By Diane Connolly
Editor, ReligionLink

The news events of the last 18 months have shown us that religion reporting is important, and it’s becoming even more so.

While religion was once the domain of a lone newsroom reporter whose stories were destined for the “church page,” it is now a potent force in stories about terrorism, schools, sexual abuse, civil rights, entertainment, social services, and more.

Computer Photo Illustration by Anne Conneen

All reporters should take notice. Why? Because if they ignore the way faith shapes people’s actions, they’re missing a critical part of the story. Religion is one of the most powerful and unpredictable forces in the world. It brings out the very best and the very worst in people. And it binds and divides people in the deepest ways imaginable.

That makes for compelling stories -- as well as the significant challenge of trying to explain a complex and often controversial topic in fair, simple, and understandable ways.

Here are some concrete tips to help reporters -- whether they are on the religion beat or not. They will help journalists shape sophisticated story ideas, find great sources, and write penetrating stories.

Take time to brainstorm.

The best ideas aren’t usually the first ones. Even in deadline situations, it helps to take a few minutes to consider, “Is there an angle I’m missing? What will advance the story? Which voices will get at the heart of the issue? What’s the best way to get at what is driving this issue?”

Find out a little -- or a lot -- fast.

Even seasoned religion reporters come across news stories that deal with faith traditions or issues they’re unfamiliar with. Get background on an issue quickly through the Internet, from an expert, or from a reference book. It will help you ask better questions and figure out which sources you need to talk to.

Look for small stories that say big things.

Most reporters have too many stories to write and too little time to write them. So choose carefully. A story about one person’s change of heart or challenge or crusade can often illuminate an issue better than a story with a much wider scope.

When possible, be local and national.

Across the country, there are dozens of stories written and broadcast about graduation prayers, persecution of minority faiths, faith-based social services. When reporting that a local valedictorian was told not to mention God in her speech, why not add that there are conflicting court rulings across the country about how much religion is allowed in graduation prayers? Connecting local events with national trends will give stories more punch, more importance, and better play. It also gives readers and viewers a sense that the values debated in their town are also being tested on a larger playing field.

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Be timely, but don’t worry too much about time pegs.

With religion, some of the best stories result from following up later to find out what effect a vote, a change in leadership, or a new policy had on real people’s lives.

There is no such thing as a sacred cow.

Question everything. Coverage of the Roman Catholic clergy abuse crisis has shown that religion reporting requires the very best journalistic skills. Reaction to it has also shown that most readers and viewers want tough questions to be asked of religious leaders and institutions. While it is important to treat faith groups with respect, reporters should never skip questions or background checks just because they’re dealing with religious issues or people.

Cross-pollinate with other departments and journalists with different expertise.

Religion intersects with politics, pop culture, economics, sports — you name it. No one can be an expert on it all, but reporters can benefit from the expertise of friends and colleagues. When writing about Islam and terrorism, stories need to ring true with foreign policy buffs as well as Muslims. When writing about school vouchers, stories need to be credible to education experts as well as religious people.

Tell human stories at street level.

Whenever possible, talk to people where they live, worship, or gather. It will give stories texture. It will give readers and viewers concrete ways to connect with the people and ideas being written about.

Let people talk about faith and belief.

Too often, reporters steer clear when sources bring up how faith guides their actions. By encouraging those conversations, reporters can learn about core values and decisive moments that add depth to stories. Asking sources about religion is delicate; many people find it intrusive. But you can always ask, “Did your beliefs or values affect your decision?”

Find smart sources. Use them sparingly and well.

A well-placed quote from an “expert” can underline the importance of an issue and add critical context. Too many such quotes can make a story seem as though it’s about talking heads instead of people’s lives. There are many tools for finding experts on religion: The American Academy of Religion’s ReligionSource (www.religionsource.org), ReligionLink (www.religionwriters.com), web searches, and theological schools. Ask potential sources what makes them an expert in an area and what their own opinions and involvement are on the issue. With religion, impartial sources are rare. There are usually widely divergent opinions even within a single faith group. Accurately characterizing sources’ expertise is important.

Be wary of relying too heavily on quotes from clergy and religious leaders.

While there are smart and prophetic voices among them, there are often wide gaps between what clergy preach and what congregation members do or believe.

In religion, the majority doesn’t always rule.

Minority voices matter -- within a faith or across the spectrum of belief. One of the biggest stories in religion is the way people of an ever-widening array of faiths are learning to live and work more closely together. Whether they are Jews, Sikhs, Muslims, or groups within Christianity, minority voices are critical because they often raise concerns shared by many beyond their group or offer a “canary in a coal mine” first alert to a conflict. Religion also makes for strange bedfellows, with surprising alliances forming around issues, so reporters can’t always assume they know who represents the majority view.

There are usually more than two sides to any issue involving faith. Seek them out. The loudest voices -- or those with the best P.R. people -- aren’t the only ones reporters should listen to. While most Americans say they are Christian, there are deep divides among them. It is important to consider the differences in opinion among and within various groups, including Roman Catholics, evangelicals, Pentecostals, mainline Protestants, and others. It is also important to talk to minority faith groups. If you’re not familiar with the range of opinions on an issue, ask for opposing views.

Great journalism usually involves conflict, tension, and change. Religion has all of these. Use them.

Writing about faith offers wonderful opportunities for rich narratives, heart-rending storytelling, and stories about personal transformation.

Matters of faith and belief are always about people.

Whenever possible, write about people, not doctrines or institutions or legislation. If a vote or document is important enough to write about, it’s important enough to take the extra steps to find out how it will affect people’s lives.

Treat everyone’s beliefs with fairness and respect, even if you disagree with them.

Reporting about religion in the secular media should not endorse or dismiss any viewpoint. Allow people to characterize their own beliefs, but be wary of allowing them to explain opposing views. Reporters should strive to write stories that people of all viewpoints can appreciate and understand.

Before you start writing, ask yourself two questions.

Why does this story/issue matter? Can I distill this story into one compelling question? If reporters can answer those questions, they’re more than halfway toward writing an effective story. If they can’t, it’s worth spending time honing and reshaping their story idea until they can.

I once read a story about an innovative restaurateur whose motto was “Listen. Adapt. Surprise.” The news media have gotten a lot better at listening to readers and viewers. We have gotten a little better at adapting to a changing market. But we’ve still got a long way to go to surprise our readers and viewers.

When we give them the unexpected, they’re more likely to come back. Listen to your readers, viewers, and sources. Adapt to the ways we need to change how we report and write. And then surprise your readers and viewers with stories that bring faith to the frontlines of reporting about their lives and the world around them.

Diane Connolly is editor of ReligionLink: Resources for Reporters, a new resource from the Religion Newswriters Association that offers journalists story ideas and sources to help them cover religion in public life. RNA offers secular journalists resources for covering the religion beat, opportunities for networking and mentoring, and an annual educational conference.