Many Americans are familiar with the Charismatic or Pentecostal viewpoints expressed via the religious media by fundamentalist preachers. They take note of their rhetoric, prophesies and teachings. Over the years these preachers' influences have evolved but their motives and messages are still of concern.
In 1920, KDKA came on the air as the first commercial radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Radio later developed in its reliability and in the 1930s Father Charles Coughlin with his weekly broadcasts on “social justice” themes used it to reach a rather small audience since radio was in its infancy. What sustained these radio evangelists during this period were donations. Such contributions became the precedents for the sustenance of these types of broadcasts that were classified as from the “electric” or “electronic” church.
By its very nature radio has proved to be an effective medium. With its growing importance it had the capacity of reaching a large audience and to do so economically. Radio was used along with the traditional print media of religious newsletters, newspapers and magazines. With radio a listener could be any place doing chores as he listens to the “Word of God.” His favorite evangelist could be heard via earphones attached to his radio set that was battery operated. One such set was Edwin Armstrong's Super Heterodyne receiver that was developed and advertised in the 1920s and 1930s.
With technological advancements and the reliability of electricity millions of broadcast radio sets were sold. The Federal Communication Act of 1934 resulted into more dependable broadcasts that reached an audience with better reception and less interference from other radio stations on similar frequencies.
Early on the evangelistic scene came Rex Humbard who built a ministry on radio and TV in 1952 known as the “Program Cathedral of Tomorrow” that later grew in distribution to 600 stations. Humbard was able to envision what the future would be like when he invested profitably in a 5,000 seating religious megachurch.
Television
More than any other medium TV would become an evangelist's dream. This was especially so with those televangelists that were compatible with this medium. Whereas radio relied on vocal and production skills, program format and professional experience in the utilization of the medium, TV demanded images that are the backbone of Christian programming.
After WWII, Fulton Sheen, a Roman Catholic bishop, successfully explored TV's potential with a professional staff on his programs “Life Is Worth Living” in the 1950s and the 1960s the “Bishop Sheen Program” aired on ABC. Although TV was a great deal more expensive than radio, Bishop Sheen was able to attract a reliable audience with his religious broadcasts.
A producer-director's expertise would be necessary for the televangelist. Such an individual would be skilled in integrating live pictures of the televangelist with video footage, audio, special effects and graphics. Such a production is handled professionally and makes it possible for the evangelist to appeal to a large audience effectively.
These preachers' messages were simple. They would implore their flock to have faith. Others would emphasize all or some of the following e.g., the power of the Holy Spirit, heaven, eternal damnation, judgment day, healing, wealth, prosperity and being a born again Christian.
According to the Online Britannica Concise Encyclopedia every major ministry in the 60s, 70s and 80s focused on some key points:
Billy Graham was celebrated for his “Hour of Decision” broadcast show and the success of his national and international crusades.
Oral Roberts at the Oral Roberts' University (1963) and the City of Faith Medical and Research Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma had its concept of “seed faith” with “The Hour of Power.”
Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)'s “700 Club” with CBN University (1971) and the “Flying Hospital” embraced an “outreach” concept.
Robert Schuller, author of many Christian self-help books was known for his “Hour of Power” with his shared “possibility” and “grace” formulae.
Jerry Falwell founder of Liberty University (1971) and the “Old Time Gospel Hour” helped put into motion the “Moral Majority.”
Jimmy Lee Swaggart of the “Jimmy Swaggart Telecast” and Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana suffered a blow after revelations with his tryst with a prostitute.
In the 1980s there were an estimated 1,370 religious radio stations and more than 200 religious TV stations in the United States.
Through their production staff some evangelists maintain quality control of their shows. However, some secular films and videos produced in Hollywood and New York that are meant for public consumption are not flattering about fundamental religion. Many of these productions are meant to make money and to appeal to consumers' pocketbooks. A website about Movies about Christianity (2003) organized these films and videos in the following categories: “Jesus movies,” “Biblical epics,” “priests & nuns,” “historical dramas,” “humor” and “apocalyptic.”
Many fundamentalists' churches are prominent on the Internet with interactive websites. Persons seeking information would be greeted with an invitation to visit their church, recent sermons, messages about salvation and Biblical study guides.
Since the 1980s scandals some evangelists have become the butt of some people's jokes. Others express the appreciation for the feedback they receive. Much of the present public's perceptions are still rooted in stories about the infidelities of priests and news about gay priests and bishops.
There is an ongoing discussion concerning if the Bible should be taken literally or figuratively. A casual viewer would be aware of the constant appeal for donations and other attempts of evangelists to sell their wares that they may attribute as being associated with miraculous healings.
Billy Graham is considered one of the most loved Americans according to polls conducted by the Gallup organization from 1950-1990. He has been the spiritual adviser of many American presidents.
During the 9/11 assault on the U.S., Jerry Falwell blamed the incident on the retribution of God on this country for the immoral acts of its pagans. Pat Robertson concurred. Falwell later rescinded his statement. In 2005, Pat Robertson on CBN's “700 Club” reported that the President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, ought to “be taken out” by the U.S. government for it would be a whole lot cheaper than starting a war. Last year Robertson saw the stroke suffered by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel as another retribution from God. He later apologized to Sharon's family for his remarks.
Televangelists are prominent figures over the American airwaves and the Internet. Debatable is their authenticity. Some Christians seem certain that these fundamentalists' ministers help society especially the sick, poor, homeless and the marginalized while others question their validity.
