Why do people and the media criticize just one religion namely Christianity?

Answer 1

People of all religions, and of none, at times deserve criticism, and it the role of the media to publish that criticism, in the public interest. Arguably, the Western media are more critical of Islam than of Christianity. Moreover, there are people who are strongly critical of atheists - the media reported former U.S. President H.W. Bush as saying that atheists do not deserve United States citizenship.

It is true that the media criticize various religions at various times, and Islam has come under critique in recent times. It is also certainly true that Christianity is regularly attacked and ridiculed, although this may often go unnoticed by those who are not Christian. This is done in various ways both subtle and not so subtle. An example is the type of distortions of history in both The Da Vinci Code and the play 'Inherit The Wind' (obviously a different medium but an example nonetheless). Bold assertions are made and views are put from so-called experts and Christians are put alongside that and stereotyped as narrow minded, bigoted/intolerant and ignorant.

As mentioned above, there are naturally from time to time a number of individuals who err grievously. These, especially if Christian, and prominent, are given great publicity. No Christian ought to countenance the behavior, nor seek to escape the consequences, but there is no attempt made to 'balance the ledger' - even in the need to achieve 'good ratings' by sensationalism, since there are many Christian stories which are 'sensationally good.' Further Comment: Personally I feel that everyone feels victimized at some point or another, whether Christian or not. Christians are probably under-represented in the media and so in one sense we cannot entirely blame them for their ignorance if not Christian. On the other hand there is a lot more Christian-bashing that goes un-noticed and un-reported (obviously the media are not going to admit their own biases).

The media also regularly fails to distinguish between the actions of what Christians regard as the 'lunatic fringe' - or even as non-Christian cults - and the mainstream, which then tends to label by association all Christians as extremists, ignorant, violent etc.

The classic of all time goes to those who label Christian 'fundamentalists' in the same breath as the Sept 11 people. To Christians this an obvious fallacy, but to some, who already share concerns about some Christian 'intolerances' as they call them, this adds fuel to the fire of their ignorance. This even includes their eagerness to report such people as Richard Dawkins saying so, without balancing it with an informed comment, or even highlighting the fact that even fellow-atheists rebuke Dawkins for his ill-informed and seemingly ignorant comments about Christianity.

Probably there is no solution to this, except to accept it as part of the lot of the Christian to 'bear His reproach', and to remember that they reviled the master and spat on Him who was to die for their sin. It is also worthwhile remembering to pray for those who make such comments or who report them, and also for Christians who, sadly, give cause for reproach upon Christ's name. Perhaps it is also to be remembered that there are those who deliberately wish to suppress the truth and to cause people's ears to be as closed and unreceptive to the Gospel as possible. This may not be the motivation of many in the media but it most certainly pleases the enemy.