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Faith in a Box
Entertainment
Television and Religion
September 25, 2003-September 24, 2004
By Caroline
Eichenberg
Introduction
In this sixth report by the
Parents Television Council on the treatment of religion in prime time broadcast
entertainment programming, we will examine how the networks have treated
religious matters from the beginning of the fall 2003 season through the
beginning of the fall 2004 season. Religious subject matter was divided into
five categories: Faith; Institution and Doctrine; Laity; Clergy; and
Miscellaneous. References to faith were the most common (582 of the 2,344
treatments), and also the most positive. Less common, and more likely to be
shown in a negative light, are more specific elements of religion, such as a
particular church and its teachings (Institution/Doctrine), devout laity, and
the clergy. Each of these topics was more frequently treated in a negative
manner. These findings lend credibility to the idea that Hollywood accepts
spirituality, but shies away from endorsing, or even tolerating, organized
religion.
Methods
PTC analysts studied the prime
time entertainment programming on the seven commercial broadcast networks (ABC,
CBS, Fox, NBC, ITV, UPN, WB) between September 25, 2003 and September 24, 2004.
Instances of religious content were entered into a computerized Entertainment
Tracking System (ETS).
Within each category, the
depictions were classified as positive, negative, mixed, or neutral. "Mixed"
indicates relatively balanced points of view with ultimately no side taken;
"neutral" encompasses an ambiguous or an insuffiently substantial treatment of
the issue.
Overview
·
There were 2,344 treatments of religion - from a brief prayer to the
actual presence of God in a scene - an average of one an hour.
·
Of these treatments, 22.1 percent were positive, 24.4 percent
negative.
·
ABC had by far the most religious treatments per hour, with an
average of 2.3. Fox followed with an average of one treatment per hour. ITV and
UPN tied with an average of .9 instances, followed by CBS (.7), NBC (.6), and WB
(.4).
·
Most of the religious content on prime time broadcast TV was
neither positive nor negative. 42.3% of religious treatments on TV were
neutral, meaning that the treatment was ambiguous or contained insufficient
context.
·
ITV was the most pro-religion network, with 90.7% of
its treatments of religion being positive, 1.9% mixed, and 7.5% neutral. CBS
had the second-highest percentage of positive treatments of religious themes
and subject matter (38.3%), followed by UPN (24.4),WB (23.5%), ABC (16.9%),
Fox (13.4%), and NBC (4.8%).
·
Faith was the category most often treated favorably, with just
over half (50.7%) of the treatments in that category shown in a positive light.
Treatments of the clergy (professional religious) were the most likely to be
negative at 36.2%.
·
Representations of Institution/Doctrine, the Clergy and
Miscellaneous instances were all more than twice as often negative than
positive.
·
The devout laity were also portrayed negatively more often than
positively, but to a lesser degree (33.3% negative, versus 20.4% positive).
·
The 8:00 hour was the most pro-religion time slot. Negative
depictions however, still outweighed positive on NBC, Fox, and WB in that hour.
·
The percentage of negative treatments rose steadily
with each hour of prime time (16.9% at 7:00, 20.8% at 8:00, 27.5% at 9:00,
and 28.2% at 10:00).
·
Negative treatments of religion outweighed positive on
NBC, Fox, and WB in every time slot.
·
NBC had a shocking 9.5 negative treatments for every
positive treatment. Fox followed with 2.4 negative depictions for every
positive. WB and ABC tied with 1.2 negative for each positive, followed by
UPN with 1 negative for every 1.1 positive; CBS with one negative for every
two positive; and ITV, which did not have a single negative depiction.
Categories
Faith
This category comprises instances in which a person
manifests in simple terms his or her religious belief or lack thereof.
Positive - (50.7%)
Clint quotes a portion of the Gospel of Matthew
and then states that he believes God will heal his patients' souls, if not their
bodies on the November 2 episode of Doc. (ITV)
Joan talks to God about her doubts
on the November 14 Joan of Arcadia. God explains that questions are
normal, but that if he explains everything to her then there is no need for
faith. (CBS)
On the December 12 Life with
Bonnie, Bonnie's young son Charlie tells his friend, "Maybe we can say an
extra bedtime prayer and ask God to have Santa stop at the studio, too." Frankie
replies, "Yeah. God'll love that request, ‘cause he mostly gets complaints."
(ABC)
On the February 20 episode of
JAG, Mattie sits by Harm's bedside and prays for God to keep him safe. She
then asks God to say hello to her deceased mother and tell her she loves her.
(CBS)
On the April 11 Sue Thomas:
F.B.Eye, Sue tells Helga, "Evil exists in this world. God doesn't promise us
it won't exist, but he does promise us a place to take refuge when we encounter
it. No one can endure what you endured alone. But with help, from friends and
God, the inside will change." (ITV)
On the April 17 episode of The
District, a physician rationalizes euthanizing his patients, to which Jack
replies, "I believe in the sanctity of life, and the power of the human spirit,
and God's divine plan. And in that plan there is a chance of a miracle. I don't
believe a human being has a right to kill…" (CBS)
On the August 29 episode of
It's a Miracle, Kristina says, "I can only believe that when you pray in
accordance with God's will that he can make things beyond your wildest dreams
happen." (ITV)
Negative - (7%)
On the 31st American
Music Awards, November 16, host Jimmy Kimmel gives his audience a brief list
of rules, which concludes, "And finally, and this is a personal thing, no
thanking God. God does not watch television. And if He did, He would not be
watching this show. He would be watching Tarzan on the WB." (ABC)
Mixed - (10.8%)
While trimming the Christmas tree
on the December 23 episode of I'm with Her, Cheri laments: "Why don't you
try having your birthday the day after Christmas. It is bad enough having to
live my life over shadowed by my sister. I also have to be over shadowed by
Jesus." The lights on the tree then flicker, after which a startled Cheri
continues, "Who I love and worship." (ABC)
Rico Amonte questions his fellow
trainees on the January 18 10-8, "Do you think there are sins that can't
be forgiven?" Chase Williams responds, "Depends on the mood of your God."
Gabriella Lopez comments that the woman Rico is upset about is criminally
negligent, having abandoned her baby. Rico tells them that the girl is
repentant, but he seems to be the only one who cares. Chase questions, "When did
true regret become suspect?" To which Gabriella replies: "I think it started
when Judas took the payoff and ended with Jimmy Swaggart weeping over the
whores." Chase concludes, "Yeah, ‘I'm sorry' is only used to buy time these
days." (ABC)
Neutral - (31.4%)
On the November 14 episode of
JAG, Commander Bentley explains that as a new convert to Quakerism, he is no
longer comfortable participating in the military. (CBS)
On the March 7 episode of
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Ty greets his design team, saying, "Hi! I
hope to God you guys have a big plan…" (ABC)
Institution and Doctrine
This category covers such instances as a reference to a
church service, a particular denomination, or Scripture.
Positive - (11.7%)
On the December 12 episode of
JAG, Reverend Turner gives a sermon at a church service in which he talks
about Jesus and quotes Scripture. (CBS)
April 19, on Everybody Loves
Raymond, Amy's Protestant father is hesitant to attend Catholic Mass with
the Barones. Frank later asks him what he thought of their "exotic Catholic
ritual," to which Hank replied, "Quite impressive, and I thought your Father
Hubley gave a very stirring reading of the resurrection…" His wife later says
that Amy's brother was "very inspired by that Catholic ceremony." (CBS)
The April 24 episode of The
District opens with a scene in which Mannion is in church singing "What a
Friend We Have in Jesus" with the congregation. (CBS)
Negative - (32.7%)
On the December 17 episode of
That ‘70s Show, Eric questions Donna, "So, you have to work at the radio
station on Christmas Eve? God, it's like it doesn't even respect the sanctity of
that holy night? We were going to get drunk and fool around behind the manger
scene." (Fox)
Lauren asks her mother what Mass
is on the February 3 Judging Amy. Amy replies, "It's what Catholics call
church so they can feel more guilty about it when they miss it." Bruce replies,
"Hey!" To which Amy says, "Hey, it's my dinner party, I'll cast disparaging
remarks if I want to." (CBS)
On the February 10 Will and
Grace, Karen, in an attempt to cheer Grace up, remarks, "Let's go buy that
historic church and turn it into a gay bar." (NBC)
On the January 15 episode of
The Simpsons, Lisa tells Bart, "The Mount Builders worshipped turtles as
well as badgers, snakes, and other animals." Bart replies, "Thank God we've come
to our senses and worship some carpenter that lived 2,000 years ago." (Fox)
April 27, on Scrubs, Carla
tells Turk, "That was Father Paul. He said we can't read our own vows. We have
to say the same Catholic ones like everybody else," to which Turk replies, "Oh
baby, Carla, that sucks." (NBC)
On the August 5 episode of Last
Comic Standing, Tammy does her routine: "…It's a Muslim country and they
pray to Mecca five times a day and being Catholic I don't know anything about
prayer. I pay some guy to do it for me. It's a good time to be Catholic ‘cause
we're grading on a curve. As long as you're not touching pee pees you got a
get-out-of-hell-free card. That poor Pope. If he could stand up, he'd stab those
priests with his hat, don't you think? You know how you spot Catholics? Go to
Star Wars movies. Every time they say ‘May the force be with you,' they stand up
and say, ‘And also with you.'" (NBC)
Mixed - (11.9%)
On the February 27 episode of
Grounded for Life, Eddie goes to talk to a nun about his premarital sex
life. He tells her, "This woman wants me to impregnate her, so I'm having sex
with her all the time." Sister Helen replies, "You're sort of out of practice on
how to talk to a nun, aren't you?" She continues, "Look, the church has a pretty
well publicized position on sex outside of wedlock. We're against it. You're
doing one of the most meaningful things a human being can do in a way that's
unbelievably meaningless." She tells him to stop having sex with the woman.
Eddie ponders, "Right…because if I don't get off this path, I'll never be
happy." Sister Helen retorts, "I don't care about happiness, I'm a nun. I'm
saying you'll burn." (WB)
On the April 30 episode of JAG,
a General is investigated for delivering a sermon at a Baptist congregation that
was perceived as anti-Islam. Mac thinks that the General was equating Islam with
evil, while Harm argues that this isn't what the man said. He also points out
that a sermon is protected by free speech and freedom of religion. The Secretary
of the Navy notes that military personnel are less free and the situation ought
to be investigated. (CBS)
Neutral - (43.7%)
Patty goes to confession on her
mother's behalf on the January 18 American Dreams and tells the priest
that she is afraid that her mother will go to hell because of her past actions.
(NBC)
On the March 19 episode of
Wonderfalls, Dr. Tyler reads his wife's bio upon the publication of her
book: "Son Aaron is the youngest non-Asian to win the prestigious Fulton
Scholarship for Religious Studies, and he's currently pursuing his doctorate in
comparative religion." (Fox)
On the September 12 episode of
Charmed, Piper and Leo attend a Hindu wedding. (WB)
Laity
This category encompasses depictions of those for whom
religion is a strong (perhaps the central) force in their lives. It covers both
portrayals of their explicitly religious words and deeds and their secular
conduct.
Positive - (20.4%)
On the November 16 American
Dreams, Helen talks to the med student who helped her research Will's
surgery. She tells him that she has gone to Mass every day that week. He
responds, "Good. So you know that some of this is in God's hands." (NBC)
On the November 30 It's a
Miracle, a man who saved a paralyzed woman from dying in a house fire says
of her, "I know that she was a very faithful lady to [the] Church and a very
faithful lady to God and I know that he honored her faithfulness by sending me
to save her." (ITV)
After following God's ambiguous recommendation that
she ask the school bully to a dance on the December 12 Joan of Arcadia,
Joan questions God about the apparent failure of her mission. He reveals to her
that her faithfulness in doing what He asked of her kept the boy from killing
himself and several of their schoolmates. (CBS)
On the January 25 episode of
The Surreal Life, Tammy refuses to go to a psychic. She tells the others
that her faith has given her a lot of peace and joy and that rather than go to
the psychic, "I'm going to get on my knees for advice and ask God to tell me,
because He can tell me anything that she's going to tell me, if He wants me to
know it." (WB)
On the April 28 I'm Still Alive,
the aunt of a boy hit by a car on a racetrack comments, "I mean I thought he was
dead. And I knew we had to get a prayer chain going." (UPN)
Negative (33.3%)
A senator whose platform is
morality and virtue arrives at the casino on the September 29 episode of Las
Vegas. Danny says to Ed that the Senator is a hypocrite: "He stands in front
of the cameras every chance he gets spouting morals and virtues, meanwhile he's
here once a month, indulging in every one of the seven deadly sins. Oh, and I
think he's up to number nine on the Ten Commandments list, too." (NBC)
On the February 24 Whoopi,
Mavis anxiously awaits the return of Tony, an old flame. When he arrives, he
informs her that he has found Jesus and no longer dances, smokes pot, or has
sex. Mavis's friends, not knowing of Tony's change of heart, speculate on
whether or not she "got some." When she explains that Tony found Jesus, her
friend Sofia says, "Mavis, if anyone can lead a man back to lust and sin, it's
you." A subsequent scene implies that Mavis and Tony did indeed have sex. (NBC)
On the March 24 episode of The
West Wing, Josh and Toby approach Supreme Court Justice Ashland requesting
that the ill judge step down to make room for their nomination and allowing the
Republicans to pick someone for the other vacant seat. Ashland replies, "See who
they pick of their favorite sons. See what segregationist… Isaiah-quoting,
gay-bashing bastard they come up with." (NBC)
On the April 16 episode of The
Big House, Kevin remarks, "Damn! I haven't seen this many hot girls since
Josh Glisteins bar mitzvah at the Playboy Mansion. He totally became a man that
night, too…" (ABC)
September 13, on Everwood,
Mindy explains Madison's background to Andrew, "…her dad took off when she was a
kid and her mom's kind of a religious zealot, so you can imagine how well she
took the news about the pregnancy…" (WB)
Mixed (15.9%)
The September 26 episode of
Boston Public featured a storyline in which, following an accident, a
student thought he was Jesus. Discussing the matter, Danny says, "This kid
thinks he's Jesus." The doctor with whom he is speaking replies, "Who wouldn't
want to be Jesus?" (Fox)
Anna is confronted by the judges
on the January 13 episode of America's Next Top Model regarding why she
would not pose for nude photographs. Contest judge Janice Dickinson is not
impressed and comments: "I get it, it's your religion." Anna replies, "It's not
so much religion, I'm just trying to be Christ-like." (UPN)
At the conclusion of the General's
court martial on the April 30 episode of JAG, a TV report tells of a
suicide bombing in Fallujah where eighteen Marines were killed and the group
claiming responsibility called it a glorious victory in this holy war. Harm
notes, "This is why we need men like General Watson," to which Mac retorts, "Or
not." (CBS)
Neutral (30.4%)
Two missionaries are imprisoned in
the Sudan for having Bibles and other Christian materials on the December 3
West Wing. (NBC)
Stephen Baldwin wears a hat that
says "Jesus" on it on the January 14 episode of Celebrity Mole: Yucatan.
(ABC)
On the April 20 Law & Order:
Special Victims Unit, Benson says, "You're a good Catholic. I thought Jesus
taught forgiveness," to which Stabler replied, "Jesus was perfect. I'm not."
(NBC)
On the February 6 George Lopez,
George tries to rationalize his way out of a commitment he made to God to
appease Max. Father Rick tells George that God doesn't bargain. George is
pleased with this answer, thinking it means that he doesn't have to keep the
promise he made. Father Rick continues, however, telling George, "You did make a
promise. And if you don't keep your word, that's bearing false witness, which
would be breaking a Commandment." George tries to give the priest money in lieu
of keeping his promise. The priest does not take the money, but instead tells
George to have a nice time fulfilling his promise. (ABC)
On the April 20 episode of 7th
Heaven, Eric decides not to by their home, commenting, "I didn't get into
the ministry to own things. God has always provided for us, and owning our own
house doesn't necessarily guarantee us a permanent residence…I've always trusted
in God having a plan for us and we will both continue to go on trusting Him,
whatever God has in store for us." (WB)
Eric counsels Simon about
premarital sex on the September 20 7th Heaven. He tells his
son, "…You're not the type of guy who just can go from casual relationship to
casual relationship, if for no other reason than you have more than a casual
relationship with Christ…" (WB)
Clergy
Negative (36.2%)
A priest on the October 2 episode
of Without a Trace is found in a hotel room with a woman. Only sheets
cover the couple, implying a sexual affair. (CBS)
When the mother of an autistic boy
takes him to a church that believes in healing on the January 6 Judging Amy,
a skeptical Maxine looks into the matter further. Later in the episode, she and
a police officer enter the church where they find the minister beating the boy
with a whip. (CBS)
On the February 15 Cold Case,
a case from 1958 is re-opened when a six-year-old boy's body is found. The
detectives learn that the boy was from an orphanage run by nuns and that he was
the illegitimate son of one of the nuns. The boy died when shock therapy was
performed on him at the request of his mother in the hopes that it would rectify
his behavioral problems so someone would adopt him. Another nun is said to have
beaten the children in the orphanage. (CBS)
Alan discusses the recent arrest
of a mutual friend for a woman's murder with Father Tom, a friend and Catholic
priest, on the February 22 episode of The Practice. Father Tom reveals
that he had sex with the woman: "Two years ago. She was in my office in distress
over who knows what affair she was having. She was describing it. She, she felt
demeaned by the sexual nature of it. She was rather graphically describing the
events. And God help me, I got aroused. I'm not sure I was even aware of it, but
evidently she was, and she propositioned me." (ABC)
On the March 26 episode of
Wonderfalls, Jay accuses a priest, who is later said to have fathered a
child, of "Agnes-of-Godding" a nun he is trying to convince not to leave
religious life. (Fox)
On the April 27 episode of
Judging Amy, Bruce's friend, a priest named Father Ted, has come to town to
visit. When Bruce sees Ted, Ted is wearing a dress, wig, and pearls and says he
is Theresa now. (CBS)
Mixed (11.7%)
On the October 2 Without a
Trace, Danny and Vivian are searching the office of a priest and see a
photograph of an adolescent boys' softball team. Vivian asserts that they will
have to question the boys, at which Danny takes offense. He tells her that he
was a troubled kid, ordered by a judge to be mentored by a priest. He says of
his mentor: "Father Orlando kicked my ass. Probably saved my life." (CBS)
On the March 1 episode of The
Parkers, Nikki and Andel's friend Carla returns to town. They notice that
she is wearing a large cross and Andel asks about it. Nikki replies, "Well,
maybe she's a nut." Carla responds, "Actually, I'm a minister." A stripper
dancing in front of her without his shirt on hears this and backs away. Nikki
hands him his shirt. When bad information about Carla's past is revealed, she
prays to God and seeks the forgiveness of her congregation. (UPN)
Neutral (37.6%)
A priest is a guest on Bonnie's
morning talk show on the February 27 Life with Bonnie. Father Joe and
Bonnie are doing a cooking segment as a promotion for his cookbook.
Miscellaneous
Positive (9.7%)
God tells Joan to join the
cheerleading squad on the October 31 Joan of Arcadia. When she is found
skipping class with the cheerleaders, God tells her that He told her to join the
squad, not skip class. (CBS)
At An American Celebration at
Ford's Theater, shown on ABC July 4, the entire cast is joined by Medal of
Honor winners and they sing "God Bless America." (ABC)
On the July 29 episode of Big
Brother, following a fellow contestant's Bible reading, Marvin poses the
question, "…Do you think the Lord watches Big Brother?" Scott replies,
"Money's the most evil thing there is…what are we doing to get that money?
Lying, cheating…Saying hurtful things, deceiving. No. Period. God doesn't want
us in this house." (CBS)
Negative (30.7%)
Ephram's friend Bright encourages
him to pick up condoms on the way to his girlfriend's dorm room on the February
9 episode of Everwood. Ephram isn't convinced that his girlfriend wants
to have sex with him that night, but Bright convinces him this is so. Ephram
asks what he should do. Bright replies: "I don't know. Is there some thing,
special ritual that you Jewish kids do, or do you just kind of like, thank God
and pray you don't screw it up like the rest of us?" (WB)
On the May 19 episode of That
‘70s Show, Hyde explains to Kelso, "You don't get paid to be the best man.
You do it for the satisfaction of nailing the hottest bridesmaid. It's in the
Bible." (Fox)
On the September 13 episode of
North Shore, MJ asks, "What is it with guys and three-ways? Why is that…the
Holy Grail of hook-ups?" (Fox)
May 4, on Less Than Perfect,
Lydia tells Jeb that she thinks Kip is going insane. Jeb replies, "Well, it may
be time for the same conversation that I had with Grandma. I just hope that Kip
hasn't already given all of his money to the 700 Club." (ABC)
Mixed (4.9%)
On the November 24 episode of
Still Standing, the family goes to dinner at the house of a devout family
whose son Lauren is dating. Tina steals a statue of Jesus while there and when
they take it back, she embraces it, insisting that it is Kenny Loggins. (CBS)
Sheriff's Department trainee Rico
Amonte contemplates, on the January 11 episode of 10-8, "It's kinda wild,
isn't it? I mean 666 is the devil's sign, which is 999 upside down, which is our
call for hell on the streets." One of the training officers retorts, "It's not
too late to trade your badge for the collar, Amonte. Or a nun's habit." (ABC)
Neutral (54.7%)
Arvin Sloane asks Sydney if she
believes in redemption on the September 28 episode of Alias. (ABC)
On the March 7 episode of
America's Funniest Home Videos, children are shown playing on a trampoline.
Host Tom Bergeron narrates the video, saying, "He doesn't listen when Mom tells
him to get off the trampoline, but he listens when God tells him." At that point
loud thunder is heard and the frightened boy promptly jumps off the trampoline.
(ABC)
Conclusion
Hollywood's hostility toward religion is in stark contrast
to the actual religiosity of American citizens. According to a 2003 Harris Poll,
90 percent of Americans believe in God and 80 percent of those polled believe in
the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Though portrayals of religion have increased
over the past six years, they still do not reflect the importance of the topic
or the breadth of interest in it, as evidenced by the recent success of both
films (The Passion) and books (The Purpose Driven Life)
with religious subject matter.
Despite evidence that religion is important to most
Americans, many of whom willingly affiliate themselves with organized religion,
the entertainment industry stands in steadfast opposition by continuing to
insult the beliefs of Americans by negatively portraying religious institutions
and practices. 7th Heaven is an exception in that the
patriarch is a kind Christian minister, yet his profession is rarely a focal
point of the show. Likewise, CBS's breakout hit Joan of Arcadia certainly
focuses on faith, but tends to do so with broad strokes, similar to Touched
by an Angel's treatment of religion. In fact, Joan's creator has
instituted several rules for the show's writers, one of which is that "God can
never identify one religion as being right," though religion is still handled on
occasion in an institutional manner, and positively so.
Nonetheless, the gap between fantasy and reality is clear.
Hollywood's fantasy is one in which spirituality is trendy, but organized
religion is outdated and oppressive. The reality is that religion is an
important element in the lives of most Americans. Hollywood must be challenged
to examine its conscience. Ironically, the more often entertainment programs
reflect the values and beliefs of Americans, the more it helps Hollywood's
religion, the bottom line.
Executive Summary
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Statistical Appendix
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