Get Religion is a national and global journalism site focusing on how the mainstream press covers religion news in politics, entertainment, business and sports.
A long, long time ago, I was a journalism major at Baylor University, which, as you may know, is the world’s largest Baptist university. Baylor is located in Waco, Texas, which many folks in the Lone Star state like to call “Jerusalem on the Brazos.”
On Thursday, I highlighted a fine piece of journalism produced by The Associated Press’ filet mignon department â where reporter chefs with unlimited time, space and resources whip up the kind of delectable stories that win big prizes.
A few months ago we looked at a survey that showed that the vast majority of Americans have no idea whatsoever what percentage of the population is gay.
Go read Sports Illustrated’s “The Boy They Couldn’t Kill.” It is far and away the best magazine story I’ve read all year and I’m pleased that we get to talk about it here at GetReligion. It’s long and I can’t begin to excerpt it in any way that gives it justice but the subhed to the piece is “Thirteen years ago, NFL receiver Rae Carruth conspired to kill his pregnant girlfriend and their unborn son. The child has not only survived but thrivedâthanks to the unwavering love of his grandmother.”
A long, long, time ago — almost a decade, in fact — there was a Los Angeles Times editor who wrote a letter to his section editors in which he defended solid, old-fashioned American journalism. You know, the kind that strives to accurately quote informed voices on both sides of controversial issues, perhaps even in a way that promotes informed, balanced, constructive debate and civic life.
To the frustration of many mainstream reporters, far too many blue-collar Americans simply refuse to do what the elites believe is best for them, when it comes time to step into ballot boxes (or discuss their views with pollsters, whichever comes first).
I joined Stephen Mansfield and Richard Mouw in answering the provocative question “Is There Anything Wrong With Voting For A Mormon?” for Christianity Today. Our answers don’t fall under what this blog covers but while I was pleased with how my piece turned out, the feedback was overwhelmingly negative. (I said a Christian can in good conscience vote for someone with different religious views but that the danger is in confusing pastoral and political roles.) The hate mail poured in. Some were upset about voting Mitt Romney, since he is Mormon. And some people were convinced that President Obama is a Muslim.
Two weeks ago, I complained about the Denver Post’s account of a “deeply religious” victim of the Aurora, Colo., theater massacre. For some vague, unknown reason (based on the Post story), the victim, Pierce OâFarrill, forgave the man who opened fire on him and dozens of others.
You may have heard, already, that the Rev. Billy Graham joined millions of other Americans by eating a symbolic Chick-fil-A sandwich on Wednesday.
