CBS & NBC say opposing intolerance is "too controversial"
A new TV ad campaign by the United Church of Christ (including the Congregationalists) shows a conservative church with a velvet rope and bouncers turning away anyone who is gay, non-white or weird looking. The ad says, "Jesus didn't turn people away. Neither do we. No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here."
CBS and NBC have refused to air the ads. "Because this commercial touches on the exclusion of gay couples and other minority groups by other individuals and organizations," says CBS, "and the fact the Executive Branch has recently proposed a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, this spot is unacceptable for broadcast on the [CBS and UPN] networks." NBC, home of Will & Grace and Queer Eye, just said it was "too controversial."
You can see the ad at http://www.stillspeaking.com/default.htm
If I were a member of a conservative church where only blonde heterosexual couples in blue suits and pink summer dresses with perfect children were welcome, I'd certainly get the message from this ad that I was being criticized. I could understand if a network feared their wrath and didn't want to show it for that reason. What's disturbing about the CBS response is that they cite the executive branch's opposition to gay marriage as the reason it's "too controversial."
So apparently, they're saying that since the President opposes gay marriage, this is the official baseline for our society, and it is a challenge to our government to suggest that being loving and welcoming to everyone is the Christian way.
CBS's reasoning would be more disturbing if it weren't so idiotic. But it is troubling that two of the three major networks balked for whatever reason.
