Hit US television show '24' under fire from Muslim group

BREITBART.COM - Hit US television show '24' under fire from Muslim group

Jan 19 9:53 AM US/Eastern



Hit US television show "24" came under fire from a Muslim group, which accused the program's makers of fuelling anti-Muslim prejudice with its latest storyline.



The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said "24's" season premiere, in which Islamic terrorists detonated a nuclear bomb near Los Angeles, risked stoking racial hatred.

The criticism was swiftly rejected by the show's network Fox Broadcasting, which said the series did not single out ethnic groups to be villains.



"The raw emotional impact of fictional scenes that include widespread death and destruction in America may adversely affect the public's attitude toward civil liberties, religious freedom and interfaith relations," the CAIR statement said.



"The program's repeated association of acts of terrorism with Islam will only serve to increase anti-Muslim prejudice in our society," it added.



Representatives of the award-winning series responded by pointing out that during the show's five seasons villains have included Americans, Baltic Europeans, Germans, Russians, Islamic fundamentalists and the fictional president of the United States.



"The producers are sensitive to the fact that over the course of the series no ethnic group be singled out for persecution or blame," a statement from Fox said.



"In fact, the show has made a concerted effort to show ethnic, religious and political groups as multi-dimensional, and political issues are debated from multiple viewpoints."



CAIR has raised similar concerns about "24" storylines in the past.



In response to the complaint two years ago, Fox aired a public service announcement featuring "24's" star Kiefer Sutherland, urging viewers to avoid stereotyping Muslims.

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Children Emerging as Unexpected International Ministry Priority

Over 83% of All New Christians Worldwide Are Under 15 Years of Age.

Ventura, CA, January 05, 2007 --(PR.COM)-- According to the International Children’s Ministry Institute, Child Evangelism Fellowship and other respected organizations, somewhere between 83 – 86% of Christians worldwide become believers before reaching 15 years of age. Yet, ministry to children has traditionally been seen as less important than with adults... until now.

Gospel Light Worldwide President Marc Stein says, “Even if the percentage is only 65% as suggested elsewhere, it is an astonishing statistic and understandably most people are shocked to learn that young people make up such a large percentage of all new believers globally. There is definitely a change in the wind and children are emerging as an international ministry priority.”

With a serious lack of culturally relevant children’s material available, church leaders around the world are now listing children’s ministry as one of their top priorities. They desperately need quality materials but lack of age appropriate Bible materials for children is currently the norm.

In a 2007 Vision Paper for Central Africa, Wycliffe Bible Translator Chris Jackson stated, "When visiting most churches, particularly those in rural areas, rarely will one see a children's ministry program. This is largely due to the lack of appropriate materials and training."

Additionally, there are few effective children’s ministry models currently in widespread use. Local pastors, evangelists and church planters from developing world churches are reaching out for help. Marc Stein continued, “A week does not go by when we do not hear of another opportunity to help a resident church or international ministry.”

Almost 10 years ago, World Vision started partnering with Gospel Light Worldwide to provide culturally relevant and age-appropriate youth Bible study and curriculum in the former Soviet Union. Today, they are working together in Albania, Armenia, Bosnia, Georgia and Romania and with local publishers in Lebanon to develop relationships and curriculum.

Legendary Bible teacher Henrietta Mears established the foundation of Gospel Light Worldwide over 70 years ago to fulfill one vital purpose: to put the best possible Bible teaching tools into the hands of teachers and learners around the world. Today, $5 per child can accomplish that almost anywhere in the world.

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