It is a remarkable development in our progressive, Western culture that an advertisement encouraging people to pray the Lord’s Prayer was considered inappropriate for viewing in UK cinemas.
The main concern seems to be that people might find the message to be offensive, especially those of an other religion or of no religion at all.
Yet as Michael Jensen noted in his ABC blog post, it is ironic that the cinema is comfortable advertising other objects of worship, from cars through to soft drinks, yet is not prepared to invite people to pray the same prayer that’s still said in Parliament.
Most disturbing is the idea that speaking about religion is in itself offensive. This is the next stage of the slippery slope we’ve been dreading.
This is bad for our society, not only because it silences the message of Jesus, but because it censors discussion about spirituality and God.
Yet, as censorship grows for religious discussion, censorship also shrinks for the increasing amount of pornography in the public sphere. Recent changes to television regulations mean that M-rated programs containing graphic content can now be shown in prime family viewing time from 7.30pm.
Now more than ever, let’s keep praying the prayer that Jesus taught us: Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come!