So Here’s The Deal….
Two weeks ago I told you how I was going to be on a christian radio show….
Then I told you that they show host called me and said that station management said I could not be on. It appears that they were afraid of what I might say.
I have been contacted again by the host. I think he is trying to work something out but, now I’m not sure it’s a good idea. The station manager suggested that we do a 30 minute phone conversation and then they take pieces out to use over the next several weeks. I am afraid that they will pull small pieces of the conversation out of context to either make the atheist look bad or allow them 15-20 minutes of air time to perform apologetics on something I said. What do you think?
Please give me some suggestions.
NO .. They are using you and your materials to further their own Agenda. Why do they want this information not you? Clearly they lack the confidence to do whatever they it is that they’re up to. Don’t become a part of the problem, seems you were willing to be part of the solution of something, you didn’t say what, before it reached this point.
Walk away holding your head high and move on to the next project in your life and put this out of sight and mind.
Steve
Considering what happened with the debacle called “Expelled”, I think your fears are very well-founded. We know the creationists will misquote, distort, quote mine, deceptively edit, and use any other deceitful tactic available to try to make science look bad.
If they are not willing to go head-to-head on the air, then they are almost certainly being deceptive.
Of course, if you refuse, they will just as surely claim that you are afraid to debate, and claim a win by default.
I agree with the Expelled comparison. Doesn’t seem like a win-win situation.
They’re going to quote you out of context. Don’t do it.
Eject! Eject! Abort mission!
It’s a trap!
Seriously, if they do not do this live, and unedited, they will chop it to fit their specific agenda. That is, after all, what editing is.
Insist on live + unedited, or not at all.
I agree with all comments so far- if they can cut and paste your comments to fit their agenda you’l lose.
If only there were some sort of red skinned goggled eyed alien to give you advice on this matter…
RUN AWAY!!!! RUN AWAY!!!!
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. We’ve been through this countless times before, so I’m sometimes amazed we bother.
Think about what you hope to accomplish with the radio show versus what you think will actually be accomplished. Will the ends justify the means and vice versa?
Keeping in mind that I’m a jerk, you might consider what I’m thinking:
Treat them exactly as they’ve treated you. Rub it in their faces that they see you as so dishonest about your pledge to be polite as to pull you off the show. Say something to the effect of, “Hi, no, you have my permission to use my statements only in their entirety, airing the entire phone conversation uninterrupted and unedited, lest you be dishonest and selective about my comments.”
Then, I think that there are two possibilities:
1. They agree. A good time is had by all (whose worldviews aren’t gutted by, you know, reason).
2. They refuse. You have rhetorical ammunition against those dishonest, editing bastards. You could even call in to any call-in shows and ask why they wouldn’t have a discussion with you without being able to edit it before airing. Or maybe not; you’re probably not as big a jerk as I am.