An article that is of concern to our cause appeared in the Sunday School Times of June 13, 1942. This was entitled "Is Gospel Broadcasting in Danger ?" From the article we quote:
"Several weeks ago an interesting document was mailed to 'all sponsors of religious broadcasts.' It contained recommendations drafted by a committee authorized at an earlier meeting of religious broadcasters at the Institute for Education by Radio in Columbus, Ohio, and which, if adopted, would practically wipe out gospel broadcasting. The letter accompanying these recommendations states that they 'represent in general the point of view of the members of the committee, although some members maintain reservations on individual points set forth.' Here are the names of the signers:
"Louis Minsky, director of public relations, The National Conference of Christians and Jews, chairman.
"Edward J. Heffron, executive secretary, National Council of Catholic Men.
"Henrietta Harrison, radio director, National Council of the Y. M. C. A.
"Rabbi Saul B. Appelbaum, Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
"Frank C. Goodman, department of radio, Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. "John G. Becker, president, Bible Magazines, Inc.
"At first glance the membership of this committee may seem to be fairly representative of the religious public in America. . . . But when the five points in the recommendations of this committee are examined, it becomes evident that fundamental Christianity has had little, if any, voice in formulating them. Let us examine the five points.
(1) "The first is: 'That religious radio programs, received in the homes of individuals of differing religious faiths, should be addressed to a cross-section of the public—to Protestants, Catholics, Jews, and non-believers—and not to members of any one faith. Exceptions to this recommendation are special-event religious programs such as denominational conventions, eucharistic congresses, and Passover services.'
"This is a consummation long devoutly hoped for by our Modernist friends. Will all radio preaching be so pruned of any mention of sin, or of judgment, or of the sacrifice for sin that Christ made upon the cross, that none may be offended, regardless of faith ? May no one tell over the air of the need of a Saviour who is the unique and only Son of God? . . .
(2) "The second recommendation . .. reads: 'That religious programs should not attack beliefs of members of other faiths. When religious doctrines are expounded on the air, the presentation should be strictly affirmative.
"This point is closely linked with the first. It would make it impossible for a minister of the gospel to tell a Jewish hearer why he is wrong in rejecting his Messiah. It would prevent a member of a Modernist church from learning over the air that he is denying the Lord who bought him by subscribing to the manmade doctrine of a Christ who was merely a good example and a ndble teacher. . . .
(3) "The third recommendation reads 'That the broadcasting of religious programs should be provided by radio stations in keeping with their responsibility to serve the "public interest, convenience, and necessity." Religious programs, like educational broadcasts, should be presented on a sustaining basis, without payment for time.
"Here is a recommendation that at first glance would seem to rectify a wrong that has been done to gospel broadcasting for many years. As many know, there have been free-time periods for religious broadcasts for some years. The time has been somewhat evenly apportioned between the Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant faiths. But the difficulty has been that the Protestant time has been largely under the direction of the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. The policy of the Federal Council . . . has been to fill the time at its disposal with avowedly liberal speakers . . . and to exclude the simple, straightforward gospel of salvation through the blood.
"The only way that gospel programs can be put on the air under the existing setup is by the purchase of time, at regular broadcasting rates, by such individuals and organizations as Charles E. Fuller, Moody Bible Institute, Dr. Walter A. Maier, and many others. Hence this recommendation that all broadcasting of religious programs should be provided for by the radio stations or network without payment for time, instead of being a boon, would cut off practically every gospel radio program on the air today. The reason for this will be seen when the fourth recommendation is studied... . (4) "'That time available be allocated by networks or local station management in cooperation with advisory committees from the various faiths, in order to ensure fair treatment of the various religious bodies seeking representation on the air. Also, that time for religion on the air should be provided in accordance with (a) the merit of the program for which time is sought; (b) the numerical strength of the various religious faiths within the service areas of the networks or local stations."
"Here the true purpose of these five recommendations makes itself apparent. Gospel broadcasting cannot be controlled today by those who are made uncomfortable by the presentation of gospel truth because it is paid broadcasting. If all religious broadcasting in each area can be put under a committee from the various faiths, then such a control will begin to be possible. .
"Notice, too, that under this fourth recommendation the time is to be divided first in accord with 'the merit of the program.' It would be interesting to know what standard is to be used for judging such merit, and whose opinion is to be sought. Is it to be the opinion of the committee, or is it to be the opinion of the majority of the listeners? If it is to be the committee who is to decide upon this merit, perhaps an incident that occurred recently on the West Coast might be worth noting.
"The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ, concerned over the crude gospel programs on the air, took it upon themselves to put on a series of radio programs which they felt would have right tone and dignity. Each week appeals were made for letters of approval of the elaborate programs of music, both instrumental and vocal, and the messages from outstanding liberal pastors. However, at the end of a four-week period, in contrast to the thousands of letters received each week by simple, unpretentious gospel programs, this meritorious and approved series received just one letter. Believers will want to know, therefore, who is to pass on the merits of the programs proposed under this new plan. "This fourth recommendation also specifies that the time is to be allocated in accord with 'the numerical strength of the various religious faiths within the service areas of the network or local stations.' Is time for political speeches allocated under any such plan ? Are the manufacturers of intoxicants restricted in the amount of time that they are allowed by the number of users of intoxicants in a particular area ? Why, then, should religious broadcasts be put under any such limitation?
(5) "The fifth recommendation reads: 'That regular religious radio programs should not appeal for contributions, either directly or indirectly, for the support of the radio program itself. Nor should a charge for sermons, pamphlets, or religious objects, distributed through religious programs, be used by the sponsor as a means of raising funds.' This follows naturally, if the suggestion of recommendation three is adopted. There can be no question that appeals for funds have been overdone by a few religious broadcasters. But a far greater evil would be foisted on the listening public if the gospel broadcasters are restricted by unsympathetic committees or denied the support of the listening public.
"On the whole, if adopted and put into practice, these five recommendations would have the effect of clearing the air of practically all sound gospel broadcasting. The only Protestant radio voice would be either that of the openly modernistic, Bible-questioning, and blood-denying Federal Council of the Churches, or of such men who are willing to give such weak, colorless, noncommital messages as could be approved by them.
"In making these recommendations, the committee mentions the need of the times through which we are now passing. Yet the effect of this plan would be to take away the preaching of the unadulterated gospel, which offers the only real remedy for the needs of this old world. The liberals now utilizing Protestantism's free time on the air are preaching social betterment, world brotherhood, and all the other manmade remedies for sin and man's fallen nature. Only a short time ago, many of them were advocating disarmament and pacifism. Can we trust them in the needy days that are upon us and the precarious days that lie ahead to steer even our religious thinking?
"It is time for those who stand foursquare for God's word and for the pure gospel to make it known in Washington that a large Christian listening public, not represented by the Federal Council of the Churches, wants the gospel kept on the air. It is only fair that a reasonable proportion of free time should be allocated to this purpose, but, if this cannot be, then as long as this is a democracy, this group should not be denied the right to purchase the time needed for this vital contribution to our nation's spiritual health. Let it not be said of believers that their action has been too little or too late."
As we think upon present-day tendencies to restrict evangelism in the heavy taxing of sellers of religious literature, as recently decreed by action of the Supreme Court of the United States, and read such articles as here quoted, we are compelled to recognize that gradually, but surely, the adversary is seeking definitely to limit the work of all who attempt to preach the fundamental, simple truths of the gospel. These are days when every Adventist worker should labor with such intensity of purpose and intelligence of mind, with such a consciousness of the personal presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit, that his message will be one of conviction and power and fruitage. Then the work will soon be finished and the Lord will appear in glory.
