 Hal Lindsey hosting his weekly TBN program |
Author Hal Lindsey says his weekly television program has been dropped by the Trinity Broadcasting Network because its message is considered by some officials at the Christian network to be “too pro-Israel and too anti-Muslim.”
“International Intelligence Briefing,” a current-affairs style show that focuses on biblical prophecy and its relationship to events in the Holy Land, was removed from the air for the entire month of December and may never be broadcast again, according to Lindsey, a WND columnist.
“This is confusing to me because my message is the same as it has been for the entire 12 years of presenting the IIB program,” said Lindsey in a website dispatch to supporters. “It has not changed one iota.”
John Casoria, general counsel for TBN, confirmed to WorldNetDaily that Lindsey’s program won’t air during December, but he says that applies only to this month’s schedule and insists the decision has nothing to do with content.
“That is absolutely, 100 percent false,” Casoria said of Lindsey’s assertion.
Casoria said he has been trying, unsuccessfully, to get in touch today with Lindsey or someone in his office.
Lindsey’s show normally airs at 5:30 p.m. each Wednesday and is repeated Thursday at 10 p.m.
Casoria explained that TBN, as part of its contractual agreement, has the right to pre-empt a network-produced program such as Lindsey’s.
It’s not playing this month, Casoria said, because the network is focusing on Christmas programming.
In an interview with WND, however, Lindsey said he was told specifically, through the TBN “chain of command,” that his program was being dropped indefinitely, at least through December, because he was “Arab bashing.”
An evaluation of the program’s future is to be made in January, according to Lindsey.
He said that after recording this week’s program Tuesday afternoon, he was told the show was canceled because of the script.
Lindsey wrote in his website letter that this week’s program “addressed the tremendous political upheaval in Israel – including the toppling of the government – in the wake of the Gaza withdrawals. It warned about the peril the U.S. faces if we pull out of Iraq and leave the perception that radical Islamic terrorists defeated the world’s only superpower.”
Lindsey said the program included an exclusive interview with former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
“The feeling must be that honestly reporting news on current issues concerning radical Islam is thwarting evangelism to Muslims at large, particularly Palestinians,” Lindsey said in his website message. “I personally believe that both Christian Palestinians and moderate Muslims – who are being intimidated and persecuted by the radicals – actually welcome honest reporting on the situation.”
Lindsey, author of the 1970s best-seller “The Late Great Planet Earth,” said he understands how there will be “disagreements about style and aesthetics in programming. But I can’t understand how any Christian that is aware of the dangers radical Islam poses to our nation, Christians worldwide and the nation of Israel can issue a mandate to soft-pedal the truth about it.”
Lindsey said he still “deeply” loves TBN, noting he’s been involved with the network from its beginning, three decades ago.
He asked supporters to pray for himself and for the “decision makers at TBN.”
“This could be a disastrous turn in their ministry,” Lindsey said.
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