ISIS' Christian persecution is a perfect Fox vehicle for its trademark fear mongering and Islamophobia as well as a pander to Catholics. Today's Fox & Friends hit the trifecta when Steve Doocy, assisted by Cardinal Dolan, spread a rumor about an anti-Catholic ISIS atrocity scheduled for today - a rumor that isn't substantiated by fact - dare we say a lie?
This morning, Fox & Friends had some propaganda to reinforce (ISIS persecution of Christians). So who better to do a little tag teaming than Fox fave NY Cardinal Timothy Dolan who was there to, ostensibly, preach an inspiring Good Friday message.
The segment began with video of the Mormon missionary who survived the Brussels terrorist attack. Dolan reflected on how the young man's profession of faith should be an inspiration to us, on Good Friday, as it reflects the suffering of Jesus on the cross. More religious discussion ensued. So far, so predictable - but then Doocy zeroed in for the BIG, SCARY, PROPAGANDA MOMENT.
Doocy informed us that "there's a story out today that, on this Good Friday, ISIS may actually crucify a Catholic priest." Dolan: "So I hear, so I hear." After Dolan told "the story" of the priest, he validated Doocy: "You're right Steve, and now I hear that they have publicly said that they're going to crucify him on Good Friday." Propaganda reinforcement from Doocy: "It just shows you what ISIS is doing regarding Christianity." (They are killing more Muslims but who cares about that!)
Dolan again validated Doocy: "it shows you what ISIS is doing. There are those who would like to say ah, it's not anti-Christian, it's not a genocide, it's not a persecution. These people know what Christianity is about. They know it's Good Friday, they know about the Cross, they know about Jesus, and they want to attack that. Good Friday goes on." (Yowza, score a bonus point for Fox's popular "war on Christians" meme.)
Devout Christian Tucker Carlson provided more validation with his comment that "there's a religious component" to the conflict in Yemen. Dolan: "It's gotta be." Ainsley Earhardt told us that she's been praying, all day, for the priest. Dolan then spoke about caring for the refugees which afforded Doocy the opportunity to talk about the scary Syrian refugees. Dolan, ever the right wing suck-up, spoke of the need to secure our borders and assured us that those who with "concerns" are not bad Christians.
FACT CHECK: The story about the priest, captured in Yemen, was "out" several days ago and provided fodder for the tabloids. Four days ago, according to "Catholic Philly" church officials have dismissed this story as "rumors" that have been spread on social media. Despite Doocy's and Dolan's claim that ISIS is responsible for the priest's capture, a spokesperson for the priest's order says that “But even today, we do not know who has taken him and what their motives are because no one has claimed responsibility.” (So, all this talk about ISIS isn't founded on fact but it suits the propaganda message so it's all good?)
Who cares about the Marxist Pope's message of tolerance when there's some sweet Fox fear mongering to be savored? And what's better for spreading fear than some unfounded rumors - especially on what's supposed to be a Christian high holiday. Praise Jesus and Fox News?
“I believe but I don’t want to belong” — I can understand not wanting to be part of a group where its leaders covered up, blamed the victims and enabled child molesters to prey upon young victims while paying lip service to their “beliefs.”