“Father Ted,” is a comedy programme set in Ireland, which focuses on three priests who live together with a maid, in a small isolated cottage home. Although the main characters are Christians, they are not actually presented in a respectful and gracious way, which many would expect. This is shown through the way that the characters interact with each other, especially Father Jack, who is constantly shouting out rude, perverted words and is seen to be a poor role model. Furthermore, the way, which Father Ted, the eponymous character and Father Crilly, exploits, Father Dougal's intellectual disadvantages suggests a lack of integrity in the Roman Catholic Church. In addition, this programme presents religious people as out of touch with the modern world. This idea is particularly expressed through, Father Ted and the way, which he attempts to get on television to be in touch; but instead inadvertently proves the opposite – that he is out of touch. Overall, the priests in this programme aid the director, in presenting religious people as out of touch and in a negative way, especially, the main character Father Ted’s uncaring, sarcastic, and cynical attitude.
In contrast to “Father Ted,” “The Eden Project” is a real life programme, in which the main Character Sharon Murphy, a Christian volunteer attempts to reduce crime and spread the word of God, through working with local children in her new community. Her work includes, playing football with children, providing social and health education, games on a bus and religious talks and exhibitions. During her work with the children and others, Sharon interacts with other characters in an intellectual and respective manner, treating them as equals. This is shown through the way, which she remains respectful, even though others may be rude by calling them “Bible Bashers”, or may be quickly dismissive of her ideas; this therefore illustrates her commitment towards helping others and Jesus. This is further shown through her comment on working with kids: “We are happy to work with any kids, in respect of whether they become Christians or not.” As this shows Sharon is committed to Jesus and her work, of helping the children. Moreover, Sharon is a sympathetic character, who is patient and understanding with the children, who also feel that they can trust her.
Overall in this programme the main religious character is presented in a positive light and as in touch with the modern world. Although the majority of the adults in the programme view Sharon in a negative light, the children have a positive impression of them. This is shown through the children’s respect for Sharon, and the fact that she fits in with the children, and therefore with the society today and future of tomorrow, which the children of today will play a huge role in. Furthermore, the fact that the children are helped through problems such as suicide by Sharon, show the massively positive effects of her work.
“Songs of Praise” is the next programme, which I watched. This is a religious programme, which shows people worshipping God through song. This programmes target audience is mature Christians. The fact that all the people are all Christians causes us to think of them as a bit strange and out of touch with our society because they appear to be perfect, squeaky clean people; something very uncommon in society. Although the people in this programme are portrayed as in touch with each other, they only fit in with their own society and not with the modern world as many people find that they cannot relate to them. By portraying a perfect image of Christians the programme causes us to draw inaccurate conclusions, such as all Christians are perfect; when in fact the reality is, that we are all sinners. This means that the images of Christians portrayed in this programme are unrealistic and inaccurate.
“Eastenders,” is a complete comparison to “Songs of praise,” in the sense that the main Christian character, Dot Cotton, although caring, sympathetic and understanding is not shown to be perfect; but instead is accurately depicted as a normal person with her own flaw, who makes mistakes. In the programme Dot interacts with the other characters in a spiritual and positive way, often giving advice based on teachings from the bible. The fact that Dot is so sympathetic and compassionate to the other characters in the programme shows her and therefore, religion in a positive light. However, because she is one of the few religious characters in the soap she can sometimes be seen as out of touch with her own society, as she is sometimes not taken seriously and does not always support the dominant views of other groups around the square.
The final programme, which I watched was an episode of “The Simpson’s” entitled “Homer the Heretic.” This programme was different from the other programmes, which I have studied in many ways. It is an American comedic cartoon, in which religion is portrayed as in touch with the modern world just like in “The Eden Project.” In “The Simpson’s”, however, this is shown through the fact that most of the characters attend church and that those who do not attend church are seen as out of touch as church is displayed as part of a weekly routine for everyone.
The focus of this episode is on Homer Simpson and his harsh decision to give up attending church. This suggests an insincere approach to religion ion this programme, because Homer gives up his faith as though it is a joke. When we watch this programme, however, we come to expect to see these sorts of things because it is supposed to be funny and therefore, there for our personal entertainment, and not for directly religious purposes. In the programme, however, religion is also portrayed in a positive light through the main religious character Ned Flanders. This is illustrated through the way, which Ned does the good deed of saving his neighbour Homer from a house fire caused by his rejection of church, because if Homer had gone to church the fire would not have occurred at all. Overall, in this episode religion is portrayed in a positive way, showing Christians to be in touch with the modern world.
Through my viewing and analysis of these five programmes I have come to the conclusion that Christianity on television although sometimes approached in a comedic manner is generally presented in a positive way. Furthermore, I have also come to believe that religious characters are often shown to be out of touch with our modern world and society and are sometimes shown to be in touch in programmes such as “The Eden Project” and “The Simpson’s.” I therefore feel that the importance role of religion in our society is not as thoroughly emphasized as it should be on television.
