This is a way of recognizing that all people are religious, the chief difference being that for some the faith is rooted in God while for others it is rooted in self or science or technology or an ideology. A reporter for a Canadian daily tells about the time he joined a Team Canada tour of southeast Asia. While there he interviewed then Philippine president Corey Acquino. She described how she had spent a night in prayer and reflection before deciding to run. Her reference to divine guidance was the one thing cut out of his story by his editors back home.
Faith groups ought to have a right to be seen or heard as they have defined themselves.
That s the fundamental standard. That is not to say that any group should be above critical examination by the media. But in every case, the starting point ought to be how groups have defined themselves. That will guarantee they are heard fairly. With rules in place in Canada that still make it virtually impossible for single faith radio or television stations to be licensed, one has to search to hear language about God on the air.