Thought for the day

News in, that the BBC may bow to pressure and open up Thought for the Day, as BBC Radio 4′s Mr Damazer said the programme had improved since it had included a wider range of religious voices. Although there was no immediate prospect of opening it up to non-religious voices, he remarked:

This is by no means a straightforward question. I don’t think the world would fall apart if we changed the remit of Thought for the Day. I just think in this particular instance an editorial definition of TftD which has faith at its centre works well enough for enough of the audience. But I don’t think it is beyond peradventure and internal verity that it has to be faith based.

John Humphrys reiterated his opinion that atheists should be included. “As a non-believer, I’ve always thought there’s an argument for a secular Thought for the Day — but not because of discrimination. I think we’d get some interesting views” he said.

Mr. Damazer’s comments attracted some resistance on the BBC forums, with these apposite and pithy replies appealing to me most.

I find Thought for the Day offensive. If the BBC feels it is necessary to broadcast such programs, then let it provide a separate channel, which can also accommodate astrology, numerology, witchcraft and all the other speculative vestigial belief systems whose devotees wish to saddle the rest of society with.

and

There is a place for fiction on Radio 4 and we should see this 3 minute slot as one of these.

and

Thought for the day has no place in a news programme, none whatsoever. Rod Liddle, during his time, tried to get rid of the witless tripe, and failed.
It is clear that the religious block will somehow keep it on board, so the best thing is to go and brush your teeth while the patronizing nonsense is on.

Myself, I normally time my morning piss to it.