The Religious Left Strikes Back
Dec. 2nd, 2004 01:55 pmHere's an item in the news that has made me feel more confident in the recent restoration of my faith in liberal religion. My concern has been that liberal religion has been too placid, and I'm seeing indications that there is a lot of energy being raised to change that. What follows is just one example.
from CBS, NBC reject 'controversial' church ad


from CBS, NBC reject 'controversial' church ad
CBS and NBC have refused to air a United Church of Christ advertisement, deeming the 30-second commercial "too controversial" because of its depiction of gay couples at a time when the Bush administration has called for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
The move outraged Des Moines-area United Church of Christ church leaders, one of whom said the networks were afraid of the reaction of evangelical Christians who oppose gay marriage.
... The ads are part of a national effort to inform the public that the denomination welcomes all people, regardless of ability, age, race, economic circumstance or sexual orientation. Billboards, posters and banners that are part of the campaign can be seen in the Des Moines area, and advertisements have appeared in Des Moines alternative weekly newspapers.
... In the rejection slip sent to United Church of Christ headquarters in Cleveland, the network [CBS] wrote: "Because this commercial touches on the exclusion of gay couples and other minority groups by other individuals and organizations, 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."
A rejection letter from NBC to church officials declared the spot was "too controversial." NBC network officials did not return calls Wednesday from a Des Moines Register reporter.
The commercial, which can be viewed online at www.stillspeaking.org, features two muscular bouncers standing guard outside a church and choosing whom to allow into services. Among those rejected are people of color and a same-sex couple.
Written text interrupts the scene, announcing, "Jesus didn't turn people away. Neither do we." A narrator then proclaims the United Church of Christ's commitment to Jesus Christ's welcome: "No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."
