Michelle Boorstein
Michelle Boorstein is a religion reporter based in Washington, D.C., covering the intersection of faith and politics. She has a BA in journalism and history from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and an MA in Near Eastern studies from New York University. Her career includes covering a small town where she profiled various unique individuals, such as the president of the International Julio Iglesias Fan Club. Boorstein spent a decade with the Associated Press, working in Providence to Phoenix to Afghanistan. She joined The Washington Post as a roaming feature reporter covering outside-the-Beltway Virginia before focusing on religion reporting.
83%
The Daily's Verdict
This author has a mixed reputation for journalistic standards. It is advisable to fact-check, scrutinize for bias, and check for conflicts of interest before relying on the author's reporting.
Bias
84%
Examples:
- Choosing to frame the Southern Baptist Convention's opposition to in vitro fertilization as a matter of dehumanization and government restraint.
- Downplaying the view that IVF is a good thing despite 70% of Americans considering it as such.
Conflicts of Interest
100%
Examples:
- No specific conflicts of interest identified.
Contradictions
100%
Examples:
- JD Vance's Catholic conversion despite his support for positions that oppose church teachings.
- The Oklahoma court rejecting the proposed religious public charter school while the Louisiana law requiring Ten Commandments in classrooms is being challenged.
Deceptions
65%
Examples:
- Implying that the Southern Baptist Convention's opposition to IVF is in line with broader antiabortion movement without providing evidence.
- Misrepresenting the views of Heather Weaver, ACLU staff attorney for Freedom of Religion and Belief.
Recent Articles
JD Vance's Controversial Comments on Childless Individuals: A Divisive Debate on Family Values
Broke On: Saturday, 27 July 2024Republican VP nominee JD Vance faced backlash for calling some Democrats 'childless cat ladies' during a 2021 interview. His comments, which drew criticism from celebrities and politicians alike, were defended by former President Trump. Vance's background and upbringing influenced his views on families and children, leading him to accuse some Democrats of having an anti-family stance due to their childless status. Despite controversy over his past disparaging remarks towards childless individuals, Vance argued he was not targeting women without children but rather highlighting perceived anti-family stances. 
Oklahoma Supreme Court Rejects Funding for Catholic Virtual School: A Significant Blow to Religious Charter Schools
Broke On: Tuesday, 25 June 2024The Oklahoma Supreme Court has denied funding for St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School due to its religious nature, sparking controversy over publicly funded religious charter schools. The court's decision, based on state and federal constitutions, prevents the use of public funds for religious institutions despite recent rulings expanding tax dollars in support of religious education. 
Louisiana's Controversial New Law: Ten Commandments in Public Schools Sparks Legal Battle
Broke On: Monday, 24 June 2024Louisiana's mandate to display the Ten Commandments in all public schools has led to lawsuits from parents of various religious backgrounds, challenging the constitutionality of the law on grounds it violates First Amendment clauses. Civil liberties groups argue that the commandments' display raises concerns about separation of church and state and isolation for non-Christian students. 
Southern Baptist Convention Rejects Amendment Limiting Women in Pastoral Roles, Elects New President
Broke On: Wednesday, 12 June 2024The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) rejected a proposal to limit pastoral roles to men at its annual meeting in Indianapolis, instead electing Charlotte pastor Clint Pressley as new president. The convention also opposed In Vitro Fertilization and addressed ongoing issues like sexual abuse cases and declining baptismal rates.