Web editors achieve massive engagement with conservative Christian audience by combining "we love the Bible too" and "check out these hot babes" messaging.
Fox News received acclaim among media analysts this week for their creative solution to a problem that plagues all news websites. The problem? How to shamelessly pander to people of a particular religious persuasion, while also providing content that is considered dangerous, immoral temptation to many in that audience.
Dr. Diana Borden studies the news industry at Farthington College. She commented “it’s really important for a news organization to not just report the news, but hook into people’s inner emotions and moral narratives. That lets them exert maximum psychological influence when they feed people the political views their owners and political pals want them to. Fox News is really cunning at this. Fox makes sure you understand not only what Fox’s political views are, but that Fox’s political views are God's political views “.
"Fox makes sure you understand...that Fox’s political views are God's political views“.
But Dr. Borden pointed out that balance is also needed. “The ‘we love the Bible’ message that Fox pushes so hard with content like ‘Ainsley’s Bible Study’, needed a contrast, and I think Fox recognized that". In the Bible, in the Apostle Paul's letter to Jesus's followers in Colossae, believers are taught to "Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust..." (Colossians 3:5). Borden commented "Their decision to add some really lust-provoking pictures of Kate Upton, Donna D’Errico and Sofia Vergara in skimpy swimwear was a smart move.”
The Fox News website also promotes Christian faith-themed books written by some of their on-screen personalities and published by HarperCollins under the “Fox News Books” brand. “Faith Still Moves Mountains; Miraculous Stories of the Healing Power of Prayer” comes from Fox’s Harris Faulkner.
Host Shannon Bream’s “Women of the Bible” series includes several titles. Exactly which racy photos were posted as a contrast to these wholesome-sounding titles remains a Fox News secret. But Eons News believes the never-ending stream of Sports Illustrated swimsuit model pics a likely candidate.
Seriously Though
If a news outlet is appealing to your religious beliefs, watch out. They may be using you for their own political and/or financial gain. Ask yourself: why is an organization that’s supposed to be telling me the news, telling me about their religious beliefs? Religious beliefs tend to run deep, and if someone can get you to associate your beliefs with their brand and content, you become their servant. If they are also strongly tied to a particular political party, you become a political pawn. Fox have become masters at this kind of manipulation. But it’s all a game.
Fox have become masters at this kind of manipulation. But it’s all a game.
Fox literally has a Bible study program called Ainsley’s Bible Study. They publish Christian faith books under their brand, even including a workbook and a coloring book! They feature all kinds of stories where people are heroes because of their Christian faith, like the guy who was celebrated for memorizing the entire New Testament. They strongly push a narrative where Christians are victims and America is a Christian nation. AND they entice people to "sin".
Between June and October 2022, the Fox News site posted at least 35 "stories" full of titillating pictures luring men to run afoul of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:28: “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
Many of the sexy pictures are found in the Fox website's “Style” section. But let’s be real…most of the people clicking on the headlines full of the words "bikini", "sizzles", "curves", "poses" and "lingerie" are probably not women looking for fashion tips.
Remember that Fox, CNN, and all the other cable news outlets are corporations, whose main goal is to make money. While they do report the news, they also have a lot to gain from getting their tentacles into every part of your life. The more they keep you watching, the higher their ratings, the more they can charge for advertising, and the more money goes into the pockets of a few rich people.
If you’re a Fox viewer, consider the Wall Street Journal instead. Still conservative-leaning, but much more thoughtful, and without the propagandistic religious-political narrative.
Fox News Religious Pandering Links
(just a few because author got sick of looking at them)
Fox News Sexy "Stories" June - October 2022
(1) Colossians 3:5 (NIV) Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
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