WaPo gives coalition of bigots a platform to claim to oppose bigotry

On Faith, the Washington Post religion web site edited by Sally Quinn and Newsweek's Jon Meacham, currently features guest post by Media Research Center president Brent Bozell, writing on behalf of something calling itself “Citizens Against Religious Bigotry.” Bozell and his ostensibly-anti-bigotry buddies are upset about some animated show Comedy Central may or may not produce and may or may not air.

What's striking about the Post's decision to grant Bozell and “Citizens Against Religious Bigotry” this forum is not the substance of their criticism of Comedy Central, but the fact that the coalition is made up of some of the most irredeemable bigots you'll ever encounter.

Take, for example, Catholic League president Bill Donohue. Donohue is a rabid anti-gay bigot with a long history of highly questionable commentary about religions he does not practice. He has said, for example, that "[p]eople don't trust the Muslims when it comes to liberty" and that “Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular.” Donohue has also demonstrated selective outrage when it comes to the religious bigotry of others, defending conservative writer Jerome Corsi's attacks on the Catholic Church and conservative actor Mel Gibson's anti-Semitic rants. (Donohue has previously been granted a guest post at On Faith.)

Or Tony Perkins, another anti-gay bigot who is a member of the “Citizens Against Religious Bigotry.” Perkins has said “the soil of the Islamic faith just does not work with democracy” and has spoken to the Louisiana chapter of the Council of Conservative Citizens, a hate group that “oppose[s] all efforts to mix the races of mankind … and to force the integration of the races.”

Or Michael Medved, another member of the “Citizens Against Religious Bigotry.” Medved has said that “Islam, as a faith” has “a special violence problem.” (Medved also seems to have more problems with gay people than you might expect from a member of an anti-bigotry coalition.)

Tim Wildmon, another member of Bozell's band of self-described opponents of bigotry, has praised a far-right author who has advocated the execution of gays, adulterers, and doctors who perform abortions.

Another coalition member, James Dobson, warns of the “Muslim threat,” has defended attacks on the Catholic Church by an associate and -- surprise! -- doesn't much like gay people.

I'm sure there are plenty more examples, but you get the point: Bozell's “Citizens Against Religious Bigotry” is made up of some of the most notable bigots in American public life. And yet Sally Quinn and the Washington Post allowed them to portray themselves as opponents of bigotry, without any indication of their own enthusiastic bigotry towards a wide range of people.