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Written by Rev Michael Bresciani
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Sunday, 09 March 2008 |
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Word Count: 853 Trinity Broadcasting Network Honored by Parents Television Council
What would Commissioner Minow so well known for his “vast wasteland” speech
say about television today? In fact it would be a scathing assessment by any
stretch of the imagination considering what he thought of the tube’s best
offerings in 1961. Minow said “I invite you to sit down in front of your
television set when your station goes on the air and stay there without a book,
magazine, newspaper, profit-and-loss sheet or rating book to distract you — and
keep your eyes glued to that set until the station signs off. I can assure you
that you will observe a vast wasteland."
Commissioner Minow’s “Vast Wasteland” speech was and is resounded across the
globe to this day. Why, because what was bad then has graduated to unbelievable,
or is it un-mentionable in today’s TV offerings.
Rather than being the light at the end of the tunnel TBN (Trinity Broadcasting
Network) under the leadership of Paul and Jan Crouch may be the only light in
the tunnel. The prestigious Parents and Television Council (PTC) agrees with
this broad assessment of TBN and not without good reason.
On February 29, 2008, the PTC awarded its much coveted “Entertainment Seal of
Approval” to TBN, JCTV and Jan Crouch’s “Smile of a Child.” The approval from
the PTC is hard won because it requires that the programming must offer positive
family values and decency. It is what PTC doesn’t want to see that is also the
measure by which the award is given. It turns out that what PTC doesn’t want to
see is exactly the same as what most concerned and responsible parents don’t
want to see. There must be no sex, violence or profanity for the PTC to even
give the programming the nod.
WDC Media quoted William Binford the director of Verizon FiOS TV in a press
release issued February 28, 2008. Binford said “Providing the full complement of
TBN services gives our customers many opportunities to view wholesome
programming that is appropriate for the entire family to watch together."
TBN has been offering an alternative to slipshod broadcasting for nearly four
decades now and it seems to be getting better even as the rest of TV is
approaching the speed of disgusting. TBN offers JCTV, a fabulous alternative to
cartoon and anime tripe and reality shows that foster selfishness and prurient
themes. Extreme sports, reality shows, Teen talk, and shows like the hilarious
Pastor Greg are filling the gap for families who have gone to the edge where the
TV almost gets thrown into the trash.
Dr. Ted Baehr a contributing writer for The World Net Daily and the chairman of
the Christian Film and Television Commission and the publisher of the best movie
review site on the internet, “MOVIEGUIDE” says “Bravo” to TBN. Others around the
broadcasting world are adding their accolades as well.
The difference TBN makes is love. If we love our own children it is good but
according to Christ that is not enough. In fact to just love your own is only
entry level behavior in God’s kingdom. Jesus asked the question “For if ye love
them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love
them.” (Luke 6:32) TBN loves all children across the globe and shows that love
to them with the finest broadcasting standards in the world.
In the secular world view the death of innocence allegedly gives rise to
heightened wisdom and personal freedom. Any world view can be simply reversed to
discover the will of God. Secular views are always diametrically opposed to
God’s revealed will.
The secular view says the death of innocence is good for all of civilization and
is a tacit promise of utopia when we finally work out the kinks and problems, a
job relegated to evolutionary processes. In other words “don’t hold your
breath.” God says that is hooey and demands that we give up the silly notion
that deep adulthood provides life’s answers.
But if you can’t take God at his word take Commissioner Minow’s sage advice,
take a day to watch TV, no , just a couple of hours. Evolutionary processes, if
they were even remotely legitimate, can never catch up to the speed of our moral
decline. TV is the proof of that!
The Bible requires that we give up selfishness and childishness but never asks
us to give up love and childlikeness. The folks at TBN seem to understand this
and I give them a hearty “bravo” as well for their much deserved award.
Christ summed up the whole matter with a just a few words “Verily I say unto
you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter
into the kingdom of heaven.” (Mt. 18:13)
Rev Bresciani is an author and a columnist for several online and print
publications. For movie reviews, religion news, Christianity, politics, current
events and much more visit The Website for Insight at
http://www.americanprophet.org
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