Does the media have a religious agenda?

Has anyone heard about Mel Gibson’s anti-Semitic tirade on July 28 when he was pulled over for speeding and drunk driving?

I thought so.

Yeah, the media has pretty much turned that incident into one of the biggest news stories of recent weeks. By this time, Mr. Gibson is probably praying for Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise to get married so the tabloids can have some new ‘meat’ to tear into.

Of course the story isn’t that Mel Gibson was doing 87 in a 45 mile-an-hour speed zone. Nor that his blood alcohol level was .04 higher than the legal limit. The hype has been all about the Passion Producer’s remarks made towards the Jewish community. In a confirmed police report summary, Gibson reportedly called Deputy James Mee (ironically a Jew, himself) a “mother******,” and then went on to implicate the “f******” Jews as “responsible for all the wars in the world.”

Mel Gibson released a public apology a few days later on August 1st, claiming full responsibility for his actions and stating that “There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark.” He went on to “apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community,” saying that “Every human being is God’s child, and if I wish to honor my God I have to honor his children.” He summed up his apology by confirming “please know from my heart that I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot.”

While saying that Gibson needs to make more restitution outside of simply verbally apologizing, most of the Jewish community has accepted his apology, and Christian leader James Dobson is encouraging people to let “the matter rest.” He added that his ministry “certainly [does] not condone that racially insensitive outburst.” Still, Dobson contended that “Mel has apologized profusely for the incident.”

I find it a little interesting that those which Gibson directly offended—the Jewish community—is going through the process of forgiving him, while the popular media (whom Gibson didn’t slam) is still way over-hyping the incident. ‘Anti-Semitism!’ they cry; then use Gibson’s mistake as a catalyst to empower their personal vendetta against the man who turned The Passion into one of the most incredible business and religious epics in recent history.

I use this story of Mel Gibson to illustrate my point: there is tolerance and sensitivity (demanded) for all religions, but one: Christianity. Even Islam, a religion that openly teaches that the ONLY sure way to achieve salvation is to kill an infidel, is respected in the media more than Christianity is. Look at the Muhammad cartoon controversy of last September, October. Out of respect for Islam and the Muslim world (and in the name of political correctness, of course), the U.S. government released an official statement about the cartoons: “We all fully recognize and respect freedom of the press and expression but it must be coupled with press responsibility. Inciting religious or ethnic hatreds in this manner is not acceptable.”

That was our government’s take on the controversy.

And yet what did our government do about Madonna’s blasphemous crucifixion parody during her US concert tour? Exactly. Nothing. Many of you are already shaking your heads and pointing out the difference: the cartoons were political; Madonna’s concerts are ‘pure’ entertainment. Well, let’s leave the government out of it then. What about the general response. How did the media report on both issues?

Mel Gibson drunkenly slanders Jews. The Media gasps and denounces him as an anti-Semite and tries to squelch his film career.

Madonna (complete with a crown of thorns) ‘crucifies’ herself on a mirrored cross, brazenly comparing herself to Jesus. The media calls it a brilliantly choreographed show and lauds Madonna as one of the greatest female performers of all time.

The point of all this is that acceptance is preached for all religions, and all physical orientations. Gay people aren’t weird, they’re just acting on their normal physical impulses. Muslims may hate us, but we mustn’t reveal the true nature of their religion by making “fun” of the prophet Muhammad.

In fact, in a country originally based on patriotism and Christianity, I find it sadly ironic that those two cornerstones of this great country are no longer upheld as ideals for our citizens. Rather, we criticize our national heritage and our government in one breath, and try to defend the Muslims in another.

Make no mistake, I love all people. I believe God created them all in His own image and He commanded us to love one another. But the constant two-facedness of our own media must be revealed for what it is. How come a story like Mel Gibson’s tirade is blown so vastly out of proportion (even though it was a terrible incident) and yet an anti-Christian spectacle which hundreds of thousands have witnessed goes unchallenged in the mainstream?

Tolerance and respect to all religions is the public mantra; and yet beneath it all Christianity is bashed, criticized and left largely undefended by any in the public media. It is a sad thing when a so-called “Christian” nation is trying to destroy ties to a religion that preaches love and peace, while they kiss up to a religion that orchestrates worldwide terror, violence, and mass murder.