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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Blackwell, Morton: Files
Folder Title: Christian Broadcasting Network
Box: 34
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
The
Freedom
Council
P.O. Box 64323 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464
October 5, 1983
Morton-
Attached is a copy of an information kit that
we personally hand carried to each Christian leader
mentioned in my letter to you.
We tried to anticipate their questions and their
needs in fulfilling our request for immediate action.
Thus we developed the enclosed material:
a cover letter calling for specific action
a copy of the wording of SJR #73
a list of the 100 U.S Senators and a common address
a brief on the alternative amendment, quoting
constitutional attorneys
The same material was sent by Federal Express
to the leaders we could not personally visit for one reason
or another.
The
Freedom
Council
P.O. Box 64323 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464
October 4, 1983
Morton Blackwell
Office of Public Liaison
Special Assistant to the President
Old Executive Office Bldg.
Room 191
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Morton:
The following is a brief update of the activities of THE FREEDOM COUNCIL
concerning President Reagan's revised school prayer amendment.
Since August 8th we have been traveling around the country briefing
denominational heads and leaders of Christian groups on the school prayer issue.
As a result of these briefings, these leaders have agreed to do two things: (a)
write letters on their denominational or organizational letterhead to all 100
Senators asking them to vote yea on SJR #73 and nay on the alternative silent
meditation and prayer amendment; and (b) send word to their leaders in the
field, and through them, to the members of their denominations or organizations,
asking them to write the 2 U.S. Senators from their states.
To date we have personally briefed these leaders:
Dr. Ben Armstrong, Executive Director, National Religious Broadcasters
Dr. William Bright, President, Campus Crusade for Christ
*
Bishop Roderick Caesar, Head Bishop, United Pentecostal Council of the Assembly
of God, Inc.
Dr. James Draper, President, Southern Baptist Convention
Rev. H.O. Espinoza, Chairman of the Hispanic section of the National Religious
Broadcasters and President of PROMESA
Dr. Rudy Hernandez, President, Texas Southern Baptist Mexican Convention
Rev. Namsoo Kim, Pastor, Korean Assembly of God, Full Gospel New York Church
Dr. L.L. King, President, Christian & Missionary Alliance
Mrs Beverly LaHaye, President, Concerned Women of America
Al Matt, Publisher, The Wanderer, a conservative Catholic newspaper
Dr. Rolf McPherson, General Superintendent, International Church of the Four
Square Gospel
Bishop Paul Paino, President, Calvary Ministries International
D. Leland Paris, North & South American Director, Youth With a Mission
*Bishop J.O. Patterson, Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ
Dr. Dell Sanchez, member, Gulf Latin American District Council of the Assemblies
of God
Demos Shakarian, Founder and President, Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship
International
Bishop Leon Stewart, General Superintendent, Pentecostal Holiness Church
* Bishop Alvin Tate, Presiding Bishop, Soul Saving Station denomination
Rev. Morris Vaagenes, President, International Lutheran Center for Church Renewal
Rev. Robert Weiner, President and Founder, Maranatha Campus Ministries
Rev. Kenneth Wong, English Pastor, Oversea Chinesee Mission
Dr. Thomas Zimmerman, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God
In addition, we prepared and distributed special materials on the school
prayer issue for certain leaders whose schedules would not permit a personal
meeting, and briefed them by telephone and mail. They are: Rev. Billy Graham,
President, Billy Graham Association; Rev. Andrew Leung, Chairman, Chinese Pastors
Fellowship, New York City; Rev. Robert Tilton, Pastor, Word of Faith World
Outreach Center; Dr. Jerald Johnson, General Superintendent, The Nazarene Church;
Rev. Eugene McGee, Pastor's Prayer Fellowship of New York City; and Rev. John
Kim, Superintendent, Korean section of Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Mr. Harley Hickling, governmental and political analyst on our staff, has
personally followed up my work with these leaders by maintaining close telephone
contact with their offices. Thus we have been able to both monitor and increase
the response of national Christian leaders and their followers throughout the
nation.
During the final phase of this effort with the churches, we will increase
our efforts to obtain participation by mainline churches. We are now preparing
to meet with leaders in the Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian, United Methodist
and Menonite churches.
We have asked all these Christian leaders to send us copies of their
correspondence they receive from the U.S. Senators. This will help us find out
where individual senators stand on the school prayer issue in regard to both
amendments and possible alternatives. We have already begun intensified
"grassroots" lobbying efforts with some of these senators through our own
network of volunteer coordinators and through the efforts of local churches,
religious media, and local chapters of Christian organizations.
As part of our all out effort to secure passage of SJR #73 our Direct Mail
department developed a special package for those on the mailing list of the
Christian Broadcasting Network. On September 9, 1981 nearly 400,000 pieces were
mailed out over Pat Robertson's signature asking those on our mailing list to
contact their U.S. Senators to insure passage of the President's prayer amendment
and the defeat of the alternative amendment for silent meditation and silent
prayer. Everyone on the mailing list should have received this package between
September 16th and September 23rd, and subsequently contacted their 2 U.S.
Senators. CBN's "700 Club" will follow up this mailing with a special TV blitz
just prior to the vote on both amendments by the full Senate.
* Black denominations
Sincerely,
Ted
Ted Pantaleo,
Executive Director
TP/ifo
CBN/FREEDOM COUNCIL
PRAYER AMENDMENT
MAILING
September 2, 1983
Dear CBN Friend,
In just a few days, a vote will be taken in the United States
Senate which I believe will affect the entire future of our
nation. What I'm talking about is the vote on the President's
proposed School Prayer Amendment.
Less than two months ago this same amendment came up before
the Senate Judiciary Committee. Even White House staffers
predicted defeat.
Meanwhile, my associate Ted Pantaleo of The Freedom Council
worked behind the scenes to rally the support of Christian
leaders. And I made an emergency appeal on "The 700 Club"
encouraging our viewers to contact the members of the committee.
The result was dramatic. The senators unexpectedly voted
14-3 in favor of reporting the President's Amendment to the
full Senate.
President Reagan once told me that, in dealing with Congress,
what's important is not whether they see the light, it's whether
they feel the heat! The members of the Judiciary Committee felt
the heat. And look at what happened.
Now we've got to make the entire Senate feel that heat.
Because soon after Labor Day, the President's Prayer Amendment
will be brought before the full Senate for a vote. And it must
pass. by a two-thirds majority.
The President's Amendment (Senate Joint Resolution 73) reads
as follows:
Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to
prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools
or other public institutions. No person shall be
required by the United States or by any state to par-
ticipate in prayer. Neither the United States nor any
state shall compose the words of any prayer to be said
in the public schools.
Working together with The Freedom Council, we are doing all
that we can to secure the passage of this amendment.
But it won't be easy. It hasn't been easy yet and it's not
going to be now. While we rejoice in the Judiciary Committee's
action, we can't afford to relax our efforts in the least. We
need to work harder than ever before.
You see, this is our greatest chance in two decades to
regain this most vital of our freedoms.
Right now, I'm urging you to write the two U.S. senators
from your state. Tell them how strongly you support the Presi-
dent's Prayer Amendment. And tell them how important it is to
you that they support this amendment as well. Then ask them
to let you know how they intend to vote.
It is vital that you refer to SJR 73 when you contact your
senators. Senator Orrin Hatch has introduced an alternative
prayer amendment which would permit only silent prayer. But I
agree with what President Reagan says about that amendment: "I
don't believe we've been fighting this prayer battle for the
right to remain silent!"
So make sure your senators know you support the President's
Amendment, SJR 73, but are opposed to the Silent Prayer and
Meditation Amendment.
-
There's no time to waste. This measure could come before
the Senate any day. Let us begin right now -- this very minute --
to create the groundswell that will leave no doubt in the mind
of any U.S. senator that the American people want them to LET
OUR CHILDREN PRAY AGAIN!
Please write, telephone, or visit your senators today. And
talk to your pastor, your relatives, your friends -- even casual
acquaintances -- and urge them to join us in this effort.
With your help and the help of others, we can make an impact
on the future of this nation. After 20 years America's children
can once again be free to pray.
Thank you for your help and God bless you.
Your brother in Christ,
Pat Robertson
P.S. Please fill in the enclosed reply card to let me know
you are supporting us in this effort to restore our
most precious freedom. Then return the card to me in
the enclosed Freedom Council reply envelope. Thank
you.
IF YOU WRITE YOUR SENATOR URGING SUPPORT FOR THE PRESIDENT'S
PRAYER AMENDMENT:
1. Be courteous, tactful and positive.
2. Be concise, logical and factual, but use adequate length
to express your position clearly. Accuracy is important,
both in facts presented and in spelling and grammar.
3. Use personal stationery or plain paper.
4. Include an inside return address in the upper right hand
corner followed by the reference line: Re: President's
Prayer Amendment SJR 73.
5. It should be addressed to:
The Honorable (John Doe)
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator (Doe)
6. State clearly how you want him to vote and ask him to
write you and let you know how he intends to vote.
7. Write a follow-up letter if he doesn't answer your question
directly. Politely insist that he respond to your question.
8. Send a follow-up thank you letter when the senator votes
the way you asked him to.
9. Be sure and sign your name.
10. Senators know your vote in the next election for them
might be in question if they do not vote as you have
instructed them. Trying to persuade the senator with
your vote introduces a negative element into your
communication that will likely destroy any positive
results from your attempt to influence him.
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Senator (Doe) :
I am deeply concerned about the erosion of our basic
freedoms in this country. Specifically, I'm concerned about
the right of our children to voluntarily pray in our public
schools.
That's why I'm writing to you today and urging you to
support President Reagan's proposed Prayer Amendment, Senate
Joint Resolution 73, when it comes before the United States
Senate.
Although I strongly support SJR 73, I want to clearly
state that I do not support the Silent Prayer and Meditation
Amendment. I feel that this amendment accomplishes very
little in the way of true restoration of our children's free-
dom to pray unrestrained and unhindered.
One of the most important freedoms that Americans have
always had in the past. has been the right to pray. To deny
our children this right is, I believe, to deny the very basis
upon which America was founded.
As soon as possible, I would appreciate hearing from you
that you intend to support SJR 73.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
This letter is intended only as a sample of one approach you
might take. Please write your senator in your own words and
urge him to support this important measure.
PRAYER AMENDMENT REPLY CARD
Yes Pat! I stand with you in this effort to LET OUR CHILDREN
PRAY AGAIN!
( ) I will contact my senators by mail, by telephone, or in
person, to urge passage of the President's Prayer Amend-
ment, SJR 73.
( ) I will contact as many of my friends, relatives and acquain-
tances as possible and urge them to join us in this effort.
( ) Please send me the latest issue of THE FREEDOM REPORT to
help me stay informed on the battle for religious freedom
in America.
( ) Please send me more information on how I can become involved
in The Freedom Council's work to protect and restore America's
religious liberty.
RESOLUTION 15
VOLUNTARY PRAYER AMENDMENT
WHEREAS, The founders of this great nation supported by
1
God-fearing colonists from various states, were determined
2
that the Congress of the United States would not be clad with
3
power to establish a federal church, or to restrict the
4
religious freedom of the citizens of this nation; and
5
WHEREAS, With carefully chosen and meaningful efforts
6
toward accomplishing and safeguarding as inalienable and
7
inviolable these sacred rights for its citizens, their
8
representatives in the Senate labored arduously to guarantee
9
such rights for all time, as is evidenced in an early draft
10
of the First Amendment which read:
11
"Congress shall make no law establishing articles
12
of faith or mode of worship, or prohibiting the free
13
exercise of religion;" and
14
WHEREAS, Later both houses of Congress agreed upon and
15
adopted a simpler formula:
16
"Congress shall make no law respecting an
17
establishment of religion or prohibiting the free
18
exercise thereof; "
19
and did by this act clearly establish its intent that the
20
federal government was not to have power to prefer one sect
21
over another or to interfere with the rights of any person
22
to worship God according to the dictates of his conscience,
23
as had been true in countries from which they had fled in
24
order to gain and retain this freedom; and
25
WHEREAS, The free exercise of such sacred freedom as
26
Page 2, Resolution 15
intentionally prescribed in the First Amendment, has existed
1
in continuous practice until the year 1962; and
2
WHEREAS, The same Congress which proposed the said First 3
Amendment, was served by a chaplain opening its daily
4
proceedings with prayer, authorized the printing of Bibles
5
out of the public treasury, and affirmed a reliance on
6
"divine providence," thus effectively demonstrating its own
7
interpretation of the meaning and intent of said amendment;
8
and
9
WHEREAS, The free exercise of such sacred freedom as
10
intentionally prescribed by the First Amendment, has existed
11
in continuous practice in our national and local life as
12
demonstrated by a profound belief in God, in the efficacy of
13
private and public prayer, and in morality based upon the
14
teachings of the Old and the New Testaments until the year
15
1962 when a small minority forced through the federal court
16
system a mis-shapen concept of the establishment clause of
17
the First Amendment, which contains no resemblance to the
18
views intended by, or the convictions held by the founding
19
fathers of our nation, nor to the customs and practices
20
undisturbed in 375 years of history and therefore well
21
established; and
22
WHEREAS, In attempts to restore the rights originally
23
intended by the First Amendment, two proposed constitutional
24
amendments on school prayer were Voted out of the Senate
25
Judiciary Committee on July 14, 1983:
26
Page 3, Resolution 15
1. The revised version of the Senate Joint
1
Resolution #73 (known as President Reagan's Revised
2
Voluntary Prayer Amendment) which reads:
3
"Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed
4
to prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools
5
or other public institutions. No person shall be
6
required by the United States or by any State to
7
participate in prayer. Nor shall the United States or
8
any State compose the words of any prayer to be said
9
in public schools. "
10
2. An alternative amendment calling for silent
11
meditation and silent prayer which reads:
12
"Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed
13
to prohibit individual or group silent prayer of
14
meditation in public schools. Neither the United States
15
or any State shall require any person to participate
16
in such prayer or meditation, nor shall they encourage
17
a particular form of prayer or meditation.
18
"Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed
19
to prohibit Equal Access to the use of public school
20
facilities by all voluntary student groups ; " and
21
WHEREAS, The foregoing proposed Alternative Prayer
22
Amendment puts the emphasis on silence and is therefore
23
unnecessary since silent prayer has not been ruled
24
unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, thus its adoption
25
would only foster confusion, and further, would (1) legally
26
Page 4, Resolution 15
support the practice of eastern religions and transcendental
1
meditation in public schools and (2) through emphasis on
2
silence, would also jeopardize all oral devotional prayers
3
in schools, including benedictions and invocations; and
4
WHEREAS, Both of the above stated amendments will be
5
considered by the full Senate sometime between Labor Day and
6
October 1, 1983; therefore, be it
7
RESOLVED, That this 40th General Council of the
8
Assemblies of God go on record as supporting the President's
9
Revised Voluntary Prayer Amendment known as the revised
10
version of Senate Joint Resolution #73, and as opposing the
11
alternative amendment which calls for silent meditation and
12
silent prayer; and be it further
13
RESOLVED, That this Council hereby recommends to all
14
pastors that they begin at once to urge the members of their
15
congregations to write letters to both U.S. Senators who
16
represent their State, requesting that said senators
17
represent them by voting YES for Senate Joint Resolution # 73
18
and by voting NO on the alternative silent meditation
19
amendment, such letters should be brief, to the point and in
20
the writer's own words with the latter part of the letter
21
serving as an attempt to obtain a response from the senators
22
on how they intend to vote on this important matter; and
23
be it further
24
RESOLVED, That pastors be requested to forward responses
25
from the senators to the office of the General Secretary at
26
age 5, Resolution 15
the earliest date possible.
1
2
3
1.
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
2
-+ed
Youth With
OR
AMission
5
P.O. Box 7
Elm Springs, Arkansas 72728
Telephone (501) 248-7229
September 23, 1983
Dr. M.G. Robertson
The 700 Club.
Virginia Beach, VA 23463
Dear Pat,
Greetings in the Name of the Lord! Hoping for a meeting with you, I
met with Ted Pantaleo concerning what God is doing in Central America
and he asked me to write and let you know the latest developments.
Ted felt you would be thrilled to know what God is doing there, as well
as the opportunities available to the body of Christ.
Last month I. had the opportunity to meet with President Alvaro Magana
of El Salvador. He asked me to invite not only YWAM, but all of the
body of Christ to come to El Salvador for three reasons -- for spiritual
help, building morale and practical assistance in the form of mercy
ministries.
I wish you had been with me, Pat, to see how God is working in the life
of President Magana through the heavy burdens of his office. He truly
not only wants, but is requesting, help from the body of Christ in the
rebuilding of his nation, SO brutally ravaged by communist guerrillas.
President Alvaro Magana is well acquainted with YWAM's involvement in
neighboring Guatemala. Since January of this year, through our coordi-
nation efforts, more than 1,500 Christians from all over the world, among
them many doctors, nurses, carpenters, electricians and people with
professional skills, have gone to Guatemala to evangelize and work in
practical areas of demonstrating mercy. Even with the August 8 coup,
which brought General Oscar Humberto Mejia Victores to power, God has
clearly spoken that now is a time to advance, not to retreat. And so,
by God's grace, we are.
Youth With A Mission has been given the opportunity to purchase the
last TV station to be licensed in Guatemala, Channel 21, and we are now
in the process of purchasing it. With booster stations on the borders,
we will have the capacity to reach much of Central America with live and
pre-recorded Christian programming. What an incredible opportunity!
Dr. M.G. Robertson
September 23, 1983
Page Two
President Alvaro Magana has specifically requested the body of Christ to
focus our efforts on the rebuilding of the town of San Lorenzo as a model
pilot project for cities throughout El Salvador. Once with a population
of 5,000 people, San Lorenzo was reduced to just 50 after the guerrillas
came. Many of the people were killed; others fled. Now the people are
returning to the city -- but there is little to return to. No electricity,
no water, homes destroyed -- not a pretty picture. But God has targeted
this town to show His care for El Salvador. Using this town as a pilot
project on how to rebuild a city spiritually and physically, the president
would like to see this multiplied in ruined and destroyed cities throughout
the nation. I specifically mentioned you to the president, and his hope is
that you and I will be able to work closely together to see that the work
is coordinated for best results. I have accepted the responsibility from
President Magana to help coordinate the El Salvador project as a part of our
overall Central America restoration project.
We will be kicking off the El Salvador project with a major outreach this
coming January, being joined by Christians from all over the world. Already
a lady from Kansas City has donated the generator which will provide water
and electricity for the entire town of San Lorenzo. Others are getting
involved in other ways. President Magana wants Christians to bring the Word
of God to his Salvadoran people. He was SO excited to receive the Bible I
gave him, officially launching "Bibles For El Salvador". I know this area
of the world is of special concern to you, Pat. We cannot divorce ourselves
from what is happening in Central America. I am sure you are aware of the
close ties between the Middle East and several of these Central American
nations where we are working.
It is my sincere hope that we will be able to work together to make a strong
and lasting impact for Christ in Central America. Individually, we can each
accomplish many good things, but together we can put multiplied thousands to
flight. I see the body of Christ in North America as the resource. I see
you as the voice. I see YWAM and many others who can join us in Central
America as the arms and legs.
We in Youth With A Mission would appreciate very much the opportunity to
work with you in what God is doing in Central America. God is not interested
in just perpetuating our ministries and blessing a few people here and there.
He is out to win the war. He has a strategy. The kingdoms of this world are
already beginning to become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.
I would appreciate it if you could allow me to meet with you as soon as
possible. I am prepared to bring with me the official list of needs prepared
for us by the staff of President Alvaro Magana, as well as photographs and
other pertinent information and materials.
May God richly bless you, your family and ministry!
About our Father's business,
On Patis
Oren Paris, Director
STRATEGIC MISSIONS FOR STRATEGIC NATIONS
Youth With A Mission
CC: Ted Pantaleo
THE CHRISTIAN AND MISSIONARY ALLIANCE
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
September 6, 1983
k.
NYACK NEW YORK 10950
CABLE ADDRESS PAROUSIA NYACKNEWYDRKSTATE
PHONE (914) 353-0750
Mr. Ted Pantaleo
Executive Director
The Freedom Council
P. O. Box 64323
Virginia Beach, VA 23464
Dear Mr. Pantaleo:
Your visit on Wednesday, August 31, was very much appreciated and enjoyed.
Thank you for coming.
Enclosed is a copy of the letter that I have sent to all of the senators.
I am hoping and praying that the President's revised constitutional prayer
amendment will indeed be adopted.
Cordially yours,
Louis L. King
Louis L. King
President
LLK:ps
enc.
THE CHRISTIAN AND MISSIONARY ALLIANCE
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
September 6, 1983
NYACK NEW YORK 10960
CABLE ADDRESS PARCUSIA NYACKNEWYORKSTATE
PHONE (914) 353-0750
The Honorable Strom Thurmond
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Re: President's Prayer Amendment SJR 73
Dear Senator Thurmond:
The School Prayer issue has all along vitally interested me and the 211,000 constituents
of the denomination of which I am the president. We have, however, until now remained
inactive and silent about it due to the question of its constitutionality.
This, however, has been most satisfactorily dealt with in the revised version of Senate
Joint Resolution #73 which was voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 14.
I should appreciate it if you would represent my denomination by voting yes for Senate
Joint Resolution #73 and voting no for the alternative Silent Meditation and Silent
Prayer Amendment.
Would you please let me know how you intend to vote on this so important constitutional
amendment?
Sincerely yours,
Louis L. King
Louis L. King
President
LLK:ps
E
Presidente: H.O. Espinoza
PROMESA
PROYECTOS Y MINISTERIOS EVANGELICOS HISPANOS
P.O. Box 15140
San Antonio, Texas 78212
(512) 824-3322
August 19, 1983
COPY
The Honorable Lloyd M. Bentsen, Jr.
240 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Dear Senator Bentsen:
I am deeply concerned about the erosion of our basic
freedom in this country. Specifically, I'm concerned
about the right of our children to voluntarily pray
in our public schools.
Also, I represent a very large Hispanic constituency in
Texas and many other states, being president of PROMESA,
a nationwide interdenominational religious organization,
and also chariman of the Hispanic National Religious
Broadcasters (HNRB) and deeply involved in educational,
social and religious Hispanic activities.
That is why I am writing to you today, after consultation
with many Hispanic religious leaders, especially protestant,
and urging you to support President Reagan's proposed
Prayer Amendment, Senate Joint Resolution 73, when it comes
before the United States Senate.
Although I strongly support SJR 73, I want to clearly state
that I do not support the Silent Prayer and Meditation
Amendment. I feel that this amendment accomplishes very
little in the way of true restoration of our children's
freedom to pray unrestrained and unhindered.
One of the most important freedoms that Americans have
always had in the past has been the right to pray. To
deny our children this right is, I believe, to deny the
very basis upon which America was founded.
As soon as possible, I would appreciate hearing from you
that you intend to support SJR 73.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
HU Espinoza H. O. ESPINOZA
rye
UNA EMPRESA NACIONAL DE SERVICIO
July 29, 1983
INITIAL PRAYER AMENDMENT STRATEGY
PHASE I
FULL SENATE
TIME FRAME
GOAL:
A. CBN Direct Mail Campaign (week of Aug. 15; Aug. 22)
67 U.S. Senators
must vote:
B. TV & Media Support (700 Club; NRB; Friends in
Labor Day
YES (SJR 73)
Broadcasting; Spots; PSA'S)
34 U.S. Senators
thru Oct. 1
must vote:
C. Coordination of Mail Campaign for Denominations
NO (Hatch Amend.)
and Christian organizations (So. Baptists; A.G.'s;
FGBMFI; Womens' Aglow; NRB; NAE; COGIC; Hispanics;
OBSTACLE:
Charismatic Lutherns; National Baptists; Catholics
(60 U.S. Senators must
and others)
also vote "for cloture"
to break expected filli-
PHASE II
buster)
HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE (27 Members: 16 Democrats
11 Republicans)
GOAL:
A. Lobbying members from home states (Peter Rodino,
Amendment voted out
Chairman, 10th District, N. J., etc.)
By Mid
of Committee for vote
Sept/later
on House floor
B. Try to get it referred to another committee
(immediately
after Senate
OBSTACLE: 218 House
vote)
Members must sign
Discharge Petition
to release from
House Judic. Committee
PHASE III
FULL HOUSE VOTE
GOAL:
Basically repeat and refine activities of PHASE I
?
290 House Members
must vote favorably
for Amendment
PHASE IV
38 STATE LEGISLATURES
GOAL:
Intense "in-state" lobbying of state elected
?
Ratified by 3/4 states
officials coordinated by TFC Coordinators as
directed by National Headquarters; supported
by groups in PHASE I,C
Full Gospel
Business Men's Fellowship
DEMOS SHAKARIAN
President/H ounder
International
August 22, 1983
The Honorable Alan Cranston
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Cranston:
After meeting with President Reagan on July 12, to discuss school
prayer legislation, I wanted to say that we, as an organization,
emphatically endorse the new version of Senate Joint Resolution 73.
I strongly believe in the right of voluntary prayer in the public
schools. We are a theistic country. The Supreme Court has clearly
ruled that such acknowledgement of our theistic faith in the public
sector is our right by law. Voluntary prayer guarantees the same
right to our children. I believe we all share a strong desire to
do something effective to reverse the trend of excluding all
religious forms of speech from the public schools. S.J. Res. 73 is
intended to reverse the Supreme Court's school prayer decisions of
the early 1960's.
May I strongly urge you to support the President's revised amendment,
which would ensure that religion is not discriminated against in our
public schools, and vote NO on the alternative amendment. Our con-
stituency of 75,000 members, represented in 2700 chapters and
outreach ministries in 81 nations, oppose the silent prayer or
meditation amendment as expressed by Senator Orrin Hatch.
I would appreciate knowing how you specifically intend to vote on
this very vital and important issue.
Thank you for your leadership efforts on behalf of the school prayer
movement, Senator Cranston, and your assistance in helping to restore
voluntary religious expression to our public schools. God bless you
and our continued prayers are with you in your key role of leadership.
Sincerely,
DEMOS SHAKARIAN
International President
DS/ds
September 2, 1983
The Honorable
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator
:
At its recent 40th General Council of the Assemblies of God
meeting in Anaheim, California, delegates overwhelmingly passed
a resolution in support of senate joint Resolution #73, also known
as President Reagan's Revised Voluntary Prayer Amendment. The
same delegates also opposed the alternative amendment which calls
for silent meditation and silent prayer in the public schools.
The Assemblies of God represents over 10,000 churches in the
United States with some 1.8 million members. It is the largest
of the Pentecostal denominations with a worldwide constituency of
over 12 million.
It is my understanding that Resolution #73 will come before
the Senate for vote within the next few weeks. 1 am personally
interested in seeing this resolution pass and therefore am
requesting that you indicate to me how you will vote on this
important matter.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Thos. F. Zimmerman
General Superintendent
tls
Enc: 1
Dear :
I am writing to you on behalf of the more than 3 million members of my
denomination, The Church of God in Christ, the vast majority of whom favor
voluntary prayer in our public schools.
The black community throughout America has a rich and fervent religious
heritage. Since our people are so dependent upon the public school system we
want our children to be able to pray in their classrooms again.
More than most, perhaps, we understand what happened in our nations
classrooms when the Supreme Court asked God out of our schools. We know from
bitter experience that once this happened, heroin, cocaine, murder, ignorance,
illiteracy came into our public schools like a flood. If we are to upgrade the
quality of our public schools we must again give our children a consciousness of
God.
I ask you to wholeheartedly support the President's revised school prayer
amendment, Senate Joint Resolution #73, when it comes to the floor of the Senate
for a vote in the next few weeks. This amendment will not take away any rights
of non-Christian or non praying students, but simply would allow students who
want to pray the privilege that school children had enjoyed in our land for a
period of 170 years, prior to the Supreme Court decisions of the 1960's and 70's.
By the same token, I would ask you to oppose vigorously the alternative
"silent meditation and prayer" amendment, voted out of the Judiciary Committee
along with Senate Resolution #73. This amendment is dangerous because it would
not allow our children to mention God openly in our classrooms. It would
prohibit even the slightest vocal mention of the Creator throughout the entire
public education system of our nation. This amendment is totally unacceptable.
Again, I ask to use all the means at your disposal to stop passage of "silent
meditation and prayer" amendment.
Would you be so kind as to let me hear from you.
Believe me when I say, the black community is vitally concerned about the
fate of the prayer amendment in the United States Senate. Our children should no
longer be deprived of the right to pray, when the means to accomplish
that--namely, passage of SJR #73--is so close at hand.
Thank you in advance for representing our people on this issue and bringing
voluntary prayer back to our public schools.
Sincerely yours,
Bishop J.O. Patterson
Presiding Bishop
The Church of God in Christ
Today's Date
The Honorable John Doe
The United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Doe:
I am writing to you today concerning the President's
revised amendment calling for voluntary prayer in the public
schools, Senate Joint Resolution #73. When the President
first proposed his amendment I was opposed to it because it
would allow for state-composed prayers. While the vast
majority of our 14 million Southern Baptists favor voluntary
prayer in our public schools, we could not support such a
proposal. However, when the President at the urging of many
of us in the Christian community, added clear and precise
language which forbids any agent of the state or nation to
compose the words of prayer for our schools, I was elated.
I want. to urge you to support this proposed amendment.
It will allow the school children of America the same privilege
that we cherish for our congress, courts and other public
forums, namely the right to public prayer. We are not an
atheistic country. We are a nation that was founded upon
Biblical principles and upon a firm belief in God. Voluntary
prayer acknowledges this cherished heritage.
I must also express my strong opposition to the
alternative proposal which calls for silent prayer and
meditation. Because of the wording it could open the door for
the full removal of all religious acknowledgement from the
schools and eventually from public life. It must not be
accepted. I urge you to oppose that alternative proposal.
I would be interested in hearing from you concerning
this matter. I assure you that the people of this nation will
be watching this matter most carefully and that there are
millions of us who will not sit idly by and watch our
wonderful nation take on the atmosphere and posture of denying
God by removing all opportunities for prayer from the basic
education of our children.
Sincerely yours,
James T. Draper
The
Freedom
Council
P.O. Box 64323 Virginia Beach. Virginia 23464
September 14, 1983
The Honorable Ted Stevens
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Stevens:
My friend George Gallop last week gave me the interesting results of the
August 1983 Gallop Poll of the attitudes of Americans.
The American people are almost unanimously united on one major issue.
Democrats and Republicans, those over 55 and those under 30, blue collar
workers, blacks, Hispanics, college educated, high school educated, those
without high school education, all overwhelmingly favor a return to morality
in the public schools of America.
Specifically; Gallop has found that 81% of the American people are totally
familiar with a Constitutional amendment to permit voluntary prayer in the
public schools in America and an astounding 82% of those people in August
of 1983 favor such a Constitutional amendment.
Our organization has joined with a coalition of major religious groups,
including the largest Protestant denomination in America, the second largest
black denomination in America, the fifth Targest Protestant denomination in
America, the vast majority of the National Association of Evangelicals, the
National Religious Broadcasters, the National Hispanic Broadcasters, and many
other major religious groups to support Senate Joint Resolution #73 to permit
voluntary prayer in public schools.
There has seldom been an issue as clear-cut as this one, and I urge your
favorable vote when the measure comes before the United States Senate in
early October, for the following reasons:
(1) The amendment reestablishes time honored Constitutional rights which
were erroneously taken away by Supreme Court action only 20 years ago.
(2) From a sociological perspective the alarming decline in Scholastic
Aptitude Tests and the equally alarming increase in delinquent behavior
amoung our teenagers can be traced back to the breakdown of morality in
our public schools subsequent to 1962.
Senator Ted Stevens
September 14, 1983
Page Two
(3) Seldom will you have the privilege of voting in favor of an issue
which enjoys such overwhelming support from every class of your
constituents in your State.
With thanks in advance for your consideration of this issue of vital
importance to all the people of our nation, and with all good wishes,
I am
Cordially yours
Pat Robertson
President
PR:bj
The
Freedom
Council
P.O. Box 64323 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464
September 29, 1983
Rev. Andrew Leung, Chairman
Chinese Pastors Fellowship New York City
Chinese Christian & Missionary Alliance
149 E. Broadway
New York, N.Y. 10002
Dear Rev. Leung:
Yesterday I had a delightful meeting with Pastor Kenneth Wong at his church
in Chinatown, New York City and he suggested that I contact you immediately.
As you know two proposed constitutional amendments on school prayer were
voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 14th:
the revised version of Senate Joint Resolution #73
(President's Amendment)
an alternative amendment calling for silent meditation
and silent prayer
Both amendments will be considered by the full Senate in early October.
Between now and then a massive mail campaign will be launched by denominations
and religious groups across America. The hope is that a well coordinated campaign
by Christian leaders will help bring prayer back again to our public school system.
To be activated at once, this campaign will have 2 immediate goals, namely:
(1) to ask Senators to secure passage of the President's revised prayer amendment
and (2) to provide us with immediate feedback from our Senators as to how they
plan to vote and why. Responses from our Senators will be very important in
determining a national lobbying strategy for the Body of Christ in this matter.
We are asking you, and other heads of Christian denominations and Christian
organizations, to write letters to all 100 United States Senators. These letters
should be on the senator's desks no later than October 7th. They should indicate
that these senators represent the denominations or Christian groups by voting YES
for Senate Joint Resolution #73 and voting NO for the alternative silent
meditation and silent prayer amendment.
The second part of the letter should attempt to get a response from the
senators on how they intend to vote specifically in this situation. To help us
coordinate this campaign as effectively as possible, we are asking you and the
other denominational and organizational leaders to do one more thing. Please
forward the responses from the senators to THE FREEDOM COUNCIL as soon as
possible so we can gather intelligence and more effectively lobby for this
amendment.
Finally, would you ask the pastors and leaders of the Chinese Christian &
Missionary Alliance to write a similar letter to the 2 United States senators
from their home states. In addition, they should ask the members of their
congregations to do the same thing. These letters should reach the senator on or
before October 10th.
In this way, your letter and the letters of the following Christian leaders
will be in the hands of the aforementioned senators on or before October 7th: Dr.
James Draper, President, Southern Baptist Convention; Dr. William Bright, Pres-
ident, Campus Crusade for Christ; Rev. Morris Vaagenes, President, International
Lutheran Center for Church Renewal; Mrs Beverly LaHaye, President, Concerned
Women of America; Dr. Thomas Zimmerman, General Superintendent, Assemblies of
God; Demos Shakarian, Founder and President, Full Gospel Businessmen Inter-
national; Dr. L.L. King, President, Christian and Missionary Alliance; Bishop
J.O. Patterson, Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ; Dr. Ben Armstrong,
Executive Director, National Religious Broadcasters; Rev. H.O. Espinoza, Chairman
of the Hispanic section of the National Religious Broadcasters; Rev. Bob Weiner,
Maranatha Campus Ministries; Dr. Rolf McPherson, General Superintendent, Inter-
national Church of the Four Square Gospel, and others. The state and local
leaders of these denominations and Christian organizations will then be writing
similar letters to their senators to arrive on their desks by October 10th.
Senator Strom Thurmond reminded us at a recent hearing of the Senate
Judiciary Committee that, "We had prayer in our public schools for 170 years. We
would like to thank you, and the leaders and members of the Chinese Christian
Missionary and Alliance for your efforts to see that prayer is again restored in
our nation's classrooms.
God bless you, my brother.
Your brother in Christ,
Ted
Ted Pantaleo,
Executive Director
TP/ifo
P.S. All United States Senators may be reached at:
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
FOR RELEASE:
The Gallup Poll
Thursday,
September 8, 1983
Since 1935
8 In 10 Favor Amendment Permitting
Voluntary Group Prayer In Schools
By George Gallup
PRINCETON, N.J. - An overwhelming majority of
Here are the national findings:
Americans favor a Constitutional Amendment that would
permit voluntary group prayer in public schools.
Voluntary School Prayer
Among the 8 in 10 who have followed the pros and
(Based on aware group)
cons of the debate over prayer in public schools, 81% say
Favor - Total
81%
they favor the proposed Amendment while 14% oppose it
Very strongly
48%
and 5% are undecided.
Fairly strongly
29
Public support for such an Amendment has remained
Not at all strongly
4
firm over the 15 months since President Reagan first
proposed it. A May 1982 survey showed 78% of the
Oppose - Total
14
aware group (also 82% in that survey) in favor of the
Not at all strongly
2
Reagan proposal, 16% opposed and 6% with no opinion.
Fairly strongly
5
Very strongly
7
Many Express Strong Support
No opinion
5
Nearly half of the aware group (48%) say they
100%
strongly favor the proposed Amendment, while 33%
express mild support. On the disapproval side, 7% say
Here are the results by key population groups:
they strongly oppose the Amendment, while 7% express
mild opposition.
Voluntary School Prayer
(Based on aware group)
The Reagan Proposal
Favor
Oppose
No opinion
The President's proposed Amendment states:
%
%
%
Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to
NATIONAL
81
14
5
prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools or
Men
79
16
5
other public institutions. No person shall be required by
Women
83
12
5
the United States or by any state to participate in prayer.
Whites
79
15
6
Organized group prayer in public schools effectively
Non-whites
91
7
2
came to an end in 1962 after the Supreme Court ruled it
18-29 years
77
18
5
violated the First Amendment.
30-49 years
79
15
6
All persons in the current survey were first asked this
50 & older
85
10
5
question:
College education
72
21
7
Have you heard or read about a proposed Amend-
High school
84
11
5
ment to the U.S. Constitution that would allow voluntary
Grade school
94
5
1
prayer in the public schools?
Catholics
84
10
6
Protestants
84
11
5
Eight in 10 (82%) replied in the affirmative. This
Baptists
91
6
3
"aware" group was then asked:
Methodists
82
11
7
Do you favor or oppose this proposed Amendment?
Republicans
85
10
5
How strongly do you favor (oppose) this proposed
Democrats
81
14
5
Independents
77
16
7
Amendment - very strongly, fairly strongly, or not at all
strongly?
East
81
16
6
Midwest
85
10
5
South
86
9
5
West
67
25
8
Home Is Seen As Key Training Ground
Although the public overwhelmingly favors permit-
ting voluntary prayer in schools, the prevailing opinion
among all groups and faiths is that the home is more
important than either the church or schools in the religious
training of children.
Currently 80% say the home is most important in the
religious and spiritual development of a child while 15%
name the church and only 2%, the schools.
Which one of the following do you think is the most
important in the religious and spiritual development of a
child - the home, school, or the Church?
Home
80%
Church
15
School
2
No opinion
3
100%
The results reported today are based on in-person
interviews with 1,567 adults, 18 and older, conducted in
more than 300 scientifically-selected locations across the
nation during the period July 22-25.
For results based on a sample of this size, one can say
with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sam-
pling and other random effects could be 3 percentage
points in either direction.
ARTICLE
"Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to
prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools or
other public institutions. No person shall be required
by the United States or by any State to participate in
prayer. Nor shall the United States or any State compose
the words of any prayer to be said in public schools."
Text of President Reagan's
Revised Voluntary Prayer Amendment
The
Freedom
Council
P.O. Box 64323 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464
U. S. STATE SENATORS
ALABAMA
ILLINOIS
Howell Heflin (D)
Charles H. Percy (R)
Jeremiah Denton (R)
Alan J. Dixon (D)
ALASKA
INDIANA
Ted Stevens (R)
Richard G. Lugar (R)
Frank H. Murkowski (R)
Dan Quayle (R)
ARIZONA
IOWA
Barry Goldwater (R)
Roger W. Jepsen (R)
Dennis DeConcini (D)
Charles E. Grassley (R)
ARKANSAS
KANSAS
Dale Bumpers (D)
Robert Dole (R)
David Pryor (D)
Nancy L. Kassebaum (R)
CALIFORNIA
KENTUCKY
Alan Cranston (D)
Walter D. Huddleston (D)
Pete Wilson (R)
Wendell H. Ford (D)
COLORADO
LOUISIANA
William L. Armstrong (R)
Russell B. Long (D)
Gary Hart (D)
J. Bennett Johnston, Jr. (D)
CONNECTICUT
MAINE
Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. (R)
William S. Cohen (R)
Christopher J. Dodd (D)
George Mitchell (D)
DELAWARE
MARYLAND
William V. Roth, Jr. (R)
Charles McC. Mathias, Jr. (R)
Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D)
Paul Sarbanes (D)
FLORIDA
MASSACHUSETTS
Lawton Chiles (D)
Edward M. Kennedy (D)
Paula Hawkins (R)
Paul E. Tsongas (D)
GEORGIA
MICHIGAN
Sam Nunn (D)
Donald W. Riegle, Jr. (D)
Mack Mattingly (R)
Carl Levin (D)
HAWAII
MINNESOTA
Daniel K. Inouye (D)
David Durenberger (R)
Spark Matsunaga (D)
Rudy Boschwitz (R)
IDAHO
MISSISSIPPI
James A. Mc Clure (R)
John C. Stennis (D)
Steven D. Symms (R)
Thad Cochran (R)
MEMO
to:
TFC Coordinators
copy to: File
from:
Ted Pantaleo, Executive Director, THE FREEDOM COUNCIL
subject: Brief on Silent Prayer and Meditation Amendment
date:
August 16, 1983
"Nothing in this constitution shall be construed to pro-
hibit individual or group silent prayer or meditation in
public schools. Neither the United States or any state
shall require any person to partcipate in such prayer or
meditation, nor shall they encourage any particular form
of prayer or meditation."
"Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to pro-
hibit Equal Access to the use of Public School facilities
by all voluntary student groups."
--Alternative Prayer Amendment
We have discussed the alternative amendment to Senate Joint Resolution #73 (the
President's school prayer amendment) with the following constitutional attorneys:
Sam Ericsson, Director, Washington Office, Christian Legal Society; John
Whitehead, Founder, Rutherford Institute; Steve Galebach, Policy Staff, The White
House; and Dr. Herb Titus, Dean of CBN's School of Public Policy.
Generally they oppose this amendment on the grounds that it puts the emphasis on
silence. Silent prayer has not been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
From that standpoint, the alternative amendment is unnecessary and would create
confusion.
In addition, there was agreement on two other objections to the proposed silent
prayer and meditation amendment: (1) it would legally support the practice of
eastern religions and transcendental meditation in our public schools, and (2)
through the emphasis on silence, it would also jeopardize all oral devotional
prayers in schools, including benedictions and invocations.
Sam Ericsson said he was strongly opposed to the silent prayer and meditation
aspect contained in the first section of the amendment. He stated it was "very
limiting and implies no other form of prayer should ever be permitted." Ericsson
also said the second section of the amendment infers that "equal access" is now
illegal (unconstitutional) in our public schools. The U.S. Supreme Court has not
so ruled, therefore this provision would generate great confusion in the courts
of the land.
The
Freedom
Council
P.O. Box 64323 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464
September 1, 1983
Archbishop J.R. Roach
Catholic Archdiocese
226 Summit Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
Dear Archbishop Roach:
As you may know two proposed constitutional amendments on school prayer
were voted out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 14th:
the revised version of Senate Joint Resolution #73
(President's Amendment)
an alternative amendment calling for silent meditation
and silent prayer
Both amendments will be considered by the full Senate around the 1st of
October. Between now and then a massive mail campaign will be launched by
denominations and religious groups across America. The hope is that a well
coordinated campaign by Christian leaders will help bring prayer back again to
our public school system.
To be activated at once, this campaign will have 2 immediate goals, namely:
(1) to ask Senators to secure passage of the President's revised prayer amendment
and (2) to provide us with immediate feedback from our Senators as to how they
plan to vote and why. Responses from our Senators will be very important in
determining a national lobbying strategy for the Body of Christ in this matter.
We are asking you, and other heads of Christian denominations and Christian
organizations, to write letters to the following United States senators: Senator
Howard Baker, Majority Leader; Senator Robert C. Byrd, Minority Leader; Senator
Strom Thurmond, Chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the United States Senate;
and the 2 U.S. Senators from the state where denominations or Christian
organizations are currently based. These letters should be on the senator's desks
no later than September 15th. They should indicate that these senators represent
the denominations or Christian groups by voting YES for Senate Joint Resolution
#73 and voting NO for the alternative silent meditation and silent prayer
amendment.
The second part of the letter should attempt to get a response from the
senators on how they intend to vote specifically in this situation. To help us
coordinate this campaign effectively as possible, we are asking you and the other
denominational and organizational leaders to do one more thing. Please forward
the responses from the senators to THE FREEDOM COUNCIL as soon as possible so we
can gather intelligence and more effectively lobby for this amendment.
Finally, would you ask all pastors, and leaders of your Diocese throughout
the United States to write a similar letter to the 2 United State senators from
their home states. In addition, they should ask the members of their congregations
to do the same thing. These letters should reach the senator on or before
September 22nd.
In this way, your letter and the letters of the following Christian leaders
will be in the hands of the aforementioned senators on or before September 15th:
Dr. Thomas Zimmerman, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God; Demos Shakarian,
Founder and President, Full Gospel Businessmen International; Dr. L.L. King,
President, Christian Missionary and Alliance; Dr. William R. Bright, President,
Campus Crusade for Christ; Dr. James Draper, Southern Baptist Convention; Bishop
J.O. Patterson, Presiding Bishop, Church of God in Christ; Dr. Ben Armstrong,
Executive Director, National Religious Broadcasters; H.O. Espinoza, Chairman of
the Hispanic section of the National Religious Broadcasters; Rev. Bob Weiner,
Maranatha Campus Ministries and others. The state and local leaders of these
denominations and Christian organizations will then be writing similar letters to
their senators to arrive on their desks by September 22nd.
Senator Strom Thurmond reminded us at a recent hearing of the Senate
Judiciary Committee that, "We had prayer in our public schools for 170 years.' We
would like to thank you and the leaders of your Diocese for your efforts to see
that prayer is again restored in our nation's classrooms.
God bless you, my brother.
Your brother in Christ,
Ted Pantateo
Ted Pantaleo,
Executive Director
TP/ifo
P.S. All United States Senators may be reached at:
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
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DEAR PRESIDENT REAGAN
YESTERDAY, MARCH 28, THE CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING NETWORK, THROUGH ITS
TELEVISION PROGRAM, THE 700 CLUB CONDUCTED A NATIONWIDE POLL ON THE
SUBJECT SHALL THE UNITED STATES BUILD A NUCLEAR DEFENSE SYSTEM IN
OUTER SPACE?"
IN ANSWER TO THE POLL TAKE VIA TELEVISION IN 3,425 COMMUNITIES IN THE
UNITED STATES, 31,642 PEOPLE RESPONDED A8 FOLLOWS:
27,315 . OR 87 PERCENT . VOTED YES,
4,327 - OR 13 PERCENT - VOTED NO.
IN OTHER WORDS, 87 PERCENT OF THOSE RESPONDING ARE IN FAVOR OF THE
INITIATIVE PROPOSED IN YOUR RECENT MESSAGE ON DEFENSE.
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Pat Robertson
PRESIDENT
December 1, 1982
The Honorable William French Smith
The Attorney General
Justice Department
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Smith:
Evangelical Christians across America have been shocked at the
diminution of religious liberties in the United States during the
past 20 years.
Perhaps the most egregious recent case is that dealing with the
Lubbock School District recently decided by the Court of Appeals
for the Fifth Circuit. In that case, the Court forbade private
student groups from exercising free speech before and after school
hours if that speech dealt with the exercise of their personal
religious beliefs. This ruling overturned the unanimous vote of
the elected officials of the City of Lubbock, and would effectively
prohibit all private religious free speech in any public school in
the United States.
The case is of such import that noted attorney Leon Jaworski is
representing the Lubbock School District. Our organization, The
Freedom Council, is filing an amicus brief on petition for a writ
of certiorari.
I would urge vigorous action by the Justice Department in support
of the petition of the Lubbock School District. In light of the
far-reaching constitutional issues touched by this case, I especially
would urge action in support of certiorari. By refusing certiorari
in the Brandon Case, the Supreme Court let stand a similar decision
in New York. However, the language and rational of the Court in the
Lubbock Case is much more far-reaching, and, therefore, more damaging
to religious beliefs in the United States.
William French Smith
December 1, 1982
Page Two
With thanks for your favorable consideration, and with all good
wishes, I am
Cordially yours,
Pat Robertson
President
PR:bj
CC: Morton Blackwell
The White House
Washington, D.C.
file
Ben
Today on the 700 Club program, we conducted an audience
poll call, offering two solutions to solve the problem confronting
people concerning the Social Security system in America.
The audience were given two major alternatives:
(1) Increased taxes
(2) Reduced benefits
Under the heading of (1), we included additional Social
Security taxes, funding from general revenues, drawing Federal
workers into the Social Security system.
Under (2), we included deferring Social Security until age
68, elimination of cost of living increases, stricter regulations
as to coverage of dependents, and possible use of private plans
to supplement Social Security, so that Social Security would no
longer be the primary source of retirement benefits.
Of an audience that eschews the elderly (those 50 years and
older), the results were as follows:
Increased taxes - 19 percent in favor.
Reduced benefits (through one of the means mentioned
above) -- 81%
The total number of respondents from all 50 states were
-
In
(state), we received
- calls and
the results were
.
XXXXXX
Rilig
monton Hostand
STRAIGHT WIRE - JULY 8, 1982
Mr. Pat Robertson
c/o C.B.N. Western Division
1307 W. Sixth Street
Suite 206
Corona, California 91720
Dear Pate
Nancy and I are delighted to send our warm congratulations
as the City of Corona honors you with "Pat Robertson Day"
and you celebrate the opening of the West Coast office
of the Christian Broadcasting Network.
For many years you have worked diligently to bring a message
of hope and faith to Americans across this land. Your leadership
and devoted efforts have contributed to the spirmtual growth
that is a fundamental part of the strength of our nation.
May the Lord continue to bless and guide you in the years to
come.
Sincerely
RONALD REAGAN
RR:WELLS:vs
EVENT: : JULY 9
CC: K.Osborne/J.Wells/E.Rollins/J.Burgess/CF X
CBN CENTER VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA 23463 (804) 424-7777
The
Christian
Broadcasting
Network
Inc.
June 30, 1982
Mr. Martin Blackwell
The White House, Room 191
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. Blackwell,
It was a pleasure to see you again, and once again, your
hospitality was absolutely impeccable. I enjoyed the
brief time of fellowship, and I want to thank you for
including me in the list of distinguished visitors to
the President's announcement.
God's richest blessings be with you.
Ben Your servant,
Ben Kinchlow
II Corinthians 4:5
BK:b1
file
Ms. Shirley Griffing
3728 Foss Road, Apartment 2
St. Anthony Village, Minnesota 55421
November 27, 1982
Mr. Morton Blackwell
President Reagan's Liaison
The Capitol
Washington, D.C.
/
Dear Mr. Blackwell:
From the November 10, 1982 telecast of the Christian Broadcasting
Network's 7001 Club, I learned that President Reagan has ordered Fed-
eral marshalls to observe laws already on the books and crack down
on those dregs of our society involved in the pornography trade.
Thank God we have a President sensitive to the wishes of the people
and one who is not under the control of the Mafia.
As a former silent taxpayer who loves this country, I pledge my
written, vocal, and prayerful support of President Reagan and any
congressman who takes a firm stand against any of the insidious rot
destroying us.
You may wish to alert the President that he is upheld in my
daily prayers.
Sincerely,
Shirley Griffing
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 7, 1982
Dear Pat:
Thanks so much for your recent letter
sending me a copy of your "Perspective"
from last fall. It is a very hard
hitting and thought provoking newsletter.
Keep up the good work.
Cordially,
Morton
Morton C. Blackwell
Special Assistant to the President
for Public Liaison
Dr. Pat Robertson, President
The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc.
CBN Center
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23463
CBN CENTER VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA 23463 (804) 424-7777
The
Christian
Broadcasting
Network
Inc.
Pat Robertson
PRESIDENT
May 12, 1982
write note of
Mr. Morton C. Blackwell
Public Liaison
a very have
thools.
Special Asst. to the President for
The White House
1600 Pennsy vania Ave.
Washington, DC 20500
+
Dear Mr. Blackwell,
61
the
CBN began 1982 with a "700 Club" program series entitled, "World
in Crisis -- Is There Hope?" In connection with this, I devoted an issue
of my newsletter, "Perspective," to exploring the many facets of this
crisis and its ultimate solutions.
to to And
Sharing your concern for the direction of our nation and world, I
am taking the liberty of enclosing a copy of the "Perspective." I hope
you will find it of interest.
My prayers are with you and your colleagues as you move forward
into the critical times of testing which lie ahead.
Pat Sincere Pat Rohnts Robertson yours,
CLUB Printed in U.S.A.
PAT ROBERTSON'S PERSPECTIVE
A special report to members of The 700 Club
CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING NETWORK, INC. 1981
Fall 1981
There is in the air today the unmistakable scent of the antichrist spirit.
It was present at the tower of Babel; it was present in Sodom and Gomorrah; it
was present in the French Revolution and later in Nazi Germany; and it is present
in Europe and in the United States today.
The signs of the antichrist spirit are clear. A significant minority, then
a majority of the people in a society begin to throw off the restraints of
history--then the restraints of written law--then accepted standards of morality
--then established religion--finally God Himself.
As the rebellion gains momentum, the participants grow bolder. What was
once considered shameful and unlawful begins to be practiced openly, then
militantly. As each societal taboo falls another comes under attack. Established
institutions crumble. What begins as a cry for "freedom of expression" soon turns
into an all out war against the rights of the advocates of traditional morality.
The thing spreads like a disease. Honor, decency, honesty, self-control,
sexual restraint, family values, and sacrifice are replaced by gluttony, sensu-
ality, bizarre sex, cruelty, profligacy, dishonesty, fraud, waste, debauched
currency, rampant inflation, delinquency, drunkenness, and drug induced euphoria.
Those who represent traditional morality are hated, then reviled, then diminished
in influence, finally persecuted as enemies.
The people then seek out a deity which will both permit and personify
their basest desires. At Babel it was a tower; in ancient Mediterranean cultures
it was a god or goddess of sex; at Mt. Sinai it was a golden calf; in Rome it
was an insane emperor; in France it was the goddess of reason; in Germany it
was Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party; in the United States it is central govern-
ment under the religion of secular humanism.
No society under the grip of the antichrist spirit has ever survived.
With it comes a period of lawlessness and virtual anarchy. Then an economic
collapse followed by a reign of terror. Then a strong man dictator who plunders
the society for his own personal aggrandizement. Then wars to fulfill the
leader's insane dream of empire. Then defeat and collapse.
In some cases God directly intervenes to destroy the antichrist society
before its full flower. Others destroy themselves. In some cases a righteous
nation overwhelms them. In others the work is done by more virile barbarians.
In all cases destruction comes.
Consider what has been happening in the United States.
Organized crime is the largest industry in America, with gross revenues
from narcotics, prostitution, gambling, pornography, racketeering, and other
enterprises of $150 billion, and net after-tax revenues estimated at $50 billion.
The profits from crime eclipse the profits of the giant United States oil or
-2-
automotive industries. Organized crime not only feeds on human depravity but
becomes a well funded engine to perpetuate and enlarge it. The bribery, graft,
corruption, and physical violence that the crime lords can buy is beyond calcu-
lation.
The citizens of South Florida, for example, know that chemically induced
euphoria is harmful to people. They must realize the terrible dangers of heroin,
cocaine, marijuana and barbiturates. They also know that the sale of these
substances is illegal. But what is an unprofitable South Florida savings and
loan to do when it receives a cash deposit from drug smugglers of $10,000,000;
what does a real estate agent do when given $500,000 for the purchase of a hard-
to-sell house; what does a car dealer do when given $35,000 in cash for a brand
new Mercedes? What do a host of legitimate businesses in South Florida do with
the increase of $5 billion or more in cash which flows into their economy each
year from the traffic in illegal drugs?
If legitimate businessmen under those circumstances refuse to deal with the
bearers of illicit cash, absent a miracle, they will find they are falling behind
their competition until their ability to continue in business is jeopardized.
If they accept the money, they tie their personal future to the success of crime
in America. In either case the presence of organized crime has compromised and
corrupted the entire fabric of society.
Consider domestic agriculture. Reeling from the onslaught of high costs
and worldwide depression, some farmers have begun to grow marijuana. Now,
illegal marijuana is a $200 million cash crop in California and is having a
significant economic effect on agricultural incomes in many states.
This year the gross revenues in the United States from illegal sale of
cocaine stand at $35 billion--for marijuana $24 billion. Together revenues
for these two substances is 50% more than the total amount Americans donate
to all charity, education, and religion nationwide.
As many as 60% of school age children have tried marijuana. Some as young
as ten and eleven are high on marijuana every day. When they get old enough to
vote they will want to legalize the substance. A substantial percentage of
college educated professional people are high on marijuana or cocaine several
times a week. Over 240 million prescriptions were sold last year for semi-
addictive tranquilizers, primarily librium and valium.
Imagine what will happen to our national resolve if the "good people" of
society buy into the drug culture for profit, and the emerging generation makes
drug induced euphoria a part of their lives.
But crime and drug abuse are only part of the story. Consider the sexual
revolution. Public standards regarding nudity, fornication, adultery, homo-
sexuality, incest, child molestation, and sadomasochism have either crumbled or
are under fierce attack.
Humanist educators are forcing sex education without any moral standards
upon little children. Courses in sex education are being offered which advocate
masturbation, premarital sex, and homosexuality.
Bedroom scenes featuring unmarried men and women in various states of
nudity have become commonplace in motion pictures, and are now brought repeatedly
-3-
into American homes on television. It would be a rare child who has reached
the age of ten without being indoctrinated into permissive sexuality.
Now the array of sex courses, sex magazines, movies, massage parlors, and
peep shows are being joined by a powerful ally--satellite to home pornographic
channels on cable television. Under the heading of "Rainbow," "Excapade,"
"Midnight Blue," etc., cable systems are bringing into the living rooms of
millions of subscribers graphic depictions of various sex acts, filthy language,
and frontal nudity. This will no longer be the province of the stag smoker or
the slightly eccentric voyeur. Now middle class America and their impression-
able children will be shaping their views of decency, morality, marital fidelity,
and human procreation at the feet of the morally twisted purveyors of soft and
hard core pornography.
Porno directors soon tire of illicit heterosexual acts. Their cameras
begin to probe the bizarre. Homosexuality and lesbianism; then incest; then
group orgies; then the cruelties of sadomasochism; finally the ultimate horror,
the "snuff" film in which the victim of perverted sex is first mutilated and
then killed.
Will society recoil from these excesses? So far the answer regrettably is
no. And why would it? The high priests of secular humanism who control the
universities and the legal and education apparatus have said in their Humanist
Manifesto, "there should be no restraint on any expression of human sexuality."
Therefore, the emerging religion has spoken. "Unbridled sexuality is not
immoral. In fact it is healthful and good."
Sex in marriage can be an avenue to shared union between two people who
have committed themselves to a life together. But the ultimate aim of all
sexuality is not sensuous gratification but procreation--the continuation of the
race. Many forms of modern day sexual expression are completely sterile. Homo-
sexuality by definition can never result in procreation and therefore is not
sexual. Homosexuality and lesbianism always remain a form of auto-eroticism.
Yet those who practice these abominations desire not only legal but even spiritual
assent to their actions. Now a large element of society is demanding an amend-
ment to the Constitution which would prohibit any form of discrimination based
on "sex." This so-called Equal Rights Amendment, or ERA, does not mention dis-
crimination because of gender, i.e., male or female. It is represented as
bringing equality to women, yet it does not mention women at all.
Interestingly enough this amendment has the vigorous support of those who
engage in types of sexual conduct which are now illegal in some states. It is
obvious that they view ERA, not as protecting women, but as protecting their
personal sexual preferences and practice.
ERA, if ratified, could be interpreted to give constitutional protection to
homosexuals, lesbians, sadomasochists, and to anyone else who engaged in any
other sexual practice whether or not that practice was prohibited by the Bible,
religious dogma, existing federal or state law.
The sexual revolution has permitted unbridled gratification of sexual
desire, but along with gratification has come procreation of human beings,
something that hedonists find both inconvenient and embarrassing.
-4-
Since the religion of secular humanism has ruled that full freedom of
sexual expression is desirable, then it must create a dogma which minimizes
what they consider the undesirable side effects of sexual pleasure.
As an accommodation to their views, the Supreme Court of the United States
has ruled that the thing conceived as the result of sexual relations between
two human beings is not itself a human being and therefore may be destroyed
prior to birth. It is an embryo, a fetus, or the "product of conception" but
not a human baby.
So that the sex party may continue without inconvenience, we have killed
eight million unborn infants since Roe vs Wade, and the slaughter proceeds at
the rate of 1.2 million per year. Whatever the Supreme Court or the humanists
call them, God calls them human children and our society will be forced to
answer to Him for their deaths.
The sexual revolution is having a profound effect on American family life.
In the last decade the number of couples living together outside of marriage
has doubled. One out of every two marriages ends in divorce. In Washington,
D.C., last year more babies died by abortion than were permitted to be born
alive. Reported cases of venereal disease are at epidemic proportions--about
3 million annually.
Despite all of the sex education, or perhaps because of it, the numbers of
pregnant unmarried teenagers has continued to rise. Between 1970 and 1979 the
number of babies born out of wedlock has doubled. Statistics just released
indicate that one out of every six live births in the United States was out of
wedlock. No statistics mark the loss of innocence and beauty, the corruption,
the shame, the guilt, the ruined lives.
Consider also the debauching of our standards of financial morality.
In the United States, molded by humanist thinking, the government has been
made our god and our provider. The result has been a wild raid on the public
treasury, federal debt in excess of $1,000,000,000,000, ever diminishing
currency value, ever increasing inflation, and a fragile domestic and world
economy in serious danger of collapse.
In 1941 the population of the United States was 133.7 million. To meet the
total needs of the federal government we spent $13.6 billion. Forty years later
our population has grown to 229.3 million, a 77½ increase, but the federal
spending has grown to $661.2 billion, an increase of 4,762%.
Easy money and wild inflation have encouraged borrowing, speculation,
excesses of consumption. Smart money buys leveraged investments and borrows
recklessly knowing that inflation will make profligacy seem wise. Those who
worked and saved and stayed out of debt have been considered foolish. Inflation
has wiped out the conservatively invested savings of lifetimes.
The federal government, like organized crime, has forced the honest and
frugal to buy into its dishonest inflationary schemes in order to survive. In
like manner, it has corrupted millions of people by a bewildering array of
benefits, gifts, grants, and loans. The people have been willing to sell their
-5-
freedom and independence in exchange for the twentieth century equivalent of
bread and circuses.
Now we have become addicted, and though the addiction is life threatening,
the withdrawal seems worse. And so, like the heroin junkie who knows that
continued addiction will cause death, we not only prefer death to the pain of
withdrawal, but we are prepared to fight and even kill anyone who threatens to
cut off the supply of our economic "fix."
Consider the revolt against history, law, traditional morality, Christianity,
the Bible, and God Himself.
In a recent church-state dialogue sponsored by the Virginia Council of
Churches, Dr. Robert S. Alley, professor of humanistic studies at the University
of Richmond, a school that was founded by and, until recently, supported by the
Southern Baptist Convention, summed up the antichrist rebellion with these
words, "We must throw off the tyranny of the concept that the Bible is the word
of God. We must be freed from the tyranny of thought that comes from Martin
Luther, John Calvin, Zwingli, and John Knox."
What he intended was the destruction of the Bible as the authoritative guide
for faith and conduct, the doctrine of man's sinfulness, the doctrine of eternal
rewards and eternal punishment, the necessity of repentance and justification by
faith in Jesus Christ, and the necessity of holy living in order to please God.
This man did not dare in a church meeting to deny the existence of God,
but in Humanist Manifesto I and II, the leaders of secular humanism deny the
"existence of a supernatural God who hears and answers prayer.
At the core of a self governing free society, there must be self restraint
on the part of the people. This self restraint springs from the belief that
there is a God who is the ultimate authority, who will one day reward or punish
men for their conduct on earth. No democratic society can endure without self
restraint based on moral absolutes.
The nation of Israel was established as a self-governing constitutional
democracy. It was not a theocracy but was governed by a written body of laws
given by God Himself. The United States was founded as a Constitutional Republic,
with the concept that its laws, rights, and privileges came from a higher power
--"the Creator."
The Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that we are a "Christian nation,"
"a religious people whose institutions presuppose the existence of a supreme
being."
Today, under the assault of secular humanism, a new rule of law is emerging.
No longer do judges seek to make decisions based on the Bible, the Constitution,
natural law, or historic precedent. Instead they impose as a rule of law what-
ever seems sociologically expedient or whatever reflects the prevailing senti-
ment of the ruling humanistic elite. As one justice declared arrogantly, "The
Constitition is whatever we say it is." We have ceased to be a government of
law and have become a government of men.
-6-
Consider what this has meant to traditional religious standards. In
Missouri, the state run university is willing to accommodate student groups
which advocate communism and homosexuality. Yet a student Christian group was
denied freedom to pray and study the Bible on campus. The Federal District
Court judge, in total disregard of all legal precedent, ruled in the case that
religious freedom has more limited protection under the First Amendment to the
Constitution than do other freedoms.
Consider the case of the couple in Tennessee who have been accused by a
social worker of "mental cruelty" to their children because they want their
children to accompany them to church and refuse to allow them to attend rock
music concerts where illegal drugs are used. In this case the family risks
losing their children unless they consent at their expense to treatment by
state licensed psychiatrists.
Consider the Supreme Court decisions, which in clear violation of all of
our history and tradition, have invalidated prayer and Bible reading in schools,
have ordered the Ten Commandments removed from a school wall in Kentucky, have
forbidden voluntary school assemblies which begin with prayer, and have even
denied a sovereign state the privilege of printing a prayer on a road map.
Consider a proposed law in Arizona that would forbid all but state licensed
psychiatrists to conduct seminars on family relations; the school in California
which prohibited a small group of Christians from praying together on the school
lawn; the Christian mother in Norfolk, Virginia, who was forced to spend the
night in jail because she spanked her daughter for skipping school; the principal
of another California high school who ran out to the school parking lot to stop
students from praying in their own car prior to school; expunging of religious
material from history books; the order in Florida forbidding the teaching of
any of the religious facts in association with our history; the history text
which gave three pages to Eugene V. Debs, the father of American socialism, but
less than one page to George Washington, the father of our country.
Consider the blatant arrogance of Playboy magazine which chose an admitted
fraud, Marjoe Gortner, to "rate" the morality of men of God on television. And
Penthouse magazine which obtained an interview with Reverend Jerry Falwell by
deception, then mocked him in full page advertisements in major cities all over
the country.
Finally, consider the Baptist church in Louisville, Nebraska, which was
ordered padlocked by a state judge because the church desired to conduct educa-
tion of its young without submitting to state licensing procedures.
Christians in America must wake up to what is happening. The only lasting
answer to the antichrist rebellion is a heaven sent revival. So first there must
be prayer. Secondly, there must be education in our heritage, our laws, and
the way our system functions. The Bible says "He that increases knowledge
increases power" yet, "My people perish for lack of knowledge." Finally,
Christians must stand in defense of freedom. They must resist the antichrist
spirit in the public arena, in the courts, and in the polls.
-7-
The psalmist described the recurring rebellion of man against God in
these words,
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a
vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers
take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his
Christ saying,
Let us break their bands assunder, and cast away their
cords from us.
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord
shall have them in derision.
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex
them in his sore displeasure.
Psalms 2:1-5 (KJV)
*
*
*
Without question the deteriorating condition of both the domestic and
the world economy overshadows other domestic concerns. The Wall Street Journal
quotes Sidney Homer, a partner of Solomon Brothers, who has studied interest
rates back to ancient times, "There has never been anything to rival the current
turmoil in financial markets.
This year's new housing starts in the United States are estimated at
1.1 million, the lowest since 1946. Per capita housing starts are the lowest
since records have been kept. In the twelve months ending July 31, only 2.5
million houses have been sold--half of what was anticipated by the real estate
industry.
Total farm income for 1981 will approximate $20 billion. Considering
inflation, real domestic farm income is equal to or slightly lower than the
depth of the depression in 1932.
The stock market's Dow Jones Average at 850 is only 2½ times the 1929 peak
of 381, yet the gross national product in 1981 is 29 times that of 1929.
Deflated to 1929 terms, the present United States stock market has already
crashed In deflated dollars, it stands at 120, only slightly ahead of the
depression level of 80 in 1932.
During 1981, there has been a depression in bond, stock, commodity, and
real estate prices that is estimated at $2 trillion.
Gold, silver, diamonds, antiques, wheat, corn, soybeans have plunged
dramatically. Only residential real estate has not dropped dramatically, yet
many analysts feel that this is a grossly inflated bubble waiting to burst.
During the past year corporations have been forced to stay alive by
dangerous short term borrowing. Since the third quarter of 1980 long term
debt of corporations has risen by $20 billion, but short term debt by $75
billion. Short term debt of business now amounts to 46% of total debt, and
high interest payments eat up increasingly large amounts of business profit.
Interest expense last year consumed 45% of total corporate net profit before
taxes. In 1965 there was $8 of profit to cover every dollar of interest
-8-
expense. Now there is only $2.39 for each $1 of interest due. This illiquidity
makes business more vulnerable than at any time since the depression.
If tight money and the current recession continues well into 1982, the
numbers of bankruptcies will soar even higher. Such names as Chrysler, Ford
and International Harvester have been mentioned as candidates. Experts fear
a large bankruptcy by a company not thought to be in trouble. If that happens,
panic could be triggered in the huge commercial paper market which in turn
could destroy some money market funds, weak banks and savings and loans.
The high cost of money not only causes pain to individuals and private
businesses, it is destroying weaker nations. These countries are not paying
off their loans, but refinancing them at brutally high interest rates.
An excellent summation of where the $10 trillion debt pyramid has taken
us was contained in an editorial in the London Economist of October 3, 1981,
"Although investors have not borrowed to keep stock markets too high as they
did in 1929, many other groups have overborrowed in 1981 to do many other things.
The overborrowers include houseowners and property men everywhere, holders of
many glutted and stockpiled raw materials, bankrupt private companies which
cannot afford to meet obligatory redundancy payments, nationalized companies
with a dozen successive years of negative cash flow, governments with estimates
for small budget deficits that are obvious fibs, countries like freedom-seeking
Poland and growing Brazil and starving Bangladesh.
"If this overborrowing were ever punctured, there would be crashes in
property prices from California to Hong Kong, in companies from Detroit to
Seoul, in state corporations from Milan to the North Sea, in overstocked
materials from Oregon timber to Nigerian oil, in government credit from Wash-
ington to Tokyo, in banks and near banks from Switzerland to Singapore, in
financial consortia and their clients everywhere. The downward multiplier
from all that could make 1929's little local stock market difficulties look
like a controlled parachute drop.
"As money grows dearer round the world, some of these overborrowers are
overborrowing more so as to meet their interest payments. They are increasing
their indebtedness to pay for their debt. This must make punctures more possible."
The odds are very high that there will be a major worldwide economic debacle
of unprecedented magnitude. It could come at any time, but an informed guess
would say that there will be some type of recovery in 1982, then rapid inflation,
followed by a major worldwide crash sometime between 1983 and 1985. The wise man
prepares himself.
Pat
Pat Robertson's "Perspective" is sent regularly to members of "The 700 Club," For more information or a sample issue, write to:
"Perspective," CBN, Virginia Beach, VA 23463.
CBN CENTER, VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA 23463 (804) 424-7777
The
Christian
Broadcasting
Network
Inc.
Pat Robertson
PRESIDENT
PERSONAL
February 3, 1983
Ben Elliott
The White House
Washington, D.C.
Dear Ben:
I want to add my voice to others who have congratulated you
on the outstanding speech the President gave at the National
Religious Broadcasters.
As you recall when we discussed the matter a couple of weeks
before the event, I mentioned that certain topics would have
the delegates on their feet cheering. In fact this happened
precisely as I told you. There were four standing ovations
during the speech plus numerous interruptions for applause.
You would be interested to know that Billy Graham, who spoke
to the same group in the morning, was only interrupted once
during his message. In other words, these are not folks who
just cheer and stomp at every provocation. The President's
speech really moved them.
I enclose an article from our local newspaper. Regrettably
the Washington Post played it down. Bob Slosser, our executive
vice president, who was a former assistant news editor of the
New York Times, says that this speech could be interpreted as
a major move by the President to reach out once again to his
core base and from that standpoint could be considered a most
significant event.
I thank God for you. With all good wishes, I am
Sincerel Pat yours,
Pat Robertson
President
PR:bj
P.S. I am also sending a copy of my book, "The Secret Kingdom"
under separate cover. Please see page 103 dealing with
the problems that could be solved in our national life
if we adopted the Golden Rule. I hope you enjoy it.
CBN CENTER VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA 23463 (804) 424-7777
The
Christian
Broadcasting
Network
Inc.
January 10, 1984
Mr. Morton Blackwell
Special Assistant to President
for Public Liaison
Old Executive Office Bldg., Room 191
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. Blackwell:
In early 1984 Dr. Pat Robertson will publicly announce
the most extensive project yet undertaken by CBN.
Over the next five years the Network will commit a
great part of our staff and financial resources to marketing
the Bible so that it becomes a major force in the decision
making of the American people.
The consequences of this project to individual and
national life are enormous.
As a director on this project, I wanted to inform you
in advance of this activity.
Very truly yours,
C.S.Holt Holt
C. S. Holt
Foundation Director
CSH:ip
VOLUME 1 NUMBER 1
SPRING, 1983
CBNS GOOD TIDINGS
FOUNDATION & GRANTS, CBN, VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, 23463 (804) 424-7777
Easter and the beginning of a new year has brought
In 1980, CBN went on the air in Japan with the first
into sharp focus the on-going opportunities that we
primetime Christian programming in the country's
have at CBN to serve the Lord. Television is the most
history. These animated Bible series, amazingly, are
powerful and pervasive communication tool in the world
pulling ratings equivalent to those of "60 Minutes" in
today and we are aware of our responsibility to use
the American audience. The programs have evoked
the air waves for encouragement and support. Your
thousands of responses, which are referred to local
contribution and friendship has been an essential in-
Japanese ministers who then follow-up with personal
gredient that is deeply appre-
calls, inviting the people to join
ciated.
in their churches' activities. In
Therefore, we want you to
this increasingly materialistic
know of the latest activities with
society with a crumbling,
which we are involved here
family structure, CBN has an
and around the world. The
unparalleled opportunity to
Foundation and Grants De-
serve, sharing sound Chris-
partment would appreciate
tian principles as answers to
hearing from you and wel-
societal ills.
come ideas or opinions that
This Spring, Pat Robertson
you have on any of our areas
visits Tokyo and Hong Kong,
of activity.
and will speak at a national
The United States. "The
rally in Manila, Philippines. It
700 Club" and other CBN
is our hope to continue shar-
programming reached over
CBN Center
ing Christian principles
80% of America's homes via
throughout the Orient, where
cable and affiliate broadcast
missionary work is difficult due
stations. With its revised news
to strong ancient religious
format, "The 700 Club" has
practices.
been bringing men and
One of our most exciting
women from all walks of life
outreaches is the Middle East
before the public to share ex-
where we have acquired a
periences and answers that
new station, Middle East Tel-
they've found to contempo-
evision (MET), situated on the
rary problems.
border of Lebanon and Israel.
Many special segments
The station, boasting an
have been added that lend
80,000 watt transmitter, is
new dimensions to the pro-
probably the strongest in the
gram. In cooperation with the
Satellite Dishes - World Outreach
area and has the capability to
Saturday Evening Post, the
reach the entire Middle East.
latest in medical research breakthroughs are explored
Our staff is now in place in Lebanon, broadcasting
weekly. "The 700 Club" also deals with family and
daily throughout the eastern Middle East with a pro-
marriage relationships, financial planning and busi-
gram format aimed at bringing quality entertainment
ness integrity and other topics relevant to our life in
along with a redeeming and encouraging Biblical
the 80's. All segments have been chosen to give sup-
message through "The 700 Club" translated into Ar-
port to the Judaic Christian heritage of our country.
abic and the animated features "Superbook" and "The
Internationally. We are broadcasting into Chile,
Flying House," giving both the Old and the New Tes-
Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Sal-
tament stories. In the near future, we will be able to
vador, Guatemala, Honduras, Monaco and Peru. As
have impartial news coverage arriving from Jerusa-
well as the Philippines, Puerto Rico, St. Maarian, the
lem and Beirut via our own correspondent. We feel
West Indies, Vieques, Tortola, Culebra, Saba and St.
our position there as peacemakers and seek to en-
Also Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand,
courage and bless the entire Middle East.
Mainland China, the U.S.S.R., India, the Middle East
Counseling Centers/Operation Blessing. CBN is
and Japan. Literally, CBN's message now reaches
increasing its community involvement and support
around the globe.
through our network of local counseling centers, lo-
cated in 78 major U.S. cities and 12 foreign countries.
will be released in September of 1983. Bob is a former
These centers were manned last year by over 12,000
editor of "The New York Times" and has written A Mir-
trained volunteers and received almost 2 million calls.
acle in Darien with Father Terry Fulham, an Episcopal
The Operation Blessing program, which is the giving
priest, as well as co-editing Pat Robertson's The Se-
of food, emergency funding for electricity and fuel,
cret Kingdom.
medical treatment and other needs, in cooperation
CBN University. The University was opened in 1978
with area churches and agencies, dispersed approx-
with a Graduate School of Communications and quickly
imately $1,700,000 this past year. About 100,000 peo-
added a Graduate School of Education. We now have
ple were connected to over 8,500 churches.
graduate schools of Business Administration and
President Reagan has commended Operation
Biblical Studies and are looking forward to a School
Blessing as "the American
of Public Policy which will open
way for communities to care
in the fall of 1983. The con-
for their own" and invited Pat
struction on a 9 million dollar
Robertson to attend the Na-
library began in June, 1982,
tional Conference on the Pri-
and is 60% completed. In what
vate Sector. We have been
may be record time, CBNU
striving to fill in the gap cre-
last summer was granted
ated by the decrease in gov-
candidacy for status for full
ernment funds and to
accreditation by the Southern
reactivate the grass-roots
Association of Colleges and
power of the American com-
Schools and the ranking was
munities.
made retroactive through
Publications. Pat Robert-
January 1, 1982. The Univer-
son's latest book, The Secret
sity has been a joy to the stu-
Kingdom, published by
dents and faculty and to those
Thomas Nelson in Septem-
at CBN as we have been able
ber, has been selling at the rate
to interact with both faculty and
of 25,000 copies per week. It
students.
was written in an effort to give
We Thank You
1982 was
practical guidelines based on
the year of many blessings
God's Word to the attention of
and a time of widening hori-
our nation's leaders we well as
zons. The beginning months
to the average citizen. Copies
of 1983 have continued in this
are being sent to leaders in
trend. We want you to feel a
industry, finance, politics and
part of this work and to know
700 Club Counselors
the professions across the
that you are always welcome
nation in the hopes that the principles may come to
at CBN. Our television staff, our counselors, our fac-
be used by those in positions of influence.
ulty and students will be delighted to share the joy
CBN's Executive Vice President, Robert Slosser, is
and the vision of CBN and the University with you.
currently writing a biography of Ronald Reagan which
Model: CBNU Library