BBC is failing to take religion seriously, says person whose livelihood depends on people doing that

[trotsky]

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2015/02/04/bbc-is-failing-to-take-religion-seriously-says-leeds-bishop/

The Anglican Bishop of Leeds has criticised the BBC for failing to prioritise religion.

Following the announcement by the BBC that the specialist role of Commissioning Editor for Religion is to be closed, along with three other top commissioning jobs, Bishop Nick Baines said: “At a time when it is impossible to understand the modern world – its politics, economics, military and humanitarian events – without understanding religion, why isn’t religion being prioritised by the BBC as needing expert commissioning.”

Roger Bolton, the BBC presenter and a Sandford St Martin Trustee which aims to promote excellence in religious programming, said: “It’s the old problem: not taking religion seriously. For instance, why is there no BBC News Religion Editor to complement the Science, Economics, Business, Political, Financial, Arts and Sports Editors?”

On January 23 the BBC announced that the specialist role of Commissioning Editor for Religion would be scrapped with religious programmes being commissioned by one new Commissioning Head of Specialist Factual who also will have responsibility for commissioning BBC TV’s science, business and history programmes.

I think this guy needs to be thankful Monty Python isn't still on the air.

[AtheistCrusader]

1. “At a time when it is impossible to understand the modern world" Impossible for him maybe.

Actually, I'd do a word substitution there.

'At a time when it is impossible to profit from the modern world I make up a bunch of shit to get you to give me money by abusing your guilt and fear of the unknown'

[AlbertCat]

10. “At a time when it is impossible to understand the modern world"

It IS impossible to understand some of the most grievous atrocities and shocking behavior, detrimental to all of us, without religion.

But I don't think he'd like that kind of coverage.

[Arugula Latte]

2. It's absolutely astounding to think about

how much time, money, and energy has been spent over the centuries, and how much blood has been shed, promoting one silly, nonsensical myth from one primitive band of people living in Judea a couple thousand years ago. Just astounding.

[onager]

3. These Brits certainly take it seriously...

Christian Dating Service Tells Commuters: Jesus Can Make You a 'Better Lover'

By Katherine Weber, Christian Post Reporter - January 8, 2014

A Christian dating website in London is taking a unique approach to advertising through a new campaign dotting the London Underground, telling commuters that believing in Jesus will make them "better lovers."

The posters, which will adorn the outside panels of the city's Tube carriers, include vivid colors and fonts reminiscent of retro advertisements for anti-impotence drugs. One advertisement reads: "Christians Make Better Lovers," making many commuters assume that the message is directed toward sex, instead of relationships. The message is clarified by smaller print below that reads: "Christians believe in love. 'Love one another' is written into their code. So if you are a single Christian, why not give our award-winning dating site a try?"

Another advertisement reads "Another dating site? Thank God! No seriously. That's because we're not just another dating site, we're dedicated to matching single Christians in the UK."

A third ad says "God knew you would see this. He knows that if you are Christian and single you would probably love a like-minded partner. So why not give our award-winning dating site a try?"

http://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-dating-service-tells-commuters-jesus-can-make-you-a-better-lover-112251/

ETA, Usual Grumping - this approach is not "unique" at all. The Church of England did it in the London Underground a few years ago. Same idea, make Jebus "hip" and "relevant" to younger suckers...er, potential converts. IIRC, the posters featured a muscular, WWE-style Jesus with the tagline: "Meek and Mild? As if!" Do I have to add that the campaign was a miserable failure? Some of our UK correspondents will know more about it, but that's what I remember.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. Better lovers????

With the shaming of nudity and sex, and the whole chastity thing and puritanism, along with the utter disregard of the woman's wants and needs (because they are inferior and the man is the boss), I cannot imagine that this is true.

[OriginalGeek]

8. I became an atheist before I had a chance try lovemaking as a christian

so I can't honestly say how I would have performed but I CAN tell you I was an absolute dullard at kissing and hand-holding. If THAT is any indication of how I would have been, my wife thanks her god I lost my faith.


Palm sweat and slobber are not attractive additions to the make-out session.

[Curmudgeoness]

9. LMAO....I understand your wife's feelings about this.

And to be fair, you were young and all young men are rubes in the "romance" department. I remember that slobber....ugh.

[mr blur]

4. BBC has a charter to spend our money on programmes that people might want -

Very few people here care about religion that much.

[Curmudgeoness]

5. Failing to "prioritize" religion?

Give me a break. Religion gets enough attention already, just because it is religion. If anything "new" comes up, I am sure that they will make it more of a priority.

[Arugula Latte]

7. Yeah, if--errr, I mean WHEN--Jesus returns to Earth, the BBC can do 24/7 coverage, Bishop.

Until then, put a sock in it.