Hello. I don't go to church, but I have Christian values. As a child I was brought up as a Christian, we studied it at school, we learnt the Lords Prayer, we sang hymns in the morning assembly. Every Christmas like millions of other children, we put on a Nativity play. We were all given a bible at school, we studied it, we learnt how to be good Christians. I went every Sunday to the Methodist Church, in the morning to the service, in the afternoon to Sunday School, and one evening a week to choir practice.
I drifted away when I left school and started work, but I never forgot those Christian values, and I try to live by them today.. It saddens me greatly to read that a simple Christmas advertisement which features The Lords Prayer, made by the Church of England, has been banned by the UK's three leading cinema chains. The advert was made to promote a new C of E website, Just Pray. Here is the full story in The Church Times.
Take a look at the advert, who could be offended by that.
This just makes me cry, what is happening to the world when there is so much evil being preached, yet the Christian message of love is banned. Very sad.
Thanks for popping in.
Lots of love, Ilona xxxxxxx
I agree completely!
ReplyDeletewhat is there to ban? we say we are an enclusive and divers nation tollerant of others and there belifes, so surly this is part of the diversity we as a nation are ment to be proud of?
ReplyDeleteSo glad you shared this, Ilona. Very moving video. I enjoy your blog! Blessings, Bess
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. I am a Christian and I respect the rights of others. It seems that Christians today are the ones who no one will respect. Sad because we truly need the good values you wrote about now more than ever.
ReplyDelete'what is happening to the world when there is so much evil being preached, yet the Christian message of love is banned'
ReplyDeleteMost of the problems in the world right now are because of religion..
I agree as well. It is truly sad this was banned. I really enjoy your blog.
ReplyDelete. What are those against it so afraid will happen by putting it out there? It is a prayer of praise, humility, forgiveness, and acknowledgement of our creator. There is no mention of hatefulness, prejudice, or condemnation. It's the same in America. Everything has to be politically correct and all inclusive. I agree with you. Also, the world would be a much better place if everyone Held true the Christian values. Patty McDonald cmcdonald-44@hotmail.com.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is there's quite a sizeable number of people in Britain who are not religious at all. Perhaps people who pay to watch a film don't want to have perceived evangelical messages directed at them? If they allowed this film, they would not be able to decline films promoting any other religion, including Islam - and if they showed that you can bet there'd be uproar from some people. You also don't have to be a Christian to want to spread love and friendship, they don't have exclusive rights to it! What's your opinion about the messages some Christians direct to gay people?
ReplyDeleteI agree with this post. I am not religious at all and have had some bad experiences of organised religion in general. I do not wish to feel I have been told to pray while just going to the cinema, it isn't something I believe in and the concept of organised religion is personally quite scary to me. Obviously if I entered a church or any other place of worship I would have no right to complain about anything anyone did to live by their faith and I would never dream of doing that anyway. I have every respect for people's beliefs and would fight for them to be heard no matter which God or God's they worship, to me one religion is no better than the other and they all have their good and bad points. I just wouldn't wish to have religious messages directed at me unless I purposely go into a place that is for that purpose, I don't consider where I go for entertainment to be one of those places.
DeleteEm, you are absolutely right on all counts.
DeleteI also agree with the above comments. I was raised in Church with Christian values, but I was in my late 20's when I finally became disillusioned with it all. There were a few amazing people who genuinely lived out what they believed but the majority of Christians I knew were not very 'Christian' at heart, it was all a thin veneer. I could see very negative, judgmental, hypocritical people who could not think for themselves and had very black and white thinking. Most people know right from wrong no matter what their religion is, and those that don't have a moral compass will not change because of a sentimental advert - morality comes from childhood teaching. So I do take exception to being preached to by people who are slowly doing catch up regarding 'equality'. Debbie
DeleteHi Debbie
DeleteFrom your comment......
I could see very negative, judgmental, hypocritical people who could not think for themselves and had very black and white thinking.
Does that mean me? I wrote about my black and white thinking in the previous post, Words of a Simpleton. I don't understand what you mean by. preached to by people who are slowly doing catch up regarding equality. Maybe that's down to my black and white thinking.
Em. Things are going in the right direction and Christians are becoming more tolerable of gay relationships now. It will take time. There are many gay Christians.
DeleteSome christians in Africa still strongly think gay people should be imprisoned for life, and put pressure on governments to ensure it happens. Not sure if that's 'going in the right direction'...
DeleteI was referring to what I see in this country. I don't know what is going on in other parts of the world.
DeleteAnd, I am fed up of people hiding behind 'Anonymous'.
DeleteTouched a nerve?
DeleteMaybe it's what others who keep up date with world affairs see as to why they object to some people using religion to push their views on to others. Even in Northern Ireland (part of the UK, not abroad) the DUP refuses to allow equal marriage, despite the majority of people there supporting it, and the NI Assembly voting in favour of it. The DUP just vetoed it, based on on religious grounds.
I have no idea what you are talking about.
DeleteReally, you've not heard of this whatsoever in the news? Here a few links:
Deletehttp://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/gay-marriage-rejected-by-northern-ireland-stormont-assembly-31175600.html
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/nov/02/northern-ireland-assembly-votes-to-legalise-same-sex-marriage
What's your view on the DUP's position? You mentioned originally about 'caring Christian values' then when others challenge you on this you keep saying you've never heard of it! Perhaps you don't want to hear of things that don't support your opinion.
Page views are going up ;o)
DeleteWhat is DUP ?
Hi Ilona
DeleteReferring back to your question to me. NO I wasn't referring to you at all - I hadn't made that connection and I'm sorry for it reading like that. I was thinking about the people I used to know. Black and white thinking was very common; for example pushing a person away from the church family for divorce without questioning the context of the failed relationship. I don't think you are like that at all, quite the opposite. You mentioned you like black and white thinking in another post but you are referring to yourself, I don't get the impression you would impose your way of life on anyone - its not your style and why I have read your blog everyday for years. Sorry if I was insensitive. I think what I was trying to say is - I found the advert to be overly sentimental in the style of John Lewis, coming up to Christmas, getting bums on seats and pockets open. I have issues with the church of England because of my own experiences. We live in different times but the CofE needs to get its act together if they want to get people through their doors again, an ad is a bit of a waste of money when they can't have compassion for people in their own community or support equality. By equality I am referring to female ordination and allowing them to become bishops. There is still a lot of hostility towards women having roles within the church. I also find homophobic attitudes within the Christian community upsetting. Just my opinion and possibly an explanation as to why Churches are half empty. I think you are fantastic though! Debbie x.
Thank you Debbie for clearing that up. I didn't realize equality was that big a problem. We have a woman vicar here, she is very nice and everyone seems to like her. Our congregation is largely made up of older parishioners, the young ones don't join in unless there is a special event on. Personally I think our church should be used for all kinds of events, not just worship.
Deleteits a sad reflection of the times we live in.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like so many things are ok to show these days, except Christianity. I really wonder if we are living in the end times?
I agree with everything Em said. I know what you are saying Ilona. We are the same age and would have had the same teaching at school and Sunday school but a cinema is not the place to advertise any religion. We go to the cinema to be entertained not to be preached to, even though there was nothing at all offensive about the video. There is a Mosque near to where I live and it is very well attended. I cannot say the same of my local Church of England and we as Christians are all to blame for it's decline, because we do not attend.
ReplyDeleteThe Christian message of love isn't being banned, Ilona. It's just the advert that is being banned.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly makes you think, Ilona! The number of Christians attending church is in decline, and I am frequently the youngest in the congregations that I attend - and I am 43 now. I am loving my new job as a lay worker and enjoying exploring new ways of sharing the love and serving the needs of the local communities. Thanks for sharing the video xxx
ReplyDeleteHi. Yes, the numbers are in decline, but that doesn't mean that Christianity should be ignored, or pushed to one side. I visit churches when I am out and about, they are a place of sanctuary and reflection for me. I say my prayer of thanks in my own quiet way, and sign the visitors book.
DeleteThe word that first came to my mind is the word that David Cameron used - ridiculous. Would the prayer ad be allowed on television? If so, what is the difference?
ReplyDeleteIt's just as bad, maybe worse over here in the US. I live in an area where most people either go to church or believe in God, some with different names than mine. I always think, why can't we all just get along with each other?
ReplyDeleteIn total agreement Ilona.
ReplyDeleteThat was just beautiful, like you say, who could find that offending. All the evil on our screenes today and noone reacts to it. Thanks for sharing. Pam
ReplyDeleteTalking of cinemas , how many people remember at the end of the film we all had to stand while they played "God save the Queen.". ? These days at the end of a film you get about 15 mins of the credits.
ReplyDeleteI'm an out and out atheist, but would have no problem with the ad being shown in a cinema, after all, surely we all have the intelligence to ignore it if we wish!
ReplyDeleteAs for the comment from Em, that if this ad is shown, all other faiths could demand that their 'message' is also put forward in the same manner.......that's as maybe, but this is a Christian country, so why shouldn't Christianity be favoured!
I'm getting sick and tired of having to respect all other faiths/beliefs when Christianity is seemingly ignored!
Hi. This is the point I was trying to get across, I feel Christianity is getting pushed out. I am half a Christian because I don't go to church, but I do believe the Lords Prayer is a good set of rules to try and aspire to.
DeleteThe seed has been planted in you. You know what a Christian is. I am not a 'good' Christian either. :-( But I do believe!!!! That's not the point I want to make, Christians are pushed out, whether in the UK or US. We are supposed to have freedom OF religion in the US not freedom FROM. It's happening all over the world.
ReplyDeleteHello.I am reading this belatedly.Am dismayed to see that so many comments reflect the zeitgeist of the times we live in.Christianity is not perfect,has many flaws but is just as valid as any other ideology,religion and personal belief,imo.When people are no longer able to think critically and go along with the misinformation they are being spoonfed it is very evident that social engineering has been a great success.You are an intelligent and very observant person,Ilona.I "get" your point.I think Christianity has been blamed for a lot of society's failings and injustices and is a target...just like other various religions in the world.It also has been the instigator of many wars,persecutions and injustices.Many people feel that Christian values and lifestyles are derisive, antiquated and are bemused at the" idiocy" of those who have strong faith.Some think it downright evil.Whatever anyone might adhere to i.e. the secular humanists,pagans,atheists,fringe-extremists etc....have had their platform and have been heard to a degree.In these times the laws have been changed to include them in MANY progressive parts of the world,There is a long way to go yet still.,I think their beliefs and concerns are valid too.However; I see that intolerance IS acceptable under the umbrella of politically correct quasi liberal,pro rights of every kind all inclusivity.In other words,If they can expose me to unwanted hedonist,consumerist,materialism and moral bankruptcy twenty four seven,legally then why is it not acceptable and thought outrageous to on occasion be involuntariy exposed to that benign ad.??The air time has been paid for,it's legal and an effective way to promote their agenda too.It's less offensive than some ads,imo and whether or not I am a practicing Christian is irrelevant.Media exposure is a VERY effective tool,why should the Christians not use it to their advantage too?Read somewhere that youth say they hold media and peers ideas higher than their parents and authorities.Media is a good way to spread the message of love too,imo.Whew,that was a long one!Big hugs,D.
ReplyDeleteReligion doesn't cause all the ills of this world, people do. We all have free will to be good and nice and empathetic. It's a choice to be awful.
ReplyDeleteThey can ban commercials but they cannot stop Christ's love from flowing from those of us who believe in him.
ReplyDelete