Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Lady MacDuff · 01-09-2003, 05:17 PM

My small hometown newspaper runs a church column every week. Recently, the newspaper decided it would/could no longer run the bible scripture in the column that the local churches submitted for it.

This has caused quite a little controversy. So far there have been two strongly worded letters to the editor about it, one accusing the paper of anti-christian bias, and the second threatening to report the paper to the Southern Baptists so they can take legal action.

In a town of just 6,000 people (and 12 churches), two letters in a row really causes a stir.

The paper is trying not to offend people with the scripture. The churches claim that they, because they are christian, are being denied access to the media. Whose side is the law on here, anyway?

Toto · 01-09-2003, 05:56 PM

A newspaper has no obligation to print anything. I assume that this was a column that the newspaper allowed the churches to supply material for.

Have the churches tried to buy advertising space to run their columns? They might have a case of religious discrimination under a state law guaranteeing equal access if they were denied the opportunity to buy space only because of their religion, but even then it wouldn't be clear. Newspapers are running a business, not a public forum.

Freedom of the press belongs to him who owns the press.

I know of an atheist group that tried to buy advertising space to quote some Bible verses, and were turned down by the paper's advertising department

Philosoft · 01-09-2003, 07:38 PM

Anti-Christian bias? For not posting Scripture? You know what this means? Anti-IPU bias!! They're not posting the inspired verses of Her Holy Pinkness (PBUHHH)! Blasphemy!

Lady MacDuff · 01-09-2003, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Freedom of the press belongs to him who owns the press.

That's what I thought, too. Bring it on, southern baptists!

RufusAtticus · 01-09-2003, 09:23 PM

"and the second threatening to report the paper to the Southern Baptists so they can take legal action"

What are they going to do? Call out the J-Team! Make all the women who work for the paper quit their jobs, go home and be subservent to their husbands, and have nine kids! Not to mention take away the health insurance of the "sodomites."

01-09-2003, 05:17 PM	#1
Lady MacDuff Regular Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 180	Newspaper church column conflict My small hometown newspaper runs a church column every week. Recently, the newspaper decided it would/could no longer run the bible scripture in the column that the local churches submitted for it. This has caused quite a little controversy. So far there have been two strongly worded letters to the editor about it, one accusing the paper of anti-christian bias, and the second threatening to report the paper to the Southern Baptists so they can take legal action. In a town of just 6,000 people (and 12 churches), two letters in a row really causes a stir. The paper is trying not to offend people with the scripture. The churches claim that they, because they are christian, are being denied access to the media. Whose side is the law on here, anyway?

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01-09-2003, 05:56 PM	#2
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	A newspaper has no obligation to print anything. I assume that this was a column that the newspaper allowed the churches to supply material for. Have the churches tried to buy advertising space to run their columns? They might have a case of religious discrimination under a state law guaranteeing equal access if they were denied the opportunity to buy space only because of their religion, but even then it wouldn't be clear. Newspapers are running a business, not a public forum. Freedom of the press belongs to him who owns the press. I know of an atheist group that tried to buy advertising space to quote some Bible verses, and were turned down by the paper's advertising department

01-09-2003, 07:38 PM	#3
Philosoft Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast of disorder Posts: 6,829	Anti-Christian bias? For not posting Scripture? You know what this means? Anti-IPU bias!! They're not posting the inspired verses of Her Holy Pinkness (PBUHHH)! Blasphemy!

01-09-2003, 09:23 PM	#5
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	"and the second threatening to report the paper to the Southern Baptists so they can take legal action" What are they going to do? Call out the J-Team! Make all the women who work for the paper quit their jobs, go home and be subservent to their husbands, and have nine kids! Not to mention take away the health insurance of the "sodomites."

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