Leader: Every religion has the right to respect

Newsdesk • Published 10 Dec 2009 12:00 2 Comments

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IGNORANCE, rather than any deliberate intent to offend millions of Catholics, would appear to have been behind the decision by BHS to stock a novelty soap-on-a-rope bearing a revered image of the Sacred Heart.

Nevertheless it is something that would cause deep offence, not just to Catholics, but to Christians everywhere.

So often in these so called enlightened days, Christians are expected to turn the other cheek to blasphemous television scenes or the alleged wit of comics incapable of uttering a sentence without a sprinkling of obscenities.

They find themselves exhorted to be more broad minded or to 'get with it', without any suggestion that the perpetrators might themselves show a modicum of respect for people they know are unlikely to bite back.

We hear of employees disciplined merely for wearing a crucifix on a chain around their necks, a nurse demoted merely for offering to pray for one of her patients, and how often do we hear the name Jesus used casually as a swear word?

Congratulations then to Bryan and Elizabeth Dent, who refused to turn the other cheek and were prepared to stand up for their beliefs when confronted with what, in any terms, was a puerile piece of attempted humour.

While many major companies would have prevaricated and passed the buck, credit also to BHS which acknowledged its mistake and reacted promptly to the Dents' complaint by promptly taking the soap off its shelves.

Is it wishful thinking to hope the BHS example might be followed by others?

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Barry
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Dec 20, 13:45
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To me, everyone's too ready to be offended. Some black people and Muslims are far too quick to be offended. However, here (in England) we have a tradition of being more laid back about things, and tolerant of a joke at someone or some group's expense. It's healthy. If you look back at the stabs at Christianity you'll see much humour from Monty Python to Not The Nine O'Clock News. Personally I find them extremely funny. It may be because I'm an atheist, or it may be because I have a good and broad sense of humour. I also have my own group-belonging and interests. If people took the rise out of them I wouldn't be offended (they do, and I'm not). Companies tend not to do anything to offend Muslims because Muslims evidently take their religion too seriously and don't share our sense of humour. That's unfortunate, and perhaps another reason why they might want to consider living here. However, once here, they should accept the way we do things - and one of those things is finding humour about ourselves. So I think BHS were wrong to withdraw it, as it is part of the beginning of a process in which Christians are going to be as easily offended as Muslims, which is a great shame.

I think anyone should be allowed to wear religious symbols such as crosses and crucifixes - why not?. But these people should remember that religious belief is personal - not for sharing with others who may well have their own belief (or not). So praying for someone (or rather telling them) is clearly wrong. You are pushing your belief onto others who may not welcome it.

Religion is open to ridicule since it is a belief based on no evidence whatsoever. I class religious belief along with fairies, ghosts, UFOs and goblins. I wouldn't respect someone for believing in Santa Claus, so why should I respect religious belief?

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tony
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Dec 22, 23:27
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Oh dear, Barry, do be careful, you are in danger of being successfully sued by some cheapjack "no win, no fee" lawyer acting on behalf of someone who has taken offence. Have you done a proper risk assessment?

It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder; similarly offence is in the eye of the offendee and is usually not the intention of the offendor. To actually makes jokes about religion, of whatever sort, ought to be acceptable, and even encouraged, because it lightens the whole approach to a subject which, to many, is far too serious and has so often led to physical conflict in this world. I hope I am a robust enough believer to laugh with the others. After all, if we are God's creation he also included a sense of humour in the bundle, so let's say thanks and enjoy it. Happy Christmas.

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