Inspire, Spring 2004

Inspire 21 Evangelical Christians have an image problem. After working my first five years as a reporter, plus spending hours reading The New York Times and listening to National Public Radio, I’m convinced there is no left- wing liberal conspiracy to lambaste religion. Here’s the quandary I do see — when vocal evangelicals and fundamentalists use poor judgment, the powers that be in the media capitalize on it. Positive or thoughtful stories including conservative Christians are scarce thanks to a widening communication gap between the average evangelical and the average journalist. Based on my experiences, here are a few suggestions that could counter the trend, one interview at a time. Recognize the need for labels such as evangelical, fundamentalist, or born-again. Journalists employ a broad academic definition of Christianity. In other words, they define Christianity as a religion including anyone who identifies with a Catholic, Protestant, or Eastern Orthodox church. Terms like “born-again” aren’t used to be condescending, but to differentiate between camps of Christians. Religion reporters are busy these days. Since September 11, 2001, journalists are under increased pressure to cover Islamic issues, and justly so. Imams have emerged from local mosques and Islamic centers ready to talk. Expanding coverage cuts into airtime for the Christian majority. Yet no one can argue Christians were underrepresented in 2003. Gene Robinson’s confirmation as Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire was a major national news story. Think before taking a publicized stand. Oddball tales sell newspapers. Born-again Christians, in the eyes of nonbelievers and believers alike, sometimes act strangely in the name of Christ. In January 2002, one of our part-time reporters called the newsroom to say, “You are never going to believe this.” At a public meeting, members of the Penryn (Pennsylvania) Fire Police told the town council they would no longer direct traffic for the YMCA’s annual triathlon because children at the Y’s day care were reading the Harry Potter books. My editors e- mailed the article to the Associated Press bureau in Philadelphia that night. Within days, the story made national network TV news. Sports Illustrated called the Harry Potter flap “This Week’s Sign of the Apocalypse.” When it comes to taking a stand, weigh the possibility of earning respect rather than ridicule. Become public relations savvy. Many newspapers save space in their religion sections to announce concerts, special events, new clergy members, Photo by Barry L. Zecher, Intelligencer Journal In Whose Image? B y R e b e c c a J . R i t z e l ’ 9 9