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Believers baffle TV networks (7/94)
    The following is from Christian Crusade Newspaper, P.O. Box 977,
    Tulsa, OK 74102, in its 42nd year of publication. We can
    be E-mailed on America On Line as Christcrew, on Compuserve
    at 72204,541, and via the Internet as [e-mail] .

by Keith Wilkerson, editor
       A recent episode of the obnoxious situation comedy "Roseanne"
on ABC-TV showed the family's young son struggling to understand
his own spiritual emptiness and his need for some kind of faith.
       He was disturbed by his family's lack of religious commitment.
       So, how did his TV family react in the episode?
       The boy was met with ridicule. It is as if network TV just cannot
grasp that Christian faith is an important part of most Americans'
everyday lives, says Los Angeles media critic Gregory Coiro. "In most
programs, we never see families going to church. We never see them
saying grace before meals or showing any kind of devotion. If a TV
character is facing some sort of crisis, there are millions of real-life
people who, in that situation, the first thing they would do is pray."
       Indeed, television journalist Bill Moyers says "something is
happening in America" that reflects a growing, grassroots religious
movement among the people of this nation.
       However, the masses' yearning for God is ignored by the media,
says Moyers, who adds that the absence of religion on TV is
particularly disturbing, since television has become "our all
encompassing environment" shaping modern culture.
       "Just about every other human endeavor is the subject of
continuing coverage by the media even to the point of saturation,"
Moyers said. "Economics, politics and government, business, foreign
policy, sports, sex, cooking, consumer interests, physical fitness,
movies and entertainment, war, crime, even wrestling." Nevertheless,
in the media there is "no room in the inn" for religion as a "crucial
force in American life," Instead, religion receives coverage only when
scandals or violence are involved. The unspoken theme of such stories
is that religion is "irrational and hypocritical."
       Most upsetting is how the media has chosen to ignore that
"millions of Americans are searching for some clearer understanding
of the core principles of religion and how they can be applied to the
daily experience of living as well as to humanity's common destiny
and concern," said Moyers. "The most interesting stories of our time
are emerging in the intersection between the secular and the spiritual
-- between God and politics. Something is happening in America that
is worthy of the sharpest reporting and analysis."
       But the news media can't even understand what is going on.
       So, it cannot cover the phenomenon.
       The entertainment side of TV does seem to be experimenting
with inserting a little Christianity -- just to see if it will generate more
advertising dollars than sex and violence. "Christy," a weekly TV series,
tells the story of a young teacher in Appalachia. The show has actually
found a home on TV after its Christian producer's 20-year quest to
turn the popular Catherine Marshall novel into a movie.
       How did "Christy" manage to get onto the air? Well, it is being
used only as a summer substitute. It is not on the fall line-up.
       Nevertheless, the fact that the program was aired at all
demonstrates that "something's happening out there," says L. Brent
Bozell, chairman of the Media Research Center.
       In a 1993 study, his organization found religion to be nearly
invisible on network shows. It was mentioned or dealt with just 116
times in more than 1,000 hours of entertainment programming in
1993. Believers were depicted negatively 68 percent of the time.
       But "I think reality is hitting Hollywood," Bozell says, "in the sense
that Hollywood can't escape society and the devastating condition of
society."
       Networks, fending off criticism over TV violence, also are seen as
eager to move toward what Bozell deems "family values" programs
that embrace morality.
       However, Bozell says the television industry is so wrapped up in
its own view of the world, that it is having real difficulty with
programs such as "Christy."
       Bozell recalled complimenting one network executive on a show's
episode that had actually treated a religious theme respectfully. Bozell
says he mentioned to the executive a study showing that 91 percent
of Americans believe in God.
       Alarmed, "Look, we're not talking God here --we're talking
religion," the concerned executive replied.
       Believing in God, he says, "is not a controversial position," Bozell
says, "but for Hollywood it is."

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN CRUSADE NEWSPAPER?
            Christian Crusade Newspaper is in its 42nd year, has
    a worldwide circulation and is published by Christian
    Crusade, P.O. Box 977, Tulsa, OK 74102.
            It is mailed to subscribers without charge as a result
    of the conviction of its founder not to put a price-tag on the
    gospel. For a free subscription, just ask.
            Although Dr. Hargis no longer travels, editor-in-chief
    Keith Wilkerson accepts speaking invitations. Both can be
    E-mailed on America On Line as Christcrew, on GEnie as
    K.Wilkerson3, via the Internet as [e-mail], and
    on Compuserve at 72204,541.