Presbytery wants PCUSA to
stand up for Lord’s name
The Layman, March 30, 2010
In recent years, the Parents Television Council has observed a dramatic increase in the frequency and harshness of profanity. For example, the number of expletives aired during primetime viewing hours on broadcast TV in a year nearly doubled to 11,000 from 1998 to 2007, the media watchdog reports.
Though the study doesn’t break down the specific profanities, at least one group of Presbyterians has had enough of the media’s use of one kind offensive language.
Fed up with the “blatant disregard” for the Lord’s name in the media, Grand Canyon Presbytery is calling on the Presbyterian Church (USA) to take action.
“Approval by the General Assembly would be an important stand on an issue that is sensitive to many members,” the overture states. “In a time when Presbyterians are often seen by others as bowing to the norms of secular culture, the overture takes a stand against an abhorrent practice.”
Specifically the overture targets the motion picture and public broadcasting industries. It asks the stated clerk of the General Assembly to send letters of protest to the industries’ officials and members of the U.S. Congress.
According to the Parents Television Council, which also tracks sex and violence in the media, a majority of Americans surveyed would like to see tighter enforcement of government rules on broadcast content (Pew Research Center) and more shows without profanity (Nielsen). A third survey (Public Agenda) cited by the organization showed that 90 percent of parents say bad language and adult themes in primetime TV shows is getting worse.