LETTERS: PETITION IS A HOAX, BUT STAY VIGILANT

To the editor:

In response to Paula K. White's letter to the editor (April 4), I commend her for her diligence and vigilance with respect to a petition that would force CBS television to remove "Touched by an Angel" because of its religious content.

Every day, in the name of and respect for tolerance, pluralism and diversity, the rights and privileges of Christians are curtailed by further government regulation. Every Christian needs to be aware, and I thank Paula for her letter to the editor. However, I have good news. The petition of which she writes, Petition 2493, was defeated over 25 years ago. For some reason, the petition keeps resurfacing. It has been resurrected as Petition 2494 and Petition 2495. Interestingly, this petition never had anything to do with Madeline Murray O'Hair (this is the correct spelling of her name the petition has it wrong).

Even her son, William J. Murray, who is now a Christian himself, denies any involvement with this petition. The FCC denies it and basically throws away any letter, unread, with "Petition 2493/2495" on the outside. Even the American Atheists deny all association. It seems well-meaning Christians keep this issue alive, even though the FCC flatly denied the petition so many years ago. It's become a popular urban legend, needlessly squandering our energy that is better spent on current issues. Any letters circulated about this petition are old news. Don't waste your time. Instead, keep your ears to the ground and your eyes to the skies about current developments. And thanks, Paula, for caring enough to take an interest and write your letter to the editor.

The REV. GRANT F.C. GILLARD

First Presbyterian Church

Jackson