riptide for pointing out another wound to the first amendment. I'll note it with all the rest of the transgressions. Sigh...so everyone else is allowed to be vitriolic, hateful and speak aloud, but only certain 'in' people and groups. And everyone else thinks we are A-OK. Puh, whatever. It should be free speech period, its not free speech if you say what we want; or free speech if you support the "right side". It's free speech. If you're gonna silence one person for harsh criticism who's next in line? Better yet, what's next in line and what's next on the agenda? Pulling the plug on the program is one thing, should we start arresting people next? (Its already been proposed multiple times in the multiple levels of government by the way, but I'm sure the alphabet soup evening news channels informed you of them, right? -_-). By the way some of our "misunderstood" dictators, I meant world leaders, have had great success pulling the plug on private tv, information exchange and free speech, and a whole bunch of people in the states think we should be like them. So maybe we're everyone's happy about this. I'm not, never will be. Oh yea, why is it that a Christian televangelist gets pulled but an Islamic preacher can actually go on the streets and say murders and criminals are heroes and not get touched. Double standard much everyone? *Deep breath* Alright, I may not agree with people, but you have the right to speak your mind. I will gladly defend that right for anyone, myloters, bloggers, forum goers, talkers, even firebrands. And when I hear of things like this I think the bread and circuses, the one card monte and the two-party fraud, its all working to suppress the masses. Cheers all. Hate me if you wish but whatever, it had to be said. Who knows, maybe I'll get silenced soon enough. You'll have a **** hard time trying, that's what I say.
@Riptide (2758)
• United States
26 Aug 07
I think freedom of speech is slowly being taken away from us. If someone doesn't like what's being said on tv they can take their remote and change the channel,that is called the right to choose. Very well spoken theprogramer and so very true.
1 person likes this