KCTS Policy on Religious Programming
August, 1997, at the request of KCTS CEO
by Louis Broome

Creationism vs. Evolutionism
For over 140 years creationists and evolutionists have engaged in heated debate. Public broadcasters are respectful of the deep feelings and complexities that accompany this debate. As a broadcaster of content that directly examines the development of life on Earth, KCTS Television has carefully considered its responsibility to the community it serves and has arrived at the following conclusions:

The discipline of science is radically different from religion. Evolutionism is a scientific theory, a formulated general principle, supported by considerable, observed evidence, explaining the operation of certain phenomena. KCTS broadcasts science and nature programs that explore and advance current scientific theories, including evolution.

Creationism is a tenet of religion, generally defined as a belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe. Religious belief is a personal matter. KCTS is sensitive to and respectful of our viewer's religious beliefs, which are as diverse and varied as our community.

However, the public television broadcast of religious programming--programming which implies an adherence to religion in both belief and practice--does not serve the broad interests of a diverse public. The KCTS broadcast signal will not be used to promote one religious belief over another. In order to prevent public television from becoming a broadcaster for any one religious doctrine, which would be counter to the very definition of public broadcasting, KCTS will not broadcast any religious programming whatsoever.

Science is the best method humans have for understanding the mechanics of the universe and arriving at a factual, working knowledge of our world. Science is an international language, the foundation of technology, medicine and communications. The economic stability of nations is directly related to scientific literacy. Scholars and educators agree that scientific literacy must become a national imperative. In keeping with our primary mission--to use broadcasting as a tool for learning--KCTS is committed to broadcasting programming that illuminates scientific understanding and disseminates the latest scientific discoveries, including the application of and advances in the theory of evolution.