Secular Humanists On Radio 4

[Theland]

Just had an ASH on radio 4 discussing the possibility of an ASH doing the 07:50 slot, "Thought For The Day." Apparently Richard Dawkins did it some time ago, (don't know when), and had a go at religion. BBC are nervous that this would be repeated if ASHes were allowed on. The ASH told John Humpries that we need to respect each others beliefs or lack thereof, and the words, "can of worms" were used in the context of the slot being used, and sinking to, a slanging match. Do we on AB open a can of worms every time we post? Do we not respect each others beoliefs enough? Are the BBC right to be nervous? Have the BBC been reading these R & S threads? What are tomorrows Lotto numbers?

[wizard69]

3, 25,29,33,34,40.

[wizard69]

bonus ball...22

[Theland]

Cheers mate - just nipping out to the shop!

[wizard69]

you'r welcome..

[WaldoMcFroog]

Richard Dawkins was given two and half minutes on the Today programme - *not* as part of TftD - as a result of a letter writting campaign by a number of ASH organistions.

It's amusing that on the one hand the religious are always attempting to characterise atheism as a 'religious belief', but there's a problem if someone with such a religious belief wants to appear on a programme that provides a platform for those of relgious faith, particularly when that platform is multifaith and must therefore be presenting views that much of its audience cannot agree with on a daily basis. ;-)

[Theland]

I think that TftD SHOULD include ASH's, and really anybody who has something meaningful and though provoking, who can address the sorry state of our world. I welcome them.
Maybe the BBC have read a few posts on here and thought, "Oh ohhhhh! Scratch the ABers off the list for a start!"

[Theland]

Waldo & scotchollie - update on the thread you helped me with - cheers.

[jake-the-peg]

Richard Dawkins is a fine chap but is not what you might call sympathetic to peoples emotional needs.

I remember a scene from his television series where he went around Lourdes asking people in wheelchairs whether they'd been cured yet.

I'm not sure I'd feel happy with him doing TFTD if I were radio 4's controller either. But there are plenty of other people I'm sure who'd be able to do a suitable piece

[annavc]

I certainly think they should be allowed - I think anyone should be allowed. It's called "Thought for the Day" not "Religious Thought for the Day". Why does it have to be about any faith or non-faith?

[jenstar]

They should scrap the slot altogether. And that Pause For Platitudes rubbish on Radio 2 as well.

[naomi24]

Anyone who has something thought-provoking to say should be included.

[Theland]

I used to be a hippy - do you think that would qualify me to give a blurb for three minutes every morning?

Oh come on! No other ex hippys out here?

If you're goiiiiiiiiiing to San Francisco .... be sure to wear some flowers in your hair ....

I want to hear Waldo and Wizard giving it loads at ten to eight every morning .... boy .... that would wake me up!

[Theland]

Luna - I NEED your support.

[luna-tic]

Theland, Let me wake up first and get some cereal.

[Theland]

Luna - do you have to get up so early on a Saturday? Is it your job? What cereal do you eat and why?

[naomi24]

Theland, don't you think you might be opening a real can of worms here with these contraversial questions about Luna's cereal? Mmmm .... getting into heavy stuff here.

[Theland]

He eats worms?

No, I was wondering if he got up early to pray.

[Theland]

But seriously, if you were invited on to TftD, what sort of things would you be able to say that would be thought provoking to the listening public, that may even do some good in terms of changing their behaviour slightly, or causing them to reflect on some subject that they would otherwise ignore?

For example, there must be a paradox between people wanting to be all things to all men, and opening our country up to the worlds' oppressed and less well off asylum seekers, and the notion that our British way of life is compromised by such cultural dilution.

So what would your thought provoking message be?

[naomi24]

Sorry I'm a bit late with this. I don't seem to have been keeping up to date with AB very well lately. I'm not sure my Thought for the Day would be taken on board by many, but basically I'd like to say ditch religion and all the nonsense that involves and look upon your neighbour as a fellow human being and, whatever his situation, try to put yourself in his shoes and understand his problems. Of course this solution would only work if everybody heeded the words - which, needless to say, they wouldn't!!

I know what you're saying about the British way of life being transformed - and you're right - without a shadow of a doubt it is being transformed, and in my opinion, not for the better - but that's a separate issue which I believe you've addressed separately.