Listen. The Theocracy encroaches:

CNN hires ‘faith and values’ correspondent
You don’t hear that job title very often. Here’s the CNN press release…

PRESS RELEASE — Delia Gallagher, a long-time Vatican analyst for CNN and a leading journalist on religious issues, will join CNN full time as its faith and values correspondent, it was announced today by Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S

I first saw this faith and values correspondent about a week ago, as she was teamed up with the medical correspondent to report on the treatment survivors of Hurricane Katrina were receiving. The medical correspondent talked about the supplies needed, the exhausted doctors, and the toxic soup in the city. And Delia … smiled and said how nice the pastors were being to people, and how the survivors were bucking up.

Useless.

I have no problem with news reporting changes in culture and religion. A religion correspondent covering the decisions and politics of the major religions is a valid position.

But FAITH and VALUES? What faith? What values? Obviously they mean CHRISTIAN. Hell, call her that then; the Christian correspondent.

But don’t give what she reports equal weight as the medical news.

I am so bothered by this, I am actually complaining to CNN. Here is the I sent through this feedback page, and I encourage you all to do the same:

Recently I watched a segment on CNN where two reporters spoke about the treatment of Katrina survivors staying at the Astrodome. One reporter was a Medical Correspondent, covering the exhausted doctors, the need for supplies, and the risks of disease. The other was Delia Gallagher, faith and values correspondent. She reported altogether inane material about pastors being supportive.

This upsets me for two reasons. First off, it is bad journalism to give equal weight to the “faith and values” angle as to the health situation of survivors. Faith is another word for superstition; you ultimately believe something exists simply because you believe. A “superstitions” correspondent sounds more ridiculous, but it is no different then what you have here.

Secondly, and more importantly, I question the need for a faith and values correspondent. Whose faith? And whose values? Clearly you mean Chrisitan, but that doesn’t cover the beliefs that many other people hold, or the non-religious beliefs other people hold. The growing influence of the religious right should be covered, I agree. But in terms of hard facts and consequences, not simply because enough people believe in it!

I don’t suggest eliminating Ms. Gallagher’s position, but really believe it should be renamed. Religious correspondent and Christian correspondent is more appropriate.

Thank you.