It tackles current issues from the point of different religions, e.g. the attack on the world trade centre, and how it made people question their faith. It also covers unusual religious issues, like a football playing Muslim girl, a topic that was featured in the recent film, "Bend it like Beckham." The programme is aimed at adults who are interested in religion or current affairs. Many may like this show as it raises issues that will interest a lot of people and may give them greater faith in their religion.
The third type of religious programme is confessional. For example: “My Favourite Hymns", which is on ITV on a Sunday morning. The programme interviews prominent religious figures to find out about their favourite hymns, and then shows them. It is for older religious people and they might agree with the programme if interested in religions other than their own. They may also feel like they are worshipping God by watching it, if they can't get to the church. It has a very traditional attitude, which some might not agree with.
The last type of programme is documentaries. They explore what is going on in the world of religion and help educate about different religions. There are many other programmes that could be classified as religious because they contain religious and moral issues.
On television Christianity is the main religion talked about, other faiths aren’t covered very much, you might get the odd hour special, but other than this you don’t get many programmes that are on daily. Even though some channels still broadcast religious programmes the amount of them is not great so religion does not have that big of an influence on modern day media. The religious programmes shown these days are aimed at the “vaguely religious” who believe in God but don’t practice.
'The Vicar of Dibley.' The series is set in the small community of Dibley, where there is much discussion about the new female vicar, Geraldine Granger. Geraldine is very religious; Mel Gibson and Jesus are her favourite men. She is very laid back about life, and shouts "Come in if you're sexy and love Jesus" to people who knock on her door. Despite having a religious image, and responsibility, Geraldine enjoys men, eating chocolate, and getting drunk. This shows that she is completely ordinary, and is not out of touch at all.
The other main character I will look at is David Horton. He is the head of the council in Dibley, and very out of touch with the modern world. He believes that women should not become vicars and is shocked by Geraldine.
In television religious people are sometimes portrayed as being very out of touch, particularly where comedy is concerned. This exaggeration of the character is simply to entertain viewers.
Britney Spears is a singer in the pop world, but behaves like a normal teenager. She dresses wearing revealing clothes, and her song lyrics are very suggestive. Being a Christian she shares the belief that sex before marriage is wrong.
I think although television channels do try to make religious programmes suited for a younger audience they still are viewed by more of an older generation because the general public see religion as something old and for older people.
