Tuesday, August 7, 2007

"God's Warriors" - according to CNN

August 21-23 at 9 PM ET/PT, CNN will air a three day, six hour special on "God's Warriors" - Jewish, Muslim, and Christian - reported by chief international correspondant Christiane Amanpour.

According to the show's online press release, God's warriors include:
-Protestors who kill for their religious beliefs.
-“Patriot Pastors” who seek to change American culture through the ballot box.
-Zealots who target prime ministers and presidents with assassination for “subverting God’s will.”
-Suicide martyrs who are revered as iconic heroes.
-Parents who reject science education in conflict with their religious principles.

For the third segment of the series, representatives from CNN interviewed influential home school families in Virginia. Among them were several members of Classical Conversations, a national educational service company that trains parents interested in using a Christian, classical model of education.

According to Classical Conversations' founder, Leigh Bortins, "We know parents want to teach
quality academics to their children. We assist parents in this divine task through inspiration and practical equipping."

CNN team members filmed a Classical Conversations "parent practicum" and conducted interviews with eighth grade Program Manager Lisa Bailey and tutor Jennifer Nevarr.

Nevarr calls Classical Conversations, "a vehicle that will allow us to enjoy the blessings of helping our children grow in knowledge, understanding, and wisdom."

Is this the type of organization that should be equated with suicide martyrs and "protesters who kill for their religious beliefs"? Does CNN intend to make this misguided comparison? A CNN press release says people like the Nevarrs, "are fighting battles on a quieter, more personal front." Hopefully the CNN series will reflect this important distinction.

Classical Conversations Program Manager Lisa Bailey says of her interview, "My impression was that the producers and support people were genuinely curious about our ideas and quite open to the logic and thought behind our worldview."

Classical Conversations will be featured in the third segment of the CNN series, airing on Thursday, August 23 at 9 PM. Only then will viewers know how CNN has chosen to handle the topic. In the meantime, share your own questions, thoughts, and musings here. Please keep your comments respectful.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's CNN - yes, it will make CC look like a rabid, right-wing wacko homeschooling group. It would be naive to assume otherwise. Oh well, at least we know the truth, which is all that is eternally important.

Classical Conversations said...

It's definitely a possibility; however, we hope that enough truth will make its way onto the screen that viewers will consider looking for more information. Thanks for the comment.

Barbara Carder said...

I think the CC group that allowed itself to be used -- manipulated -- by CNN should have its head [person] examined. Why on earth let an internationally-televised media use you? It will be watched and mis-translated into various languages world-wide. Wake up, people!!

Tracy said...

I have seen the interview with the reporter of this series and some of the muslim epidode last night. They remind me of a bad essay. Seriously, there is no cohesion, no obvious point with support. They just seem to be surprised that there are so many people who live a principled life for some other reason than themselves. Then they mention that maybe, these jews, muslims, and I guess I'll see tonight if this list includes the christians, should just blend in better for the common good.