Aye yi yi.....

Laura over at Persuing Holiness brought my attention to the latest "outrage" at the Pope-- the last one was lifting the Excommunication on all the SSPX (Society of St. Pius X) Priests; check here for why it's not a "reinstatement." More here, here and here for more information, if you'd like to geek out on it. Now, that last link is related to my pet peeve: there is no lack of really bad reporting about religious issues. Shoot, I didn't even believe that this story until I double-checked it and there was a direct quote, even on major US news sources.  That was on a story that most of the press wouldn't want to spread-- it's good news, and positive towards former President Bush. (Hey, if you don't think there's some bias there, you may as well leave-- there's nothing I can say or do to change your mind.)

 This story-- "Pope promotes cleric who called Katrina God’s punishment for sin in New Orleans"-- is right up their ally, though; critical of traditional organized religion, controversial, and it brings up Katrina! Small problem: I can't find a single source that will say they're quoting him when they say that; the closest I can find is the AP quoting a site called Kath.net that claims to have partially quoted a newsletter back in 2005. The only direct quotes I can find directly attributed to the new Bishop are “It’s no coincidence that in New Orleans all five abortion clinics as well as night clubs were destroyed.” and “Is the noticeable rise in natural disasters a consequence of environmental pollution or rather of spiritual pollution?”

 Anyone remember the big to-do with Harry Potter? This, this or this might remind you..... There was bad translation, massive over-assumption and a lot of flat out ignorance and unwillingness to look for more information displayed by reporters-- reporters, of all folks! It's their dang job to get the story right, but sometimes they seem to go all Procrustes on some stories.