Meanwhile, some mainstream media has become so over-the-top and theatrical in reporting this story that comedian Jon Stewart has to act as the voice of reason on this whole issue.
You know, I feel like again, this woman, Christine O'Donnell, she may be qualified. She may not. I'm not all that impressed with what's in the Senate right now. But the last thing that I would suggest is that her witchcraft or masturbation stance is what we should be even thinking about or focusing on, and I think that's an enormous mistake that the Democrats will make.
Again, if O'Donnell is indeed elected, what actual worrisome things about her will we miss because the media is having so much fun dressing folks up, interviewing Wiccans, and vainly trying to contain their smirks? I'm glad that Pagans are taking the initiative to use this media storm in a positive way, and I'm also glad that we are getting some more thoughtful coverage in some mainstream outlets, but I wish the mainstream media, and those who consume it, would demand more from their journalism than this ongoing spectacle.
This article originally appeared on The Wild Hunt blog and is reprinted with permission.
Since launching The Wild Hunt in 2004, Jason Pitzl-Waters has become one of the leading voices for analysis and insight into how modern Pagan faiths are represented within the mainstream media. Jason also hosts a Pagan music podcast, A Darker Shade Of Pagan, and is a visual artist: Epimetheus Studio.
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