Christiane Amanpour Reports - CNN Airs Controversial "Gods Warriors"
By Michael Bresciani (08/26/07)
The three part series on Christianity, Islam and Judaism is an enormous
six hour long undertaking presented by veteran reporter Christiane
Amanpour who is known to millions of Americans for her stellar reporting
during the early days of the Iraq war.
CNN’s choice of Christiane Amanpour to present these controversial issues
was a wise choice because of her experience and her obvious ability to ask
meaningful questions with skill and excellent timing.
A critique of all three segments would be impossible in a few paragraphs
and even here only a cursory examination is possible. Looking only at the
“Christian Warriors” segment has already raised endless controversy and
discussion. Casting a critical eye on Christiane’s reporting and research
would be a waste of time. She has a method and a thoroughness that is hard
to question, only the nature and content of the report can come under any
serious scrutiny.
Because an article is not an epic, necessity demands examination of only
three main but significant points.
Starting with the interviews and comments about Rev. Jerry Falwell it is
plain to see that he was afforded a title and a legendary status that he
may not really have earned nor wanted. He was often referred to as the
father of the conservative Christian right.
Few have contributed more than Rev. Falwell to the movement to restore
faith in America. Yet even he would warn that it was not him but the
founding fathers that connected America’s politics to Biblical principles
in the forming of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Almost no attention was paid to the Christian principles America was
founded on and that left the report in doubt at best. Falwell addressed
the downward slide America has been on from the mid sixties to now through
the founding of the “Moral Majority” and in the creation of “Regents
University.” Conspicuously missing was any allusion to the fact that
Americas very roots and foundation came from biblical beliefs and
practices. At best Rev. Falwell only reminded us from whence we came.
The report went on to reveal the divisions among believers about social
issues and matters like global warming. A great deal of attention was
given to the Rev. Richard Cizik who has formed a movement of Christians
who ascribe to his “creation care” theology. Cizik quotes bible passages
about God’s commands to be good stewards of the earth’s resources and
natural wonders. He urges believers to jump onboard the “green train” and
says that the bible is all about saving the earth. He has gotten his share
of flak from his own National Association of Evangelicals and other
Christian notables such as Dr. James Dobson.
It seems that Rev. Cizik’s theology is tainted not by his lack of general
bible knowledge but by his lack of eschatological understanding
specifically. That Christ returns to earth is well known to all believers
and regardless of when, one thing is certain, he does not return to a
planet that man has completely destroyed. It is the souls of men that go
on forever not the earth according to Christ and his apostles. (Luke
21:33) (2 Peter 3:10)
A cross section of ministers with opposing views about Christian
involvement in politics is offered in the report. In the end it casts more
doubt on the subject than a reasonably stable mind can endure. From
Falwell to Rev Greg Boyd of the Woodland Hills Church in Minnesota the
questions are craftily juxtaposed by Christiane but never quite answered.
She says that the message of ministers like Boyd is that there can’t be a
Christian nation any more than there can be a Christian bicycle.
Neither she nor they seem to have noticed that Christianity’s call to the
statesmen and politicians in this nation is to their character not their
politics. If they all were guided by the bible and the Holy Spirit the
nation would not now be in its death throws and issues like abortion and
same sex marriages would be non existent. As to whether Christians should
or should not be involved in politics the simple admonishment of Christ in
Mark 12:17 says it all, “And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to
Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
And they marvelled at him.”
The last segment of the “Christian Warriors” piece deals heavily with Ron
Luce and his “battle cry” rallies sponsored by the ministries of “Teen
Mania.” The movement is based on the idea that our society is over
secularized with among other things a “toxic pop culture.” Luce and other
leaders say that TV, Hollywood, gamers, the internet and media in general
have become “virtue terrorists.”
Those alarmed by the downward trends of youth culture have long been
crying out for answers. Ron Luce and the teens that get his message are
saying they have the answer. It would be impossible even for a novice
student of the bible to say they are wrong.
The real question is what are the alternatives? Media did not ask America
if it could invade the home and pollute our children’s hearts and minds.
They are the first to use phrases like “don’t shove your faith down our
throats.” The battle cry movement is reversing this phrase with “don’t
shove your pop culture down our throats.” Who would not give these kids
kudos for their powerful stand? They should be credited for being the
first to come to their senses while educators, politicians, law
enforcement and civic leaders are bogged down in debate and helplessness.
Rev Bresciani
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