WPTC Program Explores Religion, Spirituality
Published 02.29.2008
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By John S. CendomaCollege Informationand Community Relations intern
Pennsylvania College of Technology's radio station, WPTC-FM, is home to "The Way," a weekly radio show that focuses on religion and spirituality and features interviews with individuals from both the college and the community.
The show, which debuted in September, airs at 7 a.m. on Saturdays. Listeners can tune their radios to 88.1 FM or listen live online . Past installments of the program are also available for listening on the site.
The show's host, Kent B. Bunting, assistant professor of English, said he proposed the show because he did not like the way religion was covered in the mass media.
"The media seem to primarily show one view of religion, one that tends to show only one segment of the Christian faith," Bunting said. "There are so many other religions and ways of looking at religion that do not get discussed."
Bunting researches and finds his own guests for the show and does not attempt to promote any particular religion. He said the show looks at religion from a number of different perspectives, including that of artists, scientists, historians, literary scholars, clergy and laypeople.
"Each show is simply a conversation between me and a single guest," he said.
Brad L. Nason, associate professor of mass communications and faculty adviser to WPTC, said "The Way" is the station's first locally produced, ongoing program on the topic of religion.
Nason said the show "fulfills the public-interest requirement that every radio station should be doing." He said it's important for a radio station to air some locally produced programs.
Bunting and Nason went through many possible show names, including "The Joy of Sects," and "Conversations with Kent." There was one show name they both seemed to agree on, though. Bunting suggested "Manifestations of the Way" because his dharma name (the name given to him when he became a Buddhist) is Gendo, which means "Manifestation of the Way." Nason thought the title was too long and shortened it to "The Way," and they both agreed.
"It may seem like an unusual topic for an English teacher," Bunting said.
He said he doesn't have any professional experience in the area, and his educational background is "not specifically in religion." Bunting has a master's degree in English, a law degree and a doctorate in American studies.
Before Bunting came to Penn College, he taught at a law school and was a lawyer. He has always been interested in religion. He took a number of theology and religion courses while pursuing both his undergraduate degree and his doctorate.
Bunting said "The Way" is his first show of any kind, and he enjoys his hosting role.
"It really provides me a lot of intellectual stimulation and also has allowed me to meet and talk to a lot of interesting people," he said.
For more information about WPTC 88.1 FM, visit online . For more information about Penn College, visit on the Web, e-mail or call toll-free (800) 367-9222.
Pennsylvania College of Technology's radio station, WPTC-FM, is home to "The Way," a weekly radio show that focuses on religion and spirituality and features interviews with individuals from both the college and the community.
The show, which debuted in September, airs at 7 a.m. on Saturdays. Listeners can tune their radios to 88.1 FM or listen live online . Past installments of the program are also available for listening on the site.
The show's host, Kent B. Bunting, assistant professor of English, said he proposed the show because he did not like the way religion was covered in the mass media."The media seem to primarily show one view of religion, one that tends to show only one segment of the Christian faith," Bunting said. "There are so many other religions and ways of looking at religion that do not get discussed."
Bunting researches and finds his own guests for the show and does not attempt to promote any particular religion. He said the show looks at religion from a number of different perspectives, including that of artists, scientists, historians, literary scholars, clergy and laypeople.
"Each show is simply a conversation between me and a single guest," he said.
Brad L. Nason, associate professor of mass communications and faculty adviser to WPTC, said "The Way" is the station's first locally produced, ongoing program on the topic of religion.
Nason said the show "fulfills the public-interest requirement that every radio station should be doing." He said it's important for a radio station to air some locally produced programs.
Bunting and Nason went through many possible show names, including "The Joy of Sects," and "Conversations with Kent." There was one show name they both seemed to agree on, though. Bunting suggested "Manifestations of the Way" because his dharma name (the name given to him when he became a Buddhist) is Gendo, which means "Manifestation of the Way." Nason thought the title was too long and shortened it to "The Way," and they both agreed.
"It may seem like an unusual topic for an English teacher," Bunting said.
He said he doesn't have any professional experience in the area, and his educational background is "not specifically in religion." Bunting has a master's degree in English, a law degree and a doctorate in American studies.
Before Bunting came to Penn College, he taught at a law school and was a lawyer. He has always been interested in religion. He took a number of theology and religion courses while pursuing both his undergraduate degree and his doctorate.
Bunting said "The Way" is his first show of any kind, and he enjoys his hosting role.
"It really provides me a lot of intellectual stimulation and also has allowed me to meet and talk to a lot of interesting people," he said.
For more information about WPTC 88.1 FM, visit online . For more information about Penn College, visit on the Web, e-mail or call toll-free (800) 367-9222.