Jeremy Vine, 43, the BBC presenter, has claimed that it is becoming “socially unacceptable” to live a Christian life in Britain and highlighted the increasing hostility facing Christians, particularly from the media. He says that he feels unable to openly talk about his faith on his show because he fears that people would have unpredictable reaction. He argues that society’s attitude toward the freedom to express religious views has become increasingly intolerant and hostile. “You can’t express views that were common currency 30 or 40 years ago,” he said. “Arguably, the parameters of what you might call ‘right thinking’ are probably closing. Sadly, along with that has come the fact that it’s almost socially unacceptable to say you believe in God.”
“I’m living a strange life aren’t I? A journalist is paid not to have views. But we all know that we do. We’re all made of different things. We all think different things. One of the things that I think, which may sound bizarre, is that Christ is who he said he was,” Mr Vine said. “I don’t think I would put that out on my show; I suppose there’s a bit of a firewall between thinking that and doing the job I do.”
Mr Vine, who took over Sir Jimmy Young’s radio lunchtime slot in 2003, is a practising Anglican, but says he would be compromised by being open about his Christian faith on air. He says that mere speaking about his faith would be destructive to his job.
His remarks follow a claim last month by Roman Catholic Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor who claimed that the rise of secularism has led to a liberal society, hostile to Christian morals and values, in which religious belief is viewed as “a private eccentricity” and the voice of faith groups is marginalised. The cardinal warned that Britain indicates signs of degenerating into a society free of morals, because of its increasing rejection of traditional Christian values and its new emphasis on the rights of the individual.
Last year, Mark Thompson, the Director-General of the BBC and a practising Roman Catholic, suggested that BBC should treat Islam more sensitively than Christianity. A few days before his statement, the BBC had been criticized for its treatment of ‘Christian’ characters after EastEnders’ Dot Cotton was ridiculed during an episode where she objected to two kissing men.
Also in October last year, James MacMillan, the conductor of the BBC Philharmonic orchestra, gave a lecture at the Royal Institute of British Architects, speaking of an ‘ignorant’ secular liberal minority in the media seeking to drive religion from the public sphere. He urged religious people to resist “increasingly aggressive attempts to still their voices”.
“The ignorance-fuelled hostility to religion, widespread among secular liberal elites, is in danger of colouring society’s value-free ‘neutrality’ in ways that are both bland and naïve. … They are also impractical, unattractive and, I suggest, oppressive.” Mr MacMillan said.
Christians are called by the Lord Jesus Christ to proclaim His Gospel and speak Truth in Love openly and fearlessly. This is for the benefit of the nation.
DAILY TELEGRAPH, 19 Jan 2009 :
Christians are becoming social pariahs in Britain, claims Jeremy Vine
DAILY MAIL, 18 Jan 2009 :
Why I won’t discuss my Christianity on air, by Radio 2 and Panorama host Jeremy Vine
DAILY TELEGRAPH, 15 Oct 2008 :
BBC boss says Islam should be treated more sensitively than Christianity
DAILY TELEGRAPH, 07 Dec 2008 :
Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor: Britain is 'unfriendly' for religious people
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