Paying for Propaganda

(Another commentary from Janet Parshall of the Moody Broadcasting Network.)

December 14-21, 2011
Paying for Propaganda
       America is enamored with reality TV but one show is particular just might be anything but reality.

       TLC or The Learning Channel has quite the line-up of reality shows. 19 kids and counting, Kate plus 8, Sister Wives, Long Island Medium, and The Little Couple just to name a few – and there are more!

       But recently the network has added a new program entitled, All American Muslim . The web site for the show says,

        "All-American Muslim takes a look at life in Dearborn, Michigan--home to the largest mosque in the United States--through the lens of five Muslim American families. Each episode offers an intimate look at the customs and celebrations, misconceptions and conflicts these families face outside and within their own community.”

       But some are calling the show, “propaganda.” According to the Florida Family Association, All American Muslim is “propaganda that riskily hides the Islamic agenda’s clear and present danger to American liberties and traditional values.” Apparently, they are not the only ones who have concerns about what may, in fact, be a program designed to put a new face on Islam in a post-9/11 world.

       The Florida Family Association contacted Lowe’s - the national hardware store chain - and requested that their advertising be pulled from the program. Lowe’s agreed and a cultural firestorm ensued.

       Lowe’s then posted a comment on their Facebook page, apologizing for the possibility of offending some by withdrawing their advertisements. The Facebook statement also stated:

        “Lowe’s has received a significant amount of communication on this program, from every perspective possible. Individuals and groups have strong political and societal views on this topic, and this program became a lighting rod for many of those views. As a result we did pull our advertising on this program. We believe it is best to respectfully defer to communities, individuals and groups to discuss and consider such issues of importance.
       “We strongly support and respect the right of our customers, the community at large, and our employees to have different views. If we have made anyone question that commitment, we apologize.” (emphasis added)

       One California State Senator called the action “bigoted, shameful and un-American” and is demanding an apology from the CEO of the company. But is the Florida Family Association articulating a very real concern?

       All practitioners of Islam are not jihadists but all jihadists are followers of Islam. While the TLC show will follow the lives of 5 Muslim families in Michigan, I doubt the program will discuss the imprisonment of Asia Bibi in Pakistan or Pastor Yousef in Iran. It won’t talk about the lack of protection for religious minorities in Islamic dominated countries. Nor, will it vet the totalitarianism that is Sharia Law.

        Will TLC discuss the case of the Christian street evangelists who were arrested and jailed in Dearborn, Michigan for attending an Arab festival and sharing the gospel? No, that just might be a little too much reality.
        That’s my opinion. I’m Janet Parshall.
                      

© 2011 The Moody Bible Institute of ChicagoUsed as quoting with references.
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