More religion on the BBC? Why?

[Robbie]

I haven't watched or listened to a religious programme since I don't know when and am not aware of any by name. I just looked at last Sunday's TV listings and can only see one, on BBC1, which might loosely be called "religious", and that was the aforementioned 'Fern Britton Meets', in which she talked to the chaplain to the speaker of the House of Commons about her role. Nothing on any other channel. So if there is going to be 'more religion' on the BBC I doubt it will be very religious and is anyone going to notice it anyway?

[Walter]

Has anyone managed to watch the 'Fern Britton Meets...' programme on BBC 1 tv Sunday mornings without having a bucket close to hand?

Just thought I'd ask

I had to turn it off last Sunday before my telly was sick!

[Robbie]

I'm surprised anyone feels like putting the telly on on a Sunday morning, takes me enough time to wake up never mind concentrate on a TV programme.

[ippy]

I'm surprised anyone feels like putting the telly on on a Sunday morning, takes me enough time to wake up never mind concentrate on a TV programme.

Nothing wrong with that Rob, if you were to watch that programme on the iplayer, don't forget the bucket.

Regards ippy

[Robbie]

Can't be arsed.

The sort of religious programme I would like is an 'in depth' look at different religions with interviews and questions but that type of programme is more of a documentary - which is OK by me but not everyone's cuppa.

[Rhiannon]

One of the best religious programmes I ever saw was a series of short dramas for Easter Week called Easter Tales. They were monologues delivered by characters from the Gospels - Helen Blaxendale was the serving girl, Joss Ackland was (I think) Barabbas and Tony Robinson was really thought provoking as Judas. Even Victor Lewis-Smith described it as ‘treading the path of righteousness’. Yet to the best of my knowledge it’s never been repeated or released on DVD.

[ippy]

Can't be arsed.

The sort of religious programme I would like is an 'in depth' look at different religions with interviews and questions but that type of programme is more of a documentary - which is OK by me but not everyone's cuppa.

The big questions is back in January 18, it fits your description above, no need to stir yourself on a Sunday you can pick it up on the iPlayer   

Regards ippy

[SusanDoris]

The BBC's just appointed an atheist to become the head of their R & E Department, with their past record they've got to be up to something?

Regards ippy

Really? I hadn't heard that - who is it?  I'm all for that of course!

[Robbie]

Thanks for info ippy, if I have the time I will watch the Big Questions.

I looked at programmes on 24th and only 'religious' one is 'Songs of Praise' on BBC1. I thought that had finished years ago, shows what I know. Again another Sunday am programme, I have a good lay in at weekends unless I have somewhere to go or something to do, never particularly liked the prog anyway.

There really are very few religious programmes on mainstream TV. There may be a few on satellite which I don't have. I saw TBN on freeview when I couldn't sleep but too much ranting for my taste.

Susan: http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/bbcs-head-religious-programmes-reveals-11729130
Sorry for 'Mirror', it was the first thing that came up on googling.
Hopefully he will be unbiased but it is graveyard shift TV anyway.

[ippy]

Really? I hadn't heard that - who is it?  I'm all for that of course!

James Purnell

Regards ippy

[SusanDoris]

James Purnell

Regards ippy

Thank you. I wonder what sort of a job he will do with religious broadcasting.

[Nearly Sane]

One take from a secularist

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/dec/23/bbc-church-england-christmas-complain-secular