The propaganda at Fox News is pretty slick in that it can be very overt or, when necessary, cleverly couched in a pretty party package in such as way that the audience doesn't even realize the not so subliminal message. Yesterday, during Fr. Jonathan Morris' weekly homily piece, we were treated to this slight of hand during a discussion of how, as Fox expresses it, atheists are waging "an unholy war" on Easter. During this past week, Fox has devoted a number of segments to attacking nasty atheists at the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a First Amendment advocacy group that rates high on Fox's "anathema" list. On yesterday's Fox & Friends, the pals began their Easter piece by reminding the viewers, once again, of the atheist transgressions. But by the end of the piece, all was sweetness and light because the Fox & Friends Christians, in using the Christian lessons of the Crucifixion and Resurrection, were willing to forgive the atheists so it's all good.
Clayton Morris reported on the backstory of, in Chicago's Daley Plaza, how the Christians have had, for eight years, a Jesus Easter display. Ainsley Earhardt jumped in with "and then atheists came in and put this panel on the left and instead of 'in God we trust,' it says "in reason we trust." Nobody mentioned that the aforementioned quote was on a banner with Thomas Jefferson's quote "question with boldness, the existence of a god" under Jefferson's portrait and there was another banner with quotes from John Adams. Earhardt mentioned that atheist sign in the Wisconsin state house which is a big f'ing deal for Fox News. Nobody mentioned that the Wisconsin sign was to counter the anti-choice Easter display set up by the right wing Concerned Women for America. She cited how the nasty atheists are "going after" a "voluntary" bible studies program for the Clemson U. football team. Nobody mentioned that the complaint cites what appears to be active Christian proselytizing on the part of the football team "chaplain," a paid employee of the school. The chyron: "Exercising Religious Liberty in the Unholy War on Easter."
A frustrated Earhardt tossed to a frustrated Fr. Jonathan Morris for words of conservative Christian wisdom. Morris preached about the importance of Easter for Christians and "how we see faith under attack or see people standing up using their free speech to say Jesus is a myth, we know historically that's not true; but we say that's OK, we wouldn't do that, I wouldn't take out a poster against atheists, but they have a right to do it but we believe it [the Resurrection] is true..." He said that although he isn't "fired up" about it, "it's good we bring light to it..." Christian propaganda pusher Earhardt interjected "the timing is suspect, why don't they do it in two more months." Morris responded, "it's publicity." (ROFLMAO - Fox News is giving them just that!!!!!)
Minister Kelly Wright (officiated at Megyn Kelly's second wedding) spoke about how Easter is all about love and forgiveness while the chyron stated, as Fox Fact: "Targeting Christianity, Silencing Religion in Easter Exhibit." (Uh, nobody is "silencing" anybody. Both groups have their exhibits - per the First Amendment) Fr. Morris preached about how Jesus died for our sins and how we should thank him for that by - ready for it - "thinking about those who have less than us." (LOL, you mean "the takers?") Earhardt reflected that this "is a good message, not being mad at the atheist group but to lay down our lives for them and love them." Wright: "Never forget the forgiveness factor."
Okkkaaaay....so now we can expect a cease fire in Fox News' war on atheists? Put it this way, I'm not holding my breath!
How about Fr Morris take a page from the Bible and “inspect the beam in his own eye before cleaning the speck from someone else’s?”