Author Topic: Surprising BBC  (Read 7356 times)

Brownie

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #50 on: August 01, 2016, 12:05:47 PM »
It looks as though you have found a BBC programme where the NON-religious go unchallenged then; could you let me know which programme it was on and was it TV, or was it on the radio?

I've asked you the above because I've never seen anything that would be the NON-religious equivalent of, just for example, "An Island Parish", which is unadulterated religious propaganda.

Where is there anywhere on the BBC's coverage a programme especially set up for the now over 50% of Non-religious viewers and listeners? Perhaps a programme about Humanism?

Humanists and other Non-religious people as things are with the BBC, are seen and heard at present but, not without challenge, we are not seen and heard in the same way religious programmes are, where they are given free reign almost anywhere and whenever and without challenge.

Don't misread me I may not have any kind of high regard for the BBC's religious broadcasting attempts but there is no way I would want to prevent religious people having equal space on air. 

ippy

No I haven't ippy, certainly not one where people of no religion actually say, "I do not follow any religion but here are my thoughts based on my philosophy".

Nothing to stop it happening, you could campaign for it and contact organisations such as the BHA for possible speakers.  No-one would object, this is a free country and we are living in times where there is room for all.  Might be quite interesting.
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ippy

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #51 on: August 01, 2016, 02:39:11 PM »
No I haven't ippy, certainly not one where people of no religion actually say, "I do not follow any religion but here are my thoughts based on my philosophy".

Nothing to stop it happening, you could campaign for it and contact organisations such as the BHA for possible speakers.  No-one would object, this is a free country and we are living in times where there is room for all.  Might be quite interesting.

I have been for years and you wouldn't believe me if I was to tell you how duplicitous the BBC is in dealing with any complaints of this nature.

ippy

Brownie

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #52 on: August 01, 2016, 04:33:59 PM »
Well I am going to write to the BBC, ippy, not with a complaint but a suggestion.  No-one usually takes much notice of me  :) anytime, anywhere, but if enough wrote with the same suggestion, they might take notice.
I do feel all opinions should be represented, however the 'religious' stuff is far less popular than it was and declining rapidly so the Beeb may feel it's not worth the effort to put on something similar but without the relig.   I don't feel that way and think it would be of interest to many, especially if the speaker was pretty good.  We'll see.
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ippy

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #53 on: August 01, 2016, 07:13:21 PM »
Well I am going to write to the BBC, ippy, not with a complaint but a suggestion.  No-one usually takes much notice of me  :) anytime, anywhere, but if enough wrote with the same suggestion, they might take notice.
I do feel all opinions should be represented, however the 'religious' stuff is far less popular than it was and declining rapidly so the Beeb may feel it's not worth the effort to put on something similar but without the relig.   I don't feel that way and think it would be of interest to many, especially if the speaker was pretty good.  We'll see.

Making a complaint or a suggestion in this area makes little difference to the BBC, however if you were to write to them with your suggestions, you'll be surprised by them, if you persist you'll, no doubt, find out how it feels to to run in relentlessly thickening treacle.

ippy

jeremyp

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #54 on: August 01, 2016, 08:29:49 PM »
The Today programme has one four minute slot in which a religious person says something.

It has three four minute slots devoted to sport and yet you never hear non sports fans complaining that there are no non sport slots.

Just a thought.
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wigginhall

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #55 on: August 01, 2016, 08:34:12 PM »
The Today programme has one four minute slot in which a religious person says something.

It has three four minute slots devoted to sport and yet you never hear non sports fans complaining that there are no non sport slots.

Just a thought.

Well, exactly, what about us non-skiers?  I keep going on at the BBC about neglecting non-skiing, which is a well-known hobby.   Why do I pay my license fee?
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Brownie

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #56 on: August 01, 2016, 09:34:23 PM »
Making a complaint or a suggestion in this area makes little difference to the BBC, however if you were to write to them with your suggestions, you'll be surprised by them, if you persist you'll, no doubt, find out how it feels to to run in relentlessly thickening treacle.

ippy

I wouldn't be in the least surprised.  Some years ago I made a complaint to the BBC about something that happened in a drama, before the watershed.  Apparently nearly 400 people felt the same way and wrote in.  All we got was a standard reply full of platitudes.

Still it's worth a go.
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ippy

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #57 on: August 01, 2016, 09:45:32 PM »
Well, exactly, what about us non-skiers?  I keep going on at the BBC about neglecting non-skiing, which is a well-known hobby.   Why do I pay my license fee?

Some might like to hear about humanism or perhaps how secularism could help.

The French national TV has one hour a month alotted to non-religious beliefs, I'd settle for that.

Or say a programme about living an ethical and moral life without the need to have a religious belief, anything like this could be an eye opener and possibly comfort for all sorts of people in knowing for they're not the only ones that have and live similar life styles and hadn't realised how many there are of us that share these  non-religious outlooks.

ippy

jeremyp

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #58 on: August 02, 2016, 01:20:12 PM »
Some might like to hear about humanism or perhaps how secularism could help.

The French national TV has one hour a month alotted to non-religious beliefs, I'd settle for that.

Or say a programme about living an ethical and moral life without the need to have a religious belief, anything like this could be an eye opener and possibly comfort for all sorts of people in knowing for they're not the only ones that have and live similar life styles and hadn't realised how many there are of us that share these  non-religious outlooks.

ippy

I have no problem with programmes about humanism or secularism. The thing that is non sensical is having programmes about <<not-the-subject>> just because you have a programme about <<subject>>.
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Brownie

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #59 on: August 02, 2016, 02:16:44 PM »
I get what you mean jp but think what ippy (& others) would like, is a programme where, eg, humanists, speak positively about their philosophy and ethics, not as a contrast to any other philosophy/belief but as a legitimate view in its own right.  A humanist speaker would not say, "I don't believe in  (this or that)", but "My belief is....".
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Udayana

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #60 on: August 02, 2016, 02:52:06 PM »
"My belief is ..." and the rest of the programme would be either be blank or a rant against Muslims or other people with "literalist" beliefs. 
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Brownie

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #61 on: August 02, 2016, 03:09:42 PM »
If so, that would be wrong.  Not what I had in mind, nor Ippy from what he has said. 

The few religious programmes that exist on the BBC don't rile against those of no religious belief, do they?  I don't watch them so don't know.

It was just an idea Udayana.  A debate was not what I was thinking of, that takes two with opposing views - or more, like on this forum.
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Udayana

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #62 on: August 02, 2016, 03:31:24 PM »
That's basically the problem. I don't believe in "god" but after that there's not much to say on the subject apart from attacking other peoples beliefs. At least the religious have some beliefs or ideas to push.

There are plenty of programmes on nature, science, ethics, politics, philosophy, morality and so on. No religious/anti-religious views required to participate.

I think that's also why TftD doesn't invite non-religious speakers. The rest of the programme covers everything from a non-religious stance, so the BBC religion dept. doesn't want to give up its 2-3 minutes for something non-religious.
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Brownie

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #63 on: August 02, 2016, 04:19:47 PM »
You have a point Udayana.  It's difficult for me to judge;  I'm a Christian and am happy that there is the odd religious programme, as long as the speakers aren't dissing other faiths or people of no faith, like the T42D.  I just want to be fair really.  We don't know how such a programme would pan out unless there is one, it would be worth a try I'd have thought - but the BBC may well decide, if they haven't already, that it isn't.
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Dicky Underpants

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #64 on: August 02, 2016, 04:44:04 PM »
You have a point Udayana.  It's difficult for me to judge;  I'm a Christian and am happy that there is the odd religious programme, as long as the speakers aren't dissing other faiths or people of no faith, like the T42D.  I just want to be fair really.  We don't know how such a programme would pan out unless there is one, it would be worth a try I'd have thought - but the BBC may well decide, if they haven't already, that it isn't.

Well, there's already "A Point of View", broadcast at 8:50 a.m on Sundays, and repeated at least one other time. This slot consists of short essays by a very wide variety of writers, religious and non-religious (probably more non-religious). Since it's a slightly longer slot than T42D, the speakers have the opportunity to say something with a bit of cogency and bite.
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ippy

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #65 on: August 02, 2016, 08:21:53 PM »
I have no problem with programmes about humanism or secularism. The thing that is non sensical is having programmes about <<not-the-subject>> just because you have a programme about <<subject>>.

If that had been advocated I would have to agree with you J P.

ippy

Brownie

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #66 on: August 02, 2016, 08:35:33 PM »
Well, there's already "A Point of View", broadcast at 8:50 a.m on Sundays, and repeated at least one other time. This slot consists of short essays by a very wide variety of writers, religious and non-religious (probably more non-religious). Since it's a slightly longer slot than T42D, the speakers have the opportunity to say something with a bit of cogency and bite.

Ippy see the above from Dicky.
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jeremyp

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #67 on: August 02, 2016, 08:42:34 PM »
I get what you mean jp but think what ippy (& others) would like, is a programme where, eg, humanists, speak positively about their philosophy and ethics, not as a contrast to any other philosophy/belief but as a legitimate view in its own right.  A humanist speaker would not say, "I don't believe in  (this or that)", but "My belief is....".
And as the first sentence of my last post stated, I have no problem with such a programme.

O
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Brownie

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #68 on: August 02, 2016, 10:45:29 PM »
Nor me.  Seems there is one already, 'A Point of View';  I'll look out for it.
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Harrowby Hall

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #69 on: August 03, 2016, 09:18:16 AM »
Nor me.  Seems there is one already, 'A Point of View';  I'll look out for it.

Radio 4

Friday evening - 20.50, repeated on Sunday morning at 08.50.

It occupies the slots of - and replaces - Alistair Cooke's Letter From America.
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Brownie

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #70 on: August 03, 2016, 09:31:37 AM »
Thanks HH.
Looks interesting, I can hear a few over the next couple of days.
Ippy, take a look at this:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qng8/episodes/player
« Last Edit: August 03, 2016, 09:34:54 AM by Brownie »
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Udayana

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #71 on: August 03, 2016, 10:12:27 AM »
I usually listen to A Point of View after Any Questions. They vary  lot .. Lisa Jardine's were always great. Will Self can be good sometimes, other times is droning on about some pointless nonsense :)
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Udayana

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #72 on: August 03, 2016, 03:39:53 PM »
I find Choral Evensong a perpetual irritant. It's always popping up in the afternoon on R3 and I'm forced to switch to a different channel.
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wigginhall

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #73 on: August 03, 2016, 03:49:33 PM »
I recommend Not-Chess, which is usually on Sunday evening, can't remember the channel.   Basically, a few people gather together to not play chess, and discuss no chess problems.  You would be surprised how much controversy this can generate, I remember one chap getting quite heated about his dahlias.  There you are, if you don't want to play chess, this is the programme for you. 
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Udayana

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Re: Surprising BBC
« Reply #74 on: August 03, 2016, 04:09:53 PM »
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07dknm1

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Have to admit that I only found this after switching over to avoid Choral Evensong :)
« Last Edit: August 03, 2016, 04:12:53 PM by Udayana »
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