Saturday, July 28, 2012

Margaret Wente’s sins


Not ‘original’ sins, mind you (Wente is rarely original).  In fact it is possible that her error today about Episcopalians, whom she describes as “the American equivalent of the United Church”, reflects the New York Times article which perhaps inspired her own version.  Ross Douhat’s earlier OpEd on the collapse of the liberal church (“Can Liberal Christianity Be Saved?”) cites the same figures for Episcopalians.

Episcopalians are, of course the American version of Anglicans.  But what the heck – for Margaret’s purposes - a drive-by smear of the United Church - they'll do just as well.

Borrowing from the Times isn’t new for Wente, and errors related to sloppy attribution practices are common.   Best known was "John", but there are more examples here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.  And another just recently


Update, Error #2:  Wente writes that Mormonism “requires obligatory missionary service”.  “Missions are voluntary”, says its website.


Update #2:  While it took them a day or two (or three) an Editor's Note was finally appended to the online version of Wente's article: 


The Episcopalian Church in the United States is equivalent to the Anglican Church of Canada and not the United Church. Mormons are strongly encouraged, but not required to do mission work. An earlier online version of this story, and Saturday's original newspaper version, were not clear.


 In addition, it's worth noting the gracious 
 from Mardi Tindal of the United Church.   




7 comments:

  1. safer cosmetics
    A decent blog dependably thinks of new and energizing data and keeping in mind that understanding I have feel that this blog is truly have each one of those quality that qualify a blog to be an one.I needed to leave a little remark to help you and wish you a decent continuation. Wishing you the good luck for all your blogging endeavors.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Accountants Hove
    After I read and endeavor to comprehend this article lastly amazingwe are for the most part appreciative for the presence of this article can include significantly more knowledge for every one of us. much obliged to you

    ReplyDelete
  3. Magnificent design and great utilization of fluctuated media.


    samsung galaxy cases

    ReplyDelete
  4. After I read and endeavor to comprehend this article lastly amazingwe are for the most part appreciative for the presence of this article can include considerably more knowledge for every one of us. much obliged to you.


    Accountants Brighton

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've been surfing on the web over 3 hours today, yet I never found any fascinating article like yours. It's enough worth for me. As I would see it, if all web proprietors and bloggers made exceptional substance as you did, the net will be basically more productive than at whatever point in late memory.

    Brighton Accountants

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've been surfing on the web over 3 hours today, yet I never found any fascinating article like yours. It's enough worth for me. As I would see it, if all web proprietors and bloggers made exceptional substance as you did, the net will be basically more productive than at whatever point in late memory.

    Brighton Accountants

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've been surfing on the web more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any stupefying article like yours. It's imperatively worth for me. As I would see it, if all web proprietors and bloggers made confusing substance as you did, the net will be in a general sense more profitable than at whatever point in late memory.

    Tax Advisors

    ReplyDelete