The following excerpt is from Chapter 7 of "The Man the Networks Love to Hate," written by Dr. Donald E. Wildmon. Published in 1989, the book is no longer in print.

Chapter 7

I Discover What’s Behind It All

My view through the tiny airplane window made me marvel at God’s creative majesty. Jagged snow-covered mountain peaks stretched to the horizon in almost every direction. Several thousand feet below I could see the sky blue waters of Lake Dillon. And with a little help from the flight attendant, I spotted the grass covered slopes at the famous Breckenridge, Keystone and Copper Mountain ski areas.

A few minutes later the noisy Rocky Mountain Airways propeller plane began its descent toward Vail, Colorado. Another look through my window revealed that we would be touching down in a long narrow valley between two mountains.

One was covered with wide snake-like trails which I supposed would soon be topped with snow and teaming with skiers. I also had a bird’s-eye view of countless condominiums, hotels and fancy homes built on the level area at the mountain’s base.

But I wasn’t flying into Colorado’s most famous resort community for a vacation. In fact, Vail Colorado, was just about the last place I wanted to be on that late September 1981 day. That’s because my briefcase contained a speech that I wished for the life of me I didn’t have to deliver.

After all, people connected with and sympathetic to the networks were already calling me practically every name imaginable simply because I was trying to do something about televised sex and violence. Now that I was about to charge the big three networks with “religious discrimination,” I figured many Don Wildmon haters would assume I had gone off the deep end.

However, I knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that I was right. Gene Mater’s antagonism toward my Christian faith the previous June had convinced me of that. And now the time had come to publicly tell the truth—the truth I had first seen, yet didn’t want to believe, two and a half years earlier.

At that time I discerned there was something else wrong with network television besides exploitive sex, violence and profanity. But for several months I couldn’t pinpoint the problem.

Then one evening in March 1979 I watched an NBC movie called The Cracker Factory and wondered, “Is this it? Is this the problem?” Set in a mental institution, the lead character is a severely depressed, alcoholic housewife in need of psychiatric treatment. Interestingly the movie implicates her husband’s Christian faith as a prime reason for her drinking and depression.

Meanwhile not even a hint of compassion, love or understanding emanates from her Roman Catholic priest. Instead, he is presented as obnoxiously cruel and uncaring. In other words, the only two characters identified as Christian were portrayed in a highly derogatory manner.

After that night I paid special attention to the way Christianity and individual Christians were depicted in TV programming. And as the months rolled by I began to spot three trends.

One: Christianity and/or faith in God, as well as characters identified as Christian, were primarily confined to programming set long ago.

Two: Christianity and/or religious dimensions of life were conspicuously absent from shows set in modern settings.

Three: When present-day characters were identified as Christian, they tended to be stereotyped as closed minded, ignorant fools. They also tended to be portrayed as liars, cheaters and/or adulterers. I especially noticed that fictional TV ministers and evangelists usually seemed to have a “habit of breaking one or two of the more conspicuous commandments,” as Tom Shales of the Washington Post described the one who appeared regularly on NBC’s salacious 1980 serial Number 96.

Hoping that my observations would be proved wrong, I developed a new monitoring study in the spring of 1980. It specifically charted how Christians and Christian values were depicted on prime time. Five hundred volunteer monitors did the job. And 12 weeks and 742 hours of programming later, the verdict was in.

Sadly the study revealed that prime-time network television was the “unrecognized foe of the Christian faith and its values,” as I told NFD supporters and friends after tabulating and analyzing the results. Indeed I found that present-day “Christian” characters were portrayed “unfavorably” and “very unfavorably” far more often than they were depicted in a “favorable” light.

However, with the exception of occasional comments to my core constituency, I said virtually nothing about this discriminatory phenomenon for more than a year. One reason for my silence was because I knew of no one else who was talking about this problem. Hence I wanted to take plenty of time to observe even more programming and collect additional data.

I also knew that any statement charging the networks with an anti-religious and specifically an anti-Christian bias would be viewed as radical. I sensed that this charge would bring on yet another round of vicious criticism. Quite frankly, I did not relish that thought.

But when Gene Mater condescendingly called my selective buying efforts “immoral” and said my faith-inspired actions were “cloaked in a self-assumed aura of religious respectability.” I realized that somebody had to speak out. Someone had to confront the television industry with truth. And if that somebody happened to be Don Wildmon, then so be it.

Consequently when I received a surprising invitation to “address my concerns” to television professionals attending the National Broadcasters’ Association for Community Affairs (NBACA) convention, I decided I would indeed candidly address my concerns. NBACA members, who are primarily responsible for community-oriented programming on network affiliate stations, would be the first to hear my discomforting conclusions. And that’s why I was flying into Vail carrying a speech entitled, “Religious Discrimination on Network Television.”

Telling It Like It Is

In contrast to my limousine ride prior to the Gene Mater debate, I didn’t feel like Daniel on his way to the lion’s den. That’s because I didn’t expect any surprises. I already knew everything I was going to say, as unpleasant as some of it was. Though I normally speak from an outline and rough notes, I had decided to type my speech and read it because I was breaking new ground. After the speech I supposed I’d answer a few questions and then leave.

Nevertheless, I felt a few butterflies dancing in my stomach as I arrived at the convention center. I was scheduled to speak right after dinner, which I barely touched. Those butterflies had turned into a kind of queasy, sinking feeling that left me a bit light-headed. And I began to wonder if I might be getting myself into more trouble than I had bargained for.

As I stepped up to the podium I heard the hollow sound of scattered, noticeably unenthusiastic applause. I glanced at the 300 or so mostly expressionless faces pointed in my direction, took a deep breath and looked down through my bifocals.

“Years ago we decided that discrimination based upon skin color, national origin or religious preference was unacceptable in this country,” I began, “of course, everyone knows that the struggle to eradicate this ugly and unfair discrimination—much of it deeply rooted in society—has been difficult.

“However, to our credit,” I continued, trying not to sound like I was reading, “our society has come a long way in helping to correct prejudice-driven behavior.” Then, after briefly describing gradual yet marked improvements in the treatment of minorities, I noted that significant strides had been made toward eliminating religious discrimination, too.

“But one very important institution in our society still practices religious discrimination,” I stressed, getting right to the point. “And that institution,” I added, after a short dramatic pause, “is network television!”

“G—d---,” swore one gentleman at a front table, loud enough so I could hear him.

“That’s bull sh--,” exclaimed another man near the back, loud enough so everyone in the room could hear. “Pure bull sh--!”

“Aw…p—off,” voiced someone else, again clearly discernible to all.

I could not believe my ears. I realized that my research and observation-based conclusion would not be popular with this predominantly pro-network audience. But I never dreamed it would be greeted by an outpouring of profanity. Somewhat startled, I took a moment to collect by wits before moving on.

“It takes no genius to notice that religion, religious people and religious values are generally excluded on network television,” I continued, trying not to sound rattled. “And when religion, religious people and religious values are depicted on network television, it is usually in a negative connotation.”

Once again my statement was met by an onslaught of gutter-level jargon. The distraction made me temporarily lose my place and I groped to get back on track.

Once I found my spot, I began explaining my discovery that network television tends to depict religion as something that had meaning in the past put is not relevant in today’s society. To illustrate my point, I referred to two of the most-watched programs in the Wildmon household—NBC’s Little House on the Prairie and CBS’s The Waltons.

“Little House,” I said, “set in the 19^th century, consistently depicts religion as a significant part of the character’s lives. The Waltons, set in the early 20^th century, portrays religion in a much more cursory manner. And the closer you get to a modern day setting, the less relevant religion becomes to everyday life.

“For example,” I continued, “M.A.S.H. basically depicts religion as funny and harmless, primarily suited for the naïve.”

Then I said, “to my knowledge there is not a single continuing series on network television which shows anyone who has a continuing meaningful relationship to a religious body which is set in a modern day setting. Nor has there been such a series in some time.”

As I continued to speak, so did many of the audience members. You name it, they said it! And as you might expect, their taunting made it harder and harder to concentrate.

As I struggled on, my mind flashed back to other candid speeches I had made before essentially unfriendly audiences. Without exception, they had politely and courteously listened to what I had to say, and I expected the same from this group.

Hence, their reaction just didn’t make sense. Especially perplexing was the fact that the rude behavior wasn’t limited to just a few. It seemed like several dozen public affairs directors had gotten into the act. But I didn’t have much opportunity to analyze the bizarre scenario. I needed all my faculties just to keep reading.

“More than 80 million Americans go to church regularly,” I pointed out as the audience grew even more restless. “But rarely on television.

“People make decisions based upon Christian principles….but rarely on television.

“People pray…but rarely on television.

“Every community in America has churches and synagogues which contribute to their local communities and this country…but they hardly exit on television.

“About the only time one hears the name of God on network television” I said, “is when His name is used in a profane manner.

“And all too often,” I went on, “when individuals are identified as Christians in programs which air on the networks, they are characters only to scorn, prompt revulsion and to ridicule.

“In fact,” I added, “I cannot remember seeing a program on network television set in a modern setting which depicted a Christian as a warm, compassionate, intelligent or gifted human being.”

The blatant animosity and back-room language directed toward me seemed to increase with each point. Indeed, the air in the room literally felt laden with anger. I say that because there seemed to be some kind of eerie, invisible force pressing down on my shoulders.

Though I didn’t sense that I was in any physical danger, I took a quick glance around the room just in case. It was not comforting to discover that there was only one way out—right through the middle of the hostile crowd!

About that time my mouth became so dry I was having difficulty pronouncing some words. So I stopped long enough to take a swig of water. That also gave me a moment to regain by composure.

When I did, I described how network television has taken many Judeo-Christian religious values (i.e., martial and pre-marital infidelity, honesty and integrity in dealing with others, a helpful or service-minded attitude, stewardship, forgiveness, etc.) and ridiculed, belittled or basically ignored them. However, as I spoke I no longer cared about the supporting material I had included to back my statements. I just wanted to finish my speech and get out of there.

“No one denies that any and all Christians have their faults and failures,” I said as I thumbed through the rest of my manuscript trying to decide what to cut, “but to continually present Christians, their values and culture in a negative light is a gross injustice.

“Christian people are a patient people,” I added after skipping several pages. “I believe that his patience, born of agape love, has been misunderstood by those calling th shots at the networks. It seems to have been interpreted as a sign of weakness.

“Our patience is exhausted,” I went on s the gutter language coming from the audience continued. “No longer will those of us who cherish our religious heritage and values accept being treated as non-people of continually portrayed in a negative light.

“Christians provide more than $3 billion a year to network television,” I pointed out, preparing to wrap things up. “And what do we get in return? Precious little other than exclusion, scorn and ridicule. This ugly, intentional and patent discrimination must end!”

On that note, I breathed a sigh of relief and quickly grabbed my papers, which were now spread out all over the podium. A few people clapped while I hurried off the platform. Several others continued the taunting. Most of the audience just sat there.

But I didn’t care. I was just glad to get back to my seat and have the unusual ordeal over with.

I soon began feeling better after the meeting was dismissed. That’s because I was immediately surrounded by a small cluster of friends, not foes. They all had been embarrassed and outraged by the crude behavior exhibited by their peers.

I was especially encouraged by a young black woman representing a large TV station in my home state. After apologizing profusely, she told me she essentially agreed with me. Then she thanked me for having the courage to tell it like it is.

Still, it was the most bizarre experience I’ve ever had. And I might add, I was not sorry to leave Vail.

During the next several weeks I frequently asked myself, Why did my speech trigger an avalanche of profanity-laced hostility from this group of well-educated, cultured and, under most circumstances, dignified broadcasting professionals?

I eventually concluded that I had struck a sensitive nerve with a fiery dart of truth—a truth that these television industry insiders found extremely threatening. I believed that I had exposed something significant that a whole host of people, for some inexplicable reason, didn’t want exposed.

Convinced more that ever that I had hit the nail on the head, I directly confronted the big boys on Network Row in mid-November 1981. In personal letters to Thornton Bradshaw, chairman of RCA (which at the time owned NBC), CBS chairman William Paley and ABC Chairman Leonard Goldenson, I repeated all the key points I had made in Vail.

I also reminded them of the standard line executives from their network use to justify sex, violence and profanity in programming: “We/re only depict8ing life as it is.” With that claim in mind, I asked that they insert Christian characters, culture and values into their entertainment programming to make it more commensurate with concrete steps to stop what I called “this ugly anti-Christian bigotry.” (I used strong, forceful language to get their attention and make sure they knew exactly what I was talking about.)

As it turned out, I didn’t have to wait more than two weeks for their answer. Within a matter of days executives from each network apparently put their heads together for a “how-do-we-deal-with-Wildmon-this-time?” powwow.

I’m guessing that’s what happened because all three responses arrived in my Tupelo mailbox during Thanksgiving weekend and all three replies read like they were written by the same person.

Gene Mater, responding for CBS, called my letter “intemperate and extreme.” Then he added, “We categorically reject your unfounded accusations.”

ABC President John C. Severion, answering for his boss, entirely rejected my “blanket allegations of religious discrimination.” And not surprisingly, new NBC President Raymond J. Timothy rejected my “intemperate and groundless charges” as well. “You offer no example to back these allegations,” he scolded.

I could only smile at the irony of Timothy’s reply. That’s because I knew that the very day my letter had arrived at NBC’s New York headquarters, his network had insulted the Christian faith and had figuratively slapped millions of Christians in the face.

It happened during The George Burns Early, Early, Early Christmas Special when five scantily-clad Playboy Playmate “carolers” serenaded the octogenarian comic. But instead of singing Christmas-related numbers, they offered a rousing rendition of the song My Body Keeps Changing My Mind. Naturally (no pun intended), these former centerfolds all appeared nude in that month’s Playboy magazine.

In other words, NBC had used the occasion to promote a magazine which propagates hedonistic values diametrically opposed to the teaching of the One whom the special was named for.

A few weeks later NBC once again demonstrated contempt for the Christian faith on Saturday Night Live. During one blasphemous skit, an actor hyped a mock “morn-again rock and roll collection” called “Jesus in Blue Jeans.” With cynical evangelistic fervor, he promised that the music will “deliver your children from evil.” “Send for the record today, he impassionedly added, “or burn in hell-fire eternal.”

The offensive spoof also included recorded parodies of several popular songs. For example, “Help Me Rhonda” by the Beach Boys became “Help me Jesus, help, help me Jesus.” Meanwhile, as the chorus sang, “Yummy, yummy, yummy I’ve got God in my tummy,” a painting of The Last Supper flashed on the screen. Other not so humorous titles included “Hound God,” “Why Don’t We Get Drunk and Pray” and “Holy Ghost Writers in the Sky.”

As the weeks rolled by, blatant examples such as “Jesus in Blue Jeans,” which NBC’s Ray Timothy claimed did not exist, continued to appear on television. It seemed like every issue of my journal included descriptions of two, three and sometimes more instances of anti-Christian programming on Timothy’s network alone.

Though at first I stood virtually alone in my criticism, soon other concerned Christian leaders began to join me in taking the networks to task. For example, the Rev. Dr. Militiades B. Efthimiou, a top-level official with the Greek Orthodox Church in America, wrote me asking for help in protesting what he called the “religious bigotry” exhibited by NBC’s “portrayal of an Orthodox Christian priest.

Dr. Efthimiou had outraged by a 1982 episode of Taxi. (A staple at ABC for four years, Taxi had been picked up by NBC for its fifth and final season.) Lakta, played by Andy Kaufman, had just had an adulterous fling with a co-worker, which had caused a rift in his marriage to Simka. So the two paid a visit to their priest, Rev. Gorky.

“Since Latka sinned with someone he worked with,” Rev. Gorky tells the couple, “Simka must sin with someone Latka works with.”

“Latka, we are religious people,” Simka proclaimed after Rev. Gorky exits. “We are Orthodox. Our church has told us what we must do. And we must obey if we are to remain married.”

“You mean to tell me you are going to sleep with one of my friends?” Latka responds. Then, as Simka nods affirmatively, he adds, “Baby, you’re the greatest.”

That scene promoted these words from Dr. Efthimious to NBC: “The suggestion that any priest, especially an Orthodox priest, would desecrate the sacrament of confession by counseling a parishioner to commit adultery is blasphemous.”

I agreed. Yet NBC seemed oblivious to the concerns expressed by a steadily growing number of Christians. It also became apparent that NBC officials had no intention of complying with their own Broadcast Standards for Television manual.

Their manual specifically states, “In general, programs should…endeavor to depict men, women and children in a positive manner.” It also says every effort should be made to avoid airing material which “incites prejudice” or “offends legitimate sensitivities.” Regarding religion or religious characters, NBC’s written guidelines specifically call for “special sensitivity…to avoid contributing to damaging or demeaning stereotypes.”

Still, NBC continued to regularly air programs such as Sister, Sister and Celebrity. Sister, Sister’s primary character was a hypocritical, married minister who stole money from the church treasury and went to bed with women in his congregation.

The miniseries Celebrit featured the exploits of a fictitious faith healer and evangelist named Thomas Jeremiah Luther. In addition to being an unrepentant liar, swindler, fraud, thief, extortioner, rapists and murderer, he also headed a pro-life, pro-family, pro-church and pro-morality movement called The Right Side. The implications were obvious.

.American Family Association – Tupelo, MS 38803