Pastor to Host Liberal Radio Talk Show

The Rev. Toni Cook, saying she is “sick and tired of the religious right telling the world they have the only religious point of view,” has started her own “blatantly, unapologetically liberal” radio talk show.

Cook, pastor of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Capitol Hill in Denver, said the show and its guests will discuss such issues as abortion, gay rights and other social topics.

“ ‘Liberal’ is a wonderful word,” Cook said. “It means liberating spirit.”

The show, scheduled to begin this month, will air at noon on Sundays, right after Cook finishes the service at St. Paul’s.

While acknowledging that the show will be unabashedly liberal, Cook said she wants to give “a loving, holistic view of religion, to show that religious people aren’t bigots.”

Officials at station KRRF, which will air the program, said they wanted a “different approach” to the usual talk shows, which in recent years have been dominated by conservative hosts.

“I think it’s smart to have this show just as people are driving home from church,” said Karen Rhoades, executive producer at the station.