Has the BBC given up on religion?

I usually sleep through Thought for the Day. Sigh.

Well, I'm sorry Eloethan but I liked to tuck up by the fire on a Sunday evening and watch Songs of Praise. Been doing it for years. We (DD and I) used to get my old (very old) church hymnbook out and frantically look the hymns up so we could sing along. That was before they started putting the words onscreen. It was Sunday teatime thing with us.

My little hymnbook is called "Songs of Praise" too. Quite coincidentally. I won it at Sunday School.

In reply to Annaram1 and others of the same view, I feel it's rather easy to say bad things are the direct result of religion, as it seems to me it's more the case that flawed human beings looking for a reason to hate and cause trouble will often adopt a twisted version of a faith as justification, as Anniebach and Phoebes suggest. Most genuine people of faith struggle with the problem you mention, namely 'if God truly loves us he would not allow such awful things to happen', but part of faith is holding that in tension with the good things. As a Christian, one can only point to the message of Easter.

It doesn't make me angry or upset because Songs of Praise is still on TV. I don't, though, see why people take issue about its timing. If a religious service is so important to you, surely you either go to church or you watch Songs of Praise at the new time?

I was speaking more specifically about Thought for the Day which does not include an atheist/agnostic/humanist perspective. It suggests to me that the values and beliefs of those who follow a religion are intrinsically of a superior order to those of people who are not religious.

Does televising a church service cause anger, upset, ?

Christianity is not a minority religion in this country. I believe a significant number of people in GB, when asked, describe themselves as CofE/Catholic, even if only by habit rather than practice. Additionally, the Church of England has a privileged position in our political system.

I don't see why it is necessary to have media coverage specifically set aside to espouse the views of those with religious beliefs - whether they be Christian or any other religion. Surely it is possible to produce programmes that discuss various religious beliefs/values - and agnosticism/atheism - and their impact upon the individual and society? People who have no religious beliefs still have values and opinions, even though they are not directly based on religious texts, so I think their views are worthy of acknowledgement and inclusion also.

Given up on religion jennyvg.... I do hope so. Religion belongs to the infancy of our species .... has caused so much misery and death on its way through...I wish I could live long enough to see it totally eradicated.

Aniebach, Not everything is caused by religion, just a lot of things. The terrorists who bombed churches and hotels were really out to kill Christians and foreigners. The same with Lockerbie, a church was not the target, and also I believe Lockerbie was not really a target. The twin towers were attacked by suicide pilots who wanted to harm Americans. I never said it was just churches who are attacked, But the terrorists themselves are motivated to kill Christians and as they themselves are Muslims this makes a lot of what they do a so-called religious act. And what about the Jews who are also targets, and the Charlie Hebdo case and the Jewish shop in Paris? I could go on and on. But I never said it was just churches!!!

Then Annaram1, why the hotels in Sri Lanka ? Was there a church in the two towers, was it the church in Lockerbie the real target ?

My faith is one of the most important and profound things in my life and I am sure I speak for many people in this country. The BBC is a public service provider and is responsible for reflecting our cultural heritage and giving a voice to minority groups. Christianity falls into both of these catagories. So let's not mourn, lets mobilise.
I'm going to write to them and remind them of their responsibilities. Anyone care to join me..?

Not all church congregations are diminishing, the one in our village where my son works had to be extended a few years ago and an extra service added as lots more people were going.
The ones my daughters go to on Sunday mornings and Sunday evening is a church that was reopened just a couple of years ago and have a big congregation now including a lot of students.

These days you can listen to radio over the Internet and probably find a television channel that transmits a church service too, so if you have a computer, you might want to surf the net for appropriate channels. You can hook the computer up to your TV too. Perhaps you have a grandchild who could help with that if computers aren't your thing?

Lord Reith must be turning in his grave. The new religion of atheism has plenty of air time. To me it takes as much faith to believe there is no God as to believe there is one. I prefer the latter

Our Minister once said there are no athiests in lifeboats.

I think people believe in God but I think they are just too lazy and interested in other things. I have noticed when things are tough, they all cry out to God but as long as they can get by, they do.

Maybe the BBC changed Songs of Praise to earlier in the day because many people now have Sunday lunch later in the day? Families are tied up with childrens' activities and sports, working in the 7 day retail sector perhaps, or even catching up with shopping and chores so the later slot may be an attempt by the BBC to catch more viewers rather than allegedly alienate older viewers who like their lunch at 1pm every Sunday?

no one can say whether you get to heaven after we die ,that is not up to us, and as for catholic priests, they told my best friend her husband wouldnt go to heaven because he wasnt catholic. what a load of b******t...who do they think they are .god ?? i think not...judgement is not up to a catholic priest.......religion is not to blame for wars etc it is tolerence of people from other faiths...if every country was friends as it should be. there would be no wars. some people like to think they are the top person but they not, there is someone bigger and better than everyone. and its the one who made you.

Just the opposite with me Bradfordlass.... I have always noticed one particular lady being picked up by a taxi, after church. So one evening, I offered to give her a lift, and told her I was quite happy to do so every Sunday, both picking and dropping her back. But, she declined my offer. Perhaps she didn't want to feel obliged.

I entirely agree with Annaram1.

my aunt commented on that ,songs of praise at lunch time....who wants to see it them when lunch/dinner is being prepared..i dont have a tv so not bothered now ,but my brother tapes what i want to see and puts it on dvd for me. so i can see it when i want......does your tv do catch up record and watch later?solves songs of praise. but yes religion on a sunday gone down the pan. which is a shame.. if so get yourself offc to church find one that suits you and feel refreshed. or listen to premier radio...

I DID NOT SAY EVERYTHING WAS CAUSED BY RELIGION, BUT MANY ARE THE RESULT OF RELIGION, FORGIVE THE CAPITALS BUT MY COMPUTER IS NOT DOING LOWER CASE AT THE MOMENT. BUT TERRORISM IS USUALLY CAUSED BY RELIGION, BURNING AND BOMBING OF CHURCHES IN SRI LANKA WAS THE RESULT OF RELIGION, MOSQUE ATTACKS ARE THE RESULT OF RELIGION. HONOUR KILLINGS ARETHE RESULT OF RELIGION,

yes, the UK has become a secular society imo

I am fortunate , I have a C ofE church near to me.. not reallly my cup of tea, but the socialising part of it is good for me.

No, Bijou. Wars are not caused by religion, wars are caused by intolerant people.

So many bad bad things that happen in the world are caused by man ,some use religion. Does religion cause the rise in knife crime in this country ? Does religion cause drug addiction ?

I'm afraid I am in agreement with red1. My husband and I went to church for many years and I converted to Catholicism after 30 years. He was a reader and eucaristic minister for many years. Unfortunately since he died 3 years ago I have gone off religion. Partly because when he was dying in a care home I phoned the priest of our church and he refused to go to see him as he said the home was out of his parish, and he would send somebody from the parish he was now in. He did and it was a priest who did not know him. I was so annoyed.
Also, so many bad bad bad things that happen in the world are the result of religion. If God truly loves us he would not allow such awful things to happen. As ordinary people we would show more mercy, I think. I'm afraid I will not get to Heaven to see my husband again because of my wicked thoughts.