The most fickle bunch of all.
written by Julie R. Neidlinger 4 comments link this postRare is the issue of World Magazine where a letter from a reader doesn't call for their subscription to be canceled. I appreciate that World prints as many of those irate letters as they do.
World Magazine is, I should point out, a Christian version of magazines like Newsweek or Time. It runs a lot of good stories and has some fabulous columnists. It also tends to run serious news stories that the larger media outlets either won't touch or refuse to cover in a way that actually covers the story. Inevitably, since they run stories that don't shy from pointing out something negative in the Christian world, they make a few readers irate with each issue.
I have never seen readers calling for a subscription cancellation like I do in that magazine.
"Cancel my subscription, because I didn't like what you wrote," is basically what it always boils down to, no matter what terms or excuses the letter writer attempted to convey.
Is there any group of people more difficult to please than Christians? So easily offended, so worried that they might read something that steps on their toes or that they disagree with. Subscriptions canceled because of a positive review of a movie they didn't like, a Harry Potter book, a CD. Canceled because the Catholic Church was painted in too kind a light or not kind enough. Cancel my subscription, because you stepped on my toes.
A recent issue highlighted the financial abuses and questionable uses ("Big Bucks Ministry") at a number of ministries that are known for purveying the Health/Wealth gospel. Ministers with jets and mansions, calls for funding in "Jesus' name." The letters are still coming in to World Magazine, it seems, asking for cancellations to subscriptions.
I should think the staff at World Magazine has a great amount of faith, knowing that no matter what they write they are going to anger someone and hurt their circulation. I have to hand it to them that, despite knowing this, they don't seem to shy away from religious topics that cut to the heart of any of their readers at any given time. They don't just bash the Clintons or the homosexuals, safe topics that all Christians seem willing to rally behind.
My question, then, is that of the audience: Are all "audiences" as difficult to cater to, cajole, placate, keep in the flock -- whatever phrase you'd like to use -- as a Christian one seems to be?
Labels: christianity, media
Copyright (c) Julie R. Neidlinger 9/04/2007 02:49:00 PM
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4 Comments:
Probably not. Christians are an argumentative bunch because of the nature of the subject -- religion, Christianity -- where a good deal of subjectivity and interpretation is involved. Where there's leeway, there's disagreement.
It would be different, for example, if you gave a speech to the Professional Bowler's Association. There, everyone knows what the rules are.
By 
, at
September 4, 2007 5:45 PM
Is there any group of people more difficult to please than Christians?
My simple answer: "No."
Too many Christians take their freedom and salvation in Christ as a license to be jerks. At least that is what I think. And if you don't like it, cancel my subscription.: )
By Will, at
September 4, 2007 9:34 PM
This post has been removed by the author.
By 
Andrea, at
January 24, 2008 1:52 PM
Phew, trying to figure this new blogger account of mine out, and wanted to edit my original comment I left on this post, BUT, well, I apparantly am not that smart... So, here's the comment I ended up REMOVING... la la la...
(I know you are all dying to read it, HA)...
Hey, I TOTALLY agree with these thoughts, there does not seem to be a more fickle bunch of people!
But, this is nothing new!
When Christ came, the 'religious' of the world were too busy splitting hairs to notice God amongst them.
We usually find what we are looking for, and if we are looking for God's heart on display in the works and words of other believers -- we will find it.
Likewise, if we are looking for ways human nature (or the devil) is at work -- well, we will find it!
When Christ walked the earth, those people who followed and believed in Him were LOOKING for Him. Those who did not believe in Him, nor see Him for what He was, well, they were looking for ways to prove their own beliefs and justify their own take on doctrine and scripture.
And so, I think it's safe to say that we need to be careful of what it is we are searching for, lest we find it. (or more like miss it entirely!)
By Andrea, at
January 24, 2008 3:05 PM
