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www.ocgnews.com MAY 15, 2012
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WATC cancels Victory’s broadcast amidst gay marriage debate
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By Valerie J. Morgan
ictory of the World Church is no longer welcomed on Atlanta’s WATC TV 57. The DeKalb County church got the boot after its pastor, Dr. Kenneth Samuel, endorsed President Obama’s support of samesex marriage. The fallout illustrates the intense conflict across the nation as proponents and opponents square off in the debate over gay marriage, praising or criticizing the President for his decision. Samuel said Greg West, WATC’s general manager, informed him on May 10 the station was canceling Victory’s Sunday evening religious broadcast after Samuel publicly expressed support for President Obama’s stance on gay marriage. “The station is not open to critical theological thinking,” Samuel said. “It is sad because many African American Christians are not simply blinded by religious dogma. We should never forget that biblical literalism has also supported slavery, segregation and sexism through the years.” Although WATC’s general manager did not return a telephone call to On Common Ground News to discuss why Victory’s program was dropped by the station, West issued a statement in an e-mail: “While we respect Dr. Samuel’s right to have his view on same sex marriage, WATC follows the belief of the traditional Biblical teaching on marriage. The decision to cease broadcasting the ministry’s program was based on the station’s Statement of Faith,” West said. Victory, located at 1170 North Hairston Road in Stone Mountain, practices inclusion, welcoming gays and lesbians. The church had been televising its ministry on WATC for a little over a month, Samuel said. Samuel said Victory’s congregation has grown to about 3,000 since numbers dwindled from 6,000 about three years ago when he announced the church welcomed gays and lesbians. President Obama’s historic decision to support gay marriages has sparked division, pitting religious leaders and others against one another. For some, the issue is one that deals with morals and values. For gays and lesbians, the marriage issue is one many say not only impacts their personal values, but their ability to take advantage of federal tax breaks, health care and other benefits that straight couples are afforded. Bishop William L. Sheals, who pastors the 12,000-member Hopewell Baptist Church in Gwinnett County, opposes the President’s stance. He said he believes Dr. Samuel’s position of support is in direct conflict with the Bible. Both, Sheals and Samuel, are well known community leaders. Sheals ran for U.S. Senate, District 48 in 2009. Samuel is challenging Lee May for his DeKalb County Commission District 5 seat. “Frankly, I was surprised by the
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President’s announcement, actually, concerned by it,” said Sheals, who spoke to On Common Ground News before a scheduled appearance on CNN to discuss the issue. “My position is not a political one and it’s not personal against anyone—it’s a biblical one. There’s nothing in the Scriptures that say anything about same-sex marriages. As a Christian pastor, I have to stand on the word of God. Marriage
is a sacred institution for man and woman.” Samuel said he is also standing on the word of God. “There are a lot of Scriptures that we can use to oppress people, but it’s our duty to love and God’s to judge,” Dr. Samuel said. Samuel said Victory will seek another television station for its religious broadcast.
Dr. Kenneth Samuel
Bishop William L. Sheals
11 Alive shows off Stone Mountain
Photos by Joshua Smith/OCG News
11Alive’s “Wiz-O-Meter” master Chesley McNeil delivers the weather after a performance by Stone Mountain High School’s cheerleading squad at the 11 Alive Morning Show Tour, in Stone Mountain.
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By Joshua Smith
tone Mountain’s sleepy downtown Main Street became a bustling television set with lights, cameras and lots of action as NBC affiliate, the 11 Alive Morning Show, taped a live segment there recently. And not only was the 1.6-mile city (population 7,145) thrust in the spotlight, so were the city’s residents, businesses, Stone Mountain High School’s marching band and cheerleaders, and Bill Leavell, a DeKalb County artist who has a studio there. Many of those who showed up for the 4:30 a.m. taping wore T-shirts that Leavell was commissioned to design for the May 11 event. The taping in Stone Mountain followed the May 9 broadcast in Roswell. The 11 Alive Morning Show is touring the state to promote tourism and unique businesses, historic sites and other treasures for visitors and residents alike to enjoy. The show is scheduled to tape live on May 18 in Covington, where several films have been shot including Remember the Titans, Halloween II and Friday the 13th, Part VI: Jason Lives. “The Morning Show was great for Stone Mountain because it gave us the chance to display the city as an arts destination,” said Leavell, whose T-shirt design boasts an abstract celebrating the city’s five art galleries. 11 Alive anchors Karyn Greer, Ted Hall and Chesley McNeil led the broadcast in front of the city’s downtown Gazebo. “I think it’s really cool that people
woke up and came out with us to share the news,” said anchor Ted Hall. “We have to bring in extra staff and equipment, people work overtime, but it’s definitely worth it when you see everyone come out.” All three anchors got in on the morning fun when they joined Stone Mountain High’s marching band and cheerleaders, jamming to classics such as “Best Band” and Cameo’s “Doing Da Butt.” The anchors got a real taste of Stone Mountain, sampling Southernbaked biscuits and fried chicken, while viewing some unique arts and crafts and even meeting a pooch, Rags, that accompanied his owners to the event. 11Alive anchor Karyn Greer said she loves taking the station’s tours around the state to give local cities that may not often get spotlight a time to shine. “Stone Mountain really rolled out the welcome mat for us. From sweet potato pancakes and biscuits, to green spaces and Man’s best friend, this city has been a great stop on our tour. I really enjoyed it,” said Greer, who said she wakes up at 2:30 a.m. daily for the morning
segment. “It’s awesome to get out and see the community instead of being stuck behind your desk at the studio.” The city of Stone Mountain had plenty to show off: Stone Mountain Park, which contains the largest exposed granite dome in North America and is also home to the famous giant carving commemorating the military leaders of the Confederacy, as well as a museum and steam railroad. Nobel peace prize winner, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., referred to Stone Mountain in his famous “I Have A Dream” speech when he said, “Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.” City Council member Nan Nash, who opened up the Stone Mountain Old Post Office Emporium with her husband, Charles, in 1978, said 11Alive’s visit was a great way to showcase the city. “It was great being on television, but it was an even better feeling to get the chance to brag about our city,” said Nash. For more photos go to www.ocgnews.com (Photo Gallery)