BHA: BBC reporting on religion in public life is simplistic and unbalanced

Tuesday, 24 February 2009 12:00 AM

The British Humanist Association (BHA) has criticised the BBC's reporting of a poll, suggesting that 'most people want religion and the values derived from it to play an important part in public life'.

Andrew Copson, BHA Director of Education and Public Affairs, said, 'The poll's questions are simplistic and vague, and the reporting of them by the BBC is unbalanced, with no quote from a non-religious spokesperson. One question simply asked whether "Our laws should respect and be influenced by UK religious values" - but which values are we talking about? Values such as "do as you would be done by", for example, have a humanist basis as well as a religious one and cannot be claimed as the preserve of religions. If the poll had suggested religious "values" such as no divorce, no sex outside of marriage and no stem cell research, it is inconceivable that many of the respondents would have agreed with the question.

'We were also disappointed that the BBC, in its news reporting, is using an inflammatory term such as "militant atheists" to describe those who do not believe in a god or gods and who campaign for state neutrality in matters of religion. The BBC do not use such an adjective to describe mainstream religious people who express their opinions publicly, and nor should they for the non-religious.'

The BHA has also pointed out that attempts by BBC reporting to infer widespread support for a "Christian-based framework for national life" among the population generally are totally misconceived. Mr Copson continued, 'The poll questions make no reference to Christianity whatsoever."

The poll asked only four questions. Whether respondents agreed or disagreed with the following statements: 'The media reports my religion fairly and accurately', 'The media reports other religions fairly and accurately', 'Our laws should respect and be influenced by UK religious values', and 'Religion has an important role to play in public life.' It did not explain what 'religious values' or 'public life' or 'important role' were supposed to mean.

Muslim respondents were the most likely to agree that 'Our laws should respect and be influenced by UK religious values' at 79%, followed by Christians at 70%, those who refused to give their religion at 59%, those of other religions at 58% and the non-religious at 51%.

Muslim respondents were also the most likely to agree that 'Religion has an important role to play in public life' at 91%, followed by Christians at 73%, those of other religions at 70%, those who refused to give their religion at 64% and the non-religious at 36%.

60% of the non-religious disagree with the statement that 'Religion has an important role to play in public life'.

Notes

For comment or information, contact Andrew Copson, Director of Education, at andrew@humanism.org.uk or on 07534 248 596.

The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing the interests of the large and growing population of ethically concerned non-religious people living in the UK. It exists to support and represent such people, who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs.

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