Is it acceptable to advertise a religion on Television?

[C-Rob]

I just saw a Scientology commercial, which told you to go to their site. I find it funny and more evidence it's just a big scam, but I also don't think a Christian or Muslim should advertise his faith on a television commercial. It is a path to God, not a product to be sold.

I understand WHY to have the commercial, spread awareness, debunk some myths maybe, but it just seems incredibly fishy to me to be advertising a religious belief on television(and ironic that it aired on the discovery channel) What does everyone on TWC think of this?

( www.scientology.org)

[gambit]

Television is a big highway of communication, sure we shouldnt see two guys wearing sweater vests run up to a desk and start pawning off bibles or kurans like some auction show, but sending out the message is fine.

[Ragabash]

Large religious institutions are already indirectly promoted in almost every media, not mention that they don't exactly need to pay for these expensive commercials when they can just have their own channels to promote themselves and advertise them. I think it's up to tv stations do they want themselves to be associated with religious promotion or not.

There is not really that big difference between political and religious advertisements if you loose often associated taboos and " the high ground" that religions seem to enjoy even today. Business is business, and it's in the hands of these tv stations what they consider ethical advertising, and with what they want to be associated with.

[nopasties]

As much as I hate proselytization if a church independently sponsors a commercial within guidlines and has no favoritism why not?

[Arch-hereticK]

I think free speech wins in my mind.

[MaximiIian]

I think free speech wins in my mind.

This. Freedom of speech and religious liberty trump all else in this case.

If advertisements about a religion offend or annoy you...just change the friggin' channel.

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

This. Freedom of speech and religious liberty trump all else in this case.

If advertisements about a religion offend or annoy you...just change the friggin' channel.

I suggest you study the history of scientology, it isn't a religion. Might as well say that Neo-Nazis or the Mafia should be able to advertise on television.

[Wilder]

I suggest you study the history of scientology, it isn't a religion. Might as well say that Neo-Nazis or the Mafia should be able to advertise on television.

Slept through civics class too huh?

Whatever. Even if they were neo Nazis or the mafia, (or Satan himself) they should be allowed to be heard. Why? Cuz that's how free speech works homie.

[MaximiIian]

I suggest you study the history of scientology, it isn't a religion.

I know full well of the criminal actions performed by the Church of Scientology. However, they aren't the entirety of Scientology, despite their attempts to copyright the term. In any case, CoS has the right of free speech regardless of if it is a religious organisation or not.

Might as well say that Neo-Nazis or the Mafia should be able to advertise on television.

They should be allowed to, yes. If they go through the proper means, they should be allowed to advertise on television, newspapers, radio, or whatever they want. Regardless of how abhorrent their views or actions may be.

[Aldgarkalaughskel]

Scientology isn't a religion, it's a systematic fraud, a totalitarian organization that is banned in most of the civilized countries. Criminals shouldn't be able to advertise on television.

[Playfishpaste]

Scientology isn't a religion, it's a systematic fraud, a totalitarian organization that is banned in most of the civilized countries. Criminals shouldn't be able to advertise on television.

An interestingly thin line there, I must say.

[Mr. Pink]

Aye, go for it.

[nopasties]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Myung_Moon

If this guy's 'religion' had a commercial should it be allowed?

It doesn't have Tom Cruise as a member but eh, ya know?

[Mr. Pink]

If this guy's 'religion' had a commercial should it be allowed?

Aye.

[MaximiIian]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Myung_Moon
If this guy's 'religion' had a commercial should it be allowed?

If he paid for the airtime, sure. Again, if you don't like what it's showing, you can change the channel and not watch it.

any religion which asks for money...should be recognized as a business and taxed.

Replace "religion" with "organisation", and you have a maybe.

In the US, organisations that have fulfilled all of the requirements of a non-profit entity aren't taxed. However, numerous religious organisations are not incorporated as that, because they aren't non-profit entities. So, we do have a safety net that protects against the abuse of religious ideologies for purely monetary gain.

[Chaigidel]

any religion which asks for money or advertises should be recognized as a business and taxed.

[cfmonkey45]

Lol, I think the founding fathers would be facepalming themselves when they see crap like this. People abusing a right to get their opinions voiced, whereas it was intended to prevent criticism of the government and public opposition, which is crucial in a democracy.

[CtrlAltDe1337]

While I disagree with trying to "sell" your religion (as if it were a product), I don't see a thing wrong with "advertising" (in just an informative way) on TV. Its just getting the word out about your beliefs so that those who are interested can look into it.

[roy34543]

There are always TV ads that ask you to idolize a certain politician or celebrity, How is religion any different? Replace say, Go to hannah montannahs new show! With go to the church for a big ceremony! and it doesn tlook so ridicolous.
besides that i think almst anyone should be allowed to advertise anything on TV.. If they have the money for it.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Stop watching the Sci Fi channel.

I just saw a Scientology commercial, which told you to go to their site. I find it funny and more evidence it's just a big scam

I bet when you open their site popups just explode everywhere.

but I also don't think a Christian or Muslim should advertise his faith on a television commercial. It is a path to God, not a product to be sold.

I have seen plenty of commercials for protestant churches, but that probably has to do a lot with my location in the southeast US. To me it just shows that all they care about is membership because high attendance means a full collection plate for the pastor. I'd say 50% of them are just greedy pigs that feed off the congregation. It is simply another form of evangelization, which is also becoming all too common on the streets of Atlanta. I don't want adults with their utterly brainwashed children sitting on the street corner yelling about end times and handing out pamphlets. How is that a good way to spend time?

I understand WHY to have the commercial, spread awareness, debunk some myths maybe, but it just seems incredibly fishy to me to be advertising a religious belief on television(and ironic that it aired on the discovery channel) What does everyone on TWC think of this?

It is all, in the end, about money. You have to be careful about where and what you choose to worship these days. Although I'm an atheist, I could never see myself attending some ultra modern protestant megachurch or somethign similiar to it. I think the best way to go is with the long established churches and congregations.