I worked at CKEY when they were there. But I don't think it was called "Dialogue" back then. For the life of me, I can't remember the name of it, but I think it aired in afternoon drive.

I remember meeting only one of them and just once. Charles Templeton had just written a book and gave out copies to everyone there. I'm pretty sure I never read it. Don't think I ever saw Pierre Berton come into the place. 

Templeton's a fascinating character. Dropped out of high school to work as a Globe and Mail sports cartoonist (that used to be a thing). Found Jesus and became a leading evangelist starting with a church in Toronto in the building that is now the Hare Krishna temple on Avenue Road. Toured with Billy Graham and some said a better preacher than him and hosted a spirituality show on CBS (and yes, co-founded Youth for Christ with Graham in the 40s). Then, at the height of his evangelical career he developed doubts, became an agnostic and then an atheist, and walked away from everything. Came back to Toronto and started over with nothing, became an interviewer on various CBC shows, became managing editor of the Toronto Star, ran for Ontario Liberal Party leader and lost, was editor of Macleans for a year. Started Dialogue on CFRB with Pierre Berton .. Had a stint as director of news and public affairs at CTV in the late 60s. Then moved Dialogue to CKEY in 1970 where he was also morning news anchor into the mid-1980s - and also wrote several best selling thrillers including "The Kidnapping of the President" which was turned into a movie. 

Hard to think of anyone else who has had such a varied career. 

As an aside, I suspect there are a number of evangelists who don't actually believe what they're preaching but Templeton's the only one I can think of (aside from two child evangelists who later became skeptics) who was honest enought to walk away when he realized he didn't believe anymore. 

Last edited by Hansa (Yesterday 9:46 pm)