APOLOGETICS PROGRAM COUNTERS PREJUDICE
An impactful discussion program now airing on SAT-7 ARABIC challenges common misconceptions about Christianity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). By giving viewers a true picture of the faith and promoting acceptance and unity, The Accuser aims to help halt the spread of extremism and anti-Christian attacks.
As many non-Christians in the MENA lack knowledge about Christianity, they are often vulnerable to believing rumours that encourage prejudice. The Accuser counters misunderstandings by providing a thorough explanation of the basics of the Christian faith, including the Holy Trinity, the Bible, and the nature of Jesus Christ.
MODELLING RESPECT
Each 30-minute episode features Christian and non-Christian guests who are well-known public figures or experts in their fields, including church leaders, activists, academics, and government officials. Alongside the discussion, The Accuser includes songs that reflect the episode’s theme and short interviews in which members of the public share their thoughts. The set reflects a traditional Eastern atmosphere in which people from different faiths can listen to each other and find common ground.
As with all SAT-7 programs, the show never attacks other religions and treats all viewers with respect and tolerance. Ramzy Bishara, the show’s Producer, explains:
“Viewers have the right to ask questions, and we have the right to provide correct explanations without attacking others’ beliefs. By inviting non-Christian guests to speak on their own areas of expertise, we are providing answers in a language that non-Christian viewers will understand.”
COUNTERING PREJUDICE
In Arabic, the program’s name is “El Mikafaraty”, which literally means “one who calls others ‘unbelievers’”. The 20-episode series warns of the dangers of making accusations against members of other faiths and encourages viewers to accept others as they are.
“A large proportion of the MENA is illiterate, and this makes the region fertile ground for the spread of prejudice. In The Accuser, we provide advice on dealing with people who promote hatred and religious discrimination against Christians and other religious minorities,” Bishara says.
While many non-Christians in the MENA have the same questions asked by inquisitive seekers around the world, some common misconceptions are based on harmful rumours. These include the ideas that Christians hide weapons in churches or commit indecent acts during meetings.
The Accuser corrects misunderstandings such as the belief that the verse “God is love” (1 John 4:8) means that God approves of adultery, or that Christians are not loyal to their countries because of the words “we are foreigners and strangers”, which appear in 1 Chronicles 29:15. The show explains the true meaning of these verses and highlights the positive contributions that many MENA Christians have made to their own nations.
“WE COULD MAKE EACH OTHER STRONGER”
The show also encourages unity within Christian denominations by highlighting what brings them together. Explaining this ethos, Bishara says, “We could make the variety found among Christian denominations a blessing, instead of a curse. We could complete each other and make each other stronger.”
To enable the show’s positive messages of unity and peaceful coexistence to reach a wider audience, the team plans to offer The Accuser to a national Egyptian television channel for free.