2.1 Generally accepted standards must be applied to the contents of television and radio services so as to provide adequate protection for members of the public from the inclusion in such services of harmful and/or offensive material.
4.2 The religious views and beliefs of those belonging to a particular religion or religious denomination must not be subject to abusive treatment.
5.7 Views and facts must not be misrepresented.
The organisation 'Christian Voice' has outlined the case clearly in an email sent to supporters, and I reproduce the body of that email here for your benefit, dear reader:
Rowan Atkinson mocks Christ at Prince's Birthday Show
Rowan Atkinson mocked the Bible, Jesus Christ, His miracle at Cana and His crucifixion on the Prince of Wales' 60th birthday show at 8.35pm on Saturday 15th November 2008 which was broadcast on ITV as 'We are most amused'.
Atkinson came on dressed as a vicar and began to read from John Chapter 2. After half a verse he began to blaspheme the word of God and mock the Lord and His miracles as conjuring tricks. Since the presentation did not change, it would not have been clear to someone unfamiliar with the scriptures what was from the Bible and what was not. Atkinson finished up by saying: 'He did go unto Jerusalem and he did his full act ... they absolutely crucified him.' (A reference to a common showbiz saying when an act has gone down badly.)
Here is a YouTube clip
All this was in front of the heir to the throne, who, if the Lord wills, will be granted the title 'Defender of the Faith' when he is crowned. Atkinson is a friend of the Prince of Wales, and he thinks he can do as he likes. The camera did not record the Prince's reaction.
That comedy can be clean, respectful and side-splittingly funny was shown earlier in the evening by Bill Bailey in a brilliant musical piece of solo stand-up comedy.
Atkinson has rightly defended political satire and his biography quotes him as saying: 'The freedom to criticize ideas, any ideas - even if they are sincerely held beliefs - is one of the fundamental freedoms of society.'
But his sketch was not political satire, nor did it criticise any idea or belief of Christianity. It was just insulting, mocking, crass and disrespectful. Civilised, decent people do not behave like that. Plainly Atkinson thinks there is not enough disrespect in our society already today.
And as he wouldn't come on dressed as an Imam and ridicule something in the Koran, he evidently thinks Christianity is a softer touch than Islam. Atkinson chooses to offend Christians but would never dare to offend Muslims. He displays all the cowardice of his class.
The Ofcom Broadcasting Code states:
2.1 Generally accepted standards must be applied to the contents of television and radio services so as to provide adequate protection for members of the public from the inclusion in such services of harmful and/or offensive material.
4.2 The religious views and beliefs of those belonging to a particular religion or religious denomination must not be subject to abusive treatment.
5.7 Views and facts must not be misrepresented.
(1) Make your Ofcom complaint by clicking HERE:
You have all the details above. In the last box I said: 'Blasphemous, insulting, offensive and abusive of Christianity, contrary to Sections 2.1, 4.2 and 5.7 of the Broadcasting Code.'
But you can say more if you wish, and indeed if all comments are the same they will only say it was an 'orchestrated' campaign. So use your own words.
(2) Write to the Prince of Wales at: Clarence House, LONDON, SW1A 1BA or at: Highgrove House, Doughton, TETBURY, Gloucestershire GL8 8TN.
He is addressed on the envelope as 'HRH The Prince of Wales'. The salutation is 'Your Royal Highness' and you end with 'I have the honour to be Your Royal Highness's obedient servant' and then sign it. You can email but it is far, far better to write, and to do so in legible handwriting is best of all.
A good question to ask is whether the Prince's office knew anything about the content of Atkinson's act in advance and was asked to approve it. Write in your own words, of course.
(3) Write to Rowan Atkinson at his home address which is: The Old Rectory, Waterderry, OXFORD, OX33 1LB
READ: Luke 23:36-43 - It is so easy to mock the Lord, but also possible to find faith and repent even at the last hour.
PRAY: That Atkinson will be castigated and chastened by this event and will repent and turn to the Lord he has mocked. Pray that the Prince of Wales will distance himself from Atkinson's remarks. Pray that Ofcom will find a breach of its Code. And may God have mercy on us.
Rowan Atkinson mocked the Bible, Jesus Christ, His miracle at Cana and His crucifixion on the Prince of Wales' 60th birthday show at 8.35pm on Saturday 15th November 2008 which was broadcast on ITV as 'We are most amused'.
Atkinson came on dressed as a vicar and began to read from John Chapter 2. After half a verse he began to blaspheme the word of God and mock the Lord and His miracles as conjuring tricks. Since the presentation did not change, it would not have been clear to someone unfamiliar with the scriptures what was from the Bible and what was not. Atkinson finished up by saying: 'He did go unto Jerusalem and he did his full act ... they absolutely crucified him.' (A reference to a common showbiz saying when an act has gone down badly.)
Here is a YouTube clip
All this was in front of the heir to the throne, who, if the Lord wills, will be granted the title 'Defender of the Faith' when he is crowned. Atkinson is a friend of the Prince of Wales, and he thinks he can do as he likes. The camera did not record the Prince's reaction.
That comedy can be clean, respectful and side-splittingly funny was shown earlier in the evening by Bill Bailey in a brilliant musical piece of solo stand-up comedy.
Atkinson has rightly defended political satire and his biography quotes him as saying: 'The freedom to criticize ideas, any ideas - even if they are sincerely held beliefs - is one of the fundamental freedoms of society.'
But his sketch was not political satire, nor did it criticise any idea or belief of Christianity. It was just insulting, mocking, crass and disrespectful. Civilised, decent people do not behave like that. Plainly Atkinson thinks there is not enough disrespect in our society already today.
And as he wouldn't come on dressed as an Imam and ridicule something in the Koran, he evidently thinks Christianity is a softer touch than Islam. Atkinson chooses to offend Christians but would never dare to offend Muslims. He displays all the cowardice of his class.
The Ofcom Broadcasting Code states:
2.1 Generally accepted standards must be applied to the contents of television and radio services so as to provide adequate protection for members of the public from the inclusion in such services of harmful and/or offensive material.
4.2 The religious views and beliefs of those belonging to a particular religion or religious denomination must not be subject to abusive treatment.
5.7 Views and facts must not be misrepresented.
(1) Make your Ofcom complaint by clicking HERE:
You have all the details above. In the last box I said: 'Blasphemous, insulting, offensive and abusive of Christianity, contrary to Sections 2.1, 4.2 and 5.7 of the Broadcasting Code.'
But you can say more if you wish, and indeed if all comments are the same they will only say it was an 'orchestrated' campaign. So use your own words.
(2) Write to the Prince of Wales at: Clarence House, LONDON, SW1A 1BA or at: Highgrove House, Doughton, TETBURY, Gloucestershire GL8 8TN.
He is addressed on the envelope as 'HRH The Prince of Wales'. The salutation is 'Your Royal Highness' and you end with 'I have the honour to be Your Royal Highness's obedient servant' and then sign it. You can email but it is far, far better to write, and to do so in legible handwriting is best of all.
A good question to ask is whether the Prince's office knew anything about the content of Atkinson's act in advance and was asked to approve it. Write in your own words, of course.
(3) Write to Rowan Atkinson at his home address which is: The Old Rectory, Waterderry, OXFORD, OX33 1LB
READ: Luke 23:36-43 - It is so easy to mock the Lord, but also possible to find faith and repent even at the last hour.
PRAY: That Atkinson will be castigated and chastened by this event and will repent and turn to the Lord he has mocked. Pray that the Prince of Wales will distance himself from Atkinson's remarks. Pray that Ofcom will find a breach of its Code. And may God have mercy on us.
Well, dear reader, there you have it. Are you happy to have Jesus Christ mocked and blasphemed in this manner? Are you happy to have Holy Scripture misrepresented for the sake of so-called comedy? If you are then that's your choice and prerogative, but if, like me, you are not, then I hope that you will write and make your complaints known.
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