The BBC is widely regarded as displaying an anti-Christian attitude in its programming, according to the Corporation’s own research.
According to viewers, the BBC uses “derogatory stereotypes” of Christians which portray them as “weak” and “bigoted”.
The BBC report, carried out as part of the corporation’s diversity strategy, said: “In terms of religion, there were many who perceived the BBC to be anti-Christian and as such misrepresenting Christianity.”
Badly
It added: “Christians are specifically mentioned as being badly treated, with a suggestion that more minority religions are better represented despite Christianity being the most widely observed religion within Britain.”
The report quotes one of the survey’s respondents as saying: “As a Christian I find that the BBC’s representation of Christianity is mainly inaccurate, portraying incorrect, often derogatory stereotypes.”
Another respondent is quoted as saying: “Seldom do we find a Christian portrayed in drama, and when we do, it is usually a ‘weak’ person or a ‘bigot’.”
Weak
And another respondent said that Christians were “represented as dogmatic and unsympathetic or as weak and washy and woolly, or as old.”
However, a spokesman for the broadcaster said: “The BBC does not have an anti-Christian bias.
“We have strict editorial guidelines on impartiality, including religious perspectives, and Christian programming forms the majority and the cornerstone of our religion and ethical output.”
Inaccurate
The survey polled nearly 4,500 people. This included some BBC employees.
The survey also revealed that many viewers believe that the BBC retains a politically left-wing or liberal bias in its programming.
In January this year a former BBC news anchor warned that Christians are “fair game” for insults at the broadcaster whilst Muslims must not be offended.
Peter Sissons, whose memoirs were being serialised in the Daily Mail, said: “Islam must not be offended at any price, although Christians are fair game because they do nothing about it if they are offended.”