wfn.org | Spain: Evangelical entrance in media is a

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spiritual battle 

March 5, 2000
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Spain: Evangelical entrance in media is a 
spiritual battle, said Hispanic leader

Madrid, Spain.  The entrance of Evangelicals in 
mass communication media is "to enter a battle 
field" said Pedro Tarquis, responsible for 
Communication Media for the Spanish Evangelical 
Alliance (AEE) and the Federation of Evangelical 
Religious Entities of Spain (FEREDE).

In a conference that took place in the historic 
El Porvenir School in Madrid, Tarquis noted that 
Evangelical access to the media is difficult 
because "we are unknown, religion is of no 
interest and is badly viewed socially, there are 
prejudices and interests," he said.

Moreover, internally "we Evangelicals have 
distanced ourselves from the importance of this 
field where there is no experience, interest, 
representation or contacts," he said. In fact, 
some tend to see it as "carnal."

We are entering a field of enormous impact and 
influence where a true spiritual war is unleashed 
to keep us from accessing a place where we can be 
a respected, trustworthy source of information, 
he said.

Tarquis' conference, reported ICPRESS, a news 
agency that has replaced Gabipress, was entitled 
"The Spiritual Battle in the Communication Media" 
and forms part of work carried out by the Spanish 
Evangelical Alliance last February 25.

The Gospel is fundamentally communication and sin 
is the breakdown of this communication between 
God and the human being, said Tarquis.

On the economic front, a media can emerge in 
faith, thanks to offerings, collections or the 
work of participants but it is highly dangerous 
to remain in this line. God must support a stable 
foundation, if this does not happen then we 
should rethink our proposal and see if the vision 
and time are right. Making money cannot be one of 
the main activities of a Christian media, he 
said.

Tarquis noted that power and fame are instruments 
that the media use in their work and are not bad 
things. Jesus did not seek power and fame but did 
not reject recognition from men and woman. He did 
not seek or expect recognition from people, but 
from the Father. However, we must also be willing 
to renounce this power and glory as long as it 
means we are not negating the testimony of God, 
he said.

Sometimes we see a journalists as the enemy or 
someone suspicious. The majority, he said, are 
honourable with values and principles that go 
beyond those of believers. With people like this 
we spark natural friendships that should be 
cultivated. Sometimes, he said, we seek to use 
the media but not be used. However, we must be 
accessible and receptive. [Contribution of 
Agencia Latinoamericana y Caribena de 
Comunicacion/ALC]