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CNN Sunday Morning

Interview With Randall Terry; Interview With Kathleen Turner

Aired April 25, 2004 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Here's a look at some of our top stories this morning.
Organizers call it the "March for Women's Lives." Up to half a million abortion rights activists anticipated in Washington to protest recent abortion legislation. Antiabortion groups are there as well. Polls show America remains divided down the middle over that issue.

And in Iraq, a coalition soldier is dead after his humvee was hit by a roadside bomb in northeastern Baghdad. Two other soldiers were wounded in the attack on the military convoy.

And a cease-fire is holding for the most part in the besieged city of Fallujah. U.S. Marines are holding their fire while the White House decides whether to launch an offensive in that city.

Stay with us, everyone. Celebrities are among the hundreds of thousands of people expected to march for abortion rights today. In Washington, dozens of celebrities are attending what is being billed as the rally for women's lives. A live report when CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: Not all music is making waves these days. A different style with a different message. That's coming up later.

CALLAWAY: Welcome back, everyone. But first we have the top stories this half hour.

SAN MIGUEL: For more than three decades now the issue of legalized abortion has sparked some of the most heated debates in America. Later today, hundreds of thousands are expected to attend a march in Washington to protest what they call government attacks on women's reproductive rights, rights guaranteed by the historic Roe vs. Wade decision.

Organizers for today's "March for Women's Lives" say their rally will be peaceful but with a powerful message. They expect to have half a million people there. Crowds opposed to abortion plan to gather along the same route. Here representing the anti-abortion protesters is Randall Terry. He's the president of the Society for Truth and Justice.

Mr. Terry, thanks for your time today. We appreciate it. RANDALL TERRY, PRESIDENT, SOCIETY FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE: My pleasure. Thanks for having me.

SAN MIGUEL: Your Web site says you want to line -- you want eight blocks of protesters on either side of the route that the abortion rights protesters will be marching along. You've heard the numbers they're planning. They're saying they're going to have half a million people. Are you going to have enough for your side?

TERRY: We're going to have enough because we're just going to line the parade route in a fixed position. When they come around that corner and they walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, they will walk through an ocean of pro-life signs, of big, huge photographs of unborn babies, of banners of young kids saying we survived Roe, Roe will not survive us, of women dressed in black who have had abortions who are now working to make abortion illegal. So we'll get our message to them.

SAN MIGUEL: And it's going to be a silent protest? I mean, it's going to be hard, I would think, to keep control of all of those on your side of this issue to keep from raising the intensity here?

TERRY: We will raise the intensity a little bit. I mean this is an intense issue. Each of our blocks has a block leader and a megaphone and they will be speaking to our people as well as to the marchers that are walking by. I mean, at the end of the day, we are supporting life and they are marching for death. This is a death march.

SAN MIGUEL: This administration has supported and received a ban on late term abortions from Congress, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act has been signed into law. These are -- these actions have sparked the abortion rights supporters to speak out and organize this rally today. I'm wondering, on your side of the issue, if you feel a sense of complacency sinking in. You've pretty much gotten what you wanted; you've been able to get so far from this administration.

TERRY: We haven't gotten what we wanted and I would encourage you to mark this day, save this tape, because our goal is to restore the full protection of law to all unborn babies. And we will do that in my lifetime. The other side is frantic. These pieces of legislation that you mentioned are great first steps, but ultimately we want every human being that is in the womb to be safe so that we can help the children and help their mothers, not have these babies be killed to solve some dilemma.

SAN MIGUEL: But you say that, you know, you've talked about what the ultimate goal is, even though President Bush has said he's not sure that the country is ready yet for Roe vs. Wade to be reversed.

TERRY: Good point. We are not at the same place we were in 1973. This country today, 31 years after Roe vs. Wade, is drifting, moving steadily towards the pro-life position because the data is with us. I mean for goodness sake, they have 4-D imaging of this little baby in the womb. You can go to any doctor's office and get an ultrasound and see a 10-week baby sucking her thumb and so to say that we're not sure if this is a human life, no one's buying it anymore. That's why the data is on our side and we will prevail.

SAN MIGUEL: You've talked about this being a grass roots issue but you've no doubt seen this list of celebrities who will be attending today a mile long. I wanted to ask you, where are the anti- abortion celebrities? Name some names, here. Who of the people that are seen all over the media are on your side of the issue?

TERRY: Mother Teresa, John Paul II. To be honest with you, I kind of smirk and laugh at this whole celebrities thing because when child killing is made illegal, these celebrities who have attached their names to this, their names are going to have a certain amount of shame with it. Remember, Adolf Hitler in the mid '30s had really big crowds and had a lot of famous people saying he was a great guy. It didn't do him much good in 1945.

SAN MIGUEL: Randall Terry, president of the Society for Truth and Justice, thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate your time.

TERRY: My pleasure. Thank you.

SAN MIGUEL: We want to ask you to stay with CNN for the continuing coverage of the pro and anti-abortion rallies throughout the day. Joining us now on the phone, the other side of the issue is Kathleen Turner, an actress and activist who is taking part in today's march.

Ms. Turner, thank you for joining us today.

KATHLEEN TURNER, ACTRESS: Good morning

SAN MIGUEL: It's obvious this march is going to get a lot of publicity today. We've already been talking about this for a few days. But what is...

TURNER: I was just fortunate enough or unfortunate enough to listen to some of the last gentleman you were interviewing and I have to say I have almost never heard (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

SAN MIGUEL: I think we're losing the signal here. Ms. Turner, can you still hear me OK?

TURNER: Can you hear me?

SAN MIGUEL: I think I've got you back now. You were talking about what -- you were responding to what Randall Terry had just said.

TURNER: Yes. I thought it was an amazing amount of ranting and raving. We're here today to support choice, a woman's choice. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that must include the right to abortions. This is not about abortion or the antics. This is about pro choice versus anti-choice and government intervention in a woman's personal decisions about her life. If he wants to talk about the welfare of children, then have every child be planned and be wanted and be prepared for, as opposed to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) unfortunates that cannot give love to a child or support to a child because they don't have the education or access to make choice.

SAN MIGUEL: Let me ask you, you talk about this being about choice today, but a lot of polls are saying that according to the priority list for voters, abortion rights doesn't seem to be very high. It's still terrorism, security and the economy. How do you -- what do you think about that?

TURNER: I think that's a little askew frankly, because a woman (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to plan her life and her producing life, as in her productivity and involvement, is an economic issue. If a woman can plan when to have her family and how to support a family, huge issue for our economy and our country's well being.

SAN MIGUEL: And we talked also with Randall Terry about the two pieces of legislation, the Late-term Abortion Ban, Unborn Victims of Violence Act. This president has been able to get anti-abortion legislation through Congress. How are you going to be able to combat that?

TURNER: I'll tell you, it is unfortunate to my mind. Did you say (UNINTELLIGIBLE) abortion?

SAN MIGUEL: Late-term Abortion Ban.

TURNER: Late-term abortion. That's absolutely -- that's inaccurate, actually. This is traumatic. This is a terrible medical procedure, which is a tragedy for anyone. It certainly never has been and never will be a choice. This is a medical mandate by a doctor when there is life at risk. So in truth, all the government has done here is interfere in medical decisions.

SAN MIGUEL: Kathleen Turner, actress and activist taking part today in the "March for Women's Lives" rally in Washington, D.C.

TURNER: It's going to be fun out here.

SAN MIGUEL: Thank you so much for your time. We appreciate it.

CALLAWAY: Music has many faces and fans, but one choice is giving more and more people a better feeling. Christian music's Dave Crowder pays a visit when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CALLAWAY: Some Christians might complain that rock and roll is the devil's music, but not these believers. To them, praising the lord with a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and two four beat is just a joyful noise. There is an entire scene out there that caters to young Christians. Christians where -- that kids that can praise the Lord with youthful abandon.

David Crowder is joining us now. He is a veteran of the contemporary Christian music scene. For years he's fronted a Christian rock band, joining us this morning from Nashville.

David, do you really consider yourself a Christian rock band? DAVID CROWDER, CHRISTIAN MUSICIAN: Christian rock band. We do make music and it does sound like rock and roll.

CALLAWAY: Right.

CROWDER: So I guess there's some -- no, not really. We exist to try to give voice to a group of people and it just happens to surface in the language of our culture, and popular music is one of those languages.

CALLAWAY: So the beat may sound rock but the message is decidedly different. It's worship music, isn't it?

CROWDER: Yes. It's actually us addressing God or our response to God for he who he is and what he's done wrapped in the package or the vehicle of music.

CALLAWAY: you are incredibly popular. You perform in concerts all over the country. And this is not like the way most groups would operate in the music industry. I know these people gather to worship as you say and listen to your music and that's where they can actually buy your music?

CROWDER: Well, yes. It's kind of -- it's kind of a strange thing. You've got a lot of folks that are musicians that most of what they do is spend their time performing trying to attract attention to themselves or try to get fans. There's a pursuit of stardom or fame. And for us, I've got a really good pal that says, you guys are more like a moon than a star. Because a moon, if it wasn't for the sunshine, it's just a ball of dirt. For us, the light of Christ when it shines on us, it's just a beautiful collision. We're more interested in attracting attention to God than ourselves, which is kind of weird for a rock band.

CALLAWAY: Right. I want people to look at this video and see the crowds you attract here. I don't think a lot of people understand how big this is. The CD that Time Warner is selling called "Songs for Worship" has sold something like 8 million CDs since the year 2000. Why do you think that is?

CROWDER: I think we've just got the climate in our culture. There's just a great need for hope. I mean, you see all these things that are happening with the war and it's just the climate exists that things are not right. Things aren't as they should be. When you have this picture of hope and rescue in the middle of it, it's just a huge encouragement. I think that's why you have "Passion of the Christ" and the "Left Behind" series and "Songs for Worship" having such -- really pervading our current cultural scene. I think it's a picture of hope in the middle of a great need for it.

CALLAWAY: I understand that your first love is really not rock. It's polka music?

CROWDER: That's a vicious lie.

CALLAWAY: I know that's what you started hearing a lot, you said, growing up. But truly you were kind of a punker, weren't you, when you first started?

CROWDER: Come on. Look at me. I'm conservative. You have to be kidding.

CALLAWAY: It is just amazing, you know, the wave of popularity that your music is receiving. Do you consider yourself a rock star?

CROWDER: No. I am a complete dork.

CALLAWAY: Listen to you. I know you have your own church, is where I'm going.

CROWDER: Actually, we've got -- it's just -- it's hugely encouraging to see people attached to this music. I mean, granted it's a very subjective thing, it's us trying to express our faith, and then you see there must be some objectivity in it when you have other people attached to these lyrics and words and they somehow find their way into their hearts and lives and a part of their spiritual devotional lives. That's a huge encouragement.

CALLAWAY: I know you helped start the University Baptist Church in Texas.

CROWDER: That's true.

CALLAWAY: That's what I was trying to get you to talk about.

CROWDER: I'm so sorry. I'm slow.

CALLAWAY: I just want to say thank you for being with us today. Good luck on your mission and I'm sure we'll be hearing more of you out there.

CROWDER: Thank you for having me.

CALLAWAY: Bye-bye.

CROWDER: Bye.

SAN MIGUEL: We're going to take a look at what will be happening in the week ahead when we come back. Michael Jackson will once again face his fans in the media with another court appearance. Details when we fast forward.

And good morning Las Vegas. Your complete weather forecast in about five minutes. CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAN MIGUEL: We're going to check in one last time with Rob Marciano in the weather center.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hi guys. The rainfall across the Midwest or the past couple days is beginning to diminish. We have seen rain across Arkansas and Missouri with well over six inches in a three or four day period. Some of the rivers still swollen in these areas and flooding happening.

The radarscope, most of the rain is to the north and to the south. So right now, this area which has seen the most amount of rain is pretty much dry. Areas like southeast Texas that have seen rain the past couple days will see it again today. Houston, down to New Orleans. I think the Jazz Fest will probably see some action later this afternoon. Here's the center of our storm. You kind of see the swirl right there. That's the low beginning to project across the Great Lakes. Chicago dry now, but you'll probably see showers, cool rain in Detroit right now.

Cool in Boston, 49. 55 in New York. Those showers or rainfall extends into the northeast tonight and tomorrow. Nashville will see on again, off again thunderstorms. Cooler and drier tomorrow. Southeast Atlanta, where we need the rain, not going to see it until tonight or tomorrow. Maybe a shower in Chicago. Dallas, 75. It'll be 58 in Denver. 100 in Phoenix.

Let's go to Vegas. Here's a shot for you where it's currently 60. KVBC. Vegas, baby, nothing like it. Getting up to 90 today with nothing but clear skies and good morning to you. Also warm weather expected in Los Angeles today and San Francisco. High temperatures in the lower 80s. That is a rare event for the Bay. Hope our California friends enjoy today. Give them a little love. Back to you guys.

CALLAWAY: Thanks, Rob.

SAN MIGUEL: Taking a look at our top stories this hour. Organizers are expecting hundreds of thousands of abortion rights demonstrators in Washington today. The "March for Women's Lives" is a show of support for women's reproductive rights. Anti-abortion activists are planning a much smaller counter protest.

And in Iraq a coalition soldier is dead after his humvee was hit by a roadside bomb in northeastern Baghdad. Two other soldiers were wounded in the attack on the military convoy. Witnesses say some people, including children, celebrated around the burning vehicle.

CALLAWAY: Let's fast forward now and see what's coming up this week. Tuesday the Supreme Court begins hearing a case on whether Dick Cheney must release information from his energy task force's private meetings. The vice president claims executive privilege.

And then Thursday, it is homeward bound as an American and a Russian return to earth from the international space station. They were replaced last week by three new crewmembers.

On Friday, police in Santa Barbara County, California, will be prepared for another mob scene as Michael Jackson appears in court. As you know, a grand jury indicted him last week.

Stay with us, everyone. Rap star Nelly's in some hot water over the way his latest work portrays women. We'll talk about what you think about music and its portrayal of women. We'll read some of your e-mail coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CALLAWAY: We are running out of time for CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Wrap things up, "INSIDE POLITICS" is coming your way.

SAN MIGUEL: But all morning long, we've been asking you to weigh in our e-mail question of the day. Do you think women are getting a bad rap in popular music?

CALLAWAY: Here's what Emilio had to say. I think it's very unfair that hip-hop videos get a bad rap. It's OK for half-naked women to walk the runway, but when it's a hip-hop video it's considered degrading. It's just another classic case of the double standard. At the end of the day it's just a job, a stepping-stone for these women to go on to bigger and better things.

SAN MIGUEL: And I.Z.S. in Sandusky, Ohio is having some fun with this this morning. "Yes to the question, women in the videos should be intelligent as they look, keep the body shots and motion in the ocean in the bedroom. Serious!

Thanks for tuning in this morning. We appreciate you joining us on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

CALLAWAY: We'll be back with the headlines in a minute.

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Aired April 25, 2004 - 09:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Here's a look at some of our top stories this morning.
Organizers call it the "March for Women's Lives." Up to half a million abortion rights activists anticipated in Washington to protest recent abortion legislation. Antiabortion groups are there as well. Polls show America remains divided down the middle over that issue.

And in Iraq, a coalition soldier is dead after his humvee was hit by a roadside bomb in northeastern Baghdad. Two other soldiers were wounded in the attack on the military convoy.

And a cease-fire is holding for the most part in the besieged city of Fallujah. U.S. Marines are holding their fire while the White House decides whether to launch an offensive in that city.

Stay with us, everyone. Celebrities are among the hundreds of thousands of people expected to march for abortion rights today. In Washington, dozens of celebrities are attending what is being billed as the rally for women's lives. A live report when CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: Not all music is making waves these days. A different style with a different message. That's coming up later.

CALLAWAY: Welcome back, everyone. But first we have the top stories this half hour.

SAN MIGUEL: For more than three decades now the issue of legalized abortion has sparked some of the most heated debates in America. Later today, hundreds of thousands are expected to attend a march in Washington to protest what they call government attacks on women's reproductive rights, rights guaranteed by the historic Roe vs. Wade decision.

Organizers for today's "March for Women's Lives" say their rally will be peaceful but with a powerful message. They expect to have half a million people there. Crowds opposed to abortion plan to gather along the same route. Here representing the anti-abortion protesters is Randall Terry. He's the president of the Society for Truth and Justice.

Mr. Terry, thanks for your time today. We appreciate it. RANDALL TERRY, PRESIDENT, SOCIETY FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE: My pleasure. Thanks for having me.

SAN MIGUEL: Your Web site says you want to line -- you want eight blocks of protesters on either side of the route that the abortion rights protesters will be marching along. You've heard the numbers they're planning. They're saying they're going to have half a million people. Are you going to have enough for your side?

TERRY: We're going to have enough because we're just going to line the parade route in a fixed position. When they come around that corner and they walk down Pennsylvania Avenue, they will walk through an ocean of pro-life signs, of big, huge photographs of unborn babies, of banners of young kids saying we survived Roe, Roe will not survive us, of women dressed in black who have had abortions who are now working to make abortion illegal. So we'll get our message to them.

SAN MIGUEL: And it's going to be a silent protest? I mean, it's going to be hard, I would think, to keep control of all of those on your side of this issue to keep from raising the intensity here?

TERRY: We will raise the intensity a little bit. I mean this is an intense issue. Each of our blocks has a block leader and a megaphone and they will be speaking to our people as well as to the marchers that are walking by. I mean, at the end of the day, we are supporting life and they are marching for death. This is a death march.

SAN MIGUEL: This administration has supported and received a ban on late term abortions from Congress, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act has been signed into law. These are -- these actions have sparked the abortion rights supporters to speak out and organize this rally today. I'm wondering, on your side of the issue, if you feel a sense of complacency sinking in. You've pretty much gotten what you wanted; you've been able to get so far from this administration.

TERRY: We haven't gotten what we wanted and I would encourage you to mark this day, save this tape, because our goal is to restore the full protection of law to all unborn babies. And we will do that in my lifetime. The other side is frantic. These pieces of legislation that you mentioned are great first steps, but ultimately we want every human being that is in the womb to be safe so that we can help the children and help their mothers, not have these babies be killed to solve some dilemma.

SAN MIGUEL: But you say that, you know, you've talked about what the ultimate goal is, even though President Bush has said he's not sure that the country is ready yet for Roe vs. Wade to be reversed.

TERRY: Good point. We are not at the same place we were in 1973. This country today, 31 years after Roe vs. Wade, is drifting, moving steadily towards the pro-life position because the data is with us. I mean for goodness sake, they have 4-D imaging of this little baby in the womb. You can go to any doctor's office and get an ultrasound and see a 10-week baby sucking her thumb and so to say that we're not sure if this is a human life, no one's buying it anymore. That's why the data is on our side and we will prevail.

SAN MIGUEL: You've talked about this being a grass roots issue but you've no doubt seen this list of celebrities who will be attending today a mile long. I wanted to ask you, where are the anti- abortion celebrities? Name some names, here. Who of the people that are seen all over the media are on your side of the issue?

TERRY: Mother Teresa, John Paul II. To be honest with you, I kind of smirk and laugh at this whole celebrities thing because when child killing is made illegal, these celebrities who have attached their names to this, their names are going to have a certain amount of shame with it. Remember, Adolf Hitler in the mid '30s had really big crowds and had a lot of famous people saying he was a great guy. It didn't do him much good in 1945.

SAN MIGUEL: Randall Terry, president of the Society for Truth and Justice, thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate your time.

TERRY: My pleasure. Thank you.

SAN MIGUEL: We want to ask you to stay with CNN for the continuing coverage of the pro and anti-abortion rallies throughout the day. Joining us now on the phone, the other side of the issue is Kathleen Turner, an actress and activist who is taking part in today's march.

Ms. Turner, thank you for joining us today.

KATHLEEN TURNER, ACTRESS: Good morning

SAN MIGUEL: It's obvious this march is going to get a lot of publicity today. We've already been talking about this for a few days. But what is...

TURNER: I was just fortunate enough or unfortunate enough to listen to some of the last gentleman you were interviewing and I have to say I have almost never heard (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

SAN MIGUEL: I think we're losing the signal here. Ms. Turner, can you still hear me OK?

TURNER: Can you hear me?

SAN MIGUEL: I think I've got you back now. You were talking about what -- you were responding to what Randall Terry had just said.

TURNER: Yes. I thought it was an amazing amount of ranting and raving. We're here today to support choice, a woman's choice. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that must include the right to abortions. This is not about abortion or the antics. This is about pro choice versus anti-choice and government intervention in a woman's personal decisions about her life. If he wants to talk about the welfare of children, then have every child be planned and be wanted and be prepared for, as opposed to (UNINTELLIGIBLE) unfortunates that cannot give love to a child or support to a child because they don't have the education or access to make choice.

SAN MIGUEL: Let me ask you, you talk about this being about choice today, but a lot of polls are saying that according to the priority list for voters, abortion rights doesn't seem to be very high. It's still terrorism, security and the economy. How do you -- what do you think about that?

TURNER: I think that's a little askew frankly, because a woman (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to plan her life and her producing life, as in her productivity and involvement, is an economic issue. If a woman can plan when to have her family and how to support a family, huge issue for our economy and our country's well being.

SAN MIGUEL: And we talked also with Randall Terry about the two pieces of legislation, the Late-term Abortion Ban, Unborn Victims of Violence Act. This president has been able to get anti-abortion legislation through Congress. How are you going to be able to combat that?

TURNER: I'll tell you, it is unfortunate to my mind. Did you say (UNINTELLIGIBLE) abortion?

SAN MIGUEL: Late-term Abortion Ban.

TURNER: Late-term abortion. That's absolutely -- that's inaccurate, actually. This is traumatic. This is a terrible medical procedure, which is a tragedy for anyone. It certainly never has been and never will be a choice. This is a medical mandate by a doctor when there is life at risk. So in truth, all the government has done here is interfere in medical decisions.

SAN MIGUEL: Kathleen Turner, actress and activist taking part today in the "March for Women's Lives" rally in Washington, D.C.

TURNER: It's going to be fun out here.

SAN MIGUEL: Thank you so much for your time. We appreciate it.

CALLAWAY: Music has many faces and fans, but one choice is giving more and more people a better feeling. Christian music's Dave Crowder pays a visit when CNN SUNDAY MORNING returns.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CALLAWAY: Some Christians might complain that rock and roll is the devil's music, but not these believers. To them, praising the lord with a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) and two four beat is just a joyful noise. There is an entire scene out there that caters to young Christians. Christians where -- that kids that can praise the Lord with youthful abandon.

David Crowder is joining us now. He is a veteran of the contemporary Christian music scene. For years he's fronted a Christian rock band, joining us this morning from Nashville.

David, do you really consider yourself a Christian rock band? DAVID CROWDER, CHRISTIAN MUSICIAN: Christian rock band. We do make music and it does sound like rock and roll.

CALLAWAY: Right.

CROWDER: So I guess there's some -- no, not really. We exist to try to give voice to a group of people and it just happens to surface in the language of our culture, and popular music is one of those languages.

CALLAWAY: So the beat may sound rock but the message is decidedly different. It's worship music, isn't it?

CROWDER: Yes. It's actually us addressing God or our response to God for he who he is and what he's done wrapped in the package or the vehicle of music.

CALLAWAY: you are incredibly popular. You perform in concerts all over the country. And this is not like the way most groups would operate in the music industry. I know these people gather to worship as you say and listen to your music and that's where they can actually buy your music?

CROWDER: Well, yes. It's kind of -- it's kind of a strange thing. You've got a lot of folks that are musicians that most of what they do is spend their time performing trying to attract attention to themselves or try to get fans. There's a pursuit of stardom or fame. And for us, I've got a really good pal that says, you guys are more like a moon than a star. Because a moon, if it wasn't for the sunshine, it's just a ball of dirt. For us, the light of Christ when it shines on us, it's just a beautiful collision. We're more interested in attracting attention to God than ourselves, which is kind of weird for a rock band.

CALLAWAY: Right. I want people to look at this video and see the crowds you attract here. I don't think a lot of people understand how big this is. The CD that Time Warner is selling called "Songs for Worship" has sold something like 8 million CDs since the year 2000. Why do you think that is?

CROWDER: I think we've just got the climate in our culture. There's just a great need for hope. I mean, you see all these things that are happening with the war and it's just the climate exists that things are not right. Things aren't as they should be. When you have this picture of hope and rescue in the middle of it, it's just a huge encouragement. I think that's why you have "Passion of the Christ" and the "Left Behind" series and "Songs for Worship" having such -- really pervading our current cultural scene. I think it's a picture of hope in the middle of a great need for it.

CALLAWAY: I understand that your first love is really not rock. It's polka music?

CROWDER: That's a vicious lie.

CALLAWAY: I know that's what you started hearing a lot, you said, growing up. But truly you were kind of a punker, weren't you, when you first started?

CROWDER: Come on. Look at me. I'm conservative. You have to be kidding.

CALLAWAY: It is just amazing, you know, the wave of popularity that your music is receiving. Do you consider yourself a rock star?

CROWDER: No. I am a complete dork.

CALLAWAY: Listen to you. I know you have your own church, is where I'm going.

CROWDER: Actually, we've got -- it's just -- it's hugely encouraging to see people attached to this music. I mean, granted it's a very subjective thing, it's us trying to express our faith, and then you see there must be some objectivity in it when you have other people attached to these lyrics and words and they somehow find their way into their hearts and lives and a part of their spiritual devotional lives. That's a huge encouragement.

CALLAWAY: I know you helped start the University Baptist Church in Texas.

CROWDER: That's true.

CALLAWAY: That's what I was trying to get you to talk about.

CROWDER: I'm so sorry. I'm slow.

CALLAWAY: I just want to say thank you for being with us today. Good luck on your mission and I'm sure we'll be hearing more of you out there.

CROWDER: Thank you for having me.

CALLAWAY: Bye-bye.

CROWDER: Bye.

SAN MIGUEL: We're going to take a look at what will be happening in the week ahead when we come back. Michael Jackson will once again face his fans in the media with another court appearance. Details when we fast forward.

And good morning Las Vegas. Your complete weather forecast in about five minutes. CNN SUNDAY MORNING continues in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SAN MIGUEL: We're going to check in one last time with Rob Marciano in the weather center.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hi guys. The rainfall across the Midwest or the past couple days is beginning to diminish. We have seen rain across Arkansas and Missouri with well over six inches in a three or four day period. Some of the rivers still swollen in these areas and flooding happening.

The radarscope, most of the rain is to the north and to the south. So right now, this area which has seen the most amount of rain is pretty much dry. Areas like southeast Texas that have seen rain the past couple days will see it again today. Houston, down to New Orleans. I think the Jazz Fest will probably see some action later this afternoon. Here's the center of our storm. You kind of see the swirl right there. That's the low beginning to project across the Great Lakes. Chicago dry now, but you'll probably see showers, cool rain in Detroit right now.

Cool in Boston, 49. 55 in New York. Those showers or rainfall extends into the northeast tonight and tomorrow. Nashville will see on again, off again thunderstorms. Cooler and drier tomorrow. Southeast Atlanta, where we need the rain, not going to see it until tonight or tomorrow. Maybe a shower in Chicago. Dallas, 75. It'll be 58 in Denver. 100 in Phoenix.

Let's go to Vegas. Here's a shot for you where it's currently 60. KVBC. Vegas, baby, nothing like it. Getting up to 90 today with nothing but clear skies and good morning to you. Also warm weather expected in Los Angeles today and San Francisco. High temperatures in the lower 80s. That is a rare event for the Bay. Hope our California friends enjoy today. Give them a little love. Back to you guys.

CALLAWAY: Thanks, Rob.

SAN MIGUEL: Taking a look at our top stories this hour. Organizers are expecting hundreds of thousands of abortion rights demonstrators in Washington today. The "March for Women's Lives" is a show of support for women's reproductive rights. Anti-abortion activists are planning a much smaller counter protest.

And in Iraq a coalition soldier is dead after his humvee was hit by a roadside bomb in northeastern Baghdad. Two other soldiers were wounded in the attack on the military convoy. Witnesses say some people, including children, celebrated around the burning vehicle.

CALLAWAY: Let's fast forward now and see what's coming up this week. Tuesday the Supreme Court begins hearing a case on whether Dick Cheney must release information from his energy task force's private meetings. The vice president claims executive privilege.

And then Thursday, it is homeward bound as an American and a Russian return to earth from the international space station. They were replaced last week by three new crewmembers.

On Friday, police in Santa Barbara County, California, will be prepared for another mob scene as Michael Jackson appears in court. As you know, a grand jury indicted him last week.

Stay with us, everyone. Rap star Nelly's in some hot water over the way his latest work portrays women. We'll talk about what you think about music and its portrayal of women. We'll read some of your e-mail coming up.

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CALLAWAY: We are running out of time for CNN SUNDAY MORNING. Wrap things up, "INSIDE POLITICS" is coming your way.

SAN MIGUEL: But all morning long, we've been asking you to weigh in our e-mail question of the day. Do you think women are getting a bad rap in popular music?

CALLAWAY: Here's what Emilio had to say. I think it's very unfair that hip-hop videos get a bad rap. It's OK for half-naked women to walk the runway, but when it's a hip-hop video it's considered degrading. It's just another classic case of the double standard. At the end of the day it's just a job, a stepping-stone for these women to go on to bigger and better things.

SAN MIGUEL: And I.Z.S. in Sandusky, Ohio is having some fun with this this morning. "Yes to the question, women in the videos should be intelligent as they look, keep the body shots and motion in the ocean in the bedroom. Serious!

Thanks for tuning in this morning. We appreciate you joining us on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

CALLAWAY: We'll be back with the headlines in a minute.

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