Issues, Etc. Media Coverage of the Democratic Party’s God Gap – Terry Mattingly, 11/5/25 (3091)
Nov 5, 2025
Terry Mattingly, a Senior Fellow on Communications and Culture and author of the Rational Sheep newsletter, discusses the media's oversight in religious coverage. He critiques the New York Times' handling of Anthony Hopkins' spiritual epiphany, emphasizing the importance of probing deeper into public figures' faith journeys. Mattingly highlights the theological significance of thankfulness in Catholic spirituality and calls for journalists to address fundamental religious questions more thoughtfully. The conversation reveals a gap in religious literacy among reporters.
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Miraculous Turning Point And Lasting Gratitude
- Anthony Hopkins describes a decisive moment where a voice told him to choose life and his craving for alcohol vanished immediately.
- Terry Mattingly finds Hopkins' sustained thankfulness to God striking and rare in public figures.
God Found Me: Thankfulness Over Doctrine
- Hopkins frames his experience as God finding him and leading him to thankfulness rather than detailed theological claims.
- Mattingly notes this matches Catholic language like the 'hound of heaven' even when Hopkins remains somewhat private about specifics.
Quiet Chapel Visits And Student Talks
- Hopkins spontaneously visited a small Catholic college chapel, spoke to students, and later returned to play a piano piece he wrote.
- Mattingly describes these visits as evidence of a quiet, private relationship with a Catholic community.
