Since he became pontiff, the biased secular media have relished using harsh, loaded language like "ruthless" and "medieval" to describe Pope Benedict XVI. Blogger Mark Shea noticed those words appearing 126- and 169,000 times, respectively in a Google search.
But even worse, Shea argues, is how the media betray their utter lack of understanding of religious subjects when reporters start prattling on about how Benedict is "growing" during his papacy (h/t The Anchoress), when in reality they're just now discovering the clarity of what he's preached and taught all along:
Thus fully informed on the mind and life of Benedict XVI, the press is as prepared as a pea shooter against field artillery for what happens whenever Benedict actually, you know, says something. So, for instance, when he released his first encyclical Deus Caritas Est, the bafflement was palpable. The press was filled with speculation about whether the old stick insect was "softening" (Google: "Benedict XVI" softening -- 36,000). This childlike surprise has been a more or less perpetual feature of the MSM, which is constantly astounded to find that their caricature of him is not true and, with truly childlike reasoning, concludes that Benedict must have "grown." This constant habit of discovering the bleedin' obvious about Benedict has led me to formulate Shea's Iron Law of Media-Reported Benedictine Growth which states:
Whenever the MSM declares that Pope Benedict has grown, undergone a dramatic change of course, or gone a long way toward accepting positions he once rejected, this invariably means the reporter or pundit who has discovered Benedictine "growth" has no clue whatsoever what Benedict (and often, the Catholic Faith) teaches and is only now discovering it.
It may be preaching to the choir to note this here, but I'll give that a hearty Amen.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
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Well, what about Bin Laden.
September 18, 2007 - 17:27 ET by Gary HallWell, what about Bin Laden? This same secular media has used harsh and loaded language in describing him, as wanting and misunderstood, 23 and 42 times, respectively. (;~}
Pope Benedict
September 18, 2007 - 17:29 ET by PeterD"...the media betray their utter lack of understanding of religious subjects..."
One of my favorite entertaining aspects of watching the MSM was during the period after the death of Pope John Paul and before the election of Pope Benedict. There was sincere and serious speculation by the usual talking heads about the chances the College of Cardinals might actually elect a pope who was liberal and actually permit abortion.
LOL, Peter. And I
September 18, 2007 - 20:25 ET by motherbeltLOL, Peter. And I especially loved how they would discuss amongst themselves how a new Pope was a "chance" for the Catholic Church to take a "new direction"...of course, away from its stringent rules about women priests and divorce, in addition to abortion. This, at a time when the liberal churches, like the Episcopal Church, with its gay priests are losing membership every week, while the more conservative and strict ones are growing.
But the media are famous for sticking to their own distorted view of things, facts not withstanding.
What do they understand?
September 19, 2007 - 00:28 ET by KC MulvilleWhat they understand
What they don't understand
Dear choir...
September 18, 2007 - 17:29 ET by TruthMonger...the MSM likes repetiton? Groovy - pick you favorite:
2 Timothy 4:3
King James Bible
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
American Standard Version
For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;
Bible in Basic English
For the time will come when they will not take the true teaching; but, moved by their desires, they will get for themselves a great number of teachers for the pleasure of hearing them;
Douay-Rheims Bible
For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears:
Darby Bible Translation
For the time shall be when they will not bear sound teaching; but according to their own lusts will heap up to themselves teachers, having an itching ear;
English Revised Version
For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;
Tyndale New Testament
For the time will come, when they will not suffer wholesome doctrine: but after their own lusts shall they (whose ears itch) get them an heap of teachers,
Weymouth New Testament
For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction, but, wanting to have their ears tickled, they will find a multitude of teachers to satisfy their own fancies;
Webster's Bible Translation
For the time will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts will they multiply to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
World English Bible
For the time will come when they will not listen to the sound doctrine, but, having itching ears, will heap up for themselves teachers after their own lusts;
Young's Literal Translation
for there shall be a season when the sound teaching they will not suffer, but according to their own desires to themselves they shall heap up teachers -- itching in the hearing
Benedict
September 18, 2007 - 22:58 ET by Cool ArrowIt's just the MSM displaying their willingness to fellate macho Islam to show how understanding of their "religion of peace"
OK
September 19, 2007 - 03:07 ET by Cool ArrowSo the pope has some cajones.
May as well use them for something.
~LYDSEXICS UNTIE!~
MSM
September 19, 2007 - 11:08 ET by mustangsallyThe MSM wouldn't be satisfied with the Catholic Church unless the Pope and Cardinals were Maureen Dowd and the NYT Editorial Board. In that case, they would hogtie Benedict XVI over a barbeque pit.