It’s hard to believe but people actually watch Jimmy Swaggart here in Canada.
Not many I guess, but at least one, because a complaint was filed.
US religious broadcasters pay to be on Vision TV or smaller cable stations like Toronto’s Omni 1. Usually religious programs from the US are on in the middle of the night. Shows such as Jimmy Swaggart, Jack Van Impe, John Haggee.
This is fringe stuff in our culture, and many of us that would watch these gentlemen do so for entertainment.
The council ruled Omni 1 had the right to broadcast Swaggarts views opposing same sex marriage and his criticism of politicans.
They also ruled that the station breached human rights standards and religious programming clauses.
Well. Yeah. Doesn’t take a ruling to figure that out.
You can read Swaggart’s foolishness in the ruling.
Omni 1 had enough sense to apologize ahead of the complaint so they are off the hook.
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Sigh. When will individuals learn that adultery, or lying, stealing, sloth, greed, murder etc. are sin. I don’t know anywhere in the Bible where God puts a degree on sin or that he rates it other than to say that if anyone harms these little ones it would be better that they drown. You are right, Swaggart, Van Impe et al make for interesting entertainment. The sad part is, they believe themselves. Even sadder, they drag some people down with them. Oh well, at least under our Charter of Rights we don’t have to listen to them and someone has the right to censor that kind of nonsense.
You are right that there are no degrees to sin but that doesn’t change the fact that certain actions are sin and that sin shouldn’t be promoted. To me sin atracts more sin and we as Christians should be obedient to not sin and promote laws which do not promote sin.
I personally like Swaggert. However, I tend to be influenced by his past mistakes. When I listen to him like Christ would, a person who repented, then I really enjoy his sermons.
Here in the States, we generally consider Swaggert, Van Impe, et al to be fringe as well. They certainly have their following, but it’s far from the mainstream. I remember tuning in to those shows in high school when the sitcoms were running dry - now I find them more tragic figures than comedians.
Technically Sherm it was the ethical arm of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters that made the ruling.
They follow complaints from viewers and have no authority other than to issure their report and fine a station, and ask them to put up an apology.
Omni 1 issued the apology probably before the complaint was in the hands of the CAB.
Actually, they can’t fine a station. AFAIK, no Canadian station has ever been fined for anything they’ve broadcast.
And Omni 1 did issue the apology long before the complaint went to the CAB/CBSC/