Should a man in his position, where he can influence so many inpressionable minds, amongst the viewers of Newsnight...

[sandyRoe]

...not be more circumspect in his utterances?

http://uk.tv.yahoo.co...aily-tv-round-up.html

[jomifl]

'Creative time'
1. When toddlers get the 'playdo' and coloured pencils out.
2. The period when god was creating everything.
3. Fiddling the overtime sheets
4. constructing an alibi
5. etc.

[Khandro]

Rowan Williams is intellectually overqualified for the role of Archbishop of Canterbury, and will be much better suited in his future position as an Oxford Don.

[jomifl]

How can he be intellectually over-qualified if he believes in god. If he didn't believe in god he would be over-qualified surely?

[wildwood]

//An appearance before an ecclesiastical court where he would have an opportunity to recant his ill-considered words would be enough.//

They used to do that and the 'offender' was usually put to death.

Should we now take offence at the broadcasted religious services in case they sway young minds with fear of reprisal?

This is not your usual fairly reasonable consideration sandy.

[sandyRoe]

I don't know... You put up an image of Torquemada for less than a day and you're forever tarred as a fan of The Inquisition.
The religious court I had in mind could be made up of the Lords Spiritual who occupy some of the cross benches in the Upper House. They are urbane, humane, intelligent men, who could bring Paxman to see the error of his ways using nothing more than argument.

[Duncer]

I agree with him, but I don't think he should have said it as his job as a presenter is to surely to be as neutral.

[naomi24]

I don't think it's the job of the presenter of Newsnight to remain neutral, is it? I've seen some rather contentious discussions on Newsnight.

[Duncer]

As have I Naomi, and he should cajole and stimulate debate on a show such as his but, as a BBC employee, I would prefer some neutrality from him when doing so.

[naomi24]

Fair enough, if that's what you prefer. Personally I like him speaking his mind.

[Duncer]

Me too, but maintaining a semblance of impartiality. I think he should prod and poke his guests into reactions though. As already stated, I agree with him, but don't think he should be using the BBC to espouse these views. It also leaves him open to attack, not that he should be worried about that.

[sandyRoe]

I hope nobody thinks I'm really attacking Paxman in this question.

[Duncer]

You've been picking on the poor man for ages.........

[birdie1971]

Sandy - “... The religious court I had in mind could be made up of the Lords Spiritual who occupy some of the cross benches in the Upper House. They are urbane, humane, intelligent men, who could bring Paxman to see the error of his ways using nothing more than argument...”

Now that I would like to see – an 'argument' about whether or not the OT is factually correct or not. In all seriousness Sandy, do you honestly believe that if such an argument were to take place, Paxman would lose?

[mibn2cweus]

The only 'safe' position in the court of public opinion as it stands today is the one assumed by Ben Dover.

[jomifl]

I thought Paxman was playing devil's advocate, I cannot see how someone as urbane, humane and intelligent as him could be anything other than a true believer, but in what, I couldn't say :-)

[sandyRoe]

I believe he's a great believer in the relaxing benefits to be found in a quiet afternoon spent trout fishing.

Birdie, science and faith speak different languages. There could never be such a debate.

[chakka35]

Duncer seems to take the idea of BBC neutrality to absurd lengths by suggesting that someone who points out that something is provable nonsense should refrain from saying so.
Should BBC presenters be 'neutral' about astrology, Tarot cards, alien abductions, the Holocaust-deniers .. and so on?

[birdie1971]

Sandy - “... Birdie, science and faith speak different languages...”

I don't often say this but I feel sorry for you if you genuinely believe what you have typed above. In that small sentence you have taken logic, rationality and reasoning and thrown them all in the proverbial bin in favour of irrational, wishful thinking.

To believe that religion cannot be explained and therefore 'just is' is tantamount to relinquishing your belief in reality. You reveal yourself to be yet another reality-denier.

[Khandro]

birdie; A person leading a life based purely on "logic, rationality and reasoning" is, in my humble opinion, the one to be pitied.

[naomi24]

Khandro, Why?