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.
Agreed.
So are you saying quoting lds words is bashing?
You know what... I’m not going to fight with you. If you think there was no bashing and I was wrong to think so, then you go ahead and claim victory. I don’t care.
Actually the MSM will PUSH hard for Romney in the primaries beacause:
a) They know he is unelectable in the general election and no threat to their Dear Leader.
b) They know his conversion to Conservatism is probably fake, so even if he somehow won the general election, he’d be much more friendly to Socialist causes than a real Conservative would be.
Much like they did with McCain, the MSM will say that Romney is “competent”, it is “his turn”, and will try to guilt people into voting for him by claiming that not doing so would be out of “anti-Mormon bigotry”.
Then, the day after he gets the nomination, they will label him as an unprincipled flip-flopper, (true) and an out of touch elitist (also true), and a “relgious nut”, with the family dog riding on the roof of his station wagon.
That’s good, since I am not Mormon...
- - - - - -
I USED to be a Mormon, but then God opened my eyes.
Okaay!
You know BYU was being "bashed" up & down by athletic teams they played between 1968-1978. Some refused to schedule them. Over a dozen black Wyoming football players got kicked off the team simply because they wanted to wear a silent protest of a black armband.
Why? Because of BYU's/LDS' racist policies in place until 1978. Now if your highest ideal is not to bash, then I suppose you would have been on the frontlines of Mormonism, defending their racist policies at that time.
But if your highest ideal is truth, something that love is supposed to rejoice in (see 1 Cor. 13:6), then you're not going to engage in reductionism & define truth-telling as only "bashing" -- because, simply put, some ideals (being against racism; being against idolatry -- elevating competing gods) are worth espousing despite the P.C. label of "bashing."
And, BTW, if you're so "anti-bashing," then why are you continually referencing other as "bashers." (Isn't that "bashing?" by your def?)
When my father was thinking about becoming a Mormon, every Saturday night, two Mormons would come for dinner. They were such fun, filled with laughter. Since that time, I have had the utmost respect for Mormons.
I can't see how that would be offensive to any Christian whatsoever and certainly not worthy of a response despite the very clear call to defend the faith from such slander and distortion...
Oprah certainly would never allow for that at all!
I guess we old fashion folks who love God and believe in his word are just not in style anymore...
Kymbaya!
PR is a wonderful thing...
Oh my! It seems your shorts are all in a bunch. LOL!
Excellent info...........
Ummmm...........
Yep
(If that's the best you can do response-wise -- to take temperatures of response levels & not discuss the issues...is that all you're here for then? Simply to post a label here, & note a perceived temperature there?)
That's all you can say!?!?!
Wow...!!
You addressed nothing....
Sticks and stones, I would think...
If you say so...
Why so defensive about a simple inquiry that in no way sounded offensive or confrontational?
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