Prime-Time Religion: An Encyclopedia of Religious Broadcasting

This encyclopaedia contains 350 entries which detail the origins of religious broadcasting, pioneer preachers, the most successful programmes, and the many personalities who have laboured in this electronic realm. Coverage spans from 1921 through today and includes both mainline Christian broadcasters, such as Billy Graham and Pat Robertson, and non-Christian personalities like Black Muslim leader Warith Dean Muhammad, and Rosicrucian H. Spencer Lewis. The encyclopaedia also covers the important contributions of a number of women broadcasters including Beverly La Haye, Marilyn Hickey and Evelyn Wyatt. Each entry includes background information about the broadcaster’s life and their entry into the world of broadcasting. The authors present unbiased accounts of even the industry’s most controversial broadcasters including Jim and Tammy Faye Baker and Jerry Falwell. The evolution of prominent radio and television programmes and religious organisations is also included. An introduction by J. Gordon Melton provides an overview of the development of religious broadcasting, from its roots to the billion dollar industry it is today.