TV and Video

According to The White Roses, Islam is incompatible with secularism, no matter what "moderate" British Muslims might say.

Muslims deficient in a sense of humour or proportion are upset about a scene from BBC TV's Eastenders in which a gay Muslim character handles his copy of the Qur'an rather roughly, upset about his love life. He probably didn't even say "Oops!", though I wouldn't know because I never watch it.

Oh please! Taking offence has become a full-time occupation for some people.

The BBC has reported an Ofsted report on the teaching of RE in secondary schools, which describes it as "inadequate" in one in five secondary schools. They say, "Its study suggested many teachers were unsure of what they were trying to achieve in the subject."

I'm not surprised. A few years ago, a report was presented to Suffolk's SACRE (Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education) by a middle school teacher who'd been given a grant from an independent body for a sabbatical to research RE provision in the county. Her report showed that, in many schools, RE was a low priority subject that came bottom of the list for resources and staffing. Teachers who were in charge of RE in their schools struggled to maintain standards because of frequent time-table changes, so that a different group of non-specialist teachers might be delegated to teach the subject in different terms. Consequently, a lot of RE was taught by teachers who knew very little about it.

Late on Easter Day, BBC One aired a programme that asked, "Are Christians being persecuted?" (you have 6 days left to view it on i-Player). Presenter Nicky Campbell (of the Big Questions, Sunday's God-slot programme), implied that they are. There was no attempt to present a balanced report. Instead, we got the usual aggrieved BA crucifix wearer and nurse who was sacked for offering to pray for a patient - anecdotal "evidence" of people being mean to Christians. They introduced Polly Toynbee as "President of the National Secular Society", not the BHA, which was typical of the sloppy approach.

Jonathan Bartley of Ekklesia has blogged a fair assessment of the programme. I've complained to the BBC. Maybe you might do the same?

In a not-too-shocking turn of events in 2008, a tantric guru failed to kill Sanal Edamaruku of the Indian Rationalist Association on live television using only his mystical powers.

Commissioned for the online music festival Geek Pop, a hip-hop anthem for rationalists and atheists. We like.

BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson was interviewed on BBC News about the amendment to the Children, Schools and Families Bill (see previous posts), before it was debated. Sadly, the Commons voted for Ed Balls' amendement.

Video courtesy of the BHA