The missing anti-Muslim movie stories

Last updated on: September 15, 2012 at 4:35 pm By mollie

The Wall Street Journal has an interesting, if completely unsurprising, update to the stories about the intense interest in the people affiliated with the so-called film being blamed for widespread anti-American violence throughout the world: A federal government bulletin to local law-enforcement officials warned of the possibility of retaliation within the U.S. over the low-budget “Muhammad Movie Trailer,” a 14-minute clip posted to YouTube that has sparked rioting and protests across the Muslim world. The effort, while low-key, shows the... Read more

At issue in Massachusetts: End of life

Last updated on: September 14, 2012 at 8:38 pm By Bobby Ross Jr.

As I type this, I’m cruising at 39,000 feet on an American Airlines flight to Boston. I’m a nervous flier, so I’m hitting the save button frequently in case something unfortunate happens and a fellow GetReligionista has to finish this post. (Just joking. Mostly.) Coincidentally given my destination, I’m going to review a Boston Globe story on a doctor-assisted suicide measure facing Massachusetts voters: The state’s religious communities are divided over what is perhaps the most profound question on this year’s... Read more

Combating media myths about Muslims

Last updated on: September 14, 2012 at 9:38 am By mollie

There are so many stories being written about the tragic assassination of our ambassador in Libya and the sieges of our buildings there, in Egypt and elsewhere (and the so-called “movie” that many media placed at the center of the controversy) that it’s hard to keep up. And many of the individual stories are fine or difficult to find too much fault with. But there have certainly been problems with the overall direction or message of the coverage, which... Read more

Foggy Bottom’s ‘pantywaist protocol pussy-footers’

Last updated on: September 13, 2012 at 10:46 pm By geoconger

Wanted to thank me brokenly, I suppose, for so courteously allowing her favorite brother a place to have his game legs in, Eh? [said Bertie Wooster] Possibly sir. On the other hand she alluded to you in terms suggestive of disapprobation. [said Jeeves] She — what? “Feckless idiot” was one of the expressions she employed, sir. Feckless idiot? Yes, sir. I couldn’t make it out. I couldn’t see what the woman had based her judgement on. My Aunt Agatha has... Read more

NPR on Bible-loving racists in Ohio River Valley

Last updated on: September 13, 2012 at 4:45 pm By tmatt

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). This has, here in Beltway land, become known as the whole “What’s the Matter with Kansas?” syndrome. Or, with a nod toward the candidate in the White House, one could call it the “God, guns and gays” mindset.... Read more

Missing the forest for the YouTube video

Last updated on: September 13, 2012 at 10:06 am By mollie

Much of the media spent yesterday not getting to the bottom of how the American Ambassador to Libya was assassinated on the anniversary of September 11 terror attacks but, rather, suggesting Mitt Romney was wrong to criticize the Obama administration for how it was handling protests against America. But Godbeat reporters did a better job than many of their colleagues. In some cases, we saw great work, which I’ll get to. Before I get to that, a note of concern.... Read more

Got news? Can evangelicals vote for a Mormon?

Last updated on: September 12, 2012 at 5:32 pm By mollie

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... Read more

Righteous Religious Indignation in Cairo

Last updated on: September 12, 2012 at 1:32 pm By geoconger

There are conflicting reports coming out of Egypt and Libya tonight on the attacks on the U.S. embassy in Cairo and the consulate in Benghazi. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, drawing upon reports from Reuters and AFP, stated one U.S. official was killed and a second injured in the attack on the Benghazi consulate,while the Washington Post, citing the Associated Press, reported that no one was inside the Benghazi consulate when the attack occurred. The protests, coming on the 11th anniversary... Read more