Manchester Passion

It's not blatent... it's quite the opposite in fact

If there is some 'saddo' who'll complain about it they'll probably complain about virtually every programme broadcast on TV. ALthough to be honext I think the only one who even thought about it is you

My only problem with it (as an athiest) was the interview segments which were just cringeworthy. They seemed to either pick really very keen, young Christians to tell us how great it is or Muslims to show us how inclusive the thing is.

The evangelical element of the programme has caught the attention of The National Secular Society:

In the letter to Mark Thompson, the National Secular Society points out that the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines specifically forbid religious programmes to be used to “recruit”. Terry Sanderson, vice president of the National Secular Society, said: “We feel that this programme will breach the boundary between the reporting of, or broadcasting of, a religious event and actually using licence-payers’ money to create a religious event, which the local clergy obviously see as an evangelising opportunity. This is not the BBC’s purpose. It is specifically forbidden to do it, and for a very good reason.”

Mr Sanderson said that if the event were being staged by, and paid for, by the church and the BBC was simply broadcasting it, it would probably not break the guidelines. “But using the licence-payers’ money to actually stage a religious event that invites active participation from members of the public and which favours one particular religion is not acceptable. It is the church’s business to recruit new members for itself, not the BBC’s.” (From this weeks NNS 'Newsline')

I thought it was awful to be honest - not a patch on the previous opera things!

The crowd just didn't get into it until the end - while the random subtitles were incredibly annoying!


Another thing that annoys me is how they kept zooming in on the big screens - but these were out of synch with the sound!


It was well worth trying - and Manchester provided a good backdrop - but I wouldn't call it a success at all!

I cannot actually believe there is a National Secular Society - what a load of jobs-worths. There is much less religious programming on TV compared to secular stuff, so what's the problem here? There's a place for everyone - either you believe it or not, but if you don't, what's with the attitude of antagonism? People who get arsey like that just look weak to me!

Personally, as I believer, I didn't enjoy the programme, the singing was pretty poor (yes I know they're all primarily actors rather than in-tune singers), however after 10 or so minutes I flicked over. It was good to carry the message and all that in a contemporary way, but it wasn't my cup of tea to be honest.

It was awful. The lumious cross was actually quite scary in a way, it looked like a giant lumious coffin shaped into a cross the way they were carrying it. The renditions of the songs were dreadful. I watched about 10 minutes of it but the best part was when some man in a blue tshirt walked behind the woman in front of the camera when reporting from Portland Street and just waved for a while. And when I was in town yesterday afternoon, most of the roads were closed off which meant yuo had to go all the way round.

There was no product placement (unless the cross was purchased in Woolworth or something but I didn't notice that). Just showing a logo or company name is not advetising. If you go down that route then your original post must have been spam since it mentions all the company names too.

BTW, Did you complain to the BBC or just here?

I thought advertising on the BBC could be done as we pay for the channel. On ITV kids programs when they are giving away a PS2 or this morning was an XBOX 360 but on CBBC, they are allowed to say the real name ...

OK so Easter was originally a pagan festival, I stand corrected. But is it now considered a Christian one where the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is celebrated.

Eh? Why shouldn't there be? Do you think that religious priviliege and influence on our lives should be unquestioned? As a non believer do I have no rights?

It's a society whose exsistance is becoming more and more important
http://www.secularism.org.uk/about.html




The problem in this case is that license fee money shouldn't be used to recruit people to a religion... which it looks like it was

There are diffrences, there is less problem with 'undue prominence' (when a product is featured quite obviously) of an item on the BBC because there isn't anything to be prominent over.

For example if a character in a sitcom walks into view carrying a load of Sainsburys carrier bags then that's not so bad on the beeb, because there's no chance of Tescos advertising around it

My original post on this thread was the very first post!

I only thought of what could any saddo do with all the product names mainly because I have an uncle who would actually complain to the BBC and use the excuse that Religion is not a place for consumerism!!!!!

To be honest, although its not Christian of me (get it ), I have very little time for my uncle, just like everyone else who comes across him - he is a real saddo. Complains about eveything!!!!!!!

For me it was a most enjoyable peice of original and thought provoking prgramming from the BBC. Although I do tend to disagree with a couple of posts as it was funded by Manchester City Council and by the diocese (I think that's how you spell it) of Manchester - along with a couple of sponsors. The City Council was just fortunate that the BBC wanted to take part in the event and televise it to the nation - is this because BBC is moving en masse to Manchester in next couple of years (cynical me, again!!) - although BBC Religion is already based in Manchester

For the record I thought it was really good, and well produced. And if it helped bring the Easter message to people who wouldnt normally be interested, then surely its a good thing? That's what the BBC is about, informing, educating and entertaining. Sure, its not Fame Academy or Eastenders, but was interesting.
I was quite surprised with this post...


Cross... yes it's supposed to be scary, its not a fashion accessory, they are going to kill someone on it.
Roads closed.. Two roads were closed, hardly an inconvienience.
Though I do agree the reporter was dreadful.