Vox Blogoli VI
Critics of the mainstream media are in no short supply and for good reason. In the latest editions of Newsweek and Time (not online), two of the historically most popular standard bearers of the MSM, the publishers have shown once again that there is much to make of the criticism of the MSM. In the less than titillating post-election news cycle both magazines have seen fit to publish cover stories taking aim at Christmas, the Gospels and the vast majority of the billion plus Christians who will celebrate, remember and be thankful for the birth of Jesus on Christmas morning. Some readers will immediately move on, as they’ve no doubt known for quite some time that the MSM is actively attacking Christian beliefs, Christianity, and Christians in American society. This blog will not refute the opinions, thesis or facts offered by either magazine, instead, we’ll answer Hugh Hewitt’s call, in Vox Blogoli VI, for a discussion of the parallels between the Newsweek article, and Rathergate, and for a look at what accounts for the appearance of such an article in a major news magazine. For an examination of the both articles, read both Dr. Mark D. Reynolds and Dr. Albert Mohler.
Why publish such articles? It may be the most significant question we may look to answer. The United States, whether the mainstream media and leftist politicians readily accept and admit it or not, is a republic comprised of Judeo-Christian citizens and built upon the lessons of history to preserve our liberty as Americans in a world neither supportive of the U.S. or of the Judeo-Christian ethos. Given our current, and historical, political divisions, and the general tide of political power shifting toward the center-right over the last 24 years, while society at large, and particularly mass media and the entertainment industry continued to slide to the left, it isn’t surprising that the left will take opportunities such as religious holidays, also a federal holiday, as an opportunity to attack the fundamental beliefs of those across the moral divide. Indeed, that is what the left, as a political, media and far too prominently as a church, have begun to do.
Consider the number of post 9/11 news stories on Islam and the teachings of Muhammad, the books, magazine stories, and the PBS portrayals of Islam as a religion of peace based on the teachings of a prophet who united the Arabian people and through out the idols from the Kabba. How would the left have responded if a reporter, or managing editor as in the case of the Newsweek piece, had used the Ramadhan holiday as the opportune time to offer a historical review of evidence that Muhammad was neither prophet nor man of peace, or to challenge the Miraj, the Hijra, or any of the other fundamental stories behind the beliefs of Muslims around the world? Such thought is not only improbable, it is sacrilegious to the left in America. We are asked at every turn to show tolerance of all others, no matter their creed, their actions, or their ethos or mythos. Yet on the most sacred of days for Christians in America, Christmas and Easter, the left challenges the underlying beliefs in an imbalanced and clearly biased attempt to rock the foundation of those without formal knowledge to refute them, and those who still hold that the media is balanced and truthful in its reporting, rather than participating to reach its own, even if unstated, ideals.
Is it similar to Rathergate? No, the problem preceded and possibly precipitated direct and obvious attempt to influence the election that we now call Rathergate. It is the disease behind the symptom Rathergate.
Christian, Jew, Muslim, agnostic or atheist, as a citizen of this land of liberty, we are within our rights to expect and demand more of the media. Unfortunately, with few exceptions such as Hugh’s radio show, Fox News Channel and the ever-growing number of blogs, we are no longer voicing our disapproval with the media as vociferously as possible and we continue to buy their goods and discuss issues often on their terms. This is a tide that is shifted only as individuals recognize the fault of the source, and act accordingly. No Newsweek, CBS News, or NYTimes, no matter your allegiance to the rag, or how scrumptious the banner or cover photo. Consider the source and the improbability that truth serves as their aim.
