Freedom is a Christian ideal and should be one of the hallmarks of a democratic and healthy society.
Recently, however, the whole issue of freedom of speech has begun to run into many difficulties. Back in December, the Sikh community understandably felt very aggrieved over the play entitled Bhesti (Punjabi for ‘dishonour’), which portrayed immorality and abuse in a Sikh temple. There were angry scenes on the streets of Birmingham and police had to be involved in holding back the protesters. Eventually the play was closed down by the theatre’s executive director.
In January, BBC2 broadcast a production of Jerry Springer: The Opera. I understand that this musical is notorious for containing over 8,000 expletives, and, along with many blasphemies, it depicts the characters of the Lord Jesus Christ, Mary and God as self-centred sexual deviants. The show’s artistic director is said to admit that it is a deliberate attack on good taste and the BBC concedes that the broadcast was intended to ‘push back the boundaries of taste and decency’. I, along with many other Christians, sent emails of protest to the BBC, but to no avail. That Christians are offended seems to be of no concern to the Corporation brought to birth under the Christian influence of Sir John Reith.
The re-emergence of heavy shepherds
What would you think if you received a letter from your church leaders that read like this? ‘Are church members …