Newsweek Criticized For Christmas Article Blasting Bible

A bible sits open in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, April 1, 2005. (Photo: Reuters/Brian Snyder)

Newsweek magazine is receiving criticism from some who argue its New Year-themed story about the Bible takes a scrutinizing look at the Holy Book and accuses its followers of misinterpretation.

The cover story, entitled "The Bible: So Misunderstood It's A Sin," was published by the media outlet on Christmas Eve, and serves as Newsweek's New Year story to ring in 2015.

Several critics have accused the magazine's recent article as being an attack on Christianity. Several media outlets have noted that Newsweek repeatedly discusses Jesus in its cover stories, covering the topic of Christianity and its followers three times in 2012 alone.

Other critics have accused the magazine of publishing such a hot-button piece on Christmas, knowing that a controversial article will make more money and attract more readers. CNN Money reports that both Newsweek and one of its main rival publications, Time, are no strangers to publishing controversial religious pieces, especially around main Christian holidays like Easter and Christmas.

"The short answer is that those articles typically get a good response and they sell very well," Rick Edmonds, a media business analyst at the Poynter Institute, told CNN Money in a recent interview.

Fox News columnist Todd Starnes also took issue with the recent article, describing those behind the article at Newsweek as "anti-Christian pinheads."

"I imagine the Yuletide season must bring about near celebrations in the hallways of Newsweek as writers giddily try to find new ways to defile the followers of Christ," Starnes added.