Globe Column Against Preventive War Drags Butter Home on a Rope
March 1st, 2007 7:11 AM
Ever heard of the Wise Men of Chelm? They are the well-intentioned but foolish residents of an imaginary Jewish village, and the object of humor that stretches back 500 years. Here's one story. One of the "wise men" is sent to a neighboring village to bring back a horse. On the way home the horse wanders off and is lost. "Schlemiel!" remonstrate the townspeople with him. "Don't you know…
Christianity Today Satirizes James Cameron and His Jesus Tomb Document
February 28th, 2007 2:07 PM
Update/Correction (3/1/2007, 10:32 EST): Oops. Ted Olsen is the online managing editor for Christianity Today and he e-mailed me to point out his byline as the "former solicitor general" was part of the satire. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go have lunch with James Cameron...Former solicitor general Ted Olsen wrote a brief satire that illustrates the absurdity of filmmaker James Cameron's…
Unlike NBC, CBS and ABC Express Skepticism Over ‘Jesus Tomb’ Claim
February 27th, 2007 4:50 PM
As noted in NewsBusters on Monday, NBC’s "Today" show breathlessly reported the claims, articulated by filmmaker James Cameron in a new Discovery Channel documentary, that the tomb of Jesus, with Christ buried inside, has been located. Co-anchor Matt Lauer hyped the network’s exclusive interview with Cameron by credulously repeating the documentary’s assertions and stating the film could "rock…
Time Magazine's 'Pilfering Priests' is a Make-Believe 'Crisis
February 27th, 2007 8:34 AM
First, take a look at the appalling illustration that accompanies the article in Time magazine this week (February 26, 2007, page 46). In the darkest of colors and tones, a sinister-looking, pasty-faced priest is pictured. As his empty, white eyes furtively peer back towards the viewer, his pale, wiry fingers grip what looks to be a Bible. Paper money is leafing out of the book pages. (I've…
Walter Cronkite Opposes Religious Influence in Government
February 24th, 2007 2:36 PM
There’s a new national campaign called “First Amendment First” that is looking to eliminate the influence that religion and religious groups have in setting policy and impacting elections. On Friday, former CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite endorsed their views.As reported by MediaNews (emphasis mine throughout):Alarmed by what they see as religious groups' growing influence on government policy, a…
Globe Applauds Let 'em Eat Cake Court Ruling on Teaching Gay Rights
February 24th, 2007 9:03 AM
This is a tale of two editorials. The New York Times this morning applauds a New Jersey court ruling holding public schools liable when they fail to take measures to stop the taunting or bullying of gay students. Coincidentally, a Boston Globe editorial today applauds a Massachusetts court ruling upholding the right of the Lexington school district to expose elementary school students to…