Left Behind

Lightkeeper · #1 (**permalink**) 31st May 2007, 03:18 AM

LEFT BEHIND:
The Skewed Representation of Religion in Major News Media

Quote:

In order to begin to assess how the news media paint the picture of religion in America today, this study measured the extent to which religious leaders, both conservative and progressive, are quoted, mentioned, and interviewed in the news media.

Among the study's key findings:

Combining newspapers and television, conservative religious leaders were quoted, mentioned, or interviewed in news stories 2.8 times as often as were progressive religious leaders.
On television news -- the three major television networks, the three major cable new channels, and PBS -- conservative religious leaders were quoted, mentioned, or interviewed almost 3.8 times as often as progressive leaders.
In major newspapers, conservative religious leaders were quoted, mentioned, or interviewed 2.7 times as often as progressive leaders.

Despite the fact most religious Americans are moderate or progressive, in the news media it is overwhelmingly conservative leaders who are presented as the voice of religion. This represents a particularly meaningful distortion since progressive religious leaders tend to focus on different issues and offer an entirely different perspective than their conservative counterparts.

For the rest of the story see here.

How does this effect the Christian religion in general?

What message does this send to the rest of the world?

niranjan · #2 (**permalink**) 31st May 2007, 02:26 PM

I think this is a bad example, because fighting religious fundamentalism and dogmatism is a priority and necessity in many countries, and this will indeed set a negative example to the rest of the world.

Religion everywhere indeed should be stripped of all dogmatism and superstitions by the scorching light of reason, or else we will have to face the dark ages again, everywhere.

**metis** · #3 (**permalink**) 31st May 2007, 05:25 PM

When Walter Cronkite retired decades ago from CBS, he warned that t.v. "news" was becoming more entertainment and less news. And it's far worse now than then. As a comparison, watch the evening news on any major network, then watch BBC News (or CBC News-- "The Journal") for comparison. It's like night and day. It appears that many, if not most, Americans really don't want the news-- they want to be entertained.

Having these outspoken conservatives spouting off makes for entertainment both for those who like and those who dislike them. Mainstream religion is boring to many or most. If someone writes a conventional theology book, see if they can get it published. Write some radical theology, and it'll probably sell.

Shalom,
Vern

Shofar · #4 (**permalink**) 3rd June 2007, 02:28 AM

No matter what name is on the door of the worship centers none of them agree.
How many brands of Baptist can you name?
If you have three preachers in any given town and they teach three different
doctrines it is a fact they can not all be right.
On the other hand they can all be wrong and the truth is outside all of them.
According to the Scriptures the true saints are in unity and in one accord with the same doctrine.

Shofar

niranjan · #5 (**permalink**) 3rd June 2007, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shofar

No matter what name is on the door of the worship centers none of them agree.
How many brands of Baptist can you name?
If you have three preachers in any given town and they teach three different
doctrines it is a fact they can not all be right.
On the other hand they can all be wrong and the truth is outside all of them.
According to the Scriptures the true saints are in unity and in one accord with the same doctrine.

Shofar

Yup, the Vedas too declare...

Ekam Sat Viprah Bahudha Vadanti--"Truth is one, sages express it in different ways."

In essence all religions are the same.

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