Let me first say that this was a terrible incident and that I am in full sympathy with the victims and their families. I hope that they receive the support and care that they require to get over this horrible incident, and can get back to their lives. I particularly feel for the young family of Katrina Dawson who was simply buying a coffee when she was caught up in this. The young manager of the store did what any young male brought up in our society would feel was his duty and tried to disarm the offender, dying in the process.
However, and here is the point where I probably will get slammed, the media in this case has been deplorable, particularly some of the tabloids, by implying that the actions of 1 crazed nutter is representative of all members of his religion. To draw an analogy, this is the same as implying all male Catholics are paedophiles simply because some Catholic priests could not control their urges.
Whilst I understand that in today's 24 hour news cycle that any news is fodder for the media, I feel that the unnecessary focus on religion causes conflict where there doesn't need to be. Most members of all the world's religions believe in getting on with their neighbours in the interests of a harmonious society. The extremists though, make for better news and therefore get much more coverage.
Because we, as a society, tend to be more interested if there is conflict, the news organisations are going to pursue that angle every time. Maybe we all need to start saying to the media,"We don't need to you to find a particular "slant" to this story as we will make our own conclusions. Treat us as adults and give us facts, not your opinions"
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