There are many popular church services currently on public television worldwide, representing all religions from Christianity to Islam and more. Offering religious services, including prayer on television, is good for television programming to portray religions that may not be your own. Another bonus is that many people are unable to make it to their places of worship physically in-person, so having the option to watch the service online is extremely helpful. During the past year, with churches, mosques and synagogues being closed due to Covid, televised worship was their only connection to hear and watch their sermons and participate in structured prayer. 

Outside of Covid-19, many elderly people cannot travel to in-person church due to other illnesses, physical disabilities or transportation issues. They often chose to enjoy televised religious services. Additionally, when people have to travel out of state or out of the country and cannot find a worship house to attend in person, they can still watch services by their own religious leader. Typically, it is easy to find religious services on public or streaming television, and there is a large variety to help anyone easily find a service they feel best matches their personal beliefs. In many Arab countries, they will watch televised prayer when they cannot attend a mosque in person. In addition to this all, if anyone is not interested in televised prayer, they do not have to watch. There are many other things available to be watched on primary, cable and streaming television; therefore, no one only has the option to watch a religious service if they don’t want to, as it is completely optional and something one would have to go out of their way to do. 

“It is a great way for people to publicly share something that they are passionate about with the hope of extending that passion on to others,” senior Nicole Macri said.

Freedom is the bedrock of America. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and to petition the government. Together, these guaranteed freedoms make sure the people of the United States of America are mostly able to do all of which they are passionate about. The concept of separation of church and state reinforces people’s legal right to live their faith out, even in the public, without fear of government coercion. Free exercise of religion means one is able to have a belief and that they may live and practice it. Therefore, religious services and forms of prayer should not be banned from televised programming. With television, as with any business, it is about supply and demand. So as long as people are tuning into religious services, it should be an option on television.

“Praying is a way to express your faith, so of course I think it is okay to show on TV,” senior Jackson Smith said. “Anyone with any belief should be able to express their opinions anywhere.”

Recently, Lil Nas X released his latest music video and song, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name).” Social media erupted following the video’s premiere, which included sexually explicit biblical and Satanic imagery. The goal was to embrace his homosexual identity, but many people criticized his video, especially those in the Christian community. This event is an example of the freedom people have to display their beliefs on TV and within their art. If Lil Nas X can express himself dancing with the devil, it should be okay to show prayer on television.

The downside of displaying prayers or any beliefs on television is that there are many different religions and beliefs, which can lead to conflict between dividing faiths. Showing prayer or any kind of religion on television allows it to be openly criticized or disrespected amongst other faiths. However, it is still a freedom we have in America for people to practice their religion freely. Therefore, anyone should be able to display prayer, no matter the religion and should not be banned from any form of programming. As long as people are tuning in, there is no reason not to show it.

“Praying is a way of life in many different cultures,” senior Cade Smith said. “Prayer on TV is not pushing anyone’s agenda. It is just an accurate representation of how the majority of the world functions.”