Cinema ban on the Lord's Prayer

[Leafitout]

Surely if anyone finds this advert offensive they can choose not to watch it. I can't see the problem with showing it.

'Are Christmas lights offensive now?'

Now that you mention it I'm most offended by those awful bright blue lights that have started appearing in tree light sets.

Who is offended, exactly?

The DCM has a no religion, no politics policy.

The c of e would have known that, and will simply be enjoying the publicity of the ad being rejected.

Too any people do around black affronted these days. I haven't got the energy and don't think my blood pressure would take it.

On this case, I think it was a matter of rtfsp (read the effing small print), so if the agency missed it, the media bookers certainly did. Unless it's a or stunt?

wonder if the people offended by the Lord's Prayer are also offended by Christmas?? Because they're part of the same religion aren't they? Are Christmas lights offensive now? Nativity scenes?"

Maybe read the thread?

I hate those almost neon blue lights too

Most people aren't offended by this advert. However, without a general policy the agency has no reason not to accept any ad from any religious organisation, or at the very least would have to spend a lot of time explaining their reasons.

equally, people who sell advertising space can refuse ads. I'm sure there are a fair few ads that the church times would refuse.

^
I wonder if the people offended by the Lord's Prayer are also offended by Christmas?? Because they're part of the same religion aren't they? Are Christmas lights offensive now? Nativity scenes?^

I'm more offended by people who don't seem to have read full threads before commenting, or who choose to ignore pages of discussion and clarification, tbh.

I don't find the Lord's Prayer offensive, any more than the Torah or Quran are inherently offensive. I do think there's a time and a place for religion, and that it's in places where people are making the choice to participate in it.

(That means - not in state-funded schools, the parliament that makes laws for everyone, and if religion can bugger off out of the cinema that'd be grand. I go rarely enough as it is!)

I'm curious that some religious people on this thread aren't a little concerned by the arguments equating the promotion of faith/religion to selling a commercial product?

Ech, buggered up the italics. Sorry.

I didn't read 13 prior pages of comments, no, I'm sorry I offended you but even if I had, I am still allowed to post my own thoughts, even if they duplicate what's already been said

Looking at this issue from outside and hopefully without
any particular persuasion either way, I do think it's odd that some atheists can feel offended by religious adverts, yet they feel able to make comments about believers and their faith that seem almost designed to offend.

They don't duplicate your thoughts though- the thread has in general been more thoughtful and measured than that. The answer to your questions ,by the way are"nobody is offended" "Yes""No""No"

That's cool, Freezing, but in the same spirit, I'm sure you don't mind if others point out that in the context of the thread your comment comes across as kind of misinformed and irrelevant.

Thought this was a funny comment under that Guardian article: 'if you want to see a film promoting talking to yourself, then I imagine you just go on to a CofE website'

Glad to see that the general consensus appears to be that public figures are jumping onto a fairly stupid bandwagon. Also that it's just not a great advert anyway. I watched it and agree that it is pretty low key and depressing, not quite sure why it would make anyone think they'd love a bit more of the same so need to go to church or visit the CoE website.

The Arch Bish does a lovely sad face too!

The Arch Bish does a lovely sad face too!

He's got a gorgeous basset hound expression, doesn't he? I think RW's beard prevented a true sadface.

Sallying - Yes. I would love it if we could discuss religion without disparaging references to "sky fairy" and "imaginary friend". It's the sort of unnecessary insult that pollutes the discussion.

I'm not sure what it would really achieve as a publicity stunt though Ego. I'm sure more people have seen the prayer video, but I doubt any have been converted as a result, and it's not as if the Lords Prayer will have been unfamiliar to anyone (at least those educated in the state system in the UK). People will also have come across the church before - it's not really avoidable is it?

Our local high street has Christmas lights that look like a willy, they are a bit offensive in an ooh matron kind of way

I think it's sensible for the cinema to have a blanket ban on all religious ads. If the c of e are allowed then there's no reason not to have any conceivable belief system being advertised. And without any of them having any demonstrable basis in reality it's really open season. If you are happy to watch an ad for one belief system you should be happy for any ad for any religion. I'm not.

I'm not sure the cinema is the right place for a religious advert.
Won't other religions object?

The Scientologists would be at it next. The cinema is very much their thing!

Some do now and then Ego. The Methodists had a good one a few years ago with their tag line "Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors."

I agree with Ego that it is a publicity stunt. The general public were never their intended audience. The intended audience are church members. By making up this story that the advert has been banned, they make the church members feel victimised and increase their commitment to the group. I don't think a lot of the shots in the video - aggressive men, multiple people in uniform, adults being immersed in water is appealing to the public. But it would be appealing to people who've already bought into that church hierarchy.

All these politicians etc stepping in to say it should be shown seem to forget that cinemas are not an arm of the state. I no more expect to see this than expect the waiter to ask me if I want a quick prayer session when I'm ordering in Pizza Express, or the cabin crew on a flight to do a performance of a few hymns just before take off. There is a difference between freedom of religion and expecting any random organisation to insert collective religious events into its activities just because you want them there.