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Bah Humbug At The Beeb
How about a little parity of esteem?
Christians have greeted news that this year's Christmas Special from the BBC will feature washed-up soap stars and a "glamour model" acting out scenes from the nativity less with not so much dismay but weary resignation at the predictability of the broadcaster's religious output.
2007's Christmas story shifts the action to Liverpool, where asylum seekers Joseph and Mary face a crackdown on immigration by paranoid minister Herodia. You can probably fill in the rest yourself, to be honest, though devotees of sacred music will doubtless look forward to the prospect of the 300-strong cast wandering the streets of Liverpool singing Beatles songs.
It isn't clear if the BBC's latest wheeze amounts to a sly dig at Pope Benedict XVI, who is returning the Latin Mass to churches much to the dismay of modern, clap-happy types. Or if Christians in general should take offence at the Beeb crowbarring politically-correct platitudes and celebrity gimmickry into their religion's most sacred story.
It's hardly as if the BBC can expect Christians to be happy with this burnt offering: "There you go, that's this year's religious broadcasting done and dusted for the year. You God-botherers should count your blessings we didn't dedicate an hour to Richard Dawkins instead."
Few Christians expect their beliefs to be given the sort of fawning, over-sensitive treatment the BBC reserves for Muslims. Long-term EURSOC readers will remember how the BBC's religious pages granted Mohammed the honorific peace be upon him each time he was mentioned, while Christ didn't even merit the traditional capitalised "He" or "Him." Islam's teachings were presented as fact; Those of Christianity were presented merely as the beliefs of Christians. The BBC's explanation for its cultural cringe was laughably unconvincing. Their deference to Islam was done "Out of courtesy, and we would do the same for any other religion if they had a similar phrase that was universally used as a sign of respect."
Most Christians are grown-ups who can take a joke. Few call for the heads of those who question their faith's history and beliefs: Indeed, many welcome the kind of late-night discussion programme that presents challenging historical evidence many other religions would categorise as the gravest blasphemy: As long as their views are treated with respect and the broadcast is fairly balanced, that is.
Furthermore, moving scenes of transcendent faith can arise from the most unpromising raw materials. The great Italian artist Caravaggio was notorious for using low-lives as models for his devotional scenes, particularly his painting of the death of the Virgin. But there is little about this year's BBC offering that suggests the faithful will be watching the Liverpool Nativity in years to come: A publicity still from the pantomime shows the cast loitering around an urban bus-stop, for goodness' sake. And the prospect of this cast caterwauling Beatles numbers seems better suited the the agony of Christ's Passion, rather than the joy of His birth.
Perhaps if the Church of England's own Mad Mullah Rowan Williams was to start issuing fatwas against blasphemers and apostates, then the BBC would be moved to treat Christians with the sensitivity reserved for those of other faiths, particularly those with robust views on outsiders who meddle in their theology...
But no. Christians don't want that. They don't want to see their fellow believers roaming the streets, calling for the murder of anyone who questions its values. Most don't want to see a "free for all" granted, which would allow public service broadcasters to treat other faiths with the same scorn Christianity receives. They don't even want that old Northern Irish phrase, "parity of esteem", whereby Christianity would be treated with the same mix of cowardice and cringing the media employs when handling Islam.
They merely want their beliefs treated with some dignity. After all, over seventy percent of Britons describe themselves as Christians of one form or another. Is that too much to ask?
Also on this subject:
Tory MP warns of rising "Christianophobia"
Dutch gallery pulls artwork which might offend Muslims
