When comparing religious beliefs, it’s necessary to tell the whole truth. As it returns tonight, Monday, Jan. 16, National Geographic Channel’s “The Story of God” just doesn’t do that.
“The Chosen One,” the opening episode of season two of the popular series, takes host and producer Morgan Freeman on his familiar trip around the world to examine a variety of belief systems. He talks to an American boy believed to be the reincarnation of a Buddhist holy man, a Christian missionary who suffered torture and imprisonment in North Korea, and a Native American leader and religious figure.
He also discusses Sikh, Hindu and Muslim beliefs. In particular, he slides from a discussion of the sacrifice of Christ straight into a conversation about the grandson of Mohammed, Husayn ibn Ali, revered by Shi’ite Muslims.
In general, Freeman in “The Story of God” remains visibly partial to Buddhist and Native American beliefs, and always leans toward a positive portrayal of Islam, following the familiar “religion of peace” trope.
But one fact remains unstated throughout the entire program.
Jesus didn’t claim to be a Chosen One of God. He claimed to BE God.
Mohammed didn’t claim that (nor did his grandson), nor do any Hindu or Buddhist figures (not even Buddha), nor did Abraham nor Moses, nor do Native American leaders.
To go through an entire hour about people who claim to be vitally connected to God and not state the central claim of Christian belief — that Christ was the Son of God, consubstantial with the Father — not only diminishes Christianity, but it’s fundamentally dishonest.
Freeman does manage to slide in a slap at Catholic popes and the selling of indulgences, but he leaves out the very core of the Faith.
The show’s an attractive travelogue, and Freeman talks to interesting, sincere people, but if you’re not going to tell the truth about one faith, then you’ve lost credibility to talk authoritatively about the subject in general.
Image: Courtesy National Geographic Channel
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