This morning, while watching a news report on the death of President George H.W. Bush, I was appalled when the anchor concluded her remarks with the statement that the former President is now in heaven with Barbara (his late wife) and their daughter, who died at the age of three.
Just as there must be a separation of Church and State in the Government, there must also be a separation of faith and fact in the news media. While it is certainly acceptable for news organizations to report on the activities of and crimes within religious groups, they should not take sides when it comes to mysticism. Their job is to investigate information and to report truth, not to express personal beliefs that may have no basis in fact.
Mysticism corrupts human society, injecting intolerance, placing limits on scientific research and raising doubts about science-based data. While religious faith is a personal right, it should not be preached from the newsroom.
Just as there must be a separation of Church and State in the Government, there must also be a separation of faith and fact in the news media. While it is certainly acceptable for news organizations to report on the activities of and crimes within religious groups, they should not take sides when it comes to mysticism. Their job is to investigate information and to report truth, not to express personal beliefs that may have no basis in fact.
Mysticism corrupts human society, injecting intolerance, placing limits on scientific research and raising doubts about science-based data. While religious faith is a personal right, it should not be preached from the newsroom.
