ABC Lumps 'Christian Right' With 9-11 Terrorists as Driving People to Atheism

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Editor's Note: ABC News broadcast the item equating Christians with 9-11 terrorists in being responsible for driving people to atheism. Mark Finkelstein wrote the article at NewsBusters CRITICIZING ABC. Please address your comments accordingly.

ABC may have set a loathsome new MSM low in insulting traditional Christians. On today's "Good Morning America," the network lumped the "Christan right" with the 9-11 Islamic terrorists as driving people to atheism.

Keying off an atheists convention being held this weekend, GMA ran a segment on the "Rise in Atheism." Seeking to explain the phenomenon, as images rolled first of the WTC in flames and then of a man placidly holding a sign that simply read "One Nation Under God" and of a display at a demonstration of the Ten Commandments, ABC's Liz Marlantes stated:

Some are reacting to religious extremism, like the Islamic fundamentalism behind the terrorist attacks of 9-11, but also the rise of the Christian right in the U.S.

So there it is. To ABC, traditional Christians are as responsible for making people doubt God as the 9-11 terrorists. People peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights by displaying the Ten Commandments or a sign containing an excerpt from the Pledge of Allegiance as faith-shattering as terrorists who murder thousands by flying airplanes into buildings.

Does MSM anti-Christian bias get any worse than this? ABC owes an apology.

NOTE: In making the case that atheism is growing, Marantes mentioned that "Congress now has its first self-proclaimed atheist." But while displaying his image [shown here], ABC didn't in any way identify him. He is Pete Stark (D-Calif.)

 

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

[SolidWood]

Despicable.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

ABC News anti-Christian guaranteed engine-starter ping to Today show list.

[kjo]

This is nothing new for the MSM. They have been anti-religion for years. The left cannot stand people having any authority higher than the government, which the left intends to control.

[Theodore R.]

A good point. There are many practicing atheists even if they are unavowed.

[the invisib1e hand]

godlessness makes strange bedfellows.

[MrEdd]

Dead on.

[Scotsman will be Free]

Typical.

[Clemenza]

Idiots.

This agnostic left the faith of his youth due to rational reflection. This is the case for most conscious non-believers as well.

Of course, you have alot more morons these days who just reject faith out of intellectual laziness.

[John Leland 1789]

There have been some comparisons not too much different here lately on Free Republic.

[Pablo64]

Umm, isn't the Today show on NBC?

I believe that ABC has Good Morning America.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Please point out where I made a reference to the Today show and I’ll correct it.

[muawiyah]

ABC forgot for a moment that the First Amendment allows everybody to say what they want. Best they give up their advocacy for suppression of free speech.

[SoldierMedic]

I would like to start that I am in no way trying to “bash” or hate on religion, this is just the way I feel on this subject:

While not agreeing with the way it was presented, I can see the point that GMA (through very bad presentation) was trying to make.

The reason I say that is because not everybody wants to have religion crammed down their gullets, and sometimes that is what it feels like when somebody makes an attempt to limit your freedoms due to their religious convictions.

[Mo1]

Does MSM anti-Christian bias get any worse than this? ABC owes an apology

Yes, they will go even lower ... these liberals are desperate to rip apart and destroy the foundation of what so many people believe in .. God the Father

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Perhaps you’re referring to my ping to “the Today show list.”

To explain: in 2002 I began posting vanity threads here analyzing the liberal bias at “Today.” When NewsBusters was created in 2005 I was invited to become a contributor. My scope has gone beyond “Today,” but I continue to ping items to the list that bears the original name.

[BipolarBob]

This rise in atheism and godlessness is a sign of the nearness of the Second Coming. Those rejoicing at the death of God will be dumbfounded to their everlasting shame.

[muawiyah]

I've always been of the impression God has a special place for the unbelievers ~ it's called "Outer Darkness" and once you begin your journey to that place it's impossible to call you back.

Bye, bye!

[Pablo64]

That’s what got me confused.

[muawiyah]

Oh, you are concerned with BEHAVIOR, not speech ~ now I get it.

Frankly I don't care what you believe or don't believe; just keep your hands off my wallet ~ it's sacred to me.

[Redmen4ever]

Iy you were to examine this on a scientific basis, you would look at things like the following:

1.The correlation of war, murder, genocide, rape, i.e., the bad stuff, with (a) Christianity, (b) Judaism, (c) Islam, (d) other religions, and (d) atheism. During the past century, atheism, represented by the communists and fascists, come in first by far. I do believe that Islam comes in second. Way far back would be Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Bhuddism.

2.The other side of the coin would be a correlation of peace, prosperity, freedom, civil liberty, equal rights and toleration of others, and so forth. On this scale, Christianity and Judaism would come in first, Hinduism and Bhuddism second (and quickly catching up). Islam and atheism would be mixed bags.

[ripley]

“abc lumps christian right with 9-11 terrorists...”

that’s an appropriate opinion for a radical, left-wing, organization that’s the propaganda arm of the far left-wing, american, democrat party that wishes to establish the american soviet in north america.

[LRoggy]

Liz Marlantes’ previous employer was the Christian Science Monitor. So much for biting the hand that fed you.

[Rennes Templar]

‘...the network lumped the “Christan right” with the 9-11 Islamic terrorists”

The network my eye. Mark Finklestein and his producer wrote and approved the story. They are the atheistic ones. The name itself, Mark Finklestein, conjures up images of a godless, socialistic, wimp writer.

[BipolarBob]

The reason I say that is because not everybody wants to have religion crammed down their gullets, and sometimes that is what it feels like when somebody makes an attempt to limit your freedoms due to their religious convictions.

Those people aren't real Christians because Jesus never taught or embraced beating people over the head with religion. His was by example. He was very gentle but firm in His beliefs.

[muawiyah]

Yeahbut He said you're going to Hell anyway.

And He'd be the Judge!

So much for that mambypamby antinominalism.

[SoldierMedic]

No problem, I have no intentions of taking your money.

[Clemenza]

Uh, Rennes. You are aware that Mark Finklestein IS Freeper governsleastgovernsbest, are you not?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

RT: I am Mark Finkelstein. My FReeper screenname is “governsleastgovernsbest.” I wrote the article at NewsBusters that criticized ABC, and cross-posted it here.

[muawiyah]

But you are undoubtedly prone to vote for someone who agrees with you regarding my religious rights, so you'd be taking money out of my wallet anyway.

I expect more than a pledge out of you ~ something REAL ~ like to show your good faith maybe you could sever a knuckle or something ~ that way I can see you are good to your word.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks, Clemenza. I appreciate your explaining to Rennes.

This kind of thing has happened often in the past. It got so bad that for a while, when posting such items, I’d begin with block letter disclaimer. Looks like I should have done that today.

[BipolarBob]

Yeahbut He said you're going to Hell anyway.

He said nothing of the sort. My name is not mentioned in the Bible anywhere. God will judge righteously. By comparison you cannot discern your left hand from your right.

[SoldierMedic]

But you are undoubtedly prone to vote for someone who agrees with you regarding my religious rights, so you'd be taking money out of my wallet anyway.

My aversion for overly religious politics does not mean I refuse to vote for those who hold religion in high regard. I have many political beliefs, my views on religion being only a small part of those. Because the issues I hold in the highest priority are things like the WOT, immigration, Taxes, and keeping socialized medicine away from America, you can rest assured I won't be voting against your interests any time soon.

[o_zarkman44]

The MSM is the leader of people to atheism.
They do everything possible to discredit people of faith.
Lumping good Christians with Islamic terrorists is a cheap shot.
I think ABC should be lumped in with “The Onion” when it comes to newsworthy journalism.

[ari-freedom]

Pete Stark. Not exactly the kind of person atheists would want to showcase unless they are all nuts and kooks.

[Berlin_Freeper]

There is a rise in atheism because pop culture, controlled my the Leftist media elite, is hostile towards Christianity.

The media elite target young people because they are the easiest to influence. In such an environment it would be impossible for atheism to not be on the rise.

To blame Christians for the rise in atheism, excuse me but that is just a laughable joke. This is a clear case of the guilty blaming the victim.

[muawiyah]

You still sound like an antinominalist.

[muawiyah]

Still, when you refer to religion being "stuffed down" your throat, that's a criticism of OTHER PEOPLE'S religion ~and those who start sticking their nose into other's religious beliefs almost invariably end up voting for people who will suppress religion, or start dictating beliefs.

I'd much prefer a small token of flesh that you are good to your word first!

Certainly you can understand my distrust of your promises absent a surity.

[yankeedame]

I am Mark Finkelstein. My FReeper screenname is “governsleastgovernsbest.” I wrote the article at NewsBusters that criticized ABC, and cross-posted it here.

Well,sir, it is an honor to know we are rowing on the same team. Fare thee well.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Many thanks, yankeedame.

[stevem]

Of course I don't watch ABC, NBC or CBS or any other alphabet soup news providers for information on much of anything.

Still, when it comes to atheists, I always harken to the U=boat skipper, one of the few who survived, who said he always found atheism interesting. As the war progressed, fanatical youths kept joining the submarine corps. The more the war surrendered to time, the more atheistin these patriots became. The sub driver said when the depth charges started exploding around them, these fanatical atheists were the first to hit their knees to pray fervently for deliverance.

Is "atheist" a synonym for "MSM" which is a synonym for "Democrat?"

[SoldierMedic]

But you are undoubtedly prone to vote for someone who agrees with you regarding my religious rights, so you'd be taking money out of my wallet anyway.

Sure thing Shylock, your pound of flesh is in the mail /sarc

Still, when you refer to religion being "stuffed down" your throat, that's a criticism of OTHER PEOPLE'S religion ~and those who start sticking their nose into other's religious beliefs almost invariably end up voting for people who will suppress religion, or start dictating beliefs.

Please, I in no way want to supress somebody's religion, I just object when it affects me. If my baggage handler at Safeway refused to handle my bacon because of their Islamic beliefs, I'll object. If my Hindu neighbor made constant efforts to curtail my beef intake, I'd object. On that same token, if somebody starts ranting at me because I my wife and I weren't married yet when we started living together, or is telling me I'm going to hell because I don't go to church, I object to that.

[ImaGraftedBranch]

This is to be expected. Christ told us so.

[ImaGraftedBranch]

This is to be expected. Christ told us so. That he did this 2,000 years ago, and (yet another) prophecy from the bible shows to be true, reveals how much evidence they must look past in order to set their eyes on themselves instead of God.

[roses of sharon]

Wow, this is blatant, this is an actual political campaign.

It’s time to begin ours.

[dinoparty]

Rejecting God because they don’t agree with some believers? Even if it were true, isn’t it like ... rejecting all food because you don’t like macaroni and cheese?

[weegee]

Time=Lies, Newsweak, and other branches of the MSM have been telling the public that “God is Dead” since the 1960s.

Every Christmas and Easter is another expose how Christianity is a “sham”.

ABCDisney can go Lewinsky themselves.

[L98Fiero]

“While not agreeing with the way it was presented, I can see the point that GMA (through very bad presentation) was trying to make.”

Although I don’t agree with they way they presented it, I tend to agree. The problem with this is mainly in the MSM depiction of this “rising Christian right”.

That said, these MSM-proclaimed “evangelical leaders” don’t do much to help the situation. Many preach a new form of social conservatism enforced through force of government. I say to FReepers, be careful what you wish for and by what means you employ to see those wishes to fruition. Dangerous ground here.

[weegee]

The homosexual agenda is forced down our throats too by the MSM, courts, corporate America, etc (but surprisingly little action by the LEGISTATURE, which is part of why the issue is still a sore spot for many people, it was foced upon us without consensus).

Doesn’t seem to have soured the public’s tv viewing habits, beer thirst, support of Ford Motors, applications for colleges, etc.

[khnyny]

I would like to start that I am in no way trying to “bash” or hate on religion, this is just the way I feel on this subject:

While not agreeing with the way it was presented, I can see the point that GMA (through very bad presentation) was trying to make.

The reason I say that is because not everybody wants to have religion crammed down their gullets, and sometimes that is what it feels like when somebody makes an attempt to limit your freedoms due to their religious convictions.

What freedoms are you talking about and how, exactly, are they being limited?