Abuse through Neglect on TV

In 1992, professors from Northwestern University, University of Dayton, and Duke University Medical Center did a study on television and its use or treatment of religion. They said:

"Television's treatment of religion tends to be best characterized as abuse through neglect."

According to Sermon Illustrations:

Religion is virtually invisible on network television, a recent study concludes. Scholars from three universities who monitored 100 prime-time TV shows aired by ABC, NBC, CBS, and the Fox Network determined that references to religion rarely appear on the screen, and when they do, religious beliefs or practices are seldom presented in a positive light. The survey found that 95% of all speaking characters on TV programs have no identifiable religious affiliation.

(From National & International Religion Report, March, 1992)