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FCC Petition 2493 Ended in 1975
25-year-old Religious Broadcasting Rumor Needs to End
December 7, 1999
By Timothy T.C. McGhee

Rumors continue to circulate about Petition 2493 to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This petition has also been mistakenly identified as Petition 2495.

Supposedly, atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair is sponsoring the petition to end “all Sunday worship services being broadcast either by radio or television.” The latest twist says the petition would force CBS to discontinue “Touched by An Angel,” and The WB would have to cancel “7th Heaven.” These rumors are not true.

First, Madalyn Murray O’Hair is dead. Her son, William J. Murray, explained that a convicted murderer his mother hired is now suspected of killing her. Neither she, nor her organization, have been granted a federal hearing.

Second, the petition was denied. In December 1971, Jeremy D. Lansman and Lorenzo W. Milam petitioned the FCC to explore the operating practices of noncommercial educational broadcasting stations, including those licensed to religious educational organizations. The petition, assigned number RM-2493, was denied by the FCC on August 1, 1975, because it is required by the First Amendment “to observe a stance of neutrality toward religion acting neither to promote nor to inhibit religion” (FCC statement, January 1993).

Beginning sometime in 1975, the rumor began that Madalyn Murray O’Hair sponsored RM-2493 and had proposed that the FCC consider limiting or banning religious programming. The FCC has been answering letters ever since. The FCC further explains the origin and continuation of this rumor on its site.

William J. Murray, O’Hair's son who now preaches the Gospel after accepting Christ at age 33, attributes the rumor's longevity to atheists who want to “make Christians look foolish before the FCC, which must approve applications for Christian radio and TV stations.”

Currently circulating e-mails state, “We need one million signed letters.” Since these rumors first began in 1971, the FCC has answered over 22 million letters about this petition, according to Murray's statement. Even today, the FCC gets multiple calls daily about this rumor, especially during the holiday season.

What if the effort to generate 22 million letters about a rumor, were put into the work of the Lord?

So, what if you receive a message about Petition 2493? Question anyone who promotes this petition. He or she could be an atheist in need of hearing the Gospel. Many times, however, these petitions have been delivered by Bible-believing Christians. Please end the chain by not forwarding the e-mail.