c. 1996 Religion News Service
(RNS) Here’s a summary of PBS’ upcoming TV programs that deal with religion and values:
Adventures from the Book of Virtues
The first in this fall’s line up,”Adventures from the Book of Virtues,”is an animated series adapted from”The Book of Virtues,”the best-selling anthology of moral tales edited by former Secretary of Education William J. Bennett. This is PBS’ first prime-time animated series, geared primarily to children with the hope that parents will tune in too. It offers lessons from classic literature, European fairy tales, Native American legends and African fables.
Episodes feature 11-year-old Zach and 10-year-old Annie alongside animal characters such as Plato, the wise buffalo, and Aurora, the red-tailed hawk. The cartoon kids learn about such themes as honesty, work, responsibility, compassion, courage and self-discipline from Plato’s collection of stories, which include”George Washington and the Cherry Tree”and”The Good Samaritan.””Adventures from the Book of Virtues”is scheduled to air 8 p.m. Sept. 2-4. Other hour-long episodes are expected to air later this year. (Check local listings for program dates and times).
With God on Our Side: The Rise of the Religious Right in America
This six-hour documentary series provides an in-depth look at the origins and development of the conservative Christian political movement.
The first hour-long episode,”The Early Crusades, 1950-1968,”focuses on large revival meetings led by evangelist Billy Graham. It explores how many of those committed to spiritual renewal became involved in conservative causes; protested the Supreme Court decision banning organized prayer in public schools; and launched a national drive against sex education classes.
Other episodes explore the alliance between Graham and President Richard Nixon,”born-again”President Jimmy Carter, the rise of the Moral Majority, and the evolution of the Christian Coalition from the grassroots of Pat Robertson’s failed 1988 presidential campaign.”With God on Our Side”is scheduled to air at 9 p.m., Fridays, Sept. 27 through Nov. 8 except Oct. 25. (Check local listings for program dates and times).
Genesis: A Living Conversation
This 10-part series on the Book of Genesis features dramatic readings of Bible stories by actors Mandy Patinkin and Alfre Woodard. After each reading, commentator Bill Moyers moderates philosophical discussions with people from a variety of religious perspectives.
Topics include Adam and Eve, the concept of free will, Noah’s Ark, divine calling, and Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac.
Participating throughout the series are, among others, Rabbi Burton Visotzky, associate dean of the Graduate School, Jewish Theological Seminary; Roberta Hestenes, president of Eastern College in St. Davids, Pa.; Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Muslim author and professor of Islamic studies at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.; the Rev. Samuel Proctor, scholar, author, Baptist minister; and Karen Armstrong, best-selling author of”A History of God.””Genesis: A Living Conversation”is scheduled to air at 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16 and subsequent Sundays beginning Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. through Dec. 15. (Check local listings for program dates and times.)
MJP END RNS
