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PASTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, June 13, 1980
Page 6
proceeding to this committee.
We
don't yet know when the bill will go be
fore the state Assembly, but in the next week or so we may have more news
about this very important bill which could well have a profound effect
on the future of churches in California.
Among those testifying before the Judiciary Committee in behalf of the
bill was constitutional law expert Lawrence Tribe. Representatives of
the Roman Catholic Church and other major denominations testified person
ally before the committee and have been responsible for the entire effort
to strip the Attorney General of his power to control Churches--a power
he has clearly abused in our case and others.
NATIONALLY-KNOWN COMMENTATOR INTERVIEWS MR. RADER
Many Southland brethren were tuned in to their radios Thursday, June
12th,as George Putnam interviewed Mr. Rader on station KIEV in Glendale.
Mr. Putnam opened with some very interesting remarks which focused on the
previous Sunday's "60 Minutes" segment about the Church:
"I've noticed a very strange and sad tendency on the part of '60 Minutes.'
Since it became one of those in the top 10, often topping the top 10 in
the Neilsen race, it has resorted to some tactics of which I disapprove.
"I think journalism is evenhandedness and when you do a commentary, as I
have done in the past ('One Reporter's Opinion') it should be set separate
and apart from the body of the news. But in '60 Minutes' it lops over.
"There is a tendency in adversary journalism to take a subject that is,
of course, of national interest and, particularly when it has gone to the
courts--and to take that subject and to arrive at a conclusion, and then
back off the conclusion you wish to make and then to fill in the bits and
pieces as in a puzzle. And I think that is what happened [again].
"First, I noticed it on the Kissinger story, concerning the Shah of Iran
in which I think a great injustice was done to the former Secretary of
State, Henry Kissinger. Now I've never been a great booster of Henry
Kissinger. We've had some confrontations, but fairness is fairness. And
then last Sunday evening [June 8th] I was appalled to se�the treatment
of Stanley Rader and the Worldwide Church of God by Mike Wallace in '60
Minutes.'
"...That is not to say he [Mike Wallace] does not do the particular job
he does very well. But I am questioning the lopsidedness of '60 Minutes.'
And I say they could survive and do an excellent job and still be tops in
the ratings, without taking that particular approacjl.
"Now, having said that, I must tell you I have no association with the
Worldwide Church of God. And people have heard me expound on the subject
of religion. I have had religion right up to here; I'm sorry. Maybe
Stanley will save me by the time the day is over, but I've had about all
the religion I can take.
"But I am going to tell you, as concerning the Worldwide Church of God, I
think a great injustice has been done. Having said that we are going to
get to our guest, and here he is in person: Mr. Stanley Rader."