Posted on 03/03/2010 12:02:12 PM PST by Colofornian
The MMO takes the media pulse in three areas: slimy tabloids intrude into the Osmonds' sacred space in the wake of a tragedy, the media still can't move beyond Mitt Romney's faith, and U.K.'s Guardian takes a jaded view of Mormon-Catholic cooperation.
Intrusion into a family moment
Leave it up to the tabloid press to exploit the Osmonds once again as they reported on the suicide of Marie Osmond's son, Michael. The Mormon Media Observer will not reprint or link to the myriad of tabloid articles filled with speculation and innuendo. Let's just say this, the kind of press coverage the suicide got in the British and American tabloids is journalism (if you can call it that) at its worst. At least, more mainstream newspapers played the story with a bit more respect, but how do journalists balance celebrity without exploiting it for sensational value. I appreciated the Mormon Times post by cousin Don Osmond which gave us insight into this tragedy. A Belief.net blogger also took a much gentler approach.
Media can't move beyond Romney's Mormonism
On Feb. 22, USA Today ran a front-page story about Mitt Romney, "Is it Romney's Time?" The paper points out that the book doesn't "try to explain or defend his Mormon faith, an issue in 2008." It continues: "And the refusal of some to support a Mormon? 'There will always be some who do, and that's unfortunate,' he says. But for most Americans, 'when it comes to voting, and they think about who's going to lead the country, they select the person that they think will do the best job'."
So the question to the reporter is why this even important to the story? Doesn't the media bear some responsibility for making his faith an issue in the public mind?
Scott Hindes of Gig Harbor, Wash., wrote in a letter to USA Today: "If one wants an explanation of the faith, then read the Book of Mormon, and visit Salt Lake City or a house of worship belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since when is religion a requirement or a subject that should be raised as an issue?"
A recent article from Reuters also raises the faith issue this way:
"Romney has been a controversial figure in national politics, in part because of his Mormon faith -- he would be the first Mormon president if elected -- and in part because of his personal fortune, estimated at more than $200 million."
So why does his faith make him controversial? Journalists need to do better than just throwing unsupported terms like "controversial" around.
Catholics and Mormons
The U.K's Guardian newspaper picked up on the story of a U.S. Cardinal speaking at Brigham Young University. Could the columnist, Riazat Butt, be any more skeptical? Here's her take:
"So why the cosying up? There is an increasingly secular mood in the US and religious groups are all too aware of it. The Roman Catholic hierarchy knows it cannot rely solely on its congregations to campaign on touchstone issues and a 'vital bulwark' -- in the shape of the devout, wealthy and organised LDS church -- is just what's needed to help it."
Give me a break.
I haven’t read the Pope’s book, but I have watched Mother Angelica. I agree that both are good examples.
Here's something, from a blog on the web: " A key difference between Mitt Romney and Barack Obama is that as a Mormon, Mitt Romney believes he is going to –become- a god over his own planet; while Barack Obama believes he already is."
But Joe and Jack didn’t take oaths (upon penalty of death) to put their religion (the building up of the kingdom of Zion) above everything (including the constitution). Mitt did (oath of consecration in the temple endowments).
you asked if this will be a “mormon bashing thread”.
The answer is yes, with some catholic bashing mixed in for good effect.
However, if it gets too wild, press the abuse button...
Thank God none of this stuff can be identified with the anti Mormons and what is going on in their collective lives!
Oh that is right there is no order amoung the anti except anti LDS talk!
If you gainsayers did not have a well organized group to vent your life frustrations on what would you do...
I guess you could go feed off the waste at the bottem of the ocean1
I won’t argue that one.
Resty -- you are hereby conceding there's "waste" going on in the lives of Mormons. Why? If they are "gods-in-embryo" as your Lds "prophets" have maintained, why? Aren't "baby gods" divine?
Wondering which duplicate FR handle the troll has...(I can think of two)...placemaker.
What I find really amusing are the denials that certain posters have multi-monikers and single names with multi-posters.
Bump!~
BSer’s
Another actually told me that Christians were overly obsessed with Jesus.....and mocked them.
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Huh?
2 Ne. 25: 26
26 And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.
Speaking from experience, what the LDS show the world is not what it is really like more often then not. One of their missionary points is to ‘never do anything to make the CHURCH look bad’ - not Christ, but ‘the Chruch’.
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endless wacko ditsorter of truth
The Church is called
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints!
so the constitution is only convient when it fits your agenda!
Fact is...most mormons that I've known..rarely talk about Jesus. They talk about the "Church" quite a bit though........
I've known some dits too....
Hummmmmmmm..............
I thought I made it clear — I don’t care.
It (Religion) is an important issue to me in every single election. Why should Mitt get a pass?
You said:
so the constitution is only convient when it fits your agenda!
I'm saying now:
I really thought you were smarter than that. Or do you simply believe me to be completely ignorant?
Cite for me please, that part of the Constitution that states that I am not supposed to consider a candidate's religion or lack thereof when I'm voting.
From the heart the mouth speaks (or in this instance - types)
I’ve known some ditsorters in my time....
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There is no way of getting around it some here has had a enough witness from the Holy Spirit to know the Book of Mormon is true yet they choose to trample on it.
To me this is the action of Shermanite
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