Posted on 03/16/2006 5:26:32 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
March 16, 2006
You'd think that of all days, they'd be believers over at Today this morning. After all, they were blessed with presidential poll numbers for which they were surely praying. Numbers so low that Matt Lauer, Tim Russert et. al could spend an extended first segment reveling in them.
Ironically, in sowing some GOP dissent, Lauer even used the language of religion, suggesting the low numbers were "a blessing in disguise" for congressional Republicans because "they can look and say I don't have a popular president here, I can turn my back on that President." Remind Frist and Hastert not to invite you to the next GOP Unity Rally, Matt.
But far from praising the power of prayer, when it came to the next segment, Today indulged in the kind of skeptical, sneering disdain for fundamentalist Christianity that is the MSM at its worst. The topic was a new book by evangelist Joel Osteen, 'Your Best Life Now.' Rather than focusing on the book's message of hope and optimism, Today targeted the large publisher's advance that Osteen has received.
Katie set the tone with this intro: "While he preaches The Good Book to millions worldwide, now televangelist Joel Osteen is celebrating a very good book deal, one that is said to be one of the richest in history."
NBC's Martin Savidge narrated the segment. He opened by mentioning that various celebrities, including Bill Clinton, didn't get advances as big as Osteen's reported $13 million. Of course, given that Osteen was said to reach 225 million people every week via the TV and internet, and that his previous book sold three million copies, a very large advance would seem to make economic sense.
In case anyone missed the mean-spirited message, NBC found a reason to display photos of disgraced televangelists Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. Savidge claimed that it's a far cry from the 1980s when, thanks to "the likes" of Baker and Swaggart, TV evangelism didn't seem "to have a prayer."
NBC closed by making its cynicism unmistakably clear. As a clip rolled of people in church placing donations into an offering bucket, Savidge snidely intoned "there's no question: by telling Americans how to lead a better life, Osteen will certainly be able to live . . . the good life."
Finkelstein lives in Ithaca, NY. 'Right Angle', the TV show he hosts, was recently named 'Best of the Best' among public-access shows in his area. Contact him at: mark@gunhill.net
Today Show/NewsBusters power-of-prayer ping.
I do not see this statement as an untruth.
When oh WHEN will basic capitistic, free-enterprise economics ever be taught to our children again?
For me, the key was Today's cynical focus on the economics of the deal and the not-so-subtle implication that Osteen was in it strictly for the money. Short shrift was given to the actual message of the book.
Prayer BTTT
In terms of both being fair and providing viewers with useful information rather than a cynical view of religion, wouldn't it have been more constructive to have invited Osteen on to discuss his message?
If in the course of the interview they wanted to ask him about the economics, etc., that would have been fine, and viewers could have judged for themselves. But the way it was presented, it was close to saying "just another rip-off artist like Bakker and Swaggart."
Yes, but the implication after showing pictures of Swaggert and Bakker is that anyone who makes money while preaching the Word is a crook and in it only for the money.
I love the hypocrisy of the media. They tell us what to eat, what to wear, who to vote for, who's good, who's bad, all to help us lead, in their opinion, a better life. They also make huge amounts of money in doing so.
Osteen may just be another Tony Robbins but Tony Robbins makes a pretty nice living too, why can't Osteen?
Of course the question that arises from a Christian standpoint is that if Osteen is including instruction from God or any revelation from God in his book, why is he selling it. Freely he has received, freely he should give.
Shows where their head is at.
"there's no question: by telling Americans how to lead a better life, Osteen will certainly be able to live . . . the good life."
Is that a crime, or is Finkelstein just envious?
.......I wonder.
You are TOTALLY misreading the column. The point is exactly the opposite. I wasn't suggesting any negative motives on Osteen's part, but that the Today show was displaying its own cynicism about religion. Please re-read column.
Unfortunately, I tend to be cynical as a direct result of long term exposure to mankind's foibles.
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If the Today Show isn't TV evangelism, I don't know what is... |
Does normy make a valid point?
I wouldn't change places w/this dreary lot of money-centered and hate-filled cynics for all the money in the world.
I'm not criticizing a healthy dose of critical thinking. But Today's presentation was so totally lopsided. You think they might have taken some time to focus on Osteen's message. But no, it was just one, unsubtle suggestion that he's just the latest huckster in the line.
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