Comments on: The Ad MSNBC Won’t Let You See

By: Paul Day

Paul Day — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 13:57:25 +0000

Um. You can’t expose a hate group as a hate group by not exposing them as a hate group. You’re not suggesting that MSNBC supports what Perkins says, are you? Every interview I’ve seen with Perkins, he has been roundly flayed.

Should MSNBC go the route of FoxNews and only use guests of their political stripe? Should there be no actual discussion?

By: Tina B

Tina B — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:41:50 +0000

I agree with Bobby Kearan. The ad has the sound, look, and feel of a negative political ad. Change the tone, come from one of love rather than that ominous “look how bad they are” tone. Just my thoughts. For the record, I am not on the side of Tony Perkins or FRC and agree with SPLC’s stance on the group. I like the line “FRC and Tony Perkins do not speak for OUR faith” though.

By: MDC

MDC — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 20:18:59 +0000

Jerry up above,

What you say about homophobia can be said about racism, sexism, anti-semitism, and other isms as well. Those views are also not outside the realm of what has been debated for centuries either. And yet they are hate, just as surely as homophobia is. The SPLC has a strict criteria for determining whether or not a group is a hate group. Tony Perkins’ group fits the criteria. The term “hate group” is descriptive. What other term would you suggest? “Doesn’t Play Well with Others” group?

By: Bobby Kearan

Bobby Kearan — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:59:30 +0000

If I were MSNBC, I would reject it too. You attack them in the ad.
The better approach would be to just focus on the man and the hate group.

Stay with the “The Family Research Council and Tony Perkins do not speak for our faith.”

Leave out all derogatory remarks about MSNBC and there will be less reason to reject the ad.

In other words, don’t attack the broadcaster you want to run the ad, just educate the public and their viewers.

By: Richard Pierard

Richard Pierard — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 02:06:15 +0000

Why don’t you offer the ad to Fox News (ugh!) or maybe another network like CNN? It is such a good piece.

By: Jerry Herbert

Jerry Herbert — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:34:28 +0000

I support the work of the Southern Poverty Law Center, but their labeling FRC a “hate-group” is certainly not an example of “love of enemy” or even of “turning the other cheek.” For Tony Perkins to assert that homosexual behavior hurts society and the individuals who participate in such behavior is a traditional position of the historic Christian church. It may be wrong and it may be hurtful. But it is not outside the range of views that have for centuries been debated. It can be held by not only those who are homophobic, but also by those who are seeking only what they believe, out of love for the other, to be a healthy warning to same-sex attracted persons. I disagree with Perkins on this point, but to declare FRC a “hate-group” (and thereby accuse Perkins of “hate” by association) is itself the use of hateful language in condemning “hate”. It is the use of “verbal violence” against persons with whom one disagrees on a subject involving widespread disagreement. It smacks of a political tactic to silence the opposition. In my view, it is not worthy of any person of faith, especially of those of us who follow Jesus.