It's raining on the hajj

Just another play by play story of the annual Islamic pilgrimage.  The MSM has done a good job covering this, and I've learned a little more than I already knew.  It didn't fall into 'what kind of beer or shoes would be best for this time of year' coverage.  It didn't try to set up a market for aiding Madison Avenue.  It didn't focus on the controversies, the inner-Muslim violence, the terrorism, the divisions and discord within Islam.  It allowed the readers to remember that of the 1.5 billion Muslims in the world, most are just folks who are going through an important part of their rich religious tradition.

Now, in a little while, let's see how the MSM does with Advent, Christmastide, Epiphany and all the other sacred and holy celebrations that over 2 billion Christians will observe.  Let's see if they can separate it from our country's annual orgy of consumerism and commercialism.  Let's watch and see if they can actually let Christians speak for themselves about why it is meaningful without endless stories about debates and divisions, controversies and scandals, and the annual 'Jesus was all a Myth' special issues.  Let's compare.  I would like to think the coverage of both will be the same.  I'm not holding my breath, but I would like to think it.