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ABC, NBC reject pro-gay church ad
UCCtruths.com ^ | 12/1/2004 | James Hutchins

Posted on 12/01/2004 9:16:03 AM PST by AllTheRage

UCC: "CBS, NBC refuse to air church's television advertisement"

December 1, 2004 - According to a UCC press release, CBS and NBC have refused to air the new UCC television advertisement... and predictably, UCC leaders are going nuts.

According to the release, CBS offered this explanation:

"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."

The advertisement is controversial and a little deceiving on a number of levels. It portrays the UCC as an "Open and Affirming" denomination while strongly implying that other churches are not... but even within our own denomination, according to a UCC website, less than 10% of the churches are "Open and Affirming" (500+ out of 6,000). The advertisement goes beyond identifying why the UCC is a good and open church by trying to tag other churches as brutish thugs - and this appears to be the concern of CBS.

Of course, the facts stated in the release don't quite match up to the outrage of Robert Chase (of 'WorldCom scandal' fame) who twists the rejection into some anti-gay thing:

"We find it disturbing that the networks in question seem to have no problem exploiting gay persons through mindless comedies or titillating dramas, but when it comes to a church's loving welcome of committed gay couples, that's where they draw the line."

It's anyone's guess whether the ad campaign will be successful or not, but one fact is certain: The ad is negative and it's message is not representative of the UCC.

_______________


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
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Addtional information about the United Church of Christ is available at UCCtruths.com
1 posted on 12/01/2004 9:16:04 AM PST by AllTheRage
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To: AllTheRage

They're liberals masquerading as Christians.


2 posted on 12/01/2004 9:17:36 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: AllTheRage

bump


3 posted on 12/01/2004 9:17:46 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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To: AllTheRage

Okay, I can't say I agree with some of these church's "open and affirming" ideology regarding homosexuals. But, I don't understand why the networks would refuse to run the ad.


4 posted on 12/01/2004 9:17:53 AM PST by Bluegrass Conservative
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To: goldstategop

yes they are!


5 posted on 12/01/2004 9:18:16 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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To: AllTheRage
Oh, you mean the Unitarians Considering Christ?

Why these half measures? Why not join the Metropolitan Community Church and have done with it?

< /mild sarcasm >

6 posted on 12/01/2004 9:19:07 AM PST by AnAmericanMother (. . . Ministrix of ye Chace (recess appointment), TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary . . .)
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To: Bluegrass Conservative

It's simple - the ad blatently portrays other churches as thugs.


7 posted on 12/01/2004 9:19:37 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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To: AnAmericanMother

LOL!


8 posted on 12/01/2004 9:19:59 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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To: AllTheRage
"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."

i.e. "It's Bush's fault that we won't broadcast the ad"

What a bunch of mofo's.

9 posted on 12/01/2004 9:21:00 AM PST by Psycho_Bunny (“I know a great deal about the Middle East because I’ve been raising Arabian horses" Patrick Swazey)
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To: AllTheRage

Sounds to me as it's implying that many other churches are not open and affirming to homosexuality. Call me old-fashioned, but I like my church being portrayed that way. : ) Along the same lines, we are neither open or affirming to adultery, muder, thievery, or any other sin.


10 posted on 12/01/2004 9:21:44 AM PST by Bluegrass Conservative
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To: Bluegrass Conservative
I don't understand why the networks would refuse to run the ad.

Backlash.

11 posted on 12/01/2004 9:24:07 AM PST by MegaSilver
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To: Bluegrass Conservative

I really don't see how or why the networks would not run these ads.

A bit odd...especially considering everything else the air :)


12 posted on 12/01/2004 9:25:19 AM PST by Cheetah1
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To: MegaSilver

Backlash towards what? Aren't these the liberals that they like?


13 posted on 12/01/2004 9:25:29 AM PST by Bluegrass Conservative
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To: AllTheRage

bump


14 posted on 12/01/2004 9:25:37 AM PST by foreverfree
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To: Cheetah1

Right. I mean they can't argue content, since it's the liberal message they promote everywhere else. And it can't be because it's a church considering how often the Church of Latter-Day Saints runs commercials.


15 posted on 12/01/2004 9:26:39 AM PST by Bluegrass Conservative
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To: Bluegrass Conservative
Because it's a two-part ad.

One, "our church is open and affirming". Two, "the other churches are bigoted homophobes".

It's the #2 that scared the networks. Which says something. I'll bet a year ago they would have run the ad.

16 posted on 12/01/2004 9:27:14 AM PST by robertpaulsen
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To: AllTheRage
Don't change the headlines . . . this story doesn't even mention ABC. :-)

CBS, NBC refuse to air church's television advertisement

17 posted on 12/01/2004 9:29:02 AM PST by FoxInSocks
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To: robertpaulsen

Was part 2 said or merely implied?


18 posted on 12/01/2004 9:29:19 AM PST by Bluegrass Conservative
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To: Bluegrass Conservative

Viacommie isn't out of the closet yet. Sure they own a Gay/Lesbian channel (called LOGO) and have a lot of pro-homosexual programming on MTV, but they don't want the economic losses they would face from a CBS and UPN boycott.


19 posted on 12/01/2004 9:29:28 AM PST by weegee (WE FOUGHT ZOGBYISM November 2, 2004 - 60 Million Voters versus 60 Minutes - BUSH WINS!!!)
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To: Bluegrass Conservative

They are the liberals they can't be seen with.


20 posted on 12/01/2004 9:30:26 AM PST by weegee (WE FOUGHT ZOGBYISM November 2, 2004 - 60 Million Voters versus 60 Minutes - BUSH WINS!!!)
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To: robertpaulsen

Since the current administration is mentioned, we can only suspect that the ad WOULD have aired if Kerry had won.


21 posted on 12/01/2004 9:31:30 AM PST by weegee (WE FOUGHT ZOGBYISM November 2, 2004 - 60 Million Voters versus 60 Minutes - BUSH WINS!!!)
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To: AllTheRage
"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."

Perhaps also Viacom knows (because of their Rock the Vote and Hip Hop The Vote efforts) that this ad could be considered "advocacy" against pending legislation and put the UCC's 501c3 tax status in jeopardy.

22 posted on 12/01/2004 9:36:05 AM PST by weegee (WE FOUGHT ZOGBYISM November 2, 2004 - 60 Million Voters versus 60 Minutes - BUSH WINS!!!)
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To: FoxInSocks

Whoops! good catch. My apologies


23 posted on 12/01/2004 9:36:39 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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To: Cheetah1

Are you out of your mind? Since when has it been acceptable to bash churches in advertising?


24 posted on 12/01/2004 9:37:15 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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To: weegee; All

COrrect me if I'm wrong... but I don't think issue advocacy is out of bounds for tax-exempts... it's only a problem whenyou endorse a candidate by name.


25 posted on 12/01/2004 9:38:31 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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To: AllTheRage
Oh, so it's "Open and Affirming" for a church to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on attack ads aimed at politically incorrect churches. BTW, shouldn't the IRS step in here?

Church members "affirm" homosexuality (whatever that means), but they cannot tolerate those who disapprove of it. So much for diversity.

26 posted on 12/01/2004 9:38:59 AM PST by Innisfree
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To: Bluegrass Conservative

it's explicit - two big bouncers in front of a church telling a young male he cant come in.


27 posted on 12/01/2004 9:39:39 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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To: Innisfree

Actually they are spending 1.7 million on the campaign


28 posted on 12/01/2004 9:40:14 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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To: Bluegrass Conservative

Because they'd get the snot FReeped out of them if they ran an add that said "fundamentalists are evil." :D


29 posted on 12/01/2004 9:40:46 AM PST by Constantine XIII
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To: AllTheRage; Grampa Dave; little jeremiah; ppaul; ArGee; lentulusgracchus; Bryan; ItsOurTimeNow
BTTT


What We Can Do To Help Defeat the "Gay" Agenda


Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Version 1.1)


Myth and Reality about Homosexuality--Sexual Orientation Section, Guide to Family Issues"

30 posted on 12/01/2004 9:41:22 AM PST by EdReform (Free Republic - helping to keep our country a free republic. Thank you for your financial support!)
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To: AllTheRage

bump


31 posted on 12/01/2004 9:43:58 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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To: AllTheRage

Bouncers? At a church? Reminds me of one of my favorite songs. It's "The First Baptist Bar and Grill" and performed by comedian Tim Wilson!


32 posted on 12/01/2004 9:46:05 AM PST by Bluegrass Conservative
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To: Constantine XIII

"Fundamentalists do not accept homosexuality" and "Fundamentalists are evil" are two VERY different concepts to most FReepers! : )


33 posted on 12/01/2004 9:47:10 AM PST by Bluegrass Conservative
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To: Bluegrass Conservative

But to liberals, they are equivalent, and that's what the ad would imply.

And we'd happily nuke CBS again, and they know it. :)


34 posted on 12/01/2004 9:50:44 AM PST by Constantine XIII
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To: AllTheRage
They can speak out about an issue (in general) except when there is legislation pending on that issue. That is political advocacy. They cannot endorse/oppose legislation, a candidate, or a political party.
35 posted on 12/01/2004 9:51:00 AM PST by weegee (WE FOUGHT ZOGBYISM November 2, 2004 - 60 Million Voters versus 60 Minutes - BUSH WINS!!!)
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To: AllTheRage
Churches don't have bouncers at the door to keep sinners out, they have greeters at the door to welcome everyone to the Church.

The issue is not whether a homosexual can enter the church, we are all sinners.

The issue is whethere the church should ignore the bible and celebrate sodomy and those who continue to practice same sex sexual encounters. There is more than just Leviticus to condemn sodomy. How about the lesson of Sodom and Gomorrah? Would God be pleased to see same sex couples wedding in His church?

Should unwed mothers with a live in boyfriend be able to get photographed as a "family" for the church directory? The woman should be welcomed into the flock and celebrated for not killing her children but should we encourage cohabitation in a church setting?

36 posted on 12/01/2004 9:56:38 AM PST by weegee (WE FOUGHT ZOGBYISM November 2, 2004 - 60 Million Voters versus 60 Minutes - BUSH WINS!!!)
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To: weegee

You nailed it. The networks are telegraphing to the UCC, "You really, really don't want to run this ad right now. You think you do, but you don't."


37 posted on 12/01/2004 10:01:09 AM PST by StAnDeliver (....Dear Leftists, No more Schadenfraude already....I'm full....)
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To: Constantine XIII
"Because they'd get the snot FReeped out of them if they ran an add that said "fundamentalists are evil." :D"

Or the other way around -- if the Big3 actually ran the ad, then FReepers would have every right to run an ad that says the UCC and gay marriages are evil.

38 posted on 12/01/2004 10:04:02 AM PST by StAnDeliver (....Dear Leftists, No more Schadenfraude already....I'm full....)
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To: weegee
The issue is not whether a homosexual can enter the church, we are all sinners.

Precisely. The difference between accepting and loving the sinner versus accpting sin is near the very core of Christianity. I don't know of any Christian church that will toss a homosexual out for being one, but certainly most would not allow such a person to promote that ugly sin in their meetings.

39 posted on 12/01/2004 10:07:53 AM PST by TChris (You keep using that word. I don't think it means what yHello, I'm a TAGLINE vir)
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To: Bluegrass Conservative

LOL!


40 posted on 12/01/2004 10:44:09 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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To: Bluegrass Conservative
I don't understand why the networks would refuse to run the ad

Most likely because it will serve to strenghten conservatives outrage of the media keeping gay rights front and center and our opinion of the way the MSM manipulates what we see on TV. I think they would like things to die down after their obvious attempt to sway an American election. They are losing viewers and advertisers right and left. Damage control comes to mind.

41 posted on 12/01/2004 10:51:55 AM PST by Allosaurs_r_us (Carn<i>Well, the liberals didn't want profiling, so this is what they get insivores for Conservatism)
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To: AllTheRage

I have a real hard time crediting the purported statement from CBS, et. al. I'd like to see the original document/release.


42 posted on 12/01/2004 10:55:26 AM PST by RonF
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To: RonF; All

I would normally agree... but could you imagine the libel suit that the UCC would get hit with if they misrepresented their statement?


43 posted on 12/01/2004 10:56:47 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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To: Bluegrass Conservative
"Was part 2 said or merely implied?"

I really don't know. I used a little "artistic license" in my depiction, but according to the article, some comparison was made:

"The advertisement goes beyond identifying why the UCC is a good and open church by trying to tag other churches as brutish thugs - and this appears to be the concern of CBS."

44 posted on 12/01/2004 10:58:16 AM PST by robertpaulsen
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To: AllTheRage
... but even within our own denomination, according to a UCC website, less than 10% of the churches are "Open and Affirming" (500+ out of 6,000).

I'll refrain from commenting on the euphemism used here, and just ask: How is it that the leadership of this denomination is controlled by people who obviously do not reflect the Biblical beliefs of most of it's members?

There is some serious house cleaning that needs to be done in many Christian organizations. The time is well past when we can just ignore these wholesale hijackings.

45 posted on 12/01/2004 11:10:42 AM PST by NMR Guy
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To: StAnDeliver

The lamestream media "opposing" these ads also permits them to play "good cop/bad cop" with the UCC being the "bad" cop and the media being "good" by exercising restraint.


46 posted on 12/01/2004 11:11:29 AM PST by weegee (WE FOUGHT ZOGBYISM November 2, 2004 - 60 Million Voters versus 60 Minutes - BUSH WINS!!!)
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To: robertpaulsen
"The advertisement goes beyond identifying why the UCCDNC is a good and open churchpolitical party by trying to tag other churchesRepublicans as brutish thugs - and this appears to be the concern of CBS."

Anyone recall the advertising that showed black people being hosed down and claiming that Republicans would bring this back?

47 posted on 12/01/2004 11:15:53 AM PST by weegee (WE FOUGHT ZOGBYISM November 2, 2004 - 60 Million Voters versus 60 Minutes - BUSH WINS!!!)
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To: NMR Guy

Unfortunately, most UCC members focus on their local church and could care less what the national office is saying.


48 posted on 12/01/2004 11:25:37 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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To: EdReform; backhoe; Yehuda; Clint N. Suhks; saradippity; stage left; Yakboy; I_Love_My_Husband; ...

Homosexual Agenda Ping. Hmmm - is the left devouring itself?? Since when is CBS concerned about "balance" or not being overly pro-"gay"?


Hmmm - seems to be a shift in the wind.

Let me and ItsOurTimeNow know if anyone wants on/off this pinglist.


49 posted on 12/01/2004 11:29:35 AM PST by little jeremiah (Moral Absolutes? Do they exist? If so, what are they and where did they come from?)
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To: little jeremiah

Put me on the ping list


50 posted on 12/01/2004 11:46:43 AM PST by AllTheRage (Put yer dukes up)
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