Posted on 08/24/2007 8:46:37 PM PDT by restornu
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A Christian televangelist who harshly criticizes Islam and other religions said Friday that his late-night program is being pulled off the air because of pressure from a Muslim group.
Earlier this month, officials from the Council on American Islamic Relations wrote a letter to the TV station's owners asking for an investigation of the show it broadcasts, "Live Prayer with Bill Keller."
In a May 2 broadcast, the televangelist said Islam was a "1,400-year-old lie from the pits of hell" and called the Prophet Mohammed a "murdering pedophile." He also called the Koran a "book of fables and a book of lies."
Council officials asked for equal air time for Florida Muslims to counter Keller's comments, but never got the chance.
The hourlong show, which airs nightly at 1 a.m., is broadcast on WTOG-TV, a CBS-owned station that airs the CW network locally. WTOG station manager Laura Caruso said the decision to end Keller's contract was a programming one, made by station executives and the televangelist.
But after speaking with CBS executives, the Islamic group claimed credit for Keller's demise. His last broadcast will be Aug. 31.
"They really based their decision upon our letter," said Ramzy Kilic, the group's civil rights coordinator. "They really did not know that Bill Keller was involved with this kind of anti-Muslim rhetoric."
Keller said his "Bible-based" message hasn't changed in the five years the program has aired.
"(CAIR) intimidated the folks in New York, and the folks in New York caved in," Keller said.
Keller said he is starting a new morning TV show on another Tampa Bay area station that will debut Sept. 3.
CTR
They strike again, and again they win! Why won’t anyone stand up to them and just say pi** off?
Tolerance has reached harmful lack of limits.
So, I guess Speak Truth To Power doesn’t apply to the Right.
It appears the truth isn't allowed to be spoken in public anymore.
Sounds about right to me.
Isn't that what the televangelist did? Maybe, the speech tactic doesn't work
"Keller said he is starting a new morning TV show on another Tampa Bay area station that will debut Sept. 3."
Well....seems he may have now gotten an even better time slot.....
It appears the truth isn’t allowed to be spoken in public anymore.
The LDS America religion is an exception!:)
They can have all the air time they want on AlJeezera CAIR, etc. They can get their own show.
Can’t offend the Jews, Can’t offend the Muslims, Can’t offent the athiests, Can’t offend the Blacks, Can’t offend the Homosexuals, Can’t offend the Democrats, Can’t offend the Sicilians, Can’t offend the Asians, Can’t offend La Raza,
Where is John Wayne when you need him?
I love Bill Keller,don’t always agree with him on everything,but love his maverick evangelistic style !!!
Muslims do believe in freedom of speech...as long as it’s the correct speech. And they get to define correct.
Ha....gee....I wonder what would work.
Sure. People stand up and say it all the time.
But finding a broadcast station willing to sponsor your program to say this is another issue.
Yes, he did, and I would expect no less from him. I’m talking aboput the stupid station, who caved in and pulled his show. The guys with the power to air his show.
I would advise the Reverend to consider a suit against CAIR. Off hand (I know nothing about this case) could be tortious interference with contract possibly other causes of action depending on the situation.
Orlando FL Official Apologises to CAIR
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886287/posts
Just like the liberals.
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