Religious and Community Leaders Protest CBS,
suzia/andrea, 03.12.2004 09:46
The United Church of Christ who funded citizens to apply for LPFM licenses (so that church and corporate monopolies could not take over the airwaves) are being black balled for a commercial that invites everyone to be a child of god....see below. the UCC is an excellent friend in community organizing.
News Advisory – Religious and Community Leaders Protest CBS, NBC
The CBS and NBC television networks are refusing to run a 30-second television ad from the United Church of Christ because its all-inclusive welcome has been deemed "too controversial."
The ad, part of the denomination's new, broad identity campaign set to begin airing nationwide on Dec. 1, states that -- like Jesus -- the United Church of Christ seeks to welcome all people, regardless of ability, age, race, economic circumstance or sexual orientation. www.ucc.org
The debut 30-second commercial features two muscle-bound "bouncers" standing guard outside a symbolic, picturesque church and selecting which persons are permitted to attend Sunday services. 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' extravagant welcome: "No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here." The ad can be viewed online at www.stillspeaking.com
According to a written explanation from CBS, the United Church of Christ is being denied network access because its ad implies acceptance of gay and lesbian couples -- among other minority constituencies -- and is, therefore, too "controversial."
"Because this commercial touches on the exclusion of gay couples and other minority groups by other individuals and organizations," reads an explanation from CBS, "and the fact 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 on the [CBS and UPN] networks." Similarly, a rejection by NBC declared the spot too controversial." The ad has been accepted and will air on a number of networks including ABC Family, AMC, BET, Discovery, FOX, Hallmark, History, Nick at Nite, TBS, TNT, Travel and TV Land, among others.
The Rev. Eugene Ross, Co-Conference Minister of the CPCUCC, stated “While no aspect of the UCC’s paid advertisement pertains to gay marriage, it does deal with the issue of exclusion, which is not part of our Christian faith,” adding, “What we do feel is exclusionary is our access to the public airwaves limited by White House edict – and that is unacceptable.”
Religious and Community Leaders Protest CBS, NBC Decisions Refusal to Air United Church of Christ Advertisement. Friday, December 3, 2004, 1:30, First Congregational Church United Church of Christ 37 SW Broadway, Portland 503 228 7219
Speakers: The Rev. Eugene Ross, Co-Conference Minister, United Church of Christ The Rev. Ed Evans, Proclamation, Identity, Communication,United Church of Christ
The Rev. Tara Wilkins, Director of the Community of Welcoming Congregations. Mr. Bob Baker, Development and Communications Director Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.
Plus, other leaders from other faiths and community organizations who will distribute printed statements. The sanctuary will be visually dressed with the diversity of the UCC and its local supporters.
In Portland, KOIN TV (CBS affiliate) management has viewed the 30-second spot and questions the national network policy about this. KOIN TV is owned and operated by Emmis Communications. As of r pm, Thursday, Dec. 2, KGW TV (NBC affiliate) management had not responded to local UCC leadership about their position. KGW TV is owned by the Belo Corporation.
The United Church of Christ's national offices -- located in Cleveland -- speak to, but not for, its nearly 6,000 congregations and 1.3 million members. In the spirit of the denomination's rich tradition, UCC congregations remain autonomous, but also strongly in covenant with each other and with the denomination's regional and national bodies. The church’s forefathers and mothers arrived on the Mayflower, helped the men and women of the Amistad slave ship secure freedom, and gave shape and form to this country’s constitution.
Campaign genesis: “The God is Still Speaking” slogan was inspired by a quote by comedian Gracie Allen who wrote a special note to her husband, George, nearing her death, “never place a period, where God has placed a comma.” Hence the logo, a black comma on a red background.
Andrea Cano, UCC Justice and Peace Action Network 503 731 8874 or 503 804 2785 (cell)
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