Religion and Therapy

[ippy]

Ippy and Gordon

I agree with Gordon that the Beyond Belief programmes are usually worth a listen to, but when I heard at the start of the last one that there were no non-religious views, I had to go away and do something else* for about 10 minutes tut-tutting to myself, but listened to the rest! I do tend to agree much more with Ippy's [posts above and almost decided to send an e-mail to the BBC, but thought it would be a waste of time. On Feedback there are often other  non-believers writing in to complain, but nothing ever happens.

*rinsing out my swim suit, hat and goggles!!

It's generally a wast of time complaining to them at the Beeb, one of there favourite ploys is not answering the question you have asked of them Susan.

If you do write to complain, I found that something like every fifth line of your complaint about not catering for the non-religious viewpoint, you have to at the same time keep reminding them that you're not complaining about their religious broadcasting output.

If you forget to remind them on, or about every fifth line they then go on and on about protecting the poor defenceless religionists, thus avoiding answering the question you've asked.

Writing to them, the BBC is an eye opener, please don't take my word for it, try having a go at them yourself: if you do I expect to see a full report here on the forum or else, have you got that? 

Regards ippy

[Nearly Sane]

In what way do you want them to 'cater for the non relugious viewpoint'?

[Bubbles]

I suspect he wants thought for the day to have atheists on it, and songs of praise to have other forms of music on it, or scrap it altogether.

[ippy]

In what way do you want them to 'cater for the non relugious viewpoint'?

Easy I would just like to see and hear the non-religious point of view have the same treatment afforded to the religious believers.

They are able to put forward their ideas freely without baby sitters, it'd be a change to have exactly similar treatment for the general non-religious viewpoint, that's all.

ippy

[ippy]

I suspect he wants thought for the day to have atheists on it, and songs of praise to have other forms of music on it, or scrap it altogether.

Rose, why shouldn't non-religious people speak on T4TD, not all of the time but it would be good for all to hear the occasional humanist voice, why on earth not?

ippy

[Nearly Sane]

Easy I would just like to see and hear the non-religious point of view have the same treatment afforded to the religious believers.

They are able to put forward their ideas freely without baby sitters, it'd be a change to have exactly similar treatment for the general non-religious viewpoint, that's all.

ippy

Combining this with your reply to Rose, it seems to me you are talking about some form of humanist representation rather than a general non religious viewpoint. As an atheist who is not a humanist, i don't see my atheism as having any impact on anything  else.

I agree that TftD should have some form of humanist represenatation but i don't see much beyind that.

[ippy]

Combining this with your reply to Rose, it seems to me you are talking about some form of humanist representation rather than a general non religious viewpoint. As an atheist who is not a humanist, i don't see my atheism as having any impact on anything  else.

I agree that TftD should have some form of humanist represenatation but i don't see much beyind that.

I specifically used the term non-religious.

ippy

[Nearly Sane]

I specifically used the term non-religious.

ippy

Why? It reads as if you want a non stamp collectors viewpoint on stamp collecting if you use that as the term.

[ippy]

Why? It reads as if you want a non stamp collectors viewpoint on stamp collecting if you use that as the term.

Your favourite subject semantics, of course as normal with pedants like yourself you'll be all denial, it but you do know exactly what was  meant, what's the point? Have a good day N S.

ippy

[Nearly Sane]

Your favourite subject semantics, of course as normal with pedants like yourself you'll be all denial, it but you do know exactly what was  meant, what's the point? Have a good day N S.

ippy

I think it's important to understand what you mean. I find it sad you don't.

[Rhiannon]

I'm not religious. So if I go on TFTD and talk about pagan spirituality is that non-religious representation?

[ippy]

I think it's important to understand what you mean. I find it sad you don't.

I suppose I should have had a long discourse with you about each individual word I use before discussing the grammar, then in about five day time, or more, make my exchange with you, assuming we have agreed the exact meaning of each word, I somehow don't think even that would be enough.

I understand every day English as much as most people do, I hear a lot of misuse of our language, as long as I can understand, I keep it to myself without dropping hints, ever heard of context, most intelligent people can work things out for themselves.

Have you ever thought of not being so pompous? It might benifit you in the long run.

ippy

[Nearly Sane]

I suppose I should have had a long discourse with you about each individual word I use before discussing the grammar, then in about five day time, or more, make my exchange with you, assuming we have agreed the exact meaning of each word, I somehow don't think even that would be enough.

I understand every day English as much as most people do, I hear a lot of misuse of our language, as long as I can understand, I keep it to myself without dropping hints, ever heard of context, most intelligent people can work things out for themselves.

Have you ever thought of not being so pompous? It might benifit you in the long run.

ippy

In half those words you could have answered the question. Ah well.

[Udayana]

I'm not religious. So if I go on TFTD and talk about pagan spirituality is that non-religious representation?

TFTD may not actually be a religious thought. It could just be an interesting observation about something or other topical. So no real need for it to be by someone associated with a religion. I expect it is bureaucratically under the aegis  of the BBC Dept of Religion, who might be obliged to only provide representatives from some list of recognized religions.

[Nearly Sane]

Don't see anyone as suggesting it has to be religious, just trying to understand what the idea of catering for a non religious viewpoint means.

[Udayana]

I'm sure there must be some mathematicians, scientists, philosophers, economists etc well equipped to come on and say something that will give the Today audience something to ponder on during the day.  Anyone except  a politician So why does it have to be someone representing a religion?  I don't see it as "catering" to anyone, religious or non-religious.

[Nearly Sane]

I'm sure there must be some mathematicians, scientists, philosophers, economists etc well equipped to come on and say something that will give the Today audience something to ponder on during the day.  Anyone except  a politician So why does it have to be someone representing a religion?  I don't see it as "catering" to anyone, religious or non-religious.

again not sure anyone is arguing that they should.

[ippy]

I'm sure there must be some mathematicians, scientists, philosophers, economists etc well equipped to come on and say something that will give the Today audience something to ponder on during the day.  Anyone except  a politician So why does it have to be someone representing a religion?  I don't see it as "catering" to anyone, religious or non-religious.

A taxi driver, a market trader, a pompous old git, someone with their head stuck up their own, Sam Harris, Stephen Fry?

Let's have loads of differing types not as it is now, religious believers only.

ippy

[Nearly Sane]

A taxi driver, a market trader, a pompous old git, someone with their head stuck up their own, Sam Harris, Stephen Fry?

Let's have loads of differing types not as it is now, religious believers only.

ippy

The first four are surely allowed to appear currently? So why use them as a difference? Is TftD the only issue you have?

[Udayana]

again not sure anyone is arguing that they should.

Sorry, was at cross-purposes. I do get that asking someone to say something "non-whatever" makes little sense.

A taxi driver, a market trader, a pompous old git, someone with their head stuck up their own, Sam Harris, Stephen Fry?
...

 
Really? You can tune to Radio 5 for cheap thrills!

[Gordon]

An interesting summary of TftD and the R&E policy of the BBC.

http://humanisthistory.academicblogs.co.uk/2014/01/06/getting-angry-bbcs-thought-day/

[ippy]

An interesting summary of TftD and the R&E policy of the BBC.

http://humanisthistory.academicblogs.co.uk/2014/01/06/getting-angry-bbcs-thought-day/

As well as T4TD you still don't hear unescorted non-religious voices, on any of the other BBC programmes covering moral and ethical subjects just like the one Susan brought up and commented on in the first place, "Beyond Belief".

The nearest the BBC got to unescorted non-religious voices was early last year a series of programmes about 'free thinkers', and guess what? They were all run at 11pm on BBC radio 3.

Have a listen to the BBC on how it covers this area before you po po the very idea of BBC  bias.

ippy

[Rhiannon]

It's crackers that humanism isn't featured on TftD. But that doesn't represent 'non belief'.

I won't even bother with 'non-religious' as plenty of people without religion have beliefs.

[ippy]

It's crackers that humanism isn't featured on TftD. But that doesn't represent 'non belief'.

I won't even bother with 'non-religious' as plenty of people without religion have beliefs.

It does mostly, there are a few religious believers that are also humanists.

"as plenty of people without religion have beliefs". Wouldn't they be non-religious beliefs then?

ippy

[Nearly Sane]

It does mostly, there are a few religious believers that are also humanists.

"as plenty of people without religion have beliefs". Wouldn't they be non-religious beliefs then?

ippy

Humanism is a very specific set of beliefs. It really doesn't represent the non religious