RELIGIOUS PROPAGANDA ON RADIO

Monitoring of the Media

Most of the radio programs which we cited here are produced by Evangelical or Fundamentalist Christian ministries. This is not intended to be an attack on conservative Christianity. It is just that the vast majority of religious programs are produced by conservative Christians.

Religious Propaganda on Radio

• Focus on the Family (Syndicated program heard on hundreds of North American radio; 1995-JUL-19)
  Dr. James Dobson was describing a policy of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education" which requires all medical schools to train some of their residents to be able to perform elective abortions. The phrases "all the students" and "all the residents" were used during the talk. Many listeners would have concluded that all medical students or residents would have to be trained in the procedure. In reality, the Council's ruling only applies to obstetric and gynecology residents. To his credit, Dr. Dobson did clear up any false impression on the following day's broadcast.

  Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council asked the listeners to phone Washington and indicate their opposition to this decision by the Accreditation Council. If the Council's decision is overruled by the Federal Government, then some Ob/Gyn residents will graduate without the knowledge needed to perform a first trimester abortion. Women, for whom a pregnancy could prove fatal might then go to their Obstetrician and find out that their doctor was unable perform the abortion needed to save their life.

• Focus on the Family (Syndicated program heard on hundreds of North American radio; 1995-JUL-19)
  Dr. Dobson described a procedure which he called a Partial Birth Abortion. He described what he called a type of "Nazi era experimentation" in which a full term fetus is in the process of being delivered. With its head in the birth canal, the doctor puts "a pair of scissors into the back of the head and spreads the wound, exposing the brain. And then they inject a cannula (a tube) that has a suction device on it and they suck the brain matter out of a living, viable baby for use in medical experiments". The impression given was that this is an optional procedure done by researchers eager to study brain functions, who didn't mind killing an about-to-be-born fetus. If this procedure were done as described, then it would be indeed be similar to experiments conducted by Nazis. Fortunately, it is not done.

  The term abortion means the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus is viable (i.e. able to live on its own, at perhaps the 24th week of pregnancy). Some abortions are spontaneous, and are popularly called miscarriages. Others are as a result of medical intervention. Medical societies in the various states and provinces of North America prohibit doctors from intentionally terminating pregnancies beyond a certain stage - typically after 20 or 21 weeks gestation. The term Partial Birth Abortion is thus an oxymoron (a self-contradictory term). Any doctor performing such a procedure on a viable fetus during an uneventful delivery could have her/his license terminated. It would only be done under an extraordinary condition, such as:

  • the fetus was dead - a still birth was about to occur
  • the fetus had no brain, and thus was not viable
  • continued delivery would kill or very seriously injure the woman
  In fact, pregnancies are only terminated in the third trimester (6th month of gestation to near birth) because of overwhelming health concerns. And then they are usually terminated by hysterotomies (Cesarean section).
• Canadian Perspective (WMHI, Cape Vincent NY and a network of Canadian secular stations; 1995-JUL-19)
  Laurie Zlatanovski, of Frontenac Coalition of Concerned Citizens was discussing Bill C-41. This is a Canadian Federal Government bill that is expected to become law shortly. She said "it's a hate crime bill and it's to protect. Unfortunately, what's happened is that the homosexuals are being given special rights. We as Christians don't feel that people who have chosen this lifestyle. [sic] this is a lifestyle; this is not somebody who is coloured or of a different [sic]. This is a lifestyle that they have chosen. And its a damaging lifestyle. We're not going to support them." OCRT Comments: Ms. Zlatanovski appears to make a number of points:
  • Bill C41 is a hate crime bill. Actually, it is a sentencing bill. Its title is "An act to amend the Criminal Code (sentencing)." It contains a small section [718.2 (a) (i)] which recommends increased sentences for crimes motivated by hatred of a group. For example, if an individual assaulted a neighbor over a property dispute, they might be given a certain sentence; if an individual assaulted a stranger because of the latter's religion, they that sentence would be lengthened.
  • homosexuals are being given special rights. Actually, they are not. The bill covers hate crimes which victimize a person because of their "race, nationality, colour, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability or sexual orientation". Gays and lesbians are obviously not being given special privileges; just the same protection as is being given to asexuals, bisexuals, heterosexuals, Christians, Buddhists, women, old folks, etc.
  • homosexuality is a chosen lifestyle A substantial majority of researchers into human sexuality agree that one's sexual orientation is determined during childhood, and cannot be changed.
  • it's OK to have laws that protect people of different colours or nationalities; but it is not OK to protect people on the basis of their choices. In that case, crimes based on religious hatred would be exempt from the law; nobody has proposed that change.
  • homosexuality is a damaging lifestyle. This might be a reference to AIDS. It should be noted that lesbians have a much lower infection for AIDS and other STDs than do heterosexuals.
  • Christians are not going to support homosexuals. That is not the issue here. The issue relates to a person who goes "gay bashing" and assaults a stranger at random because the latter is perceived to be a homosexual. The motivation behind the assault is often to terrorize the gay and lesbian community. The question is whether that crime should receive a longer sentence than a common assault.
• Canadian Perspective (WMHI, Cape Vincent NY and a network of Canadian secular stations; 1995-JUL-18)
  Laurie Zlatanovski, of Frontenac Coalition of Concerned Citizens said that "It's medical fact that the pores in the condom are large enough for the HIV virus to pass right through. So its like playing Russian Roulette to put a condom on and think that you are having safe sex."
  [OCRT comment: The HIV virus causes AIDS. Latex condoms, which are available in a bewildering array of colours, and shapes at every pharmacy, have no pores and provide a barrier against the HIV virus. "Natural" condoms (made of sheep intestines) are rarely found for sale; they do have pores and lack effectiveness. Most clinics recommend that they not be used. In the area covered by the radio broadcast, natural condoms must be specially ordered.]
• Through the Bible Program (Syndicated program heard throughout the world; 1995-JUL-14)
  Rev. McGee:
  • linked Satanism with criminal activity
  • said that [presumably illicit] sexual activities is at the heart of the occult
  • said that the citizens of India are suffering because they are "bound down by the fetters" of their religion [presumably Hinduism].
• Open Mike - Live (Mars Hill Network [upstate New York USA]; 1995-JUL-14)
  Nick Costello, of Combat Zone Ministries
  • said that heavy metal T-shirts promote Satanism
  • said that 20% of young women who enter into a pre-marital sexual relationship with a person that they deeply love will contract AIDS.
    [OCRT comment: this number is hopelessly inflated]

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