The BBC’s otherwise invaluable digest on Religion and Ethics has been accused of having an “evident cultural cringe,” when it came to explaining Islam. The site’s page on Islam, charged a former executive, reads like it was written by a devout Muslim, stating as fact that Mohammed met with an angel: a stark contrast from the materials available on Christianity, which incorporate historical doubt and references to the difference between what Christians themselves believe and that which can be objectively proven. Especially coming from such an esteemed resource, this points to an interesting dilemma for religion reporters: when in doubt, how much can you rely on experts, who, after all, come with their own sets of beliefs and predispositions?
Culture Cringe
08 February 2006