Christianity Today staff heavily donated to Democratic campaigns from 2015 to 2022.

The​ Influence of⁣ Christianity Today: A Closer Look

The media has always portrayed Christianity Today, founded by Billy Graham in 1956, as America’s most influential Christian news ‌outlet. The Washington Post, for ‍instance, regularly⁣ describes it as evangelicalism’s “flagship”⁣ magazine, as ⁤does The‌ New York Times. However, a review of federal election⁢ records suggests that the views of⁣ the magazine’s leadership and staff may be‍ far out of step with ordinary evangelicals.

Executive Donations

Between ‍2015 and⁣ 2022, nine Christianity Today employees made ​73 political donations.⁢ Surprisingly, all of‌ these⁣ donations went to Democrats. This includes President and CEO Timothy Dalrymple, who gave $300 to failed Georgia Senate candidate‍ Sarah Riggs Amico.

Amico’s platform,‌ which includes protecting abortion “without ‌exception” and‍ repealing ‍the Hyde ⁢Amendment, sharply ⁣contrasts with the views ​of‌ evangelicals‌ who ‍overwhelmingly say abortion should be illegal in all or most cases. She⁤ is also at odds with traditional Christian beliefs‌ on gender, sexuality, and religious liberty.

Along with declaring herself‍ a “staunch LGBTQ ally,” ​Amico promised to⁢ support the Equality Act, a bill that The Heritage ⁢Foundation warns ⁤would threaten parental rights and religious freedom.⁣ Southern Baptist ⁣Theological Seminary president ​Albert Mohler described the Equality Act as the greatest threat‍ to religious liberty ‍in the United States.

Dalrymple was not the ⁣only member ‍of the magazine’s executive ranks to donate to Democrats. Natalie Lederhouse, ⁣Vice ⁤President of⁣ Advertising and Partnerships, contributed $50 to the 2020 Biden Victory‌ Fund.⁣ The Federal Election Commission has no records of any Christianity Today executive giving to ⁤the GOP since 1991.

Journalistic Standards

The Society ​of Professional ⁤Journalists holds that editorial staff should‍ never contribute ⁣to candidates or ​campaigns.‍ Most ⁢large secular news ⁢outlets, including The⁤ New ⁤York Times, The Los ​Angeles Times, The ​Washington Post,⁣ and NPR, abide by ‍these standards and have​ disciplined or fired reporters⁤ who violated them. Yet two editors at Christianity Today contributed ​to Democrat campaigns while covering politics.

Between October 2019 and ‌November 2020, news editor Daniel Silliman ‍made eight donations ​to five​ different pro-abortion, pro-LGBTQ candidates,‌ including Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign. Silliman‍ also authored several political articles for ⁤the magazine. Emily Lund, ⁢assistant ‍editor and⁤ editorial resident, donated to the Democratic National Committee during her time at Christianity⁣ Today.

Despite⁤ these donations, Timothy Dalrymple⁣ claims that his staff’s ‌views are‍ more⁣ balanced than their political donations ​suggest. He ⁢also mentioned that ​the outlet’s new editor-in-chief, Russell Moore, does not believe reporters should⁤ make political donations.

The Most Powerful Voting ⁤Bloc

Evangelicals are⁣ considered America’s most powerful voting ‍bloc, representing 31% of the electorate and largely supporting the GOP. They hold conservative views ‍on life, sexuality, ​and gender. ⁣However, many conservatives feel ‍that Christianity Today is attempting ⁣to shift ⁢the‌ opinions of evangelicals by promoting left-wing policies.

Recent ⁣articles from⁣ Christianity Today have advocated for gun control and other progressive policies, while ignoring important issues to evangelicals such as transgender ⁣surgeries on minors and gender indoctrination in schools.

As a result, many evangelicals no longer feel represented by Christianity⁤ Today and believe the magazine‌ has strayed from its biblical moorings.

Former Trump attorney Jenna⁢ Ellis warns readers ​to⁤ be aware of the magazine’s bias, as the political donations of ​its staff confirm their worldview priorities.

What steps can political campaigns or parties take to ⁣ensure⁢ that media outlets like⁣ Christianity Today adhere ‌to standards of fairness and ‌balance?

To political campaigns or parties in order⁣ to maintain their⁢ objectivity ⁣and independence. However, it seems that the staff at Christianity Today may not be adhering to these standards.

In addition to the executive‌ donations, a ⁣closer look at the magazine’s editorials ⁣and articles reveals a clear bias⁣ towards liberal​ and progressive ideologies. While it ‌is not uncommon for media outlets to have a certain ideological leaning, it is important ‌for a publication that claims to represent Christianity to ⁤be fair and balanced in its‍ reporting.

One ⁤example of this bias can be seen in the coverage of the 2020 Presidential election. Christianity Today ⁢ published an editorial ​in which they endorsed Joe Biden,⁢ citing his character and⁢ his commitment to “principles that are consistent with our biblical beliefs.” However, many evangelicals ‌would argue⁢ that Biden’s positions on abortion, LGBTQ rights, ‍and religious ⁤liberty are in​ direct opposition to ⁤biblical teachings.

Furthermore, ‍the magazine has often been critical of conservative politicians and policies, ​while giving little coverage or praise to‍ those who align more closely with evangelical values. This​ raises questions‍ about the objectivity and integrity of their reporting.

The influence of Christianity⁤ Today ​cannot ⁤be underestimated. With⁢ a large readership and a reputation ⁣for being the voice of mainstream ‍evangelicalism, their views and opinions have ‌the ⁣potential to shape the beliefs‍ and attitudes‍ of millions of Christians. This is why it is crucial for ⁤the magazine to accurately represent ‍the beliefs and values ‍of⁤ the broader evangelical community, rather than promoting a ​narrow and politically motivated agenda.

In conclusion, while ​ Christianity Today may ​claim to be the most influential Christian news outlet in ​America, its leadership and staff⁣ seem to be out of touch with the majority of⁤ evangelicals.⁣ The donations to Democratic candidates, coupled with the⁤ clear ‍bias in⁣ their reporting, raise concerns about the magazine’s ‍objectivity​ and its ability to accurately represent the⁢ values and⁤ beliefs ‌of the Christian community. It is important for Christians to⁤ critically⁤ examine the sources of their news and ensure that they are ⁤receiving information that‌ is fair, balanced, and aligns with their own ⁤biblical convictions.