"The Ten Commandments are antiquated and outmoded. It's ridiculous to think that something could be written in stone and be rules for all times."

these words were spoken some time ago by Ted Turner, chairman of Turner Broadcasting System, one of the largest in the world. He was speaking to a group of newspaper executives at the National Newspaper Association.

He told them that together they could mold attitudes of the people and convictions of the masses. "We are the ones to determine what people's attitudes are," he said. "It is in our hands."

In response to the letter I wrote him, Mr. Turner graciously replied and thanked me for expressing concern about his address to the National Newspaper Association. He said that during his address he expressed concern for our planet. "I shared my ten volunteer initiatives," he said. "These initiatives," he said, "were not meant to replace the Ten Commandments, but rather append more up-to-date and realistic directives for today's complicated world."

Even though the owner of one of the world's largest broadcasting stations graciously replied, his attitude frightens me. He is reported to have also told the Dallas Morning News, "Christianity is a religion for losers. Christ died on the cross," he is quoted as saying, "but He shouldn't have bothered. I don't need anybody to die for me."

A few years ago, Lichter and Rockburn, a research team, did an indepth study of people responsible for network programs. They reported that the television elite have traversed considerable distance in their attitudes as well as their circumstances. In the sphere of religion they have moved toward a markedly more secular orientation. 93 percent had a religious upbringing. Currently, however, 45 percent say they seldom or never attend religious services. When asked if they could reshape society and decide what groups should have the most influence, the group listed religion next to last. Only the military was rated lower. Moreover, two out of three believe that entertainment should be the major for social reform. According to television's creators, they are not in it just for the money. They also seek to move their audience toward their own vision of a good society. "It is in our hands," they say. "We determine attitudes."

If these are the attitudes being broadcast over television to millions of Americans and others, we are indeed in deep trouble. When Mr. Turner announced his so-called "Ted" Commandments and remarked that the Ten Commandments were outmoded, the broadcasters, we are told, gave him warm applause accompanied by laughter. These are not the kind of attitudes to be laughed at or to be applauded. They make some of us weep. The Ten Commandments are not outmoded and Christianity is not a religion for losers. I thank God that Christ died for me. We, too, fashion attitudes. For over 100 years the Lord's Day Alliance of the United States has been involved in telling people about the importance of Sunday and its proper observance. Our attitude is that The Lord's Day is the keystone of civilization and determines the future power and glory of our nation. We, too, proclaim the Lord's Day is the base and life of the church and without this glorious day the church loses its matchless splendor and becomes poor indeed.

We were pleased to read in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution of June 14, 1990, that he who shapes the attitudes and changes the convictions of millions had changed his attitude and Mr. R.E. Turner, media mogul of the world, admitted that he often speaks without thinking and apologized for calling Christianity a religion of losers. He said, "This is apology week," and issued a blanket apology to "anybody else" he may have offended over the years. Speaking to 150 members of the First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia, Mr. Turner said, "From the bottom of my heart, I apologize for the things I said about Christians." Mr. Turner received an outstanding ovation by the audience.

For over 100 years The Lord's Day Alliance has been a powerful force in preserving the traditional values which have made this nation great. We owe no apology for promoting the first day of the week as a day of divine worship, spiritual renewal and rest according to the Scriptures and to use every means we can to the end that the blessings of the Lord's Day may be sacred for all people. If we had the broadcasting system that Mr. Turner has, we would do our best to broadcast our message to the world.