Soap shows balanced approach to religion: Christian soap-lovers outraged.

Thursday, April 16th, 2009 | AHS

For those of you that haven’t read the message coming the tabloids and the literally tens of complaints received to Ofcom, Coronation Street  is in the spotlight after its Easter Sunday episode caused offense to a small number of Christians. The character ‘Ken Barlow’s reference to the teaching of creationism in his grandson’s school as ‘indoctrination’, and his expression of intent to tell his grandson his personal thoughts as a humanist were ”completely unacceptable” and “inappropriate” for broadcast on Easter Sunday.

Coronation Street has responded to the criticism by pointing out that their soap is about real people in modern society and ”represents views from all sides of the religious spectrum”. It is also currently featuring two character story-lines in which religion is presented as having a positive impact on their lives. The AHS would like to join others in praising the soap for its balance and realistic approach to its subject matter.

The AHS wonders how many of those complaining about Ken’s accusation welcome the teaching of creationism themselves, or if they do not welcome it but disapprove of criticising it publicly. Or indeed if they felt anything on a scale of discomfort to horror at the Pope’s comments to a stricken and pious nation about condoms worsening the AIDS epidemic. In the wisdom of Coronation Street’s Ken Barlow: ”that’s how they get their hooks into you, when you’re vulnerable”.

Here’s Christian Voice’s Stephen Green on the issue:

“I was both shocked and appalled by what I was watching on TV, let alone on Coronation Street and on Easter Sunday. What is it about Christianity that is so scary for these people. I don’t know if they do it out of ignorance or antipathy but it is not the kind of example television should be setting.”

Bad television. If you want to hear more of Stephen Green’s take on modern society, why not visit his website: http://www.christianvoice.org.uk/

If anything is an indicator of what a secular society we are at heart, if not in actuality, it’s Easter. It’s the most important celebration in the Christian calendar. It’s muted, its significance largely ignored. At Christmas time, one hears no end on accusations that we’re losing the true Christian meaning of the festival - how it’s all about the presents, tacky decorations, being nice to each other and whatnot. For some reason you never get the same fuss at Easter. That’s because no one is kidding themselves. Chocolate eggs aren’t as immersive as the three month seasonal blow-out of xmas. All the good Easter music is harder to sing and a bit long. If Girls Aloud covered the final chorus of the St. Matthew Passion it would do wonders for the commercial potential of the festival.

The fuss about Easter being trampled on by a modern society who’s not interested in celebrating it anyway may seem silly - 100 complaints from those who consider soaps current affairs, Rowan Williams politely voicing dismay that there’s footy on Easter Sunday. But though it’s muted and trivial, it’s growing. Growing in the sense that people appear to be taking these complaints that the church is losing it’s historically privileged place seriously. An educated and pluralist society cannot support an established C of E. Their beliefs and sensibilities can no longer be worth more than yours or mine. But change is a hard thing and the church is not going to step down into its rightful place quietly.

The AHS would like to congratulate the writers of Coronation Street for being openly and realistically critical of the negative impacts of religion in a climate which is becoming more and more hostile to freedom of speech on the issue.

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