Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 10
January 22, 1959
NUMBER 37, PAGE 1,12b-13a

Propaganda

E. L. Flannery, Bedford, Ohio

There is not a day passes but that we are exposed to propaganda. Not all propaganda is harmless, is easy to recognize as such, or even easy to trace to its source. Once a respectable word, propaganda has come to be associated with the "one-sided presentation of a point of view, with tricks of appealing to emotions rather than reason, and with downright deceit. Whereas an honestly educational project would present all sides of a question in order that individuals might make balanced judgments, propaganda presents one viewpoint only, often with half-truths and arguments masquerading as facts, and with ready-made, logical-appearing conclusions to follow them. Propaganda, in short, is an effort to manufacture a `public opinion' favorable to a single interest" (Political Science, Barnes & Noble, Inc., New York, p. 102).

In the same book, pages 103-104, the authors list the seven propaganda techniques as follows:

Propaganda should be analyzed thoroughly to determine whether words are being used to confuse rather than clarify the facts. The seven most common propaganda techniques are (1) "band wagon" (here the propagandist uses the theme "everyone is doing it," thus playing on the desire of the individual to conform); (2) "name calling" (the propagandist appeals to hatreds, prejudices, and fears by intimating unfavorable qualities in those groups, states, races, issues, and individuals he would have people cite or condemn; (3) "glittering generalities" (the propagandist identifies his plans with respectability by appealing to the common emotions of love, generosity, and brotherhood) . . . (4) "transfer" (the propagandist invokes the prestige or sanction of an honored and respected force to convince his audience to accept his program); (5) "plain folks" (the propagandist uses this device to win confidence and illustrate that those being publicized or promoted are "just like everyone else"); (6) "testimonial" (here the propagandist quotes a widely-known person as saying he uses a specific product . . . in the hope that the audience will follow the advice of the individual); and (7) "card stacking" (in this case the propagandist seeks to confuse those searching for facts, which he does not wish to reveal, by employing under-emphasis and over-emphasis to evade issues, resorting to falsehoods and censorship, omitting and distorting facts, and raising new (or other, E. L. F.) issues.)

The reader may be inquiring how this subject, this article, is of interest or benefit to Christians? In many ways! Jesus said, "Take heed what ye hear (Mark 4:24.) The Scriptures are filled with warnings to be on guard against deceivers; against drifting from the truth. Christians may fall into the error of thinking "propaganda" is in the field of politics or international affairs. But a close reading of some "gospel" magazines reveal they have learned well how to employ the techniques of propaganda. It would require much research and a book to report on this subject in detail, but let us re-state the seven techniques mentioned above, and the reader can inquire as to whether or not he has seen them used in religious publications.

"Band wagon" — (The whole brotherhood is doing it this way, save for a few radicals! You'd better line up or you're going to be passed up by the great stream of the church!) Did you ever read any propaganda like this? Certainly it is good to conform, but not when conformity is urged because of numbers rather than truth. (Rom. 12:2).

"Name calling" — (Hobbyist, antis, orphan-haters, don't believe in cooperation, etc.) Did you ever read an appeal to prejudice in a "gospel" magazine using "name calling" like this? If so, you were reading propaganda, hoping to arouse you to condemn those referred to.

"Glittering generalities" — (We have love, the spirit of brotherhood, benevolent in disposition! That's why we push our plans! We are Christ-like in our attitude!) Have you read such self-praise and evaluation in any of "our" periodicals? This type of propaganda infers that all who take issue with them must have opposite traits. It has been used for ages by politicians, dictators, and even judges. Editors? Yea, verily!

"Transfer" — (This was the teaching of the late, sainted brother ! This publication is the oldest, the most influential, the largest. Veneration sits with dignity upon her brow! Her status of the past demands a transfer to the present). Ever read anything in this tone? It was propaganda, an effort to "transfer" prestige, respect for former editors and editorial policies to the present time. Of course "transferred" prestige carries no scriptural argumentation, Unfortunately, it need not to impress certain persons.

"Plain folks" — (We're just down-to-earth folks. Born down on the farm, and pickin' cotton and wormin' tobacco was such hard work it convinced us of the need of preaching! We'd just as soon locate at Littleville as anywhere, but we feel we're needed here just now!) Get the point? Most of the readers live on the farm, in "Littleville", or count themselves as common folks.

"Testimonial" — (We have been preaching for over fifty years, have studied closely the arguments made on both sides of the issues and weighed them well, and have concluded . . . Brother states this is the way he sees it. He has three degrees, has headed several institutions, is unbiased . . . I want to confess to the brotherhood I have changed my views, but space does not permit my giving the readers the compelling reasons.) Have you read any testimonial propaganda given in lieu of Scriptures? Did it impress you? It was meant to do so. We hope you remembered, "To the law and the testimony" of God. The beer and cigarette ads use much "testimonial" propaganda hoping the gullible will fall for it. ("It's a he-man's cigarette!") Religious journals, too, have found it effective.

"Card stacking" — (Here they seek to confuse those seeking truth. They substitute issues for the real one. They distort facts, omitting vital parts of argumentation or reports. Even falsehoods are printed and misrepresentation is used.) The reader may say, "Politicians may do these things, but not "gospel" journals". Well, shall we say it? The truth is editors of "religious" journals have done the same thing. Reports have been printed derogatory to a brother in Christ which the editor refused to correct or apologize for when evidence was furnished showing his published report was erroneous. Attacks have been made upon brethren and their teaching in which distortion appeared and yet the brother attacked was not permitted a reply. But most readers do not know this. In this way the "cards are stacked" against men and against their true beliefs and positions.

To the above seven techniques some authorities on collective behavior add the "hot potato" and the "stalling" techniques.

"Hot potato" — (In this technique the propagandist tries to spring a surprise, a trap, a situation upon his opponent that will be interpreted by most people to the discredit of the opponent. This technique depends upon timing and interpretation.) By this method sometimes the propagandist hopes to draw an opponent into heated denials or hot-tempered outburst. It brings accusations and leaves the accused to prove his innocence rather than the accuser proving his guilt. This technique has been used by editor, author and debater as well as politician.

"Stalling" — (This involves a play for time; delays to allow forgetting, as printing an article in installments and several weeks apart; red-tape.) Certainly we have been exposed to this type propaganda.

"The hallmark of propaganda," states The Dictionary of Sociology "is the effort to make biased, prejudiced, interested statements appear completely factual and objective." (p. 238)

The Christian — the devout, sincere Christian — will rely solely upon God's word as his guide and pattern. He, like Paul, will do his utmost to persuade men, but with God's word, with revealed truth, not with carefully followed techniques of propaganda. Christians do not live in a world separate and apart from the "pulls" and "pushes" of society. Worldly wisdom and worldly devices sometimes become intermixed in the hearts of those who think they are still serving God, and hence, this study may help to understand when we are being persuaded by Truth and when we are being stirred by the means of propaganda. Neither let us mistake loud-mouthed preaching of assertions, a sort of "hybrid of elocution and calisthenics", for gospel truths.