I’m a regular listener to the Today programme, but a continual source of puzzlement (previous comments here ) is the refusal by the BBC’s department of “Religion and Ethics” to allow humanists and atheists to contribute.
This is especially puzzling when you look at the Census figures for the populations declared ‘religious’ beliefs. Between 14% and 18% of England and Wales have “No Religion” according to the 2001 census. In Scotland it’s (surprisingly) higher still: Almost a third of the population: 30%. This makes having “No Religion” the second biggest, um, er, ‘world view’, after christianity in this country, but representative opinions from such people do not get included. I’ll let you draw your own conclusions about the BBC’s policy…
A few years ago, prominent atheist Richard Dawkins gave an alternate Thought for the Day, to demonstrate that those of a religious persuasion don’t have a monopoly on a moral and respectful outlook on life. Of interest too might be this radio interview with Dawkins from BBC Radio 5, addressing many of the issues raised by his “Root of all evil?” programme.
Anyway, back to the subject at hand - if you grind your teeth in frustration at “Thought for the Day” like me, an amusing antidote and daily response to its religious pomposity is Platitude of the day, a parody of the daily ramblings. For the busy, there’s an handy “platitude rating” to give a quick glance appreciation of the platitude involved.
January 17th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
don’t quite understand how an atheistic ‘thought for the day’ would inspire you to get up in the morning…something along the lines of ‘congratulations, you survived another day, but you’re still going to die and that will be the end, and unless you can pass on a genetic mutation your life from the perspective of human evolution (which is the only perspective that matters) was wasted’
January 17th, 2006 at 3:19 pm
Hi Matt,
Wondered when you might chip in, given all my recent posting on this subject
I’m not suggesting that they sit there and say something as cold and functional as you suggest. Listening to the religious lot on TftD and they don’t exactly sit there and say the same thing over and over about how warm and comforting it is that the Flying Spaghetti Monster’s noodly appendage is imminent: They draw on their fiction and apply it to whatever topical issue they feel is worth talking about.
From an atheist/humanist standpoint, I simply feel you can draw enough on common sense, basic human morality and humanist principles without having to resort to make-believe. It’s a slot that - I think - should encourage you to take a different viewpoint and consider some moral implications, on a topical matter. That they essentially disown a significant portion of the population, but claim to be “representative” is something of a joke.
Still, if you want warm and glowy things, how about some comment on the many positive applications of science to curing disease, reducing suffering and increasing life expectancy. Or comments/thoughts from those volunteering to ease human suffering in poorer parts of the world?
I’d take that over somebody essentially talking to themselves in the hope it might make things better anyday.