TBN Suspends Hal Lindsey Show

Contender Ministries ^ | Dec 5th, 2005 | Jennifer Rast

[laney]

The Trinity Broadcasting Network has suspended Hal Lindsey’s television program, “International Intelligence Briefing” for the month of December, and possibly permanently. According to Lindsey’s website, his show was suspended because, “Some at the network apparently feel that my message is too pro-Israel and too anti-Muslim.” A phone call and email to TBN have not received a response yet. If and when TBN responds, I’ll update this post.

In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I’m not in 100% agreement with all of Hal Lindsey’s statements, and I’m also not the biggest fan of TBN. While many of their programs are quite enjoyable, I am troubled by others. I believe the opulent gold-gilded set of their “Praise the Lord” show sends the wrong message - one of worldly materialism. One person in the TBN hierarchy has made statements that I believe undermine orthodox Trinitarian doctrine. With that said, I don’t watch enough of TBN’s programming to make judgments beyond this. However, if TBN did suspend IIB for the reasons Lindsey has stated, this will be quite troubling. From what I have seen on Lindsey’s IIB show, he has done nothing more than express the truth regarding Islam and shared in God’s view of Israel. If Lindsey’s accusations are true, I have to wonder how much this decision has been influenced by a large, “mainline” denomination that has taken the disturbing step of divesting from Israel and blaming them for the fact that innocent Israelis get blown apart by Palestinian terrorists.

As more information is available on this, I’ll share it.

[Tazzer]

TBN is a commercial enterprise as well as a Christian television network and thus Lindsey's possible departure is simple nobody's watching.

[highlander_UW]

I believe TBN now says that they pulled the show just for December to air Christmas programming. There does seem to be a difference in stories from Hal Lindsey and TBN.

[Xenalyte]

Wojo and Fish are deeply saddened.

[laney]

Personally I like the Van Impe's...

[PhilipFreneau]

>>>While many of their programs are quite enjoyable, I am troubled by others. I believe the opulent gold-gilded set of their “Praise the Lord” show sends the wrong message - one of worldly materialism.<<<

Not to mention the master con-man, Benny Hinn.

>>>From what I have seen on Lindsey’s IIB show, he has done nothing more than express the truth regarding Islam and shared in God’s view of Israel.<<<

I have watched Lindsey's show many times, and his genuine support for Israel deserves praise, not politically correct censorship.

[PhilipFreneau]

>>>Personally I like the Van Impe's...<<<

Same here.

[Kokojmudd]

Maybe they will replace him with more Benny Hinn shows that might be offensive to Christians ..that way they can be equal opportunity offenders.

[laney]

They also have many celbrities that I guess you could say have fallen and become in large part of the TBN Programing.

[truthandlife]

I have watched that show before and it is pretty unwatchable. It looks like a newscast out of the 70's. I don't like TBN but I don't blame them for doing it.

[Lemondropkid31]

According to an article I read on World Net Daily, somebody from TBN said that they are worried about offending muslims, since their station is broadcast in the middle east, but the problem is, Hal's show is not broadcast over there, so they don't see it and probably don't even know who he is. I will find the article and post it.

[highlander_UW]

Personally I like the Van Impe's...

I've looked up scripture that he's cited and when I have, they don't always support the claims he makes...but I suppose one can write that off to differing interpretations. I do not watch Van Impe any longer(or TBN for that matter), although I know a number of people that are concerned about his embracing of the RCC, but I have not personally seen what he says on the topic.

[msnimje]

Oops, TBN just confirmed they are all about the Almighty Dollar.

[WhiteGuy]

While many of their programs are quite enjoyable, I am troubled by others

I agree. Although I liked WoJo's character, his haircut was....well silly. Also, the knots in their neckties were as big as a fist. On the other hand the episode when Harris was making vacation plans for the Poconos..............pure genius!

[laney]

Great if you can find it!

[Central Scrutiniser]

Whack jobs silencing whack jobs.

Its a good start.

Hal is one of those guys that predicts the end of the world, makes tons of money off of it, and does it again 5 years later.

No shortage of fools out there.

[laney]

Well if Crouch can turn ARAB countires to the *Good Neighbor* especially for Israel more power to them..

[diverteach]

What little credibility TBN might have had prior to this whole current episode of suspending Hal Lindsey from airing his show is completely gone.

Hal came out the day after his normally scheduled show didn't air with an explanation on his website. In summary he basically said that his show was pulled because he was specifically told his content was "to pro-Israel" and "anti-muslim". When TBN was contacted to confirm this they categorically denied 100% that this was not true. The next day a TBN spokesman came out and retracted it.

For a so called Christian ministry, one who profess's be a friend to the Jewish community, to deny that the truth be told regardless of whom it might offend about the Israeli/Arab conflict, merely to be PC, shows a complete lack a spine. (our elected officials seem to have the same problem)

[laney]

Some of the programming on TBN is good, the preacher from IN Touch Ministires is an awesome speaker IMO. They also show some decent films on Sundays.

[Lemondropkid31]

Here is is
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=47691

---

---

MEDIA MATTERS
TBN admits concern about offending Muslims
Network revises statement on pre-emption of Hal Lindsey show

---

Posted: December 2, 2005
1:45 a.m. Eastern


By Art Moore
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com



Hal Lindsey
After insisting the pre-emption of Hal Lindsey's television show had nothing to do with content, a Trinity Broadcasting Network spokesman retracted his statement, admitting officials were concerned, at least secondarily, about offending Arabs and Muslims.

As WorldNetDaily reported, John Casoria, general counsel for the network, responded yesterday to Lindsey's contention that the weekly program "International Intelligence Briefing" had been canceled for December, and possibly permanently, because its message was deemed "too pro-Israel and too anti-Muslim."


Casoria initially replied, "That is absolutely, 100 percent false."

But now, after talking with network programming officials, he says a secondary reason for pre-empting the show was that it "placed Arabs in a negative light."

The overwhelming reason, he still insists, is TBN requires all its programming during December to have a Christmas theme.

"When a programmer chooses not to do so, they are pre-empted so that TBN can focus its attention on the holidays," Casoria said. "Hal is very well aware of this."

Casoria said a "letter generally goes out to all the programmers letting them know this is the case," pointing out at least 20 other programs have been pre-empted because they didn't have a Christmas theme.

But Lindsey told WND this was the first time he had been pre-empted for the entire month of December, noting his program previously had been replaced only the week before Christmas.

He also pointed out TBN had him come in Tuesday to tape this week's show but informed him afterward, "through the chain of command," to stop production because they didn't like the script.

Lindsey, a WND columnist, said he has to drive 130 miles to the network's studios in Orange County, California, to record the show.

Casoria said he could not recall specific examples from Lindsey's programs that were anti-Arab or anti-Muslim, but he expressed the network's concern about how Muslims are portrayed.

"TBN is a worldwide ministry; we have an entire channel that airs 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Arabic," he said. "We are trying to reach the Islamic world and open a dialogue with them regarding Christ and Christianity."

Casoria explained, "We do not feel that the best witness of Christ is to bash them but rather to show them the nature of Christ – the way Christ said to present himself – and that is through love, understanding and the presentation of the gospel to them."

Lindsey argued, however, his program is not shown in the Middle East.

"My show is produced for the Western world and for Christians who are at the most risk from radical Islam," he said.

Lindsey said that in the show that was canceled this week, he made a clear distinction between Muslims seeking jihad and those who want only a job and normal life for their families.

"I cast radical Muslims in a bad light," he said, "showing how they are intimidating and persecuting moderate Muslims in the Middle East."

Casoria said he believes the extremists are not Muslims at all but have "hijacked the religion."

As a Christian, he sees Islam as a false religion – believing there is only one way to God, through Jesus Christ – but he says Islam basically is peaceful.

"That's where we violently disagree," Lindsey said. "Islam is not a peaceful religion; although there may be moderate Muslims, it's because they have not become followers of the Quran."

Lindsey said in a message to supporters on his website that TBN's decision is "confusing to me because my message is the same as it has been for the entire 12 years of presenting the IIB program. It has not changed one iota."

Asked to respond, Casoria said, speaking personally, "Hal Lindsey's program has clearly changed over the last 12 years, as has Hal Lindsey."

"If you look at his earlier writings and you look at what he writes today, there is definitely a hard edge," he said. "That's my personal feeling."

Lindsey responded, "I doubt if he's read anything I've ever written."

"If there is any hard edge to what I'm saying now, it's post 9-11, when the threat from radical Islam has became readily apparent," Lindsey said. "It's been since that time that my program has soared in the ratings."

After the program didn't turn up in its usual Wednesday time slot, viewers began contacting the network, and by yesterday afternoon, a flood of calls had shut down the switchboard, Lindsey said.



Casoria said "International Intelligence Briefing" would be back on the air in January, but Lindsey claims he was told the show's future would be discussed in the new year.

Asked to respond, Casoria said, "If that statement was made by Hal Lindsey, I think it's a little paranoia on his part."

Casoria said Lindsey and TBN chief Paul Crouch, who founded the network with his wife Jan, have been friends for a long time.

"I'm sure these very reasonable men can resolve these issues," said Casoria, a nephew of the Crouches.

Lindsey said he has "no axe to grind."

I've been happy with my opportunities at TBN," he said. "I'm happy with the platform I've had."