Religion In The News

Ruiz 1 Marisa Ruiz October 4, 2008 Religion 150 Religious Story in the News Report The Audacity of Claiming the Last Word on This Word The New York Times lists as a moderate news source, but accused of being both liberal and moderate in its reporting and editorial content. With respect to Peter Steinfels’ article, “The Audacity of Claiming the Last Word on This Word,” I found that his reports only agenda is to clarify terminology used in journalism. Although it makes mention of other news sources, it has taken responsibility for being guilty of doing this exact thing. In his article, featured in the Beliefs section of September 13, 2008 edition of The New York Times, Steinfels evaluates the media’s usage of the term “orthodoxy” when referring to or reporting on religious issues. Routinely, the media uses this ambiguous term interchangeably without realizing its connotations. The author explains the difference between the uppercase” Orthodox” and the lowercase “orthodox,” which are often mistakenly confused with each other. The first referring to labeling a faction within a religions group that has its disagreements, but does not cause heated arguments. The latter being more controversial that it refers to the ideological issue, “What constitutes correct a true teaching within a particular tradition.” Steinfels concludes that when it comes to reporting on religions issues, simple rewording by journalist can charge the meaning a tone of a stay from a subjective point of view to straightforward reporting from an objective standpoint, therefore, leaving religious leaders to contend with the meaning of “orthodoxy.” I found a very interesting relationship between religion and a person’s self-perception. In my opinion, aside from politics, religion has more controversies surrounding it than any other

Ruiz 2 topic. Therefore, it is indefinable. I hold the strong belief that religion helps us understand our experiences, deal with our own feelings, and assess the world around us. No matter the faith one is or the belief one has, it is a foundation that keeps as grounded,giving us faith and hope to live by. I personally identify religion as a set of strongly held values and beliefs that plays a vital role in our lives. Moreover, it plays a big part in how we view ourselves. Whether a faith, a faction, or an individual is liberal or conservative in their religious views, I think it does not make either one of them more orless orthodox. After all, who is the authority on whom or what is orthodox? If this “term” is at the heart of any particular religion’s issue, this can cause the entire group and factions within to quarrel and criticize each other. The ambiguity and contradictions of what we learn can be downright frustrating, resulting in questioning their purpose, faith, as well as each other. To the degree that this controversy affects an individual is uncertain, but I can only speculate from personal experience that feelings of doubt can cause indifference in someone’s faith. Moreover, as a person internalizes these conflicts, it can easily make a person susceptible to self-doubt. This may breed cynicism towards faith that is at the very core of our belief and trust system and that of our society. As I reflect back, I believe that this had some affected on my life as a young girl to the point of me finding interest in the Buddhist faith as an adult. I believe faith conveys a message of peace, happiness, hope, and love. I think religion should notbe used to instill fear in anyone. There should be respect and harmony within it is their religious community. For example, I grew up a Roman Catholic; I was baptized, participated in Eucharist, and Holy Communion. As with many Catholic Churches, the crucifixion is displayed in the church. I always hated looking at the crucifix. It made me very sad and scared. My mother, a Roman Catholic grew up in a convent run by nuns in Madrid. In our church, we had the biggest and

Ruiz 3 most life like crucifixion of Jesus on the wall behind the altar. I fought tooth and nail with my mother so that I did not have to go into the church. When my aunt came from Spain to visit, she lectured me on how true believers of our faith could face Christ on the crucifixion with humilities and acknowledge that he suffered and died for our sins. As an impressionable eight year old, I was in total turmoil. I thought that Jesus would not love me because I would not look at him dying on the cross. Moreover, I have seen some intense arguments that stem from this very issue between my mother and my aunt as to what is correct within Catholic and who is more “orthodox” than the other. There is a correlation between religion and self-perception. Faith and religion seemed to help people cope with everyday life. Therefore, judgment as to who is more orthodox can have a negative effecton a person and cause further problems within their faith. Whether or not one lives by strict doctrine or not should not be up to any ones judgment. Even within a particular religion, people interpret and live by doctrine accordingly. Whether therapeutic, self-awareness, or salvation among many reasons, a person has their own personal goals and reasons why and what they seekto achieve through their faith. To the question and judge others who is or who is not orthodox and those who make claims to know what is for what is not orthodox creates ambivalence and indifference among those seeking something spiritual. Steinfels, Peter. “The Audacity of Claiming the Last Word on This Word.” The New York Times 13 Sept. 2008, Beliefs 13.