Newspapers / Elon University Student Newspaper / April 2, 1987, edition 1 / Page 2
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VM-r : Page 2 The Pendulum Thursday, April 2, ^ Editorials Television ministries misusing power of electronic medium The power of the television medium can be both constructive and destructive. There are no boundaries to the potential of this form of communciation. Much has been writ ten about the effects of this medium on our culture. There are those who argue that television exposes us to an excess of violence and sex. Others argue that, when used correctly, television can be a very useful learning tool for conveying new ideas and information. In the last two months, television evangelist Oral Roberts raised $8 million in dona tions. He said that he needed the money because God had threatened to kill him if the money was not obtained. Roberts sent out his pleas for money over the airwaves and the people responded. This is a prime example of the extraordinary power of the televi sion medium. Is the use of television in this way constructive or destructive? Jim Bak- ker’s admission to sexual misconduct and his subsequent resignation from the head position of the PTL Club is leading to a much-needed re-evaluation of the authenticity of television ministries. Many would claim that if giving money to these ministries makes people feel good about themselves and about their faith, then no wrong has been done. However, the principle behind a sting operation is to make the person who is being ripped off feel good about it. People tend to give money to these electronic churches even when they cannot afford it and, to us, this is a crime. The Bakkers and other television evangelists live in lives of luxury. One of the Bak- kers’ favorite claims is “shouldn’t Christains have nice things, too?” There is nothing wrong with having “nice things,” but the way these ministers live lives of luxurious excess can and should be questioned. The money could be used more in line with true religious principles rather than for buying a personal vacation house in Palm Springs CA. The one positive effect that could possibly come out of the re-examination of the television ministries is that people will start supporting their local churches once again. A reaffirmation of the need for local church ties is an issue that needs to be addressed. Television is a powerful tool. If used correctly, it could be an extremely effective way for “men of the cloth” to get their message out to a great number of people. However, before this can happen, they will need to start actually praying/or man rather that preying on him. By Michele Lashley Dr. Tom Arcaro, assistant professor of sociology, also contributed to this editorial. Frankly Speaking I couidtxi... like. whether o'c ho 3 -for-Hie fot ‘(h-few/ew, fi,'mv.4r.tr,' Writer laments termination of wrestling profifraj lb the editor: oDDortunitv to O IT O ^ lb the editor: I have a friend who wrestied for Elon College this season, and he told me the other night that he won’t be wrestling for the college next season. Nobody will be wrestling for Elon next season, due to the fact that Dr. Alan White, the athletic director has terminated the wrestling program. There are now 14 student- athletes at Elon who won’t have an opportunity to dedicate themselves here to the sport of their choice. Dr. White gave two reasons why he decided to drop the wrestling program. First, there are not enough wrestling teams in Elon’s conference; second, the school couldn’t afford to pay for a resident wrestling coach. The bottom line may be money, but more than that I think Dr. White is betting that no one cares if the wrestling program is cut. The majority of sports fans don’t know aiything about wrestl ing; therefore, they opt for a more spectator-oriented sport such as basketball, which doesn’t require much knowledge of the sport in order to understand the action. On the other hand, to understand wrestling, one must understand more than the rules and the scor ing. In order to appreciate wrestl ing, you must understand the wresUer’s complete disregard for the self and the total immersion of the soul into the attainment of a goal. Recently intercollegiate sports have suffered the loss of high ethical standards due to greed, graft and the incidence of drug BLOOM COUNTY m/fT ARE we mrcHiNo WNKfHT? TOO mJY Yvpm6. Ler'smrcH L£mrr-R) pme WIU.I5 mnes ITCH. MLpm. mmic miri/RN MB ON. 'fmiUOHTlNO" 15 ON. by Berke Breathed ^ IPEfi. AT flCTWUY Hm LOr$ INC0Mf/\ON. INmcr, l^nVROVS l.(/ST fOR FLwmRmm f’ATe ON'TRidcuirs: \ wve 6NIFFIN& "5C0PE" AMIN, emem. Photographers abuse. iThe sport of wrestling, hoivi^er, h^s faiaintained the tradi tional ethical standards of amaieui sports, Phil Amok Tlie) pisndulum Staff Editor Michele LuMey News Editor Yvonne Evtni Emphasis Editor John Hoyle Sports Editor Jeff Marcin Ann Cralidis Denese De]^ Steve Pesrce Todd Taylor S»m Walker Dj. BobNoweH The Pendulum welcomes letters, linnited 250 vvdfVJs.rftcin our readers. Lonflff material may be submitted as opinion af- tible^. All letters must be signed, and a phone number given so that the letter s validity can be checked. Ttie ed^r reserves the right to edit for ler^jth, libei, .good tasjeand accuracy. The dea^me for subrhitting /iiatenal is 2 pnn, Monday our offfcfel^ located in 102 Williamson Ave.. Rhone 584-2331. This papjris publfshed by the Communications Mwa Board of Elon College. Founded on Oc tober 14. 1974. as the student newspaper serving the Elon Collej® community. The Pendulum Is publisnw each Thursday during regular ® ' cept for the examination periods. The Pendulum is printed oy me Burlington Daily Times-News Advertising Circulation Advisor
Elon University Student Newspaper
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April 2, 1987, edition 1
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