Describe the variety of specifically religious programmes on the four main television channels.

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Describe the variety of specifically religious programmes on the four main television channels.

 On television today they are few programmes which are specifically religious, specifically religious meaning the programmes focus on religions or a religion throughout the show. The issues discussed are relevant only to religion there are no moral or social issues. These days the majority of programmes are vaguely religious they are based more on views and interests rather then beliefs and values. The main objective of a specifically religious show is to either inform others about the religion or intentionally be broadcasted for a specific religion on a specific day.

  Looking through the T.V guide its evident the majority of specifically religious programmes are limited and normally tend to be on a certain day, which in this case are on Sunday. There are a few specific religious programmes on during the week but they all seem to be one-offs. There is one based on the Muslims in Afghanistan and another on marriage. The reason for these programmes is because of Ramadan and because of the September 11 events. The other religious programmes are songs of praise, the heaven and earth show, and holy smoke are on the main channels and these programmes are on a permanent basis. Also because of Remembrance Day for the deaths of the soldiers who died in the war’s a programme was viewed which hymns were sang from the bible. There doesn’t seem to be much evidence of a variety of religious programmes but due to the fact its Ramadan there seems to be more programmes based on Muslims which are one-off.

The main genres of religious programmes on television today are normally presented as documentaries, one-off shows, magazines and worship style shows.

  One of the programmes which is vaguely religious more then specifically religious is the “Heaven and Earth Show” and the title suggests it’s more religious then it actually is. The programme is in the format of a magazine style, this means the show is laid back and the presenters sit on a sofa and discuss both moral and spiritual issues. Out of all the issues and subjects brought up only one or two are specifically religious.

  The “Heaven and Earth Show” lasts for one hour and is normally broadcasted on Sunday morning, the content varies from time to time but there is always the minimum of one religious mentioning. On the show I watched the show was split into four sections with only one being specifically religious. The various issues which were brought up were as follows:

  The first was a poster where a woman was advertising the motor showing wearing lingerie that some women felt portrayed women to be cheap and exuded the wrong impression of women. In the show this topic was discusses with fashion editors and the public. The topic didn’t involve religion in the slightest most was to do with views on women equality. The second issue on the show was an interview with Deborah Harry a famous artist the interview wasn’t even vaguely religious as she was asked question on her future and past religion wasn’t even mentioned directly or indirectly. Then a clip of a woman who was in touch with nature appeared she was interviewed about the way of her life this was vaguely religious as she spoke about meditation, and respecting the earth although the issues were more spiritual then religious many references were made to religion indirectly. To end the show Diwali was mentioned. This was the only time in the show a specific religious subject was mentioned. A diwalli women came in and explained how why and by whom diwali is celebrated.

  Overall the show had limited religious references Most of the show was to do with social moral views and opinions on secular matters. The atmosphere was very relaxed, lively and chatty.  The intended audience can be anyone who’s interested in philosophy or just interested in a brief understanding of a religion. On the whole the magazine styles of religious programmes are concise and normally contain very little information of religion they are more surrounded by ethical issues.

 Another type of specifically religious programme is called the “10 things you want to know about Islam”. This was a one off programme and was most likely on because of the month of Ramadan. This programme was produced by Muslim people for everyone possibly to answer the questions on peoples mind. Muslims who wanted to watch it or non-Muslims who wanted to find more information on a certain topic. The show was very informative and the information was portrayed in a humorous way by a Muslim comedian. The aims of the show were to get rid of all the stereotypes on Muslims such as them no social life and the women are oppressed and the true meaning of the Hijab and show Muslim beliefs on issues such as pre-marital sex, alcohol, food generally the way of life.

  One-off programs which mostly focus on one religion or subject are normally shown at a certain part of the year. I.e. there related to incidents of events e.g. during Easter more programmes on Christians are viewed. One-off programs are really intended for everyone who’s interested in religion. They either give a brief outline of the beliefs and values or show an insight in a particular incident like the September 11th event. There normally on for a particular reason. The one-off programme I viewed didn’t go in to too much depth in Islam is overlooked it and as it was concise it had greater impact in my opinion then a weekly programme would.

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During Ramadan there was also a documentary about Islam and arrange marriages presented. The programme showed a young man who was born and bread in the east of London to marry an eastern girl with first laying eyes on her on their wedding day. The documentary showed the journey of the boy going through each process of a Muslim wedding. Overall references were made to Islam but they were kept to a minimum.

The programme was set as a documentary; the idea of a documentary is to capture viewer’s interest, there not always religious most of the time it’s ...

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