MEDIA WATCH | MCDONALD’S

Religious Pluralism Is Needed, Not A&E Religious Hate Programming

According to the American Bar Association website: “Hate speech is speech that offends, threatens, or insults groups, based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or other traits.”

August 21, 2018

Steve Easterbrook
President and Chief Executive Officer
McDonald’s Corporation

Dear Sir,

I am writing in an appeal to reason. Your company is one of the sponsors of the A&E program Leah Remini:… the Aftermath. I urge you to cancel this sponsorship.

The purpose of this TV program is to bring down—destroy—a religion. Let’s ignore for a moment the fact that it is my religion and look at this more broadly.

An attempt to destroy is a demonstration of hate. Expressed in any form of communication, it is, by definition, hate speech.

Even a cursory look at the daily news demonstrates all too clearly the pervasiveness of hate speech in our society. Whether it regards race, gender or religion, any promotion of hate is an ill wind that blows no good. Scientology parishioners and Churches have already been physically attacked by haters and this TV program only inspires more. Indeed, spreading discord is at the core of its purpose.

I urge you to pull your company’s sponsorship of this program and to not sponsor any activity whose purpose is the promotion of hate.

Thank you.

Michael Scandling
San Jose, Calif.