Describe and analyse the variety of specifically religious programmes on British terrestrial television.

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

GCSE Religion & the Media

1. Describe and analyse the variety of specifically religious programmes on

British terrestrial television.

Answer 1

When television broadcasting began every channel had to broadcast a religious programme. This was normally on a Sunday between 10.30am-12pm (or 6-7pm).

Church services and hymn singing was usually showed, which is now known as worship programmes (as they feature some sort of worship).

The times that these programmes were on was called the ‘God slot’ – which means; the time dedicated to religious programmes.

These programmes were all regarding the Christian faith, due to the majority of Christians in the country.

At first, the strictly Christian would watch the religious programmes, but over many years, these programmes became less popular. One of the many reasons for this was David Kremer – the programme editor for BBC religious broadcasting, who noticed that the country had become vaguely religious. The term ‘vaguely religious’ means; the belief in God, but only going to church for a Christening, wedding etc.

As a result, BBC religious broadcasting now only deals with big questions of life such as, ‘why are we here? Where have we come from? Where are we going?’

Although the ‘God slot’ has been abandoned, there are still many programmes related to religion in a vague way, so much so that there are three types of main religious programmes; magazine, religious documentaries and worship.

The most popular worship-type program on television today is ‘songs of praise’ which has a time of 6.30-7pm every Sunday. The programme is usually broadcasted from different Christian churches in Britain each week, and about 6 popular hymns are sung.

A presenter who finds out about ones life and how their Christian faith has affected them also has a short interview with a member of the public. The target audiences for worship programmes are people who fit under the more strictly religious title, and the older Christian generation.

Another type of religious broadcast is called a magazine programme, which can be seen on Sunday mornings between 10.30am – 12 noon. This type of programme includes news from the world of religion, interviews with people in religious news matters or people who have an interest in current religious or moral issues. ‘holy Smoke’ which is showed on Sunday night, and ‘The Heaven and Earth show,’ broadcasted on Sunday morning are both magazine programmes. The target audiences for this type of programme are vaguely religious people. Both young and old people watch it and it is quite family orientated.

The final type of religious broadcast is called a religious documentary, which is based on moral or religious decisions. These decisions are investigated in a much deeper way than in a worship and magazine-type programme.

Two regular religious documentaries are shown on British television late on Sunday evenings; ‘Every man’ and ‘Heart of the matter’

2. Give your response to the view that:

“Programmes on television about religion are boring.”

Answer 2

There are many programmes on television about religion. They come in different styles and the three categories’ are; magazine, worship and religious ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

Two regular religious documentaries are shown on British television late on Sunday evenings; ‘Every man’ and ‘Heart of the matter’

2. Give your response to the view that:

“Programmes on television about religion are boring.”

Answer 2

There are many programmes on television about religion. They come in different styles and the three categories’ are; magazine, worship and religious documentaries. A worship-type program may be far too dull (not exciting) for many people. The reason being that it is mainly for the older generation. This is because now it is generally the older generation that is strictly and traditionally Christian, and a worship-type program focuses only on strict Christians.

The interviewing of B-list celebrities may not draw many people to the programme. Since the programme is targeted at the strictly Christian, no other faiths or religions are mentioned. However, a worship-type programme visits different churches around Britain. This offers an insight to a variety of locations making the programme inspiring and interesting to watch.

The hymns that are sung differ every time, avoiding any unvaried singing.

I feel that a worship-type programme is a great way for Christians to focus on their religion. This is because more and more religious programmes focus on more than one belief making it less personal for one.

A magazine-type programme is much more open-ranged. It is targeted at young and old people and is heavily family orientated. This is because it is targeted at the vaguely religious (as it teaches, unlike the worship programmes which are for the ‘already knowledgeable’ - mainly the older generation). It is also targeted at the vaguely religious because a magazine programme is not at all focusing on any type of worship (which is not popular with the younger generation).

A magazine programme has a fresh approach to religion as it combines a variety of issues and religious aspects into one programme.

The programme has also introduced a new format where viewers can phone in and express their opinions. The use of a young presenter draws the attention of many more youths, as the presenters can relate similarly to any of the issues.

However, a magazine programme may not be at all interesting as it ‘waters down religious issues’ and doesn’t focus in depth on any one religion. This type of programme trivialises religion with its magazine content. The questions asked may be; ‘Is the world materialistic?’ and this could hit on a few points from each religion in a less than obvious approach.

In my opinion, a magazine programme is generally for family entertainment than for religious teachings. Therefore, it may not be the right type of programme for strictly religious people, as religion is not focussed on completely and in depth.

The news discussed on a magazine programme is exciting for both the old and young e.g. ‘Bill Clinton – Is it right to trust a president who lies?’ Whereas reviews of mind, body and spirit festivals may only appeal to the older generation. However, interviews of famous people e.g. Uri Geller – who is supposed to have psychic powers, may be interesting for the whole family.

A religious documentary has quite an inaccessible format towards youth issues. The issues are mainly related to and directed to an older audience. The complex terminology used may be difficult for a younger audience to understand.

However, this type of religious programme shows both sides of a story; the religious and scientific views, that can create further awareness on which people can then formulate their opinions. The moral and ethical issues that are discussed affect us all and would be a good motivating factor for individuals.

I think that a religious documentary is an exciting way to learn about how religion and science interact. The given examples to teach and/or aware the viewers may be directly associated to their lives and so this type of program can be very helpful.

3. Describe, analyse and explain the way in which a religious or moral

issue has been dealt with in a film.

Answer 3

In the film ‘East is east’ the main focus point is the issue regarding ‘mixed marriage.’

The teachings of Islam, being one of the central religions in the film, explain that the father is the head of the family. Therefore, he must set an example to his children. However, in ‘East is east,’ George (the father) has a second marriage, which involves a mixture of two religions; Christianity and Islam. Although, this is allowed in Islam, the film shows that mixed marriage brings in many other issues e.g. ‘growing up in two different cultures.’

Some may argue that following the customs and traditions of one religion is difficult for a child. So, one can only imagine how hard it must be being brought up in a family with two different cultures and religions. This is reflected on the attitudes of the children. Each of the six children in the film is tied between two religions, which makes them neither true Christians nor Muslims. However, one of the older son’s, Abdullah, manages to break the family’s consistency in ‘wrong doing,’ by rightfully submitting himself to follow the teachings of one religion. Abdullah wears an Islamic hat (topee) to show this. This, along with the father’s strong views on Islam creates

a family divide.

To show a contrast, in one of the scenes the children are shown eating pork (which is strictly forbidden in Islam) whilst Abdullah is watching repulsively at the unfaithfulness to his father and to Islam.

Tariq, who is a rebellious child, has a girlfriend with whom he has close contacts. Sexual relationships outside marriage is regarded a great sin in Islam. However, it may be permitted in most Christian households. Therefore, growing up in a Christian dominated area and with a Christian parent, Tariq is influenced against his father’s wish. This also brings in another issue; ‘freedom of choice.’ Where the children have an excuse or explanation for doing something against Islam, but in the authority of Christianity (or vice versa) e.g. eating pork.

Nearer the beginning of the film, the children are showed sitting in a mosque to learn and recite the Holy Quran. Once again, to show a contrast, the previous scene has each child (except Abdullah who is willingly going) being forced to get washed and changed to go to mosque. The father swears and shouts whilst getting his kids dressed, which shows us as the audience how disobedient and far from religion the children are. It also shows that there is a type of religious observance in their lives, but this is being forced upon them.

‘Religious hypocrisy’ is one of the issues introduced nearer the end of the story. This is when Tariq and are both having their marriages arranged into the family of a close Islamic friend of their fathers. Although, Tariq is not in love with his girlfriend (who is a white Christian) and has no intentions of getting married to her, there is a scene when he confronts his father about not wanting to marry into an Asian family. This seems quite bizarre as throughout the film, the father is seen as unapproachable. However, George states that he doesn’t want any of his children to marry into a white family, as he knows how difficult it is. George also explains that he is doing what is best for his children. As usual, Tariq rebels against what his father is saying and openly, expresses his hate of being Asian and also, tells George that he will do exactly as did he – marry a white woman. It seems as if the director of the film intentionally wants the audience (viewers) to think that George is hypocritical. This may be done to show that not all-Muslim fathers are right when making decisions and that they apply different rules for others.

At the very beginning of the film, the oldest of George’s sons’ is undergoing an arranged marriage. Just as the ceremony is about to start, he shames his father’s name by objecting to the wedding and running away.

The film portrays an ‘arranged marriage’ as negative and wrong. Although it shows that the parents are familiar with each other and that they are happy, a reflection as to how the child feels and reacts differs. The film ignores completely the statistics that prove arranged marriages; however unhappy the couple are, tend to last longer than most others.

I feel that the film has shown an arranged marriage inaccurately. In the film the bride and groom haven’t seen each other until the actual wedding day, which is a very false aspect of an arranged marriage. Nazir didn’t have a choice in whether or not he agreed with the marriage (which is the reason he decided to runaway on the actual day). This showed an arranged marriage in an extremely strict and traditional way, which not many Asian families’ follow. Therefore, I conclude that the issue was incorrect and in some aspects, stereotypical.

I feel that the issues raised in ‘East is east’ are indirectly related to many Asian families’ lives. By adding a mixed marriage, I think that this film is intended to show viewers how difficult it is to bring up a family in such a relationship (different religions/cultures). I feel that the audience for this film is people aged around 18 years. This is to warn them of the situations that could arise as the society changes around us all – it is becoming more acceptable for mixed marriages/relationships.