Turner West Wing

In the pilot episode of the West Wing the President deals with many pressing political issues. One of the most pressing issues is created when Deputy chief of staff Josh Lyman lashes out at Mary Marsh, a Christian activist, on a morning television show. He states that the god she worships is "too busy being indicted for tax fraud." Religion in politics is a very controversial subject and when Josh says this comment on national television it offends the Christian fundamentalists and the statement creates a negative reaction from some of the public. Because Josh’s statement can be a reflection of the entire administration, the President must decide whether or not to fire josh. When leading the country, the President has to consider the public’s opinions. The President must balance pleasing the Christian group and public while keeping government separate from church.

The issue continues when meeting with a delegation in an attempt to smooth things over, Toby, the Communications Director, makes things worse by getting into a shouting match over the Ten Commandments. The President joins the argument by telling them to condemn an extremist group called "The Lambs of God", and then tells the delegation to leave. In the end the President deals with the issue in a good way. He separates himself from the fundamentalist Christians without denouncing his own beliefs and does not fire Lyman but warns him not to do anything like it again.