The godless project
28/11/20 18:56![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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talkpoliticsThe Coronavirus is the product of a godless global conspiracy" This theory is being spoon-fed to millions of listeners by the infamous Radio Maria in Italy. Its CEO, Livio Fanzaga frequently fills the morning air with his claims that the global pandemic is in fact a criminal project driven by the global elites. You know how the story goes. Their end game? Creating a godless world. Whatever that's supposed to mean.
You can stream Radio Maria here:
https://radiomaria.us/listen-to-the-radio/
You see, politics and the media are ruled by Satan's global conspiracy, according to this narrative. The purpose of this project is to suck humanity dry of its living forces, put it on its knees and establish a global dictatorship. To create a world that would eliminate everybody who doesn't bow down to this criminal project.
About 1.5 million listeners in Italy and beyond are fed these stories every day. The radio is a citadel of the ultra-conservative Catholics, and it has many frequencies at its disposal - probably only rivaled by the national television RAI.
It's not just a radio, it's a media empire, a grand business enterprise with a multi-million annual revenue. Much of that is used for maintaining the vast array of 874 frequencies. Radio Maria can be accessed via multiple channels, including online streaming, and a sizable presence in the social media.
The most influential Catholic radio program in Italy was launched in 1986 as a local radio station serving the priests in the Erba region near Lake Como. It grew up quickly once some shares were bought by wealthy mozzarella producer Emmanuele Ferrario. Father Fanzaga was responsible for the contants. The daily broadcast is a mixture of prayer, Biblical content, Gregorian chants, religious evergreens and other such stuff, but once a day, an hour is filled by the father's personal musings about the global events - mostly a furious diatribe against abortions, gays, migrants and Islam.
For example, Fanzaga believes US president-elect Joe Biden is "Satan's tool", while famous Italian populist Matteo Salvini is "an honest Catholic". Salvini has often returned the compliments, stating that he regularly listens to Radio Maria, and praising father Fanzaga's regular review of world events, calling it "spot on".
Mind you, the Vatican does not share this assessment 100%. The Pope's cabinet has publicly apologized when a few years ago Radio Maria claimed the series of earthquakes were God's punishment for the new bill supporting same-sex partnerships. But the fact is, the Vatican has no means of directly influencing the radio's contents.
Being a private Catholic broadcast, and one that's represented in 70 countries around the world, Radio Maria is primarily funded through donations from its followers. Former employees report that they've regularly seen piles of bags arriving in the radio headquarters, with envelopes full with money. The radio often broadcasts calls for money donations, and the listeners apparently respond. And the biggest segment of followers are usually lonely elderly women.
Radio Maria also has a significant property portfolio. It possesses more than 70 real estates across Italy, most of it donated by devoted listeners.
You can stream Radio Maria here:
https://radiomaria.us/listen-to-the-radio/
You see, politics and the media are ruled by Satan's global conspiracy, according to this narrative. The purpose of this project is to suck humanity dry of its living forces, put it on its knees and establish a global dictatorship. To create a world that would eliminate everybody who doesn't bow down to this criminal project.
About 1.5 million listeners in Italy and beyond are fed these stories every day. The radio is a citadel of the ultra-conservative Catholics, and it has many frequencies at its disposal - probably only rivaled by the national television RAI.
It's not just a radio, it's a media empire, a grand business enterprise with a multi-million annual revenue. Much of that is used for maintaining the vast array of 874 frequencies. Radio Maria can be accessed via multiple channels, including online streaming, and a sizable presence in the social media.
The most influential Catholic radio program in Italy was launched in 1986 as a local radio station serving the priests in the Erba region near Lake Como. It grew up quickly once some shares were bought by wealthy mozzarella producer Emmanuele Ferrario. Father Fanzaga was responsible for the contants. The daily broadcast is a mixture of prayer, Biblical content, Gregorian chants, religious evergreens and other such stuff, but once a day, an hour is filled by the father's personal musings about the global events - mostly a furious diatribe against abortions, gays, migrants and Islam.
For example, Fanzaga believes US president-elect Joe Biden is "Satan's tool", while famous Italian populist Matteo Salvini is "an honest Catholic". Salvini has often returned the compliments, stating that he regularly listens to Radio Maria, and praising father Fanzaga's regular review of world events, calling it "spot on".
Mind you, the Vatican does not share this assessment 100%. The Pope's cabinet has publicly apologized when a few years ago Radio Maria claimed the series of earthquakes were God's punishment for the new bill supporting same-sex partnerships. But the fact is, the Vatican has no means of directly influencing the radio's contents.
Being a private Catholic broadcast, and one that's represented in 70 countries around the world, Radio Maria is primarily funded through donations from its followers. Former employees report that they've regularly seen piles of bags arriving in the radio headquarters, with envelopes full with money. The radio often broadcasts calls for money donations, and the listeners apparently respond. And the biggest segment of followers are usually lonely elderly women.
Radio Maria also has a significant property portfolio. It possesses more than 70 real estates across Italy, most of it donated by devoted listeners.
(no subject)
Date: 28/11/20 18:28 (UTC)I'm glad I don't live in Italy, though I live in a very conservative part of the US where publicly admitting to being an agnostic (which I am) runs the gamut from dirty looks to people accusing you of being Hitler.
(no subject)
Date: 28/11/20 21:16 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 29/11/20 08:21 (UTC)I don’t normally suggest horsewhipping priests, so I’m not going to this time; I’ll just feel like it.