This morning, I drove my son to school. On the way, I listened to a Christian radio station (as is typical on my drive). Shortly after leaving the house, the news came on and began reporting about events. Since I listen to this particular radio station every morning, I already know that the news will be spun conservatively: "Republicans are good. Democrats are bad. Adoption is good. Abortion is bad. Heterosexuals are good. Homosexuals are bad. We all have the right to bear arms."
The news will hit on one of these points at least once in the couples of minutes it airs. Understandably, we're headed into an election year and there's always something happening in politics. But this is a typical broadcast. A year ago, I could say the same thing.
So what is it that bugs me so much about listening to this news cast? I think it's the hard line that conservatives take on the subjects. The idea that Republicans are good, for example, can be proven untrue without much research (and the same can be said of Democrats).
And why do we have to focus on abortion and gay rights all the time? As Christians, we already know where we stand on these issues. Reporting on it all the time just us upsets us. If the gay rights are expanding, conservative Christians get upset. If gay rights are being challenged, liberal Christians get upset. The occasional mention is fine as it prompts action, but can we go a day without bringing it up? Please?
Same with abortion (aka pro-choice and pro-life). Since when is it every Christian's responsibility to worry about abortion? Most of us don't have to deal with the issue and for most of us it's a philosophical argument (as it will never affect us). How will my view on abortion save or condemn me if I never have one or advise anyone on the subject? Just like gay rights, it's okay to mention the subject on occasion because I believe it is important. But daily? Really?
This is a Christian radio station. The listeners are (primarily) Christian. When you're broadcasting the news, broadcast things that Christians need to hear. The occasional political post is good. We need that. Mostly, though, we need a couple of things (1) positive stories and (2) calls to action.
Everyone loves a positive story. It's encouraging when we hear about Christians pulling together to help the community, the Christian athlete that stays faithful, and miracles. I'm not saying Christians need to have their heads in the clouds. In fact, aren't Christians dealing with the same daily issues as everyone else? When you're feeling down, isn't it nice to get a bit of good news?
A call-to-action, really balances out the positive stories. As Christians, we're not on this earth to be entertained. We need to be living the life of Christ and one of the biggest ways we do that is by serving others. Christians want to help and often they just need to know how. Broadcasting this information is very important when we're talking about large needs--a city that gets hit by a natural disaster, the cancer ward that's looking for blankets, or the schools that need backpacks. They will know we are Christians by our love, right? While protesting is a call-to-action, I think it's pretty obvious that serving is a bigger priority and should get the focus it deserves.
I care about how God will be there to help me make it through the day and I care about how God can use me to minister to others. The same could (in my opinion should) be said for Christian radio news--it's a ministry to believers. Minister to us by giving us what we need to make it through our day. By doing that, maybe, just maybe, an unbeliever will listen and hear the message--how God loves us and how we share that love with others.
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