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Fri March 21, 2008

Joining hands: Times, Christians share a moment

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The Oklahoman Editorial
WHAT'S a Christian conservative to do?

First, The New York Times drove right-wingers to John McCain, who was previously anathema, with a negative story. Mitt Romney was out of the race and Mike Huckabee was fading. The Christian right's discomfort with McCain led to talk about a third party or vows to stay home on Election Day.




A Times story published Feb. 21 hinted that McCain had had a too-cozy relationship with a female lobbyist. Ever suspicious of the newspaper's motives, conservatives began embracing McCain. His status as GOP nominee was secured soon thereafter — although we certainly won't claim the Times is entirely responsible.

Now comes the Times with a feature story that could change minds about the newspaper's supposed war on all things conservative. Published Sunday with an Oklahoma City dateline, the feature chronicled the creation and growth of the National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships.

The Page 1 story is incredibly respectful, not only of fundamentalist Christianity but of homeschooling. The tournament, wrote Joe Drape, is a "jamboree to celebrate faith and family.” Photographs show young basketball players from opposing teams joining hands in prayer before a game.

The tournament isn't widely known even within Oklahoma, despite being a fixture here since 2001. To participants, though, early March means driving to Oklahoma City from as far away as Michigan and driving hundreds of miles once here to various gymnasia.

Homeschool teams are producing quality players, some of whom get college scholarships, just as homeschool students have done well in national spelling bees and other academic competitions.

Homeschooling is likely to remain a relatively small movement and Christian conservatives are likely to remain suspicious about mainstream media motives. But for a brief period this month, the religious right held hands with The New York Times. And each viewed the other with respect.

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