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Shhh! It's Sir Cliff! I can't say that I am a particular fan of Cliff Richard but I am right behind him when it comes to the "Millennium Prayer" ... a setting of the Lord's Prayer to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne," which has proved itself to be a number one best seller. Strangely it has been banned airplay by most national and local radio stations in the U.K., an action which is, for this material, both extraordinary and unprecedented. Let's consider the possible reasons:- (1) Faith doesn't sell mobile phones, (the biggest sellers for presents at Christmas). True, but hardly sufficient reason to ban the record. No one is seriously suggesting that this or any other record depresses the sales of this or any other product. (2) Sir Cliff released the record too early for Christmas. This reason, (unbelievably, actually used by some radio stations), is the limpest of all. Sir Cliff's timing doesn't seem to be far out so far! Don't hold your breath for the great expected dose of media gospel telling nearer the time. It hasn't happened before! (3) Not all listeners are Christians. True, but the millions who have gone out and bought the record surely might reasonably expect to hear it on their radios as well. (4) The hard-bitten secular DJ's and producers are too embarrassed to play it. Maybe but that's hardly good commercial decision making is it? (5) Jo-public will be too embarrassed to hear it ... not if the record sales are anything to go by! (6) It isn't the right image for the radio station. We're somewhat nearer the truth now. The media pundits and moguls who run the leisure industry are mostly light years' distant from any sensitivity to spiritual concerns. However, it would seem that they don't know their public very well. Maybe this cynical secular cocoon will be their undoing. In my judgement I think the reaction can be explained by understanding that Sir Cliff, in releasing this record, has broken one of the strongest taboos of our highly controlled and regulated media in the UK. "Thou shalt not display thy faith in public." This isn't a matter of English reserve. It's far more worrying than that. It's the idea that Great Aunt Maud has done something unspeakable in public. The Family (Establishment) closes ranks. The truth is that the people know better and quite like the old dear. I have rarely encountered a better justification for a total deregulation of Christian broadcasting than in the events of recent days. OK, so we might get a lot of naff tele-evangelists. But, we also might gain a more open attitude towards faith in the public domain. That would have to be for the good. Fr Gregory |
