wfn.org | Celebrity Steve Allen Addressed PMM Luncheon

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99026 
20-June-1999 
 
                 Celebrity Steve Allen Addressed 
               Presbyterian Media Mission Luncheon 
 
 
FORTH WORTH- Renaissance man, Steve Allen, was the keynote speaker on 
Sunday for the Presbyterian Media Mission luncheon. He delighted those 
attending with both his profound insight and incisive wit.  Allen's myriad 
accomplishments include 50 books, 7000 songs, 50 albums/CDs, television, 
and theater. He applauded Presbyterians for their plan to practice critical 
thinking  in regard to the crisis in media. Looking at media today, the 
speaker declared that much of what he feels is revulsion and disgust.  
     Citing his latest book, "Dumbth," he observed that American people are 
getting dumber.  He said that twenty year old people do not know the simple 
matters of life. In fact, they cannot create a simple declarative sentence. 
Sentences must be cluttered with superfluous phrases, such as: "You know," 
"Like," "Been there, done that."  He offered as evidence of his thesis a 
modernized version of Lincoln's Gettysburg address. 
     He then moved to the vulgarity so common in entertainment today. Allen 
observed that the great comics of this century did not resort to vulgarity. 
He said of this generation of entertainers: "Vulgarians entertaining 
Barbarians."  After cataloguing the ills of the culture of today, he 
challenged  those present by saying that the church possesses the key to 
resolving the problem.  
     "Church people can do it more effectively, because of its 
organization," proclaims Allen.  Church people should write to the heads of 
corporations that sponsor offensive material on television according to 
Allen. Being specific about times and material, the letters alert and 
motivate sponsors to change.  
     In a question and answer session following Allen's speech, one member 
asked "How do you suggest we help our pastors' sermons?" Allen responded 
"add humor" and suggested several sources from which the  pastor could get 
material.  
     Allen appeared  in connection with Presbyterian Media Mission and the 
General Assembly's Office of Communication's launching of the "Electronic 
Great Awakening." This is a joint effort to develop and provide "media 
literacy" resources for the Presbyterian Church [USA]. Gregg Hartung, 
executive director of PMM, says of Steve Allen, "He is very aware that his 
talents are a gift of God and is willing to use those gifts in creative 
media ministry. 
Emett Barfield 

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