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LDS Church-Owned Radio Station Stands By Rush Limbaugh

http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispa ... mbaugh_|_/

More than forty advertisers—from Allstate Insurance to Sears—and two radio stations have dumped Rush Limbaugh since he went on the offensive against Sandra Fluke, calling the Georgetown student a “slut” and “prostitute” for her advocacy of insurance coverage for contraceptive medications.

But not the Lord's channel.

LDS Church-subsidiary Bonneville International owns 29 radio stations. It is one of seven religiously-owned or affiliated national radio networks, including the American Family Association network (165 stations), Bible Broadcasting Network (37 stations), Educational Media Association (290 stations), Family Stations (67 stations), Moody Bible Institute (36 stations), and the for-profit Christian broadcaster Salem Communications (97 stations—for-profit Christian broadcaster).

Their statement:

AM 770 The Truth is committed to providing its listeners with access to a broad range of opinion and commentary. The contraception debate is one that sparks strong emotion and opinions on both sides of the issue. Radio can be and has been a great platform for a lively exchange of ideas as we seek to provide understanding. In this case, we wish Mr. Limbaugh would have been more civil in his treatment of the topic and his characterization of those involved, but we respect his right, as well as the rights of those who disagree with him, to express those opinions.

Sounds like a good plan to me, especially since Limbaugh apologized.

Limbaugh didn't really apologize.

It's nice to know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints agrees that women who use birth control are sluts, though.

Buffalo wrote:Limbaugh didn't really apologize.

It's nice to know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints agrees that women who use birth control are sluts, though.

The LDS church's view of women is tainted at best. But this is not an official press release from the Newsroom, so we can be sure it's not the official policy of the church.

Limbaugh has the right to say what he wants; the sponsors have the right to pull their sponsorship if they want, and guess what... Bonneville International has the right to react the way they want.. which is to go with what their consistuency wants. Follow the money.

harmony wrote:

Buffalo wrote:Limbaugh didn't really apologize.

It's nice to know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints agrees that women who use birth control are sluts, though.

The LDS church's view of women is tainted at best. But this is not an official press release from the Newsroom, so we can be sure it's not the official policy of the church.

Limbaugh has the right to say what he wants; the sponsors have the right to pull their sponsorship if they want, and guess what... Bonneville International has the right to react the way they want.. which is to go with what their consistuency wants. Follow the money.

Until they cancel Limbaugh, I can only conclude that the corporate church agrees with his statement on women.

Buffalo wrote:Until they cancel Limbaugh, I can only conclude that the corporate church agrees with his statement on women.

I suspect it's closer to accurate to say that the listeners agree with Limbaugh (unless someone can document that the numbers have gone down significantly), and Bonneville International is more interested in the bottom line than they are in being politically correct.

Infymus wrote:
Their statement:

AM 770 The Truth is committed to providing its listeners with access to a broad range of opinion and commentary. The contraception debate is one that sparks strong emotion and opinions on both sides of the issue. Radio can be and has been a great platform for a lively exchange of ideas as we seek to provide understanding. In this case, we wish Mr. Limbaugh would have been more civil in his treatment of the topic and his characterization of those involved, but we respect his right, as well as the rights of those who disagree with him, to express those opinions.

That's actually a well-worded statement. Anyone who has been a member for any period of time knows that the church is in line with Limbaugh on this one. Any unmarried girl who wants contraceptives, paid for or not, is a slut, er I mean, unchaste. The audience for this radio program are chanting "ditto" to Rush on this issue. The station did a good job of issuing a well-worded statement that puts the focus on freedom of speech, which is easy for them in this case because they agree with Rush's provocative rhetoric.

DarkHelmet wrote:That's actually a well-worded statement. Anyone who has been a member for any period of time knows that the church is in line with Limbaugh on this one. Any unmarried girl who wants contraceptives, paid for or not, is a slut, er I mean, unchaste. The audience for this radio program are chanting "ditto" to Rush on this issue. The station did a good job of issuing a well-worded statement that puts the focus on freedom of speech, which is easy for them in this case because they agree with Rush's provocative rhetoric.

Yuppers.

Radio can be and has been a great platform for a lively exchange of ideas

If they actually believed this and acted like they believed it more generally, I might find the statement laudable. Nothing in the way the current church operates, however, leads me to believe this statement is anything but disingenuous. The church does not encourage "a lively exchange of ideas." In religion, it promotes its own viewpoint and actively works to suppress opposing viewpoints. In politics, it promotes conservative viewpoints with radio programs like Limbaugh's. Does the church own any media outlets that give a platform to the Rachel Maddows of the world?

Equality wrote:

Radio can be and has been a great platform for a lively exchange of ideas

If they actually believed this and acted like they believed it more generally, I might find the statement laudable. Nothing in the way the current church operates, however, leads me to believe this statement is anything but disingenuous. The church does not encourage "a lively exchange of ideas." In religion, it promotes its own viewpoint and actively works to suppress opposing viewpoints. In politics, it promotes conservative viewpoints with radio programs like Limbaugh's. Does the church own any media outlets that give a platform to the Rachel Maddows of the world?

Of course not. That would be demonstrating consistency. Can't have that.