Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 5 February 2004 — Page 45

The Muncie Times • February 5, 2004 • Page 45

RELIGION

continued from page 44. she came to the altar and prayed. Although it all seemed a bit flaky she supposedly received the Holy Ghost and spoke with tongues. (I will leave the judging to God.) She seized the microphone and began to testify. “I thank God for

the Holy Ghost. This is my church. This is my pastor (pointing at me). I’m here going to be here. Etc., etc., etc.” We baptized her and that’s the last time we saw her in church. She never attended again and never contributed a “plug nickel”

to God’s work Her commitment wasn’t as thick as a coat of paint. What an insult to God and to Calvary! The last time we heard of her, she was going to Las Vegas to gamble. You know, she didnit need to go to Las Vegas to gamble. She could only lose money

there. She was “gambling away” her chance for salvation by not deciding n now- to live for God, come to church and demonstrate her love fro truth. So, think it over; If you are undecided now n what are you going to do? We are told that the breath

you just took will determine whether or not you will be alive three minutes from now. You don’t have forever to decide. You may be one breath away from eternity - Think about it!

Smiley starts late night PBS talk show

Tavis Smiley

"Intelligent entertainment" may seen a contradiction in terms. But not to Tavis Smiley. It is the guiding principle for his new late night television show which debuted on PBS nationwide on Jan. 5. The Tavis Smiley show is a natural progression for a commentator and personality who has been herald for bring a fresh vitality to broadcast media, just as he has recently done with is groundbreaking show on National Public Radio (NPR). The program is produced at KCET's studios. It is the first West Coast talk show for PBS. It airs week nights during a PBS latenight schedule, which also includes Charlie Rose. Guest scheduled for the premier week of Tavis Smiley included Bill Cosby, Newt Gingrich, Howard Dean and Magic Johnson. Tavis promises that his new program will be a compelling and distinctive choice for late night viewers. The show will feature subject matter that is enlightening, encouraging and empowering; ultimately challenging viewers to reexamine their assumptions. Tavis Smiley will

present ideas and opinions that break new ground above and below the radar as he talks to news and history makers. On the lighter side, figures from popular culture will also have an opportunity to reveal a deeper and more dynamic side than what is normally seen on other programs. He said he wants to feature the most coveted guests. It was Smiley to whom former President Bill Clinton gave his first interview after a lengthy silence following the Monica Lewinsky affair, one of the record-setting number of one-on-sessions he had with the sitting president (shared with Jim Lehrer of PBS). Pope John Paul II, Fidel Castro, Bill Gates, George W. Bush, Oprah, Kofi Annan and Condoleeza Rice are among the many major world figures on his list. Smiley is equally at home with popular culture figures from entertainment, arts legends and Oscar winners, from Warren Beatty to Halle Berry to hip hop artists like P. Diddy and Snoop Dogg. In style and format, Tavis Smiley stresses dialogue over monologue, the sensibility and

spontaneity of a conversation rather than an interview. The fast-paced 30 minutes (divided into three segments) will bring important perspectives to the issues that impact the world, define its culture and express a broad diversity across boundaries of ages, race, ethnicity and gender. These are some of the qualities that have made his daily show on NPR (the fastest growing show in NPR history) a magnet for new listeners of public radio, smiley continue to host his NPR program in addition to his regular twice-weekly feature on the popular Tom Joyner Morning on commercial radio. "Now more than ever, it is critical that we create a society that understands and respects diverse viewpoints and experiences. I look forward to working with KCET to bring my programs to PBS, where different voices are embraced. As with my radio show, my radio show, my new television show is designed to introduce Americans to each other," Smiley said. Tavis Smiley is a production of KCET/Hollywood and The

Tavis Smiley Group, Inc. Underwriting is provided by Toyota, Wal-Mart, PBS, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, FannieMae Foundation and the National Black Programming Consortium.

Neal Kendall is executive producer. Mary Mazur is KCET executive producer. Karen Hunte is the executive-in-charge for KCET. Director is Jonathan X.

Now more than ever, it is critical that we create a society that understands and respects diverse viewpoints and experiences