Priest on CNN Sparks Backlash with Controversial Interpretation of Christmas Story
A priest's recent appearance on CNN has ignited a firestorm of criticism after he attempted to draw parallels between the biblical Christmas story and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Father Edward Beck's comments have been met with intense backlash on social media, with many accusing him of distorting historical facts to push a political agenda.
During the Christmas morning interview, Father Beck was asked about the pain and suffering experienced around the world during the holiday season. In his response, he linked the story of Christmas to a "Palestinian Jew" living in an "occupied" country and facing homelessness. He also highlighted the journey of Jesus and his family as refugees fleeing to Egypt.
“The story of Christmas is about a Palestinian Jew,” Father Edward Beck said Christmas morning on CNN. “Now, how often do you find those words put together? A Palestinian Jew born into a time when his country was occupied, right? They can't find a place for her to even give birth.”
Critics quickly took to social media to express their outrage at Father Beck's interpretation of the biblical narrative.
New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz called his version of history "embarrassingly wrong," while Foundation for Defense of Democracies research fellow Hussain Abdul-Hussain criticized the priest for not accurately referencing the New Testament.
Conservative radio host Erick Erickson criticized CNN for allowing such commentary, stating that Palestine did not exist as a creation of the Roman Empire during the time of Christ's birth. He accused Father Beck of pushing a political agenda using Christ, which he believed reflected poorly on the network.
The backlash continued to pour in, with GOP strategist Steve Guest expressing his dismay at CNN's coverage, calling it a part of the "war on Christmas."
Versus Media Podcast host Stephen L. Miller sarcastically wished viewers a "Merry Christmas from CNN."
In an attempt to defend his stance, Father Beck shared a Britannica article and a quote emphasizing the long-standing presence of various religious groups in the region. However, this did little to quell the uproar over his comments.
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Avi Kaner, founder of the Samwawal Foundations, accused Father Beck of inciting hate reminiscent of blood libels and expressed disappointment in his comparison of Jesus' plight to the situation faced by Palestinians today. In response, Father Beck insisted that his message was one of unity and solidarity with both Israel and suffering Palestinians, urging for less focus on differences and more love in the world.
Father Beck's interpretation of the biblical Christmas story has drawn sharp criticism for its perceived inaccuracies and politicization of the religious narrative.