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Religion in TV shows

 

One of the most successful and popular religious programs and organizations is Pat Robertson's "700 Club" which you can belong to by paying fifteen dollars a month (Postman, 114). In one of the episodes aired on cable, a woman, who was forced to stay home for prolonged periods of time, had developed an annoying notion that her own children were trying to kill her, was searching TV for an answer to her problem. She accidentally stumbled on a "700 Club" commercial and became a member. For only fifteen dollars she gained two things; becoming a star on prime time TV and being "closer to Jesus" (Postman, 114). "To the uninitiated, it is not entirely clear to which is the higher estate" (Postman, 115). With contributions running in the millions, today's religious television shows have no problem competing with other more popular shows, as they believe they are relaying a more important message. It has been estimated that the total revenue brought in by "electronic churches" is well over $500 million annually (Postman, 120). Many non-religious companies exploit religion as their way of commercializing products. Brendan Maguire, researcher of the topic "religions in commercials" documents some of the commercials he has found during research " the first commercial (Buick) depicts a family driving up to a church; the second commercial (Kellogg cereal) portrays a minister eating breakfast with her father and then performing her first marriage; and the third commercial (Coca-Cola) features a church choir singing outside of a church" (4).For example Lexus has announced, in their commercial, that all the cars they produce have souls. Another example is the chorus in the church singing "Oh Coca Cola! (" There is, however, one major problem with television as such a strong method of communication - it is based on visualization. Religion is meant to be practiced in the mind and soul. This connection, nevertheless, cannot be properly made through television.


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