Wright, Lori

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University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire Scholars' RepositoryMedia Relations Administrative Offices12-16-2009Professor Available To Discuss Impact Of OralRobertsLori WrightUNH Media RelationsFollow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/newsThis News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Administrative Offices at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It hasbeen accepted for inclusion in Media Relations by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For moreinformation, please contact nicole.hentz@unh.edu.Recommended CitationWright, Lori, "Professor Available To Discuss Impact Of Oral Roberts" (2009). UNH Today. 293.https://scholars.unh.edu/news/2938/26/2016 Professor Available to Discuss Impact of Oral Robertshttp://www.unh.edu/delete/news/cj_nr/2009/dec/lw16oral.cfm.html 1/1UNH Media Relations Professor Available To Discuss Impact Of Oral RobertsMedia Contact: Lori Wright603­862­0574UNH Media RelationsDec 16, 2009DURHAM, N.H. – Michele Dillon, religion scholar and professor of sociology at the University ofNew Hampshire, is available to discuss the significance of Oral Roberts in the U.S. evangelicalmovement. Roberts died Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009. He was 91.According to Dillon, Roberts was one of the most visible public faces of the evangelicalmovement and, notably, was very influential in evangelical circles decades beforeevangelicalism came to the fore in the political and cultural debates of the 1980s and since.“He was a pioneer in seeing the religious and cultural influence that can be wielded throughtelevision broadcasting. His television shows began in the early 1950s and thus set the scenefor the televangelism that is now such a significant part of U.S. politics and everyday life,”Dillon says.“Bringing religion to television also furthered the evangelical view that established Christiandenominational churches were not the only or even the most relevant or legitimate sites ofworship. One could have a personal relationship with Jesus from within the privacy of one'shome ­­ abetted by television preachers ­­ but independent of any particular church,” shesays.According to Dillon, there is increasing evidence of this autonomous attitude in U.S. societytoday, irrespective of whether one is evangelical; 16 percent of Americans report no religiousdenominational affiliation even though most, nonetheless, believe in God/Jesus.“Oral Roberts also saw the importance of linking evangelicalism to the education system.  Hefounded Oral Roberts University in the early 1960s in Tulsa, a pattern consolidated and usedwith perhaps greater political effect by Jerry Falwell. In short, Oral Roberts's legacy issubstantial and will continue through the various ministries still operating in his name,” shesays.The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world­class public research universitywith the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space­grant university,UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling more than 12,200 undergraduate and2,200 graduate students.PHOTOMichele Dillon, religion scholar and professor of sociology at the University of New Hampshirehttp://www.unh.edu/news/img/dillon.jpg ­30­

Professor Available To Discuss Impact Of Oral Roberts

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Professor Available To Discuss Impact Of Oral Roberts

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