Don Wildmon

AFA/AFR founder

March 1995 – An interesting letter came across my fax recently. It was from Sam in Columbus, Georgia. I would like to share it with you.

“Dear Mr. Wildmon:

“I am writing to inform you of the hypocritical action WTVM, the ABC affiliate, is doing. They have decided to air NYPD Blue!

“As a God fearing human being, I am outraged that this kind of garbage is being shown on broadcast TV! I beg of you to use your contacts and your reputation to put a stop to this anti-family, immoral show.

“Thank you in advance for your cooperation!

“Sincerely, Sam ——”

Reading the letter I was thinking that I had picked up some support, that another person had had enough and was wanting and willing to get in the fight. We could sure use the help. After all, we have been fighting NYPD Blue with our resources for nearly two years. Our efforts have been reasonably successful, costing ABC over $30,000,000 in lost advertising revenue. That is the most ever lost by any program in the history of television.

But, alas, I was letting my mind move quicker than my eyes. There was a p.s. attached to the letter. Sam continued.

“P.S.: As my right, I request that you do not place my address on your mailing list or sell or lease it to another list as well.”

Well, Sam, I certainly will not be adding your name to our mailing list, and it will not be sold or leased to another list either. You see, Sam, we don’t need you. Your message came across loud and clear. You want something done, but you don’t want to be a part of AFA – the organization which is doing something.

There are literally millions of people like Sam around this country. Many of them are sitting in church pews every Sunday morning. Some of them are even standing behind the pulpit. They are good people. They abhor the trash and moral decline in our society. They want something done. But they want someone else to do it for them. They don’t want to be a part of a group which is doing something.

Maybe Sam is doing something. But experience tells me to doubt it. Sam wants ME to do something for him.

I would hope that Sam will read and study the book of James. The message is quite clear. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves... What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?... Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead... You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe – and tremble! But do you not know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?”

The letter made me pause to thank God for all of you who are willing to “be doers of the word.” Let us continue to be such.