IFI Media Watch: Springfield Nativity Scene
 | A Nativity Scene was unveiled in the East Hall of the State Capitol Building Tuesday.
Click HERE to watch a short video segment from the State Journal Register. |
How the Mainstream Media Covered the Historic Event
During the last year, I had the pleasure to take part in something that comes along once in a lifetime. I chaired the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee which led a successful effort that now has a Nativity Scene standing in the state Capitol Building of Illinois.
In actuality, I had probably the easiest job of all. Coordinating the efforts of committed people is a pleasure. And to say members of the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee and friends of the project went above and beyond the calling to make the entire project a success would be an understatement.
Perhaps the greatest trepidation I had going into this endeavor was trying to anticipate how the media would react to an attempt which would place an artist's rendering of Christ's birth in the Capitol Rotunda. Would the press be hostile to our efforts? How would I respond to the hostility, if it came? I had questions about my ability to deal with what could have been an emotional situation. But we pressed forward, putting our faith in the Lord's guidance and He did not let us down.
Frequently, conservatives are very critical of the dominant media. These feelings are usually well-founded due to what some see as straightforward hostility directed at people of faith from the mainstream press. But I was in for a pleasant surprise concerning the coverage of the Springfield Nativity Scene story.
To begin, a manger scene located in the capitol of what is said to be one of the most Democratic states in the nation is quite a story and, quite frankly, I probably wasn't prepared for the onslaught of media coverage -- both from the secular and religious press. Of course, this attention was welcomed because of the reasons the Nativity Scene project was undertaken in the first place. Our primary goal was to honor the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ. It was not meant to proselytize or put down other religions. As Kathy Gilroy, a member of the combined choirs from St. Alexander's Catholic Church, told a liberal radio host from central Illinois, "it is a celebration, something to make people feel good for a state and federal holiday -- which Christmas is." Gilroy sang and played clarinet with the choir which traveled from Villa Park to participate in the Nativity Scene's unveiling.
Gilroy had the perfect answer to the question I was asked the most: Why were we doing this? And the St. Alexander choir member hit the nail right on the head with her answer.
Also, the Nativity Scene in the state Capitol Building is meant to educate. Many Americans have been led to believe such displays are unconstitutional. In fact, if I were a betting man, I would wager most Americans now believe the words "separation of church and state" are actually in the U.S. Constitution. The fact is, they are not. And the phrase has been taken out of context, unfortunately with the help of the media for so long, the public, including officials from towns and municipalities, are hesitant to allow such religious displays fearing law suits. Though secondary, this is a very important reason why the Springfield Nativity Scene is standing in the state Capitol today. If citizens desire to put up a similar exhibit in their home town or city, they have the Constitutional right to do so -- as long as their efforts are supported by private funds. In addition, the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee and the Chicago-based Thomas More Society will offer assistance to any private citizen or group who wishes to do so.
After addressing the "why's" regarding the project, for the most part, the dominant secular media approached our efforts with a positive attitude. In fact, I was taken aback during interviews when I was asked personal questions about my faith and why I felt the display would be uplifting to others. Oh sure. I could sense an underlying current within some of the queries. A small number of those in the media were looking for controversy, i.e., would we be intolerant; would we make a gaffe that would provide them with a juicy headline as to why we were there and what we were doing? But during what can only be described as a media frenzy on unveiling day, I came to the realization there was a greater power guiding those who were connected with the project. There was a sense of calm and assuredness that I felt, not only within myself, but I could see this serenity had influenced all who were there. God was present in the state Capitol on December 2nd and His presence was obvious.
Now, we must remember reporters are reporters. They have a job to do and a product to sell. There were the obligatory questions concerning whether I felt we could be offending others. Indeed, some journalists went out of their way to seemingly poke their finger in the eyes of organizations, including the ACLU, but even this strategy backfired when this far left group itself apparently gave its seal of approval to the Springfield state Capitol Nativity Scene. Even noted atheist Rob Sherman called me months ago, saying he supported what we were doing.
Certainly I'm not aware of all the talk shows which discussed the Springfield Nativity Scene and that's probably a good thing. We live in America and, as I told reporters many times when asked about those who might oppose this expression of faith in the public square, dissent is a very important component of our Constitutional rights, as long as people express their views peacefully, I respect their right to do so.
I'm sure there might be some who will be disappointed with the fact I didn't have scathing criticism for the mainstream media. Perhaps an answer to the fair coverage we received stems from the fact the event took place in central Illinois. From my knowledge, both major Chicago newspapers, the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times did not devote one column inch to the event. I wanted to make sure, so a thorough review of each newspaper's search engine was done and it provided "no results" regarding a Nativity Scene which, quite possibly, stands in the state's capitol for the first time in history.
In contrast, the manger exhibit was covered by every major news publication in central Illinois, between page one and five with an accompanying Associated Press photograph. The Nativity Scene was also either the first, second or third story on central Illinois network television news, including ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX. I would understand an argument which stood on the premise the Nativity Scene was strictly a central and southern Illinois story. But the last I heard, Springfield was still the state capitol for Illinois in its entirety and that includes Chicago and everything north of I-80.
Some might also say the news blackout by the Tribune and Sun-Times is par for the course as far as these two bastions of journalistic liberalism are concerned. The modus operandi being akin to the old adage which ponders; if a tree falls in the forest and there is no human there to hear it, did it make a sound? Perhaps by ignoring the Springfield Nativity Scene the newspaper hopes the display will disappear. Thankfully, WBBM Radio reported on the unveiling, along with a number of other Chicagoland area news outlets.
I would say shame on the Tribune and Sun-Times, but with an ever-growing deficit sheet possibly they are being punished enough. Possibly?
There is one thing that's absolutely sure. The Illinois Family Institute devoted a great deal of attention and supported the historic project and for that many of us will be eternally grateful.
All in all, I would say the secular media did a nice job in its coverage of what the Springfield Nativity Scene Committee hopes will become an annual event in the state Capitol. I think honoring the birth of Christ is worth it, don't you?
Merry Christmas!
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