Religion Essays Pt 2
You know you've written some fantastic words when the teacher accuses you of plagarism. I'll just take it as a compliment, shall I? I did enjoy the criticism on televangelists, quite much.
RELIGION AND THE MEDIA
Task aim: To analyse the presentation of religion and religious issues in the Australian print and electronic media.
Focus question: How effectively and accurately does the Australian media present religious issues?
Task structure: Complete the activities of this task. Use the information that you gather in this process to compile a 500 word report that answers the focus question.
PRINT MEDIA
The Daily Telegraph (20 December 2004 - 6 January 2005)
Issues and Themes
- Lack of religious Christmas decorations out of fear of offending minority groups.
- The Passion of the Christ becomes ninth highest earning film in history.
- Hillsong Church application to increase seating capacity approved by council.
- Beautification of Cardinal Clemens August von Galen, a Hitler critic.
- The Christmas tree tradition has ancient pagan origins.
- International forgery ring that produced Bible-era artefacts is exposed as fake.
- Tsunami collection box stolen from English cathedral.
- Criticism of religious leaders preaching about God’s wrath, rather than helping tsunami victims.
- Church pays out record $128.7 million settlement to sexually abused.
- Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims killed when their truck overturns.
- National day of mourning for tsunami victims declared.
How effectively and accurately does the Australian media present religious issues?
Several issues of Daily Telegraph newspapers were monitored for articles relating to religious issues, and it was found Christianity appears most often. Out of the eleven articles collected, ten focused on or alluded to Christianity. Unsurprisingly, the religious tradition that accounts for a large portion of the Australian population maintains the most media coverage.
During the Christmas period, an issue regarding the lack of decorations was raised. (2) Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore banished Christmas symbols from the Town Hall in fear of offending minority groups. The article preserves the loss of Christmas, is indeed a loss of culture and public identity. In a further article on page 41, a historical feature details the diverse origins of the Christmas tree, with roots ranging from Vikings to Egyptians. Here, the practices of minority groups are documented.
Other minor news pertaining to Christianity include The Passion Of Christ’s record earnings (p5) - a publicity vehicle numerous Church groups have not hesitated to support. Also, the council’s approval Hillsong Church’s increased seating capacity (13) and the beautication of a cardinal. (p21)
While the position of other religions remain fairly neutral, negative discussion and criticism of Christianity is exercised regularly. On page 21, a diocese is reported to have paid out a record $128.7 million settlement to the sexually abused. The article is relatively tiny compared to the half page spread on page 27, on the exposure of a Bible-era forgery ring.
The recent tragedy of the Asia Tsunami stirred much religious debate. Some groups spoke out about the event of God’s absence, others, his hand in it. A columnist criticises the insensitivity of these religious groups at a time when people are still mourning and recovery. There is no slight on the religious attitude to the tsunami, as the enormous relief efforts of groups are not easily dismissed. A small article mentions the theft of a collection in a cathedral. (p5)
When Tibetan Buddhists appear in the paper, it is due to the tragedy of their truck overturning during their pilgrimage. (p5) Buddhism is not an organised religion, and being largely diverse, are not opportune to speak out on issues as expected of the Church.
Conclusively, Christianity is portrayed often in the media - where the news be mundane, celebratory or critical. Minority groups are mentioned briefly in attempt to uphold the image of a egalitarian newspaper that does not discriminate.
ELECTRONIC MEDIA
Religious programs on commercial networks (22-28 December 2004)
Documentary
Program
Target audience
Compass: ‘Fly On The Wall’ Messiah
All
The Jesus Effect: Jesus In The Roman Empire
All
Judaism: A Quest For Meaning A Tradition In Crisis
All
Compass: The Real Mary Magdalene
All
Worship
Program
Target audience
Carols From Kings 2004
Believers
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Believers
Mass For You At Home
Believers
Midnight Mass From St Peter’s Basilica, Rome 2004
Believers
A Christmas Celebration
All
Wesley Mission Christmas Concert
All
Hillsong
All
Songs Of Praise
All
Preaching
Program
Target audience
Joyce Meyer
All
Kenneth Copeland
All
Life Today With James Robison
All
This Is Your Day With Benny Hinn
All
Key Of David
All
Christian City TV
All
Hour Of Power
All
How effectively and accurately does the Australian media present religious issues?
Christian City TV (Saturday 5:30AM TEN)
Christian City TV (CCTV) is an example of how televangelists, who use television to convert, have manifested in the Australian community. Despite its poor time slot, CCTV is aired on the day before Sunday, the holy day, in hopes of persuading non-believers in advance.
On the fresh pinewood stage of a brightly lit auditorium, Pastor Phil Pringle stands. His eyes twinkle behind modern frames as he anticipates his flock for today - the hundred presently before him, and the hundreds more before their television sets. Via a microphone headset, he begins his sermon.
CCTV presents a new, exciting way of preaching. It is far from ordinary. The pastor announces today’s “awesome passage” tells the story of Mary Magdalene’s discovery at Jesus’ tomb. In an almost theatrical sense, Pringle traverses across the stage, arms flailing and occasionally jumping, he passionately exclaims “I want to drill a hole into your head.” He utilises modern language to a modern audience, and is unafraid to use humour to engage. “Jesus needs curious cats to go down to the tomb.” While CCTV brings a new dimension to Christianity, one questions the group’s unorthodox tactics, and whether the true message, if slightly distorted, is still retained.
The television is a highly successful medium to reach a wide audience. Any channel flicker would be enticed by the show’s catchy theme song, or be inspired by the Pastor’s energetic performance. Christian City TV is highly entertaining for the curious viewer in general.
Songs Of Praise (Saturday, 11:00AM ABC)
Songs Of Praise’s televangelitic approach is immensely colourful. In this episode, Su Pollard, an elderly woman with a delightful countenance and pleasing British accent, takes the viewer to the seaside town of Cleethorpes. “Today,” she enthuses, “hundreds gather to sing their heads off, but not without having a great day at the Winter Gardens.” The viewer might find the opening plays like a humorous skit, yet it is necessary in order to create the excitable mood Su radiates.
As expected the hundreds sing in a room, fit with a live band, flashing disco lights and dazzling chandeliers, the latter no doubt to signify the enlightened process of God. The lyrics appear below the screen, encouraging the viewers at home to join in, while a handsome young man leads the song. The camera pans across the crowd, mainly consisting of elderly people of European descent. Some struggle between the transition of holding prayer book to clapping at the right time. The camera’s pause on the visage of the only two children in the room reveals to be an obvious attempt to widen the show’s demographic.
Songs Of Praise is not exclusively about singing. In among the periods of singing, Su presents Cleethorpes as a travel destination. What appears to be an interview with a local couple about life in Cleethorpes, reveals to be a plug for their business of hiring out donkeys for children to ride on the beach. Its religious relevance is that “Jesus rode a donkey.” Next, Su relaxes in a health resort, where she gives a brief history lesson of the town. It is not long before the host bursts into song. “I’m walking on sunshine,” she bellows with such enthusiasm that the viewers soon find themselves singing along with the same fervency. A montage is shown of Su enjoying herself at the beach, going on the ferris wheel at the fair, dancing with a green dragon, petting the seals, and playing mini golf. It is footage that succeeds in conveying a ‘feel good’ mentality.
At Cleethorpes church, Su meets the local pastor. Using special effects, she ‘beams’ him to the dressing room of Patrick Stewart, a.k.a. Star Trek’s Captain Jean-Luc Picard. The pastor interviews Stewart on his current role in a play. Stewart explains how “theatre began as a religious ritual, with its own set text and place.” As an actor, he “breathes life” into his characters, just like his faith.
Songs Of Praise ends with the pastor performing the crossing. It is a show that could easily be mistaken for a travel show or entertainment news to the unobservant. Songs Of Praise conveys the experience of Christianity in an attractive program for non-believers. It approaches its subject in a variety of formats, such as the use of a celebrity, allowing diverse interpretation. Whether it is a purely genius method of communicating the bible in an interactive way, or merely a song and dance routine, is up to the viewer to decide.
Compass - Anne Deveson and Resilience (Saturday 11:25AM ABC)
The presenter asks, “How well do you cope with difficult situations?” The viewers are informed that Anne Deveson, writer, filmmaker, and social activist, is well equipped to tell them about resilience.
Anne Deveson has experienced poverty, refugee status, the loss of two husbands to cancer, and the suicide of her schizophrenic son. She is an advocate of social justice, most particularly womens’ issues. As a respected journalist, she aims to educate and inform, rather than sensationalise. “Media for the public health of society.” She has written books about schizophrenia, cancer, and resilience.
While talking about her childhood during the interview, Anne maintains her family was not strongly religious, but she was brought up with a strong ethical code. As the hour long document draws to a close, the presented seems desparate to present a religious angle to the story. “Is it (writing) kind of like being on a spiritual quest?” Anne does not claim to belong to a particular religious faith. She emphasises that spirituality can be found both within and outside of religion. “The meaning of life is life, its tragedy, its people…”
While the majority of the show focuses on the tragedies of Anne Deveson’s life, and how she dealt with them, she makes a profoundly inspiring comment on resilience. “Not all religious people have resilience.” She states Resilience is beyond religion, therefore all issues should be considered beyond a religious square.
The Ark (Sunday 3:45PM RADIO NATIONAL)
The Ark is a weekly fifteen minute segment on religious history. Alexander the Great is compared to Jesus, both great men who lead the people. “That is where all the similarities end,” making the listener question why they were compared at all.
The format consists of the presenter consulting a credible University Professor of Ancient History on the topic.
Claiming to be divine was a symptom of lunacy. Alexander wanted to be a divine king, so the Greek believed it so. When Alexander founded the southern silk road that joined India to the Mediterranean, the traders were able to exchange goods, as well as religious ideas. He was a man who changed the world economically, scientifically and religiously.
The segment gives a concise overview on Alexander the Great in a short time period in a way that is effective in capturing the audience’s attention. It has a largely older demographic, by measure of its vocabulary. However, Alexander the Great is more a political figure, than a religious one.
REPORT
How effectively and accurately does the Australian media present religious issues?
The small proportion of religious articles in the Daily Telegraph is dominated by Christianity. It is the tradition that accounts for the majority of the Australian population. Often stories are sensationalised, such as the conflict surrounding the Asia Tsunami as a topic for preaching. The numerous, small allusions to Christianity seem insignificant, but actually highlights its constant presence in the media. One example is the slip of Hillsong Church’s council approved seating capacity in an article focusing on the council’s approval of the controversial New Year’s Eve national anthem. The issues have little relevance to each other, except being recent council decisions.
In light of recent sex allegations that have surfaced, the public opinion of Christianity has altered considerably from what it was a decade ago. When once the Church maintained a long history of suppressed secrets, journalists now openly scrutinise the institution. Articles pertaining to the Church and sexual assault has become commonplace. (Church’s Payout)
Journalists mention minority groups in passing, adding colour and interest, rather than presenting more substantial issues. (Pilgrims Crushed As Truck Rolls)
Electronic media proves more diverse in presenting a variety of religious issues in different formats. The use of visuals, sound and language is effective in engaging the audience. The majority of religious programs are aired during the weekend period. On radio, these are at night. On television, worship and preaching programmes are scheduled for early mornings, while documentaries frequent nights on ABC.
CCTV and Songs Of Praise exercise highly unorthodox methods of preaching and worship. Apart from the obvious technological advance of national television broadcasting, these shows employ tactics to present Christianity in a more attractive form.
Songs Of Praise, with its live band and disco lights attempts to link its part travel show, part sci-fi convention to its religious ideals. Christian City TV maximises its appeal to a modern audience through its hip language, microphone headset and theatrics across an auditorium. In comparison with traditional practices, these forms could be seen as over exuberant, and taken to cheapen the spiritual experience. In a post modern perspective, these forms are able to embody the energy of religion with heightened sensitivity through music, theatrics and performance.
Religious documentaries struggle to convey topics with an exclusively religious angle, but do not succeed. It is impossible for religion to be separated from the world. In The Ark, Alexander the Great is presented as a great religious figure, when he was firstly, and foremostly a conqueror.
In reference to other religious traditions in electronic media, there is few but the occasional Judaism or Aboriginal spirituality documentary. Although those documentaries, as opposed to those centrally focused on Christianity, include political and cultural aspects, essential for a thorough understanding of the subject.
Print media presents news via the journalists, and thus are contaminated either intentionally or unconsciously with bias and prejudice. Minority groups are poorly represented in the media. Christianity features predominately in print media, as with electronic media. In electronic media, transfer of information occurs directly from the religious group, or through the eyes of the filmmaker. Neither can be entirely objective, as one wishes for converts, and the other, often money. However, this new trend of televangelists renders religion a vivacious and interactive experience.