Washingtonpost.com goes too far

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 - 4:30 PM CST

Critically examining the faith of Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin has become a favorite pasttime of the secular media, currently slamming her for a more literal-than-comfortable interpretation of the Bible and her Pentecostal background. But a recent political cartoon posted by washingtonpost.com went beyond the realms of thought-provoking journalism to a slanderous attack of Palin, Pentecostalism, Christianity and God.

Posted online on Wednesday, September 9, the political cartoon not only reveals the cartoonist's lack of understanding of Pentecostal beliefs, but of God. According to a Gallup Poll, most Americans believe God is the Creator, but the cartoonist paints Him to be cranky, befuddled, a user of profanity and far from omniscient.

Wood

"The cartoon is despicable," states AG General Superintendent George O. Wood. "Millions of Christians today follow the example of first century Christians who prayed in other tongues. The Washington Post would not think of printing a cartoon that mocked members of the Muslim or Jewish faiths. It should be ashamed. Furthermore, Sarah Palin has to my knowledge never said she prays in other tongues. Since God is multi-lingual, I'm sure He doesn't have problems understanding any prayers - whether they are articulated in a known or unknown language. He looks for prayers that come from the heart."

Deborah Howell, the readers' representative (ombudsman) for washingtonpost.com, stated, "Speaking of overdoing it, a political cartoon by Pat Oliphant that appeared on washingtonpost.com Wednesday prompted complaints from about 350 readers who said he lampooned their faith.

"Readers were right to complain," she added. "I will deal with political cartooning in another column."
In response to questioning, Howell says that Oliphant's cartoons are automatically posted on the washingtonpost.com site, with no one editing/reviewing the material prior to its posting.

Additional information on this political "cartoon" and other helpful links can be found online:
Link to political cartoon
Link to Gallup Poll story
Link to Deborah Howell home page
Deborah Howell e-mail  
Link to letter to the editor