Some context to that awkward interview between a Fox religion correspondent and a Muslim author

There's a lot to be said about this weekend's interview between Fox News religion correspondent Lauren Green and Dr. Reza Aslan, the Muslim author of a new, controversial book on the history of Jesus and the Bible. Namely, it was nearly unbearable to watch.

The segment wasn't so much about the book as it was about giving Aslan an opportunity to respond to critics who have alleged his book is unfairly critical of Christianity. For her part, Green repeatedly questioned Aslan's motivation in writing a book about Christianity when he's a Muslim.

Some saw that to be an unfair and irrelevant line of questioning by Green.

But a 2011 StarTribune interview with Green helps shed some light on perhaps why Green was so invested in Aslan's motivation in writing the book. From the interview (emphasis ours):

Q You've covered the arts, did the news updates for "Fox & Friends" and since 2007 have been the religion correspondent?

A This is the best job ever for me. Really allows me to cover one of my greatest passions, which is looking inside the human soul and how that relates to news. Sometimes it can get frustrating because I know how deeply belief systems are embedded in every human being. It's really fascinating.

And so, while the interview was seen by some as an attack on Aslan by Green, it's possible she was simply asking if Aslan's faith -- a deeply personal matter for most -- may have colored his work. He got to answer and defend his work. Is that so unfair?

@eScarry