View Full Version : Why is the BBC allowed to broadcast 'Songs of Praise' or any religious programming?
Why is the BBC allowed to broadcast 'Songs of Praise' or for that matter any religious programming. Britain has no state religion, it's a misconception that it does.
England has a state religion and because the Monarch is the head of the Church of England people just make the incorrect assumption that Britain has a state religion. Considering Scotland officially declared itself a secular nation then it is rather irritating.
If they gave equal screen time to other belief systems and philosophies it would be slightly less galling also.
Whats up with the BBC broadcasting Songs of Praise, its a programme watched and liked by thousands? And it is broadcast from many Kirks, Churches and Chapels all over the UK not just the Church of England.
You must be hard up for your Anti English rants to end up picking on Songs of Praise.
The BBC are broadcasting the Thames Jubilee Pagent at the moment. Are you going to rant at that too?
Have to agree with you there apart from....
If they gave equal screen time to other belief systems and philosophies it would be slightly less galling also.
Giving any superstitious mumbo jumbo air time is just plain wrong....
Would have been more interesting if you had added a poll to the thread.
Whats up with the BBC broadcasting Songs of Praise, its a programme watched and liked by thousands? And it is broadcast from many Kirks, Churches and Chapels all over the UK not just the Church of England.
You must be hard up for your Anti English rants to end up picking on Songs of Praise.
The BBC are broadcasting the Thames Jubilee Pagent at the moment. Are you going to rant at that too?
I think you'll find this was an anti-religious post. By the way I have never made any anti-English rants and further more I challenge you to find one before making such character assassination attempts or is it just a cheap shot to attempt to ignore my point.
How would you feel about regular programming slots and air time given to Islam or Hinduism?
Have to agree with you there apart from....
Giving any superstitious mumbo jumbo air time is just plain wrong....
Would have been more interesting if you had added a poll to the thread.
I do agree with that, but at least the other philosophies bit would allow humanists, atheists, secularists, agnostics and ethicists to have their say.
I think it would be a more dangerous precedent to ban it than to let it continue.
Where would you stop? I'm as anti-religion as they come, but if people want to watch it, let them.
The BBC waste (in my opinion) far more money on Gaelic TV than on songs of praise.
John Little
03-Jun-12, 13:27
Why is the BBC allowed to broadcast 'Songs of Praise' or for that matter any religious programming. Britain has no state religion, it's a misconception that it does.England has a state religion and because the Monarch is the head of the Church of England people just make the incorrect assumption that Britain has a state religion. Considering Scotland officially declared itself a secular nation then it is rather irritating.If they gave equal screen time to other belief systems and philosophies it would be slightly less galling also.Because the first Director General of the BBC was a Scottish dude with really strong beliefs?...
I think it would be a more dangerous precedent to ban it than to let it continue.
Where would you stop? I'm as anti-religion as they come, but if people want to watch it, let them.
The BBC waste (in my opinion) far more money on Gaelic TV than on songs of praise.
I suppose, I agree with your views on the Gaelic stuff by the way. It's the case of impartiality and the BBC supporting one religion that I have a problem with, if they gave equal air time to other beliefs and philosophies it would be more acceptable.
Because the first Director General of the BBC was a Scottish dude with really strong beliefs?...
I'm hoping this is a joke. If not and for people without humour detectors then I'd like to point out that there is no Scottish Mafia or Conspiracy, we are not trying to infiltrate British institutions, we don't all know each other, we don't all agree on all things and just because someone happens to be Scottish that doesn't mean they are operating in the best interests of Scotland, the reverse of that is also true.
If you don't like or approve of a programme, don't watch it! Simples!
Whats up with the BBC broadcasting Songs of Praise, its a programme watched and liked by thousands?
I'm sure if they started broadcasting hardcore porn that would be watched and liked by thousands.
Would you advocate that?
If you don't like or approve of a programme, don't watch it! Simples!
Yay... Another advocate for hardcore porn...
http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs24/f/2008/021/4/c/devil_laghin_by_Scotsgirl_606.gif
silverlady
03-Jun-12, 15:01
Whats up with the BBC broadcasting Songs of Praise, its a programme watched and liked by thousands? And it is broadcast from many Kirks, Churches and Chapels all over the UK not just the Church of England.
You must be hard up for your Anti English rants to end up picking on Songs of Praise.
The BBC are broadcasting the Thames Jubilee Pagent at the moment. Are you going to rant at that too?
Hear hear Golach!
I'm ok about the BBC broadcasting any form of religious content so long as everyone knows it is just for pretend.
equusdriving
03-Jun-12, 15:10
I'm ok about the BBC broadcasting any form of religious content so long as everyone knows it is just for pretend.
..........:lol:
equusdriving
03-Jun-12, 15:11
Hear hear Golach!
yes indeed!
RecQuery, you asked "How would you feel about regular programming slots and air time given to Islam or Hinduism?"
The BBC does this as the norm I see nothing wrong with this
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/
John Little
03-Jun-12, 16:05
I'm hoping this is a joke. If not and for people without humour detectors then I'd like to point out that there is no Scottish Mafia or Conspiracy, we are not trying to infiltrate British institutions, we don't all know each other, we don't all agree on all things and just because someone happens to be Scottish that doesn't mean they are operating in the best interests of Scotland, the reverse of that is also true.
So John Reith was not Scottish, he wasn't very religious and he wasn't The first DG?
The rest of the stuff is nothing to do with what I said.
You asked a question.
This for your perusal-
http://www.westminster.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/20097/002WPCC-Vol4-No1-Michael_Bailey.pdf
If you don't like or approve of a programme, don't watch it! Simples!
I'd be fine with that if everyone else stopped complaining about programmes, and other forms of media and entertainment, that may offend them or contain violence or nudity. Curiously though it's the religious who complain the loudest. Also there's a difference between a national broadcaster supporting a religion - that isn't even the state religion - and watching something you consider offensive.
RecQuery, you asked "How would you feel about regular programming slots and air time given to Islam or Hinduism?"
The BBC does this as the norm I see nothing wrong with this
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/
Surprisingly - who'd have guess that (!) - there's a difference in tone, these programmes are documentary, they contain analysis.
So John Reith was not Scottish, he wasn't very religious and he wasn't The first DG?
The rest of the stuff is nothing to do with what I said.
You asked a question.
This for your perusal-
http://www.westminster.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/20097/002WPCC-Vol4-No1-Michael_Bailey.pdf
I asked why the BBC was allowed to broadcast non-documentary religious programming when Britain has no state religion. You replied that the first Director General of the BBC happened to have strong religious views. Which okay explains how it started, but why has this remained the case.
The Director General can't just change stuff as he sees fit with no consequences or questions, if one Director General happened to really love Science-Fiction he couldn't just change all of the programming on the BBC. So I guess I'm asking why is the BBC still allowed to show non-documentary religious programming, especially when Britain has no state religion and it gives prominence to one particular sect of one particular religion.
Recqery, the show Songs of Praise has been broadcast from many religious establishments C of E C of Scotland and many Catholic chapels. 3 of the main religions in the UK at the moment, either I would call the "State Religion". What is the "State Religion"?
I agree with the BBC and support the church in its mission to save souls. Theres not many Christians on skid row.
You need to be more tolerent RQ but that will come with age. I would hope that an independent Scotland would not sever it's links with the church. The church is as important to the balance in our society as the Houses of Parliament. Songs of praise is good entertainment with a leaning towards our souls in the same way the Beatles did it for your grannies.
John Little
03-Jun-12, 20:58
The BBC was not just run by Reith - it was dominated by him and he was strongly of the manse. Reith died in 1971 but the BBC changes very slowly and to some extent Reithianism is alive and well. If you read the article I linked then you may realise that Reith was the BBCs Stalin. He determined its whole culture, insisted on doing so, and to some extent still does. The Reithian Sunday was no joke and the commitment to religious broadcasting stems firmly from him.
I was not and am not joking.
....Theres not many Christians on skid row....
Are you implying that if they where Christians then they wouldn't be on skid row?
Or to put it another way.... They're on skid row because they are not Christians?
Personally I think religion is one a few things holding us back as a people, but that's a different argument.
Theres not many Christians on skid row
Are you suddenly given access to some of the vast sums of money stolen or conned out of people by religious organisations upon conversion? You may wish to reread the Bible and think what that Jesus fellow your all so fond of would do. I'm sure he'd be delighted about people using that as an example of why to become Christian.
You need to be more tolerent RQ but that will come with age.
People seem to confuse tolerance with acceptance to be tolerant is to not systematically persecute, constantly beat people up or to hunt them down and kill people of a certain type or belief. If my religion or belief system told me that women and certain ethnicities should be gagged at all times would that tolerated? Also aren't Christians attacking gay people, women and doctors. Really tolerant organisation there.
Also what on Earth does age have to do with it?!? Are you telling me that when I become some brain-addled, stumbling, decrepit old man who can't even remember what day of the week it is that I'll suddenly become religious - see I can use incorrect assumptions and mass generalisations also.
Finally some of you seem to be missing the point, this isn't about religion in general, but about the BBC giving prominence to one particular religion - not even the state religion as we have none - when the BBC is supposed to be unbiased and impartial.
Recqery, the show Songs of Praise has been broadcast from many religious establishments C of E C of Scotland and many Catholic chapels. 3 of the main religions in the UK at the moment, either I would call the "State Religion". What is the "State Religion"?
Britain no state religion that's the point, some people just assume - incorrectly - that it does because the Monarch happens to be the head of the Church of England and the Head of State. I have no problem with any documentary programming on any religion or belief provided it's factual. If they want to show things like Songs of Praise I'd be okay with that if they also showed and gave a similar good slot to the Islamic, Humanist, etc equivalent of it. This wasn't really an anti-religious post but a post on the impartiality of the BBC
The BBC was not just run by Reith - it was dominated by him and he was strongly of the manse. Reith died in 1971 but the BBC changes very slowly and to some extent Reithianism is alive and well. If you read the article I linked then you may realise that Reith was the BBCs Stalin. He determined its whole culture, insisted on doing so, and to some extent still does. The Reithian Sunday was no joke and the commitment to religious broadcasting stems firmly from him.
I was not and am not joking.
The BBC seems to be moving at a glacier speed. Imagine if more of their currently programming held beliefs from back then.
ivyel2011
04-Jun-12, 16:08
RecQuery, does anybody else apart from you really care what the bbc broadcasts ? You don't like it don't watch it, simple. It may air songs of praise & other religious shows but I have also seen shows that challenge religion, for example all the many David Attenborough programs. I doubt you would have a problem with them & if that is the case then why should the bbc have the right to air shows that challenge peoples beliefs ? Or do you simply have a problem with those kind of shows in general weather it be Christianity, evolution & Islam. I could say I have problems with the BBC airing Eastenders but I don't. Enough with the attacks on religious topics though, either accept religion is going nowhere soon or get on with things
RecQuery, does anybody else apart from you really care what the bbc broadcasts ? You don't like it don't watch it, simple. It may air songs of praise & other religious shows but I have also seen shows that challenge religion, for example all the many David Attenborough programs. I doubt you would have a problem with them & if that is the case then why should the bbc have the right to air shows that challenge peoples beliefs ? Or do you simply have a problem with those kind of shows in general weather it be Christianity, evolution & Islam. I could say I have problems with the BBC airing Eastenders but I don't. Enough with the attacks on religious topics though, either accept religion is going nowhere soon or get on with things
I'm sorry to repeatedly hammer this point home, but there's a difference between not liking an entertainment programme like Eastenders, a documentary programme based in science like the sort David Attenborough does and endorsing the belief system of one religion, not even the state religion because we have none. If Songs of Praise was on ITV or Channel 4 I'd have no problem.
Also the David Attenborough stuff is in no way an anti-religious programming, perhaps in the most tertiary sense if you're some sort of sky fairy nut.
Ah I just got the thread. I'll answer the question; I don't know.
weezer 316
06-Jun-12, 13:44
I have let this swirl around my head a bit before posting.....
I agree its a waste of license payers money, but whilst some of those licence payers are people who believe in such fairytales then it should continue. Infact if you banned it tbh I would probably protest against it.
As for other faiths, I think they generally do get some programme time, but not as prominent as songs of praise.
teddybear1873
06-Jun-12, 14:25
Coming up next 'Songs Of Praise', containing strong language and adult humour which some Muslims may find offensive.
I think "Songs of Praise" is a lovely show, occasionally ruined for me only by the default drive inclusion of "Happy-Clappy-Crappy" non-hymns you don't know the words to or you can't sing in the bath.
I especially enjoy it because it gets right up the noses of the sturdy atheists.
Listen, I don't care what or in whom you believe, or even you having a pop at me and my lot for being a bit misty eyed when it comes to Big G.
Me and the Boss together are bigger than that. (A bit like the Albanians saying "We and the Chinese are 1.5 billion strong"!)
But I DO draw the line at your inability to see the other chap's point of view.
I mean, you don't like "Songs of Praise" because it only mentions one branch of religion.
I don't like it for the lapses in the quality of the tunes.
I somehow think this is not a big deal.
I especially enjoy it because it gets right up the noses of the sturdy atheists.
Actually I don't think that really is the case, well no more than any other form of popular fiction like Eastenders or Corrie for that matter. As always there is the OFF button.
Should have made myself clearer, Rheghead -a "sturdy" atheist is one who doesn 't just not watch or listen to "Songs of Praise", but violently objects to its very presence in the schedules because it contradicts his beliefs, which countenance no opposition. Remember the title of this thread - the aggressive question -
Why is the BBC allowed to broadcast 'Songs of Praise' or any religious programming?
T (http://forum.caithness.org/showthread.php?179168-Why-is-the-BBC-allowed-to-broadcast-Songs-of-Praise-or-any-religious-programming/page2)he question implies the utter wrongness of this situation, and I surmise that (unlike my partial and somewhat tongue-in-cheek dislike of occasional daft words or music) the author would seek to excise or censor part of the output of the BBC to suit his/her own agenda/mindset/creed/beliefs.
I don't like that clik programme, full of crp no one needs and presumably buys instead of food as we're all so skint.
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