The late Reverend Jerry Falwell, Dr. Robert Scheuler and Dr. Billy Graham are all men of the cloth who used and use television to spread the religious word. Dr. Falwell even spread his ministry deep into the political world forming the Moral Majority and exerting some influence in the Political arena a few years ago.
His era was the 1930's. His medium: Radio and his audience as many as 50-million.
Father Coughlin prided himself in helping FDR get elected in 1932. They were friends at first. FDR Calling Father Coughlin "Padre," and the priest called the President "Boss," but their friendship didn't last too long.
By 1934, Father Coughlin became disenchanted with Roossevelt's new deal politics and formed "The National Union for Social Justice." He claimed 5-million members and in 1935 the radio priest announced a hunting season for members of congress and endorsed candiates who opposed Roosevelt.
(Does that sound familiar)
Father Coughlin tried to get President Roosevelt defeated in 1936, but failed.
After the election he continued his name calling, was antisemitic and sought impeachment of Roosevelt.
Finally Pope Pius the 12th put tighter controls on the radio priest and the United States Attorney General ordered a grand jury probe of Coughlin with charges of sedition in mind.
Father Coughlin became and remained quiet.
We all have the right to express our opinions. But let us not call it fact, truth or news. What we think we know and what we construe to be its meaning are often the opposite of the truth.
1 comment:
How about Father Limbaugh or Father O'Reilly? Thanks for the History Lesson, I remember it briefly but it was nice to be reminded.
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