Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

Has the BBC given up on religion?

(68 Posts)
jennyvg Sun 05-May-19 10:51:07

Has the BBC given up on religion? I ask this question because this morning I tuned into the radio 2 programme Good Morning Sunday at six twenty and at eight thirty when I decided I couldn't listen any longer I had only heard one reference to religion and that was a short reference to Ramadam. Songs of Praise has been relegated to Sunday lunch time not the most convenient time for most people to tune in once again making me feel that the BBC wants to delete religion. I am not a deeply religious person but I do have my beliefs and enjoy a good hymn and religious piece of music, the reverend Kate and Jason seem to be too interested in the so called celebrity guests, the programme has turned into just another radio programme.

breeze Mon 06-May-19 10:09:30

I am not religious but if you can't get to church Sky has a whole section between 580 and 595 to choose from. Just looked and currently have an hour with the salvation army. Pope in Bulgaria. An hour of hillsong and many more

Riverwalk Mon 06-May-19 10:10:08

Simply not true Grannyrebel - there were a number of events, including Easter Day Eucharist & Songs of Praise.

Why are posters claiming there's nothing religious on the BBC?

breeze Mon 06-May-19 10:12:44

I am not religious but if you cant get to church and beeb not forthcoming; Sky has a whole category on religion. From 580 to 595. Just looked and currently there is an hour with the salvation army, the pope in Bulgaria, hillsong and many more.

breeze Mon 06-May-19 10:15:59

Sorry for repeating myself. Thought I'd lost first post as it took a while to appear ?

grannyactivist Mon 06-May-19 10:20:48

BradfordLass72 I’ve visited several churches in NZ and sadly our experiences were not always good, however, the Seabrook (New Lynn) Church of the Nazarene was a wonderfully warm, welcoming, multi-ethnic family church. I am quite confident that if you contacted someone from there they would be happy to arrange transport. They have a Facebook page, but may take a day or two to reply to posts or queries.

Gonegirl Mon 06-May-19 10:26:31

Riverwalk it's not religion as such that has gone, but well loved weekly favourites are being downgraded. I know Something Understood is still on early Sunday mornings, but I haven't been able to find the late Sunday evening repeat now.

Gonegirl Mon 06-May-19 10:27:31

I don't like having to fiddle around finding it on Sounds.

Hymnbook Mon 06-May-19 10:35:36

I used to attend church regularly but when l needed help after l broke my ankle where was everyone. The same with lifts why are people so loath to offer a lift particularly if they are going to the same place .Songs of Praise on at lunch time ridiculous. Who wants to watch it at that time early evening was the best slot l suppose the BBC will say next that they are taking it off because no one watches it. Crafty.

Riverwalk Mon 06-May-19 10:37:35

Well ya can't be that interested in listening - takes a couple of seconds!

Riverwalk Mon 06-May-19 10:40:48

That was to Gonegirl

Gonegirl Mon 06-May-19 11:08:02

I have my little mini radio by my bed. No internet. I just have to put my earphones in and switch it on and go.

I very much liked listening to Mark Tully last thing on a Sunday night. But they seem to have given him the push. (others are still doing S.U. of course)

Gonegirl Mon 06-May-19 11:08:44

Now. where's that tongue sticking out emoji?

Septimia Mon 06-May-19 11:22:48

Sorry, Gonegirl, I have to disagree about Mark Tully. I found both him and his voice pretty boring. Maybe I was influenced by the fact that our bedside radio comes on at 6am for and hour an 11pm for an hour, so I was getting him twice in one day!

But Something Understood was often interesting, with different points of view and information, and frequently interesting and unusual music. I picked up quite a few pieces of music from it which I later bought/downloaded.

There seems to be something else on now on Sunday evenings, but the SU repeats are still on on the mornings (unless I go back to sleep!)

red1 Mon 06-May-19 11:32:59

I guess its a reflection on the decline in religion ,lots of reasons why, people thinking more for themselves,education,the corruption,child abuse, the history of wars due to religion etc etc I have tried religion for many years, all I saw was division,power and mindnumbingly boring services.
people will say the mess the world is due to the decline in religion, I would say look at history to see the damage it has done and continues to do so.

Suzan05 Mon 06-May-19 11:38:31

Easter from Kings on BBC2 was beautiful. I’ve just checked and it’s available for another fourteen days.
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0004gm4
Hope you enjoy the anthems and hymns.?

Bijou Mon 06-May-19 11:43:50

Most wars are caused by religion.

Anniel Mon 06-May-19 11:45:14

The OP was really reporting that the BBC does seem to be sidelining the Christian faith. Society is becoming secularised but many older people like me are still believers and even people who are not often enjoy listening to favourite hymns and can sing along. I am fortunate that even though i am ancient I can still go to church. I catch a bus and then the underground as i love the 1662 Prayer book services of the C of E. The language is exquisite and i almost know all the prayers and responses off by heart. Added to that we have a wonderful choral quartet and a fantastic orgainist. I find the hymns and prayers so uplifting that it gives me a new lift to my steps. If you like the C of E and a choir every Wednesday at 3.30pm Radio 3 broadcasts Evensong. I try not to miss it. I also belong to the Prayer Book Society which works to keep the old Prayer Book alive. Maybe it is a case of Nearer to Thee as i get to my 85th Birthday next month!

Annaram1 Mon 06-May-19 11:47:40

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.

Anniebach Mon 06-May-19 12:24:50

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 ?

Phoebes Mon 06-May-19 12:29:25

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

polnan Mon 06-May-19 12:41:42

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.

Annaram1 Mon 06-May-19 12:51:22

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,

moggie57 Mon 06-May-19 13:02:02

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...

Bijou Mon 06-May-19 13:04:00

I entirely agree with Annaram1.

crazyH Mon 06-May-19 13:04:18

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.