The Evangelism of Mr. Rogers

This past weekend, my mom and I went to see the documentary about Fred Rogers, Won’t You Be My Neighbor.  The documentary was also featured on the PBS News Hour on July 4^th.  If you have not seen the film yet, I highly recommend that you do, especially if you and/or your children grew up with “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood” on PBS.  It provides a big dose of nostalgia.

Before seeing the documentary, I did not know that Fred Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister, but it makes sense that such a kind and gentle man would be a man of God.  It might make some people uncomfortable to think of “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood” or its successor, “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” as television evangelization, but that is what it is.  The shows never directly address religion, but they teach morality and ethical behavior. 

Mr. Rogers strove to instill the children who watched his program with good self-esteem.  He told kids that they were special just the way they are.  His intent surely was not to create a generation of “special snowflakes”—those with the attitude that they deserve special treatment because of their uniqueness, whether real or perceived—but to give children confidence to be themselves.

Mr. Rogers taught coping mechanisms for difficult times in life.  Without using the words, he encouraged children to listen to their consciences.  In essence, he taught how to be the best person you could be.  Therefore, while he did not say anything explicitly religious or spiritual, he taught you how to be a child of God.  His “teaching method” was to explore concepts without making them conscious, that is, without naming them.  This method is effective for children because it encourages future connections.  When children encounter these concepts in later life, they recognize them from earlier exposure and can give a name to the concept.  Mr. Rogers was an excellent builder of background knowledge for children, which is essential for future learning to take place.

Those of us who grew up watching “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” were primed not only to go to school and learn, but also to explore faith concepts.  In this sense, Fred Rogers was effectively an additional adult figure in our lives who modeled how to live as a person of faith.  What was wonderful about the show was that it brought these concepts into our everyday lives and into context throughout the week, not on Sundays only.

If you watched “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” growing up or with your own children, or if your children watch “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” now, what is a message that has stuck with you?  What are your favorite memories of these shows?  Share in the comments section below.  Please remember to keep any comments civil and respectful.