In the wake of a conversation-spurring opinion column in the Wall Street Journal titled, “Why Public Schools Should Teach the Bible,” famed producer Mark Burnett (“The Voice” and “Survivor”) and his wife, actress Roma Downey (“Touched by an Angel”) have been making the case that America’s children should be taught the Bible in classrooms across America.
Referring to the Bible as “the most read, most influential book of all time,” Downey and Burnett underscored the value the scriptures have had on Western society and its value-system.
To delve into the matter on a deeper level and discuss the Sunday release of their next project, a drama-series dubbed "The Bible," Glenn Beck invited Downey and Burnett on his Friday evening broadcast to discuss how faith is perceived in today's social landscape.
As society currently rewards reality television, violent YouTube videos and tends to portray people of faith as "cheesy" or "corny," Beck pointed to the Emmy Award-winning actress, most famous for having starred in the the popular series "Touched by an Angel," to showcase the best sides of faith and faith-centered entertainment.
Downey, who has produced and starred in a myriad movies and television productions including "Monday After the Miracle" and "Borrowed Hearts," and was honored as People Magazine's “100 Most Beautiful People," shared what faith means to her in an increasingly-secular world.
The Irish-born actress is a national spokesperson for Operation Smile, an organization that has already provided corrective surgeries to over 200,000 children worldwide born with severe cleft palettes and similar conditions. She has also authored two children’s books and recorded an inspirational album of spoken word titled “Healing Angel.”
Burnett, meanwhile, may best be known for producing the popular television program "Survivor" and for creating "Celebrity Apprentice," but is also extremely proud of their 10-hour History Channel mini-series on the Bible which premiers this Sunday, March 3.
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According to TheBlaze's Billy Hallowell, who attended the screening of The Bible, the Nativity scene was "one of the most powerful scenes" as the sights and sounds "provide heartfelt context to the events and emotions surrounding Jesus’ birth."
"As rain pours down incessantly, Joseph can be seen frantically seeking help, as he is accompanying his fiance, Mary (played by Downey), who is in labor," Hallowell writes.
"Keeping with Biblical tradition, Mary and Joseph inevitably find a place for her to give birth, despite the fact that 'there was no room for them in the inn' (Luke 2:7)."
The duo are also slated to tackle a remake of Cecile B. Demile's famed "10 Commandments."
Later on the broadcast historian David Barton hosted pastor Tom Mullins of the Christ Fellowship and Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference and a senior advisor on “The Bible” mini-series to discuss faith in America and, more pointedly, within the entertainment industry.
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