Aired 2009-10. Faith groups take seriously their role in overcoming the harsh effects of poverty on the lives of so many. This special touched on various programs to help the poor and highlighted one effort by faith groups and sports teams (among others) which provided $10 malaria tents, made of simple netting, to protect more than one million malaria victims, most of them children, each year.
Religion, Politics & Advocacy
Aired 2009-10. Faith groups across the theological spectrum work daily with government officials shaping policy affecting those living in poverty. Such groups work on concerns about peace, war, justice, racial and environmental matters. We encountered these people in Washington DC, as they articulated these concerns and worked for grassroots and “grass-top” support.
The Art of 'The Book'
Aired 2009-10. The arts give a voice and a face to many aspects of religious history and faith. “THE ART OF ‘THE BOOK’" A CBS RELIGION SPECIAL ABOUT ART AND THE BIBLE ANALYZED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BIBLICAL STORIES, RITUALS AND THE ART THEY INSPIRE. IT ALSO PROVIDED A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SEE RARELY VIEWED MANUSCRIPTS AND OBJECTS.
Caring for God's Creation
Aired 2008-09. The whole world is awakening to the growing concern for the environmental and moral implications of the increasing human effect upon the earth’s resources. Various faith communities are taking actions that respond to this new understanding of the planet. We heard from a variety of people who are developing practical programs to increase human awareness, and decrease negative human effects upon the earth.
Choosing to Forgive
Aired 2008-09. As a matter of deep religious conviction, the forgiving of others - for injustices, large or small, or acts of prejudice or violence – is deemed central to a healthy spiritual life. It is also important for good mental health. We heard from people who have offered forgiveness and others who have received it, and learned of the powerful affect it has on those who offer it, and those who receive it.
Christian Unity
Aired 2008-09. Over many centuries, differences in regional in cultural traditions, and some geographic politics caused a troubling separation within of the Christian Community. The 100thAnniversary of the modern Ecumenical Movement was also the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This broadcast explored the progress being made to heal these divides and examine how denominations are joining to give respectful witness to what binds them in a common faith.
Sacred Objects & Symbols
Aired 2008-09. All the world’s religions have objects and artifacts that are used in varied rituals, or for prayer or identification. A statue, prayer rug, Menorah, candle, incense, Tabernacle, or a book of sacred writings, each have a deep meaning, and even special power within the various faith traditions. The program presented these symbols, their history, meaning and uses within the various faiths.
Voices of Christmas from the National Council of Churches USA
Aired 2008-09. Brought to you by CBS and the National Council of Churches USA CBS presented “The Voices of Christmas,” a TV special which aired on Christmas Eve, in observance of the 100th anniversary of the American ecumenical movement. It was hosted by Dr. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary of the National Council of Churches. The program featured music from across a wide spectrum of the 35 Christian faith groups that make up the interdenominational Council.
Choirs and musicians from Presbyterian, African-American Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian and Brethren traditions were featured, along with brief reflections on Christmas from clergy and laypersons from Methodist, Reformed, Orthodox, Episcopal and other Christian communions.
The hour-long program, which was seen on CBS stations across the nation, highlighted the National Council’s role in bringing together diverse Christian faith groups who discover and celebrate their unity in Christ as they work together in common mission in the spirit of the Christ child of Bethlehem.
This Christmas Eve special was produced by Bill Turpie, veteran producer of two long-running cable series: “America at Worship” on the Hallmark Channel and “Great Preachers” on the Odyssey Channel.
A Marble Church Christmas
Aired 2007-08. Marble Collegiate Church, is the nation’s oldest Protestant ministry and historic landmark in New York City. This one hour special was hosted by Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden, and included such classic Christmas favorites as “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “The First Noel,” “Go Tell it On The Mountain,” “Joy to the World,” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” performed by Marble’s exceptional choirs, as well as heartwarming stories from Senior Minister Dr. Arthur Caliandro. Internationally touring tenor Johan Botha and renowned American soprano Camellia Johnson also joined the choirs for soul-stirring renditions of “Behold a Star” and “O Holy Night.”
American Muslims: A Chance to Speak
Aired 2007-08. The war in the mid-east has increased our need to know our Muslim neighbors, those here for many generations, as well as those new to this country - a chosen country. American-Muslims wish to be known as a varied people, who seek peace and prosperity as much as those of other religions and cultures.
Building on Faith
Aired 2007-08. An interfaith religion special about the ongoing role of religion in bringing post-Katrina Mississippi back to life. The broadcast concentrated on Roman Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist disaster relief organizations, but many other volunteers have participated in the years since the storm hit.
The Arts Within Religion
Aired 2007-08. This program looked at the many art forms within the world's religions -- music, dance and the other arts often drawn from varied cultures.
A Fair Harvest: Religions' Response to Immigration Issues
Aired 2006-07. The government is not the only institutions concerned with illegal immigration. Faith communities explored that issue plus a concern for the just treatment of both immigrants and the existing American labor force.
Chautauqua: An Interfaith Religious Experience
Aired 2006-07. For over a century, The CHAUTAUQUA Institution has been a well-known center for learning –dealing with many of society’s changing and unchanging issues. This program explored how it now serves as an interfaith setting and forum for lifelong learning with a global reach.
Sacred Arts, Ancient Sounds
Aired 2006-07. Music and art deepen our words and give voice to faith where words often cannot reach. This program presented the role of sacred music and art within the worship services of various religions.
Sacred Earth, Sacred People
Aired 2006-07. Now that over six billion people inhabit the earth, the issues of ecology and the effects of human impact on the air, water and land take on survival dimensions. There are more issues confronting our stewardship of God’s Universe; this program gathered views about ecology and explored the issues with experts.
The Sound of Peace: Christmas at the Cathedral
CHRISTMAS EVE SPECIAL ON CBS TELEVISION NETWORK DEC. 24, 2006A Christmas Special from Sioux Falls, South Dakota
This special Christmas concert, with a brief segment of prayer has been an annual interfaith gathering at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Joseph, in Sioux Falls for well over a decade. Music, for the Christmas season, was provided by The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Henry Charles Smith, conductor emeritus. The Cathedral Choir and other choirs, including a children’s choir, along with soloist, Susan Almjeld, filled out the musical portion. An actor helped dramatize some of the musical transitions and the newly ordained Bishop of Sioux Falls, Bishop Paul Swain welcomed everyone to the Cathedral and lead the brief prayer and offers a Blessing to all. The program was a rich presentation of music, prayer and a seasonal, and timely, hope for peace.
Abraham's Children: Reuniting An Old Family
Aired 2005-06. The broadcast visited The Children of Abraham Project, an effort by individuals and organizations in the Detroit Metro area to educate Jews, Christians, and Muslims to their common ancestry and encouraged them to work together.
After the Storm: Religions Respond to Nature's Fury
Aired 2005-06. This natural event of unimaginable magnitude struck last December and stunned the world. Nations and individuals responded as best they could and as quickly as possible. However, what happened after the story moved off the front pages was the core of this program. We listened to those who were there, and witnessed what work continued through faith communities, along with secular organizations; who all worked to comfort broken people and helped to rebuild broken communities.
No Room in the Inn
Aired 2005-06. Produced by CBS "No Room in the Inn," was telecasted from Jackson, Mississippi, and featured scripture readings, spiritual music and a sermon by Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, who is the current president of the National Council of Churches. The theme of "No Room in the Inn" centered on the various issues where there seems to be no room worldwide, for those displaced by prejudice, persecution, and disasters such as the hurricanes that brought devastation to the Gulf Coast. During the service, survivors of the storms were recognized with gifts.