Christian-Muslim Dialogue

The Eufaula Tribune (Alabama) today reported on a panel discussion that took
place in that town between Muslims and Christians in the hopes that a better
understanding of each other between the two might help to establish peaceful
relations between Islam and Christianity. ("Christians, Muslims discuss
beliefs")

The Eufaula Tribune said that Imam Yusuf Hassan spoke for Muslims in which
he spoke of the Five Pillars of Islam. Each of those Five Pillars with a
brief explanation of each were printed in the Tribune article.

The article said Pastor Ken Jackson of Christian Life Church in Eufaula
spoke addressed the basics of Christian belief. The Tribune printed nothing
about what those basics were.

This is example of what troubles me in much of the reporting of the
so-called Christian-Muslim Dialogue (or Muslim-Christian Dialogue) in our
country. Why was there no mention - absolutely none - of even one aspect of
basic Christian belief? Is it just assumed that everybody knows what
constitutes basic Christian belief? Not a safe assumption! But I hardly
think that's the reason for the omission.

It seems to me that there is a clear bias in much of our media that attempts
to either denigrate Christian faith or to marginalize it. How can we - the
masses - hope to be engaged in a process of peace when the "news" that is
presented only presents the sensational. It is a huge mistake the media
makes when most of the news on Islam and Muslims focuses on the extreme.
Equally as much is it a mistake to focus primarily on Islam.

How can issues be considered when only half the issues are presented. I'll
bet the folks at the panel discussion heard from both sides. I wonder if
Eric Betts was actually present. And if he was, I wonder if he listened to
all that went on. And if he did, I wonder if he figured the Christian
presentation was irrelevant or, at best, just not news-worthy.

What it means is that there is a bias against Christianity. - at least at
the Eufaula Tribune. The Trib seems to be in good company - or at least in
company, good or otherwise. Guess I shouldn't get too worked up over this.
After all, Jesus did warn his disciples that there would be days like
this... many, many days.