TEN drops religious show over gay comments
TEN has stopped airing US show Believer's Voice of Victory after comments on homosexuality were deemed out of step with the Industry Code of Practice.
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TEN recently advised US Ministry Kenneth Copeland it would not be renewing its contract for the Believer’s Voice of Victory after a broadcast in June discussing homosexuality.
Copeland said: “… the reason God condemned homosexuality is because of the severe attack it has on the fabric of the blessing, life, all that God created.”
In response evangelical minister David Barton agreed, referring to the Bible: “….not only does God not approve homosexuality, it says He does not approve those who approve homosexuality …”
Following a complaint, TEN deemed the broadcast as out of step with the Industry Code of Practice.
It notified the organisation that a program “should not provoke or perpetuate intense dislike, serious contempt or severe ridicule against a person or group of persons on the grounds of age, colour, gender, national or ethnic origin, disability, race, religion or sexual preference.”
It stopped broadcasting the show in mid-September. The programme still airs in regional areas on Southern Cross Media and WIN and on the Australian Christian Channel on Pay TV.
On its website Kenneth Copeland says it is seeking legal advice and says “We are winners because Jesus is Lord and God is our source.”
Prior to his conversion to Christianity in 1962 Copeland was a music recording artist.
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63 Responses
Did anyone notice the hypocrisy of Ten removing the show based on this foolish
law , that a program “should not provoke or perpetuate intense dislike, serious contempt or severe ridicule against a person or group of persons on the grounds of age, colour, gender, national or ethnic origin, disability, race, religion or sexual preference.”
Then the station removes the program because the preacher states his churches religious belief on air. The hypocrites end up doing just what their foolish law was supposed to protect against… they punished the preacher for his religious beliefs. Ha Ha Ha, when are people going to wake up to the fraud of modern societies relativistic morality!!
If saying that homosexuality goes against biblical values is considered hate speech against gays, then also saying that lying goes against biblical values would be hate speech against politicians.
On an unrelated note, will a gay advocacy group step in and pay for that time slot, or will TEN just miss out on that revenue?
I have been in communication with the ACMA and Free TV to try and get “Supernatural Themes” warnings included on all religious shows, as they are for Harry Potter. As they are rated G they dont need to carry these warnings.
I suggest all religious shows be classified minimum PG, and carry these warnings. the fragile minds of our children are at stake, and it shouldnt be up to channel ten to decide.
*For those that keep referencing “freedom of speech”, you do realise there is no law in Australia that gives you freedom of speech?*
Huh? Laws are about limiting freedom: liberty is exercised within the boundaries of law, but we don’t need a law to ‘give’ us liberty!
The the industry code of practice states a program “should not provoke or perpetuate intense dislike, serious contempt or severe ridicule against a person or group of persons on the grounds of age, colour, gender, national or ethnic origin, disability, race, religion or sexual preference.”
It is at least debatable that the words Copeland spoke actually had any of the effects spelled out in the Code. The fact that some hyper-sensitive soul claims to have been ‘offended’ is not really relevant. Will Channel Ten cancel a show next time I complain that they used the name of God or Jesus as a curse? That’s perpetuating the contempt in which these divine beings is held, isn’t it?
For those that keep referencing “freedom of speech”, you do relise there is no law in Australia that gives you freedom of speech?
The strength of what TEN did will be tested by what their (not “there” – third grade subject, by the way) other broadcasters and what their viewers do. Personally, I think they got bullied by the PC crowd.
“Lol there’s a christian channel on Pay TV? Isn’t that a little paradoxical?” Yup, and it only costs 30 pieces of silver.
And your soul.
@CrAig
I agree…I am very intelligent. But it’s more a curse than a blessing in this day and age. But anyway.
I also agree that channel ten has the right to pull the show off air. But they should be honest, about why the show was pulled. He didn’t spread hate, or ridicule. He stated a opinion. Channel ten pulled it. Because it didn’t sit well for their targeted audience.And they should have had the guts and just went with the truth. And i hope Copeland sues and wins. I would. If a t.v station spread falsehoods about me, wouldn’t you? Channel ten stance on this issue depends upon hidden false assumptions and deliberately ambiguous terms
I think it is excellent that channel 10 have removed the Kenneth Copeland show. Ignorance about sexual orientation is rife amongst US evangelical Christianity and has caused so much unnecessary suffering and contributed to the suicide (amongst many other tragic outcomes) of people who perceived their sexuality was in conflict with their faith. This is an outdated concept. Whilst Copeland’s comments may be viewed by some as an opinion it is actually ignorance. Ignorance on many levels including science and sound biblical study. I don’t think we need to promote ignorance on Australian TV.