Just In Case You're Wondering, CBS Isn't Looking To Crush Religious Freedom

As a rule, I generally try and ignore commenting on any of the multitude of chain letters making their way around the Internet. I've been online long enough to realize Mrs. Fields really doesn't have some expensive cookie recipe, Microsoft hasn't bought the Vatican and Disney won't send you on a prepaid vacation just for sending some email to your friends.

But every so often, I do feel the need to address spam or chain letters, especially when they involve some television program. In this case, CBS's popular drama Touched By An Angel.

This letter has been circulating in Christian circles for at least six months. The letter is essentially a call to arms, warning that CBS will be canceling Touched By An Angel because the show mentions God in every episode.

Here's a copy of one variation which I've received at lest a dozen times in the past month:

CBS will be forced to discontinue "Touched by an Angel" for using the word God in every program. Madeline Murray O'Hare, an atheist, successfully managed to eliminate the use of Bible reading from public schools a few years ago. Now her organization has been granted a Federal Hearing on the same subject by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in Washington, D.C.

Their petition, Number 2493, would ultimately pave the way to stop the reading of the gospel of our Lord and Savior, on the airwaves of America. They got 287,000 signatures to back their stand! If this attempt is successful, all Sunday worship services being broadcast on the radio or by television will be stopped. This group is also campaigning to remove all Christmas programs and Christmas carols from public schools!!

You as a Christian can help! We are praying for at least 1 million signatures. This would defeat their effort and show that there are many Christians alive, well and concerned about our country. As Christians we must unite on this.

Please don't take this lightly. We ignored this lady once and lost prayer in our school and in offices across the nation. Please stand up for your religious freedom and let your voice be heard. Together we can make a difference in our country while creating an opportunity for the lost to know the Lord.

Please press "forward" and only delete out what is not needed, and forward this to everyone on on your list. Now, please sign your name at the bottom. Don't delete anything, just go to the next number and type your name.

Please do not sign jointly, such as Mr. & Mrs....Each person should sign his/her own name.

Please e-mail this to everyone you know, and help us defeat this organization and keep the right of our freedom of religion.

While the claim seems ludicrous to many people, it's worrisome enough to cause a knee-jerk reaction in many fans--particularly those who already feel as if network television is resistant to their beliefs. Many Christians already suspect Hollywood mocks them and this letter just plays to those fears.

However a close examination of the tone of the letter might lead cynics to suspect it originated with someone from the fundamentalist side of the equation. Someone who less interested in saving a TV show than in rallying the public to their cause. The talk about school prayer, all Sunday worship being discontinued...the note hits all the same chords you'll hear from Pat Robertson and the Christian Coalition.

Just to be perfectly clear here. CBS is NOT canceling Touched By An Angel--for this or any other reason. Religious programming will continue, and there is no reason to contact the FCC or collect any signatures.

If you're strongly religious, you could certainly make the argument that it wouldn't kill television execs to add a few more similar shows to their schedules. But fighting battles that don't need to be fought only distracts everyone from the real story.