As America's Christian newsroom, Fox News seems to be on a mission from God (and Roger Ailes) to spread a Christian message that includes divine intercession in the lives of those who pray to angels and "the lord." And, according to Steve Doocy, if you're really special, Fox's main man (along with Roger Ailes) Jesus, will pay you a visit and, ready for it, cure you of cancer. Yesterday, Steve Doocy credulously reported on the story of a young boy who believes that angels helped him through his treatment for cancer which was then cured by Jesus. So in addition to tackling the political topics of the day, Fox News brings news of miracle cures. Something for everyone.
As the chyron read "Help From Heaven, Boy Credits Angels for Cancer Survival" Doocy told the tale of a boy who was diagnosed, at an early age, with stage four cancer. But now he is cancer free because, the boy believes, of angels who watched over him. Doocy played video of the boy and his mother being interviewed by Fox's very own Catholic "Knight of Malta," Peter Johnson, Jr. The boy's mother spoke of how her son was able to see the angels who encouraged him during his treatments. The chyron: "Angels Help Sick Toddler Beat Cancer."
Johnson wanted to know what the boy thought of "having angels on your shoulder bringing you through such a difficult thing..." The boy said that it helped him "a lot." Johnson wanted to know if he still prays to angels. When the child said that he doesn't pray to angels, Johnson said, "you pray to the lord and we pray with you." After Johnson said that the boy is "inspirational," Doocy said, "yes indeed" and added that the boy's mother said that Jesus visited him one night and he healed him. Doocy added, "It's amazing."
Obviously, a child who beat cancer shouldn't be mocked. But what is troublesome, IMHO, is that this piece was an attempt to convince an audience that subscribing to a Christian belief system can work miracles, which, as we know, doesn't always work. For a parent who has lost a child to cancer, this piece contains little solace. In pushing a "miracle," it's not that different from Christian televangelists who tout miracle cures in exchange for some shekels for pastor. For some, it's an inspirational story; but it still, I think, involves the exploitation of a child for the sake of proselytizing Fox's Christian world view. While this type of thing is perfectly appropriate for a Christian television show, is it really appropriate for a supposed "fair & balanced" news network?
What do you think?
Every time Fox News reports a demon gets its horns.
All they need now is that psychic, a story about some washed-up celebrity who has gained two hundred pounds and is living in a crumbling mansion, then throw in an alien abduction and voila! Faux Noose, the National Inquirer and Friends.
@doors17: i think a right wing psychic would be hilarious.